DETERMINATION DEVICE AND DETERMINATION METHOD

A component determination system includes a checker module unit that supplies power to a DUT being connected, and a normality determination unit that transmits and receives inspection data to and from the DUT via the checker module unit. The checker module unit includes a connector conversion unit and a power conversion unit, and the normality determination unit receives inspection data indicating that the DUT has been activated by supplying power to the DUT, and causes a GUI to display a fact that the DUT has been activated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a determination device and a determination method.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been proposed a method for determining normality (whether an electronic component normally operates without failure) of an electronic component which is a measurement target (device under test (DUT)).

Non Patent Literature 1 describes an example of an IC checker that inspects connected electronic components as a tool for developers. This IC checker inputs a digital data array including 0, 1 to an IC as a DUT, and checks whether an output result of the digital data array from the IC including 0, 1 is as expected.

Non Patent Literature 2 describes an example in which an operating state is displayed by an LED lamp included in an electronic component itself.

CITATION LIST

Non Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In order to shorten the interruption time of the communication service and continue the communication service even when a component fails, it is desirable to always prepare a spare electronic component (package (PKG)), which is a replacement component, in a maintenance base. Then, when the PKG used in a communication device in a local environment actually fails, a maintenance person carries the spare PKG in the maintenance base to the local environment as a replacement PKG.

Since the replacement PKG may also be broken, the normality is confirmed at the time of replacement. That is, the replacement PKG is also a normality measurement target.

In a conventional technology, a maintenance person carries a replacement PKG from a maintenance base to a local environment, and mounts the replacement PKG on a communication device in the local environment to confirm normality. However, when an abnormality is found in the replacement PKG in the local environment, it takes time and effort to return to the maintenance base again and carry the replacement PKG. In addition, there has also been a case where the time required for the PKG replacement prolongs the interruption time of the communication service.

On the other hand, in order to confirm the normality of the replacement PKG in advance at the maintenance base, it is necessary to deploy a communication facility for confirmation in the maintenance base. Since this communication facility is prepared for each system and each vendor, it is very expensive. Construction work for constructing communication equipment is also required.

It is not possible to appropriately transmit the state of the replacement PKG to the maintenance person while communicating with the replacement PKG only by using the conventional IC checker such as Non Patent Literature 1 instead of the communication device in the local environment. In addition, since the power supply conditions are different for each IC, IC checkers are also required as many as the number of power supply conditions to the IC, which results in a high-cost test environment. In addition, a large communication facility used by a communication company is modularized so as to be replaceable for each part, and the check function in the DUT such as Non Patent Literature 2 needs to connect the DUT to a communication device in a local environment to supply power.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to confirm normality of a replacement component at low cost before carrying the replacement component to a local environment.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problem, a determination device of the present invention has the following characteristics.

The present invention is directed to a determination device includinga checker module unit that supplies power to a measurement target being connected, anda normality determination unit that transmits and receives inspection data to and from the measurement target via the checker module unit,in which the checker module unit includesa connector conversion unit that converts a connector such that the checker module unit and the measurement target can be connected according to a standard of a connector used for connection to the measurement target, anda power conversion unit that converts into a standard capable of supplying power to the measurement target according to a standard of power used by the measurement target, andthe normality determination unit receives the inspection data indicating that the measurement target has been activated by supplying power to the measurement target, and causes a display device to display a fact that the measurement target has been activated.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to confirm normality of a replacement component at low cost before carrying the replacement component to a local environment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.1is a configuration diagram of a component determination system100.

The component determination system100is constructed, for example, in a place different from a local environment such as a maintenance base. As a result, normality can be confirmed before carrying a DUT30as a measurement target to the local environment.

The DUT30is replacement equipment, and may be a device such as a switch or a router, or an electronic component (PKG) mounted on the device. The DUT30of the electronic component is, for example, an optical module attached a box type switch or an interface card attached to a chassis type switch.

The component determination system100is used, for example, in the following applications.Plant shipment inspection.Delivery inspection/acceptance inspection.Inspection combining a plurality of DUTs30. This is because there are combinations of the setting data of the plurality of DUTs30in which failure determination cannot be performed only by checking the normality of a single DUT30.

The component determination system100includes a checker module unit10including a connector conversion unit11, a normality determination unit20, a graphical user interface (GUI)40such as an external monitor or a light emitting diode (LED), and a power supply unit50. The checker module unit10and the normality determination unit20may be configured as separate devices, or may be configured as an integrated determination device110.

In order to support the inspection in which the plurality of DUTs30are combined, one normality determination unit20and a plurality of checker module units10may be connected.

The DUT30is attached to the connector conversion unit11. The attached DUT30is energized from the checker module unit10, and data is transmitted to and received from the checker module unit10, and thereby the normality of the DUT30is confirmed. That is, the DUT30attached to the connector conversion unit11operates in the inspection environment as if the DUT is attached to the housing of the communication device operated in the local environment.

A first program (firmware) executed on the DUT30exchanges a signal with a second program executed on a communication device side in a local environment to determine the normality of the DUT30itself, and notifies a maintenance person of the abnormal state via the second program.

Here, since the normality determination unit20emulates the second program, the first program on the DUT30can determine the normality and notify the maintenance person of the abnormal state similarly to the second program even when a communication partner is switched from the second program in the local environment to the normality determination unit20.

The checker module unit10supplies power from the power supply unit50to the DUT30, and converts different standards of the DUT30for each vendor (or for each system) so that the same normality determination unit20can transmit and receive signals. As a result, normality for a plurality of vendors can be confirmed in a unified manner. The standard of the DUT30is, for example, a data structure, a parameter, a connector shape, a connector arrangement, and the like.

The normality determination unit20transmits and receives inspection data to and from the DUT30via the checker module unit10, and determines normality with respect to a response from the DUT30. The inspection data are listed below.The power supply signal supplies power to the DUT30to activate the DUT30.The unique data is data unique to the DUT30, and is, for example, model number information, a manufacturing number, a lot number, a firmware version, or the like.The setting data is data set (registration and control) in the DUT30in order to operate the DUT30in a communication device in a local environment, and is, for example, parameters such as a slot number, a wavelength number, a path number, a port number, and a module type.The response data is data indicating a response from the DUT30to the setting data.

FIG.2is a hardware configuration diagram of each device (the checker module unit10and the normality determination unit20) in the component determination system100.

Each device of the component determination system100is configured as a computer900including a CPU901, a RAM902, a ROM903, an HDD904, a communication I/F905, an input/output I/F906, and a medium I/F907.

The communication I/F905is connected to an external communication device915. The input/output I/F906is connected to an input/output device916. The medium I/F907reads and writes data from and to a recording medium917. Moreover, the CPU901controls each processing unit by executing a program (also referred to as an application or an app for abbreviation thereof) read into the RAM902. Then, the program can be distributed via a communication line or recorded in a recording medium917such as a CD-ROM and distributed.

FIG.3is a detailed configuration diagram of the component determination system100.

A CPU31, a ROM32, and a RAM33are mounted on the DUT30.

The checker module unit10includes a connector conversion unit11, a data conversion unit12, and a power conversion unit13.

The power conversion unit13is configured to be detachable from the checker module unit10in order to convert the power supplied from the power supply unit50into a standard that can be supplied for each DUT30. Note that the standard of the power supply unit50is not limited to 100 V AC, and any standard can be adopted.

That is, since the connector conversion unit11and the power conversion unit13of the checker module unit10emulate the power supply circuit in the local environment, it is possible to inspect energization and activation of the DUT30without using a communication device in the local environment.

The connector conversion unit11and the power conversion unit13of the checker module unit10of the component determination system100are replaced for each DUT30, but the other inspection environments (mainly the normality determination unit20) can be commonly used by the DUTs30of a plurality of vendors.

The connector conversion unit11performs conversion so as to be connectable to the checker module unit10according to the standard of the connector used for connection to the DUT30. That is, the connector conversion unit11performs conversion related to a physical shape such as a connector shape or pin arrangement different for each vendor of the DUT30.

The connector conversion unit11is configured as, for example, an attachment (conversion adapter) detachable from the checker module unit10. For example, when inspecting the DUT30manufactured by the company A, the maintenance person inserts the connector conversion unit11for the company A into the checker module unit10. When thereafter inspecting the DUT30manufactured by the company B, the maintenance person may remove the connector conversion unit11for the company A from the checker module unit10and then replace it with the connector conversion unit11for the company B.

The data conversion unit12performs conversion related to contents of a signal such as a data structure and parameter conversion for performing data communication between the DUT30and the normality determination unit20. Therefore, the data conversion unit12includes a conversion table12A and a RAM12B.

In the conversion table12A, data such as a slot number/port number (data indicating a mounting position), an interface type, wavelength data, and path data is stored for each vendor. As the data in the conversion table12A, for example, a case where the company A manages the mounting position data in the form of “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6” as the slot number and the company B manages the mounting position data in the form of “1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6” will be described.

When relaying the inspection data transmitted and received between the DUT30and the normality determination unit20, the data conversion unit12converts the inspection data according to the standard of the data handled by the DUT30. For example, the data conversion unit12receives data (slot numbers1and2) of the company A input from the normality determination unit20(data input unit21) and temporarily stores the data in the RAM12B.

Then, when the DUT30of the B company is attached to the connector conversion unit11, the data conversion unit12refers to the conversion table12A and converts data (slot No. 1, 2, . . . ) of the A company in the RAM12B into data (slot No. 1-1, 1-2, . . . ) of the B company. As a result, since the data of the A company is parameter-converted into the data of the B company, a difference in vendor can be absorbed.

The normality determination unit20includes a data input unit21, a DB22, a response processing unit23, a data comparison unit24, a determination unit25, and a result display unit26.

The data input unit21inputs the inspection data to the DUT30in response to the input operation from the maintenance person. The DB22stores inspection data unique to each vendor. The inspection data in the DB22is manually input by the maintenance person in advance.

When the DUT30of the company A is inspected, it is necessary to prepare data of the company A in the DB22in advance. In a case where a component of another vendor (company B, company C, . . . ) is mounted in a different slot in a housing in a local environment where the DUT30of the company A is scheduled to be mounted, it is desirable to prepare data of the other vendor in the DB22in advance.

Examples in which components of a plurality of vendors are attached to the same housing include a case where the component is a PKG (interface card) on which an optical module is mounted.

The response processing unit23receives a response from the DUT30to the inspection data input by the data input unit21, and distributes the response to the data comparison unit24or the determination unit25.

The data comparison unit24compares the inspection data in the DB22with the response data from the DUT30, and confirms that the inspection data is normal when the inspection data matches the response data, and confirms that the inspection data is abnormal when the inspection data does not match the response data.

The determination unit25determines whether or not the response data from the DUT30includes an error. The determination unit25performs timer management of the presence or absence of a response from the DUT30, and also detects a case where there is no response for a certain period of time (at the time of timeout) as an error. As a result, even when the DUT30fails and is not activated normally, an error can be appropriately detected.

The result display unit26displays the contents of the abnormality determined by the data comparison unit24or the determination unit25for each cause. The cause of the abnormality is, for example, a case where the optical module is broken or a case where there is an error in the mounted module type. As a result, the maintenance person can identify the cause from the alarm of the display content of the result display unit26and appropriately handle the abnormality.

The result display unit26may also display a maintenance action (component replacement, restart, or the like) necessary for coping with the content of the abnormality. The result display unit26may also display the contents of the LED display of the warning lamp of the DUT30by the DUT30in response to a notification from the DUT30.

FIG.4is a flowchart illustrating processing of the component determination system100. Before this flowchart is performed, the checker module unit10and the DUT30are connected via the connector conversion unit11conforming to the standard of the DUT30.

The checker module unit10receives power supply from the power supply unit50, energizes the DUT30, and checks whether the power is correctly energized (S11).

The CPU31of the DUT30accesses the ROM32and reads an initial program (S12). First, when a boot program of a basic input/output system (BIOS) is read from the ROM32as an initial program, the CPU31initializes the RAM33. Next, the CPU31reads an operating system (OS) and the first program operating on the OS as an initial program, and writes the read programs into the RAM33.

The normality determination unit20(a processor that emulates the second program) confirms normality of the unique data of the DUT30(S13).

The normality determination unit20transmits various types of setting data to the DUT30, and changes the setting of the DUT30to be operated by the communication device in the local environment (S14).

The normality determination unit20confirms normality according to the response data from the DUT30to the setting data in S14(S15).

FIG.5is a configuration diagram illustrating details of energization confirmation processing (S11) and initial program reading processing (S12).

The checker module unit10receives a power supply signal from the power supply unit50, energizes the DUT30, and checks whether the power is correctly energized (S11inFIG.4, S101). The maintenance person can confirm energization by visually observing the warning lamp mounted on the DUT30. For example, the warning lamp is turned on when the energization succeeds and turned off when the energization fails, but the presence or absence and usage (lighting, blinking, turning off, color, and the like) of the warning lamp may be variously implemented depending on a vendor.

The DUT30reads the initial program (S12inFIG.4), and responds to the normality determination unit20with activation state data indicating the result (normal activation or activation failure) (S102). The determination unit25receives the activation state data and displays information indicating normal activation or activation failure on the GUI40from the result display unit26to cause the maintenance person to confirm the state.

Not only when the activation state data indicating the activation failure is received, but also when the activation state data is not received, the determination unit25may display information indicating the activation failure on the result display unit26.

FIG.6is a configuration diagram illustrating details of normality confirmation (S13ofFIG.4) of unique data.

The data input unit21receives the normality confirmation signal (S111) of the unique data, acquires the unique data of the DUT30with reference to the DB22, and transmits the normality confirmation signal to the DUT30. The normality confirmation signal is converted in the data conversion unit12so as to conform to the standard of the DUT30.

The DUT30(first program) receives the normality confirmation signal (S111) of the unique data and responds to the checker module unit10with the unique data held by the DUT30(S112). The data comparison unit24compares the data stored in the DB22acquired by the data input unit21in S111with the response data from the DUT30received from the checker module unit10in S112, and checks whether both pieces of unique data match each other.

The DUT30(first program) also responds to the checker module unit10with normality data indicating whether the unique data held by the DUT30is broken (S113). The determination unit25checks the presence or absence of an error response from the normality data received from the checker module unit10in S113.

Then, the result display unit26causes the GUI40to display the confirmation result in S112(match or mismatch as a comparison result of the unique data) and the confirmation result in S113(normality of the unique data), thereby causing the maintenance person to confirm abnormality of the unique data.

FIG.7is a configuration diagram illustrating details of various setting processing (S14inFIG.4) for the DUT30and normality confirmation processing (S15inFIG.4) according to setting data.

The data input unit21notifies the DUT30of various setting data read from the DB22(S121). The set data is converted in the data conversion unit12so as to conform to the standard of the DUT30.

The DUT30(first program) receives the setting data (S121), reflects the setting data in the setting content of the DUT30, and returns response data indicating the result (S122).

The data comparison unit24compares the setting data of the DB22read in S121with the response data from the DUT30, and checks whether or not they match (match). For example, a case where the following setting data and response data are compared is considered.“Set IP address=192.168.0.1 to the first port of the DUT30” as setting data in S121.“Setting of IP address is completed” as response data of S122.

The data comparison unit24considers that the setting data and the response data in S122are consistent with each other because the setting data and the expected data are consistent with each other although the setting data and the response data are not consistent with each other as character strings. The expected data is a model solution example of response data indicating that the setting data is correctly reflected in the DUT30, and an input is received in advance in combination with the setting data.

For example, a case where the following setting data and response data are compared is considered.“Set IP address=192.168.0.1 to the first port of the DUT30” as setting data in S121.“Setting of IP address is completed” and “IP address of first port=192.168.0.1” as response data in S122.

In this case, since the keyword “192.168.0.1” common to the setting data and the response data matches, the data comparison unit24considers that both the pieces of data match with each other. “IP address of first port=192.168.0.1” of the response data is, for example, an execution result of a command to sequentially read the current setting information of the DUT30. This command is automatically issued by the data input unit21even when there is no explicit command instruction from the maintenance person.

The DUT30also responds to the checker module unit10with normality data indicating whether the setting data set in the DUT30is normally reflected (S123). The determination unit25checks the presence or absence of an error response from the normality data received from the checker module unit10in S123.

Then, the result display unit26causes the maintenance person to confirm the abnormality of the setting data by displaying the confirmation result (match and mismatch of the setting data) in S122and the confirmation result (normality of the setting data) in S123on the GUI40.

EFFECTS

The present invention is a component determination system100includinga checker module unit10that supplies power to a DUT30being connected, anda normality determination unit20that transmits and receives inspection data to and from the DUT30via the checker module unit10,in which the checker module unit10includesa connector conversion unit11that converts a connector such that the checker module unit10and the DUT30can be connected according to a standard of a connector used for connection to the DUT30, anda power conversion unit13that converts power into a standard capable of supplying power to the DUT30according to a standard of power used by the DUT30, andthe normality determination unit20receives the inspection data indicating that the DUT30has been activated by supplying power to the DUT30, and causes a GUI40to display a fact that the DUT30has been activated.

As a result, it is possible to confirm the normality of the replacement component before the maintenance person carries the DUT30to the local environment and without providing the same inspection facility as that of the communication device in the local environment at the maintenance base.

Furthermore, by individually preparing the checker module unit10that absorbs the difference in standard for each vendor of the DUT30and the normality determination unit20that can be used in common by a plurality of vendors, one normality determination unit20can be shared by the plurality of checker module units10, so that a low-cost inspection environment can be provided.

In the present invention, the normality determination unit20transmits inspection data to read unique data of the DUT30and respond, to the DUT30via the checker module unit10, andcompares the unique data of the DUT30obtained as a response with the unique data of the DUT30read from the DB22, and causes the GUI40to display a comparison result.

As a result, it is possible to inspect the unique data of the DUT30can be inspected from a maintenance base or the like before the maintenance person carries the DUT30to the local environment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a mistake such as mistaking the DUT30to be replaced for another DUT30.

In the present invention, the normality determination unit20transmits setting data used to operate the DUT30in a communication device in a local environment as inspection data to the DUT30via the checker module unit10to cause the DUT30to reflect the setting data in a setting content of the DUT30and to respond with a reflection result, andcauses the GUI40to display whether the reflection result of the DUT30obtained as a response is normal.

As a result, it is possible to check in advance whether the setting data of the DUT30can be correctly set from a maintenance base or the like before the maintenance person carries the DUT30to the local environment. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an error such as a mistake of taking the DUT30of which the number of ports used by the communication device in the local environment is less than the number of ports.

In the present invention, the checker module unit10further includes a data conversion unit12, andwhen the data conversion unit12relays the inspection data transmitted and received between the DUT30and the normality determination unit20, the data conversion unit12converts the inspection data according to a standard of data handled by the DUT30.

As a result, even for a plurality of DUTs30having different data standards for each vendor and system, similar inspection can be performed by using the same inspection data from the same normality determination unit20. Accordingly, since the maintenance person can perform the inspection without being conscious of the vendor of each DUT30, the inspection cost can be reduced.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST