System for testing motherboard performance

A system for testing a motherboard performance includes a control device, a voltage processing circuit, a voltage regulating circuit and a voltage feedback circuit. The control device stores a plurality of predetermined voltage values and outputs control signals according to the plurality of predetermined voltage values. The voltage processing circuit receives the control signal and outputs a plurality of PWM signals according to the control signal. The voltage regulating circuit receives the plurality of PWM signal and outputs a plurality of DC voltage to a plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard. The voltage feedback circuit collects voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure generally relates to a testing system, and especially to a system for testing motherboard performance.

2. Description of Related Art

A motherboard, like a backplane, provides the electrical connections by which the other components of the system communicate, but unlike a backplane, it also connects the central processing unit and hosts other subsystems and devices. Power-on self-test (POST) is an important test for determining reliability of the motherboard. However, a typical testing system needs an operator to manually operate a plurality of switches and record input current and voltage to the motherboard, which is inefficient.

Therefore there is a room for improvement in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, an embodiment of a system for testing motherboard performance includes a voltage feedback circuit100, a voltage processing circuit200, a voltage regulating circuit300, a power supply circuit400, a conversion circuit500, a control device600and a motherboard800. The control device600stores a plurality of predetermined voltage values and outputs control signals via the conversion circuit500according to the plurality of predetermined voltage values. The voltage processing circuit200receives the control signal and outputs a plurality of PWM (pulse width modulation) signals according to the control signal. The voltage regulating circuit300receives the plurality of PWM signals and outputs a plurality of DC (direct current) voltages to a plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800. The voltage feedback circuit100collects voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800and transmits the voltage signals to the control device600via the voltage processing circuit200and the conversion circuit500. The control device600adjusts the control signal according to the voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800. The voltage processing circuit200adjusts the plurality of PWM signals according to the control signal. The voltage regulating circuit300adjusts the plurality of DC voltages output to the motherboard800according to the plurality of PWM signals. The power supply circuit400provides working voltages to the voltage processing circuit200and the voltage regulating circuit300.

Referring toFIG. 2, the voltage feedback circuit100includes a first variable resistor RP1, a second variable resistor RP2, a third variable resistor RP3and a fourth variable resistor RP4. The first variable resistor RP1includes a first variable resistor first terminal, a first variable resistor second terminal and a first variable resistor adjust terminal The second variable resistor RP2includes a second variable resistor first terminal, a second variable resistor second terminal and a second variable resistor adjust terminal. The third variable resistor RP3includes a third variable resistor first terminal, a third variable resistor second terminal and a third variable resistor adjust terminal. The fourth variable resistor RP4includes a fourth variable resistor first terminal, a fourth variable resistor second terminal and a fourth variable resistor adjust terminal. The first variable resistor first terminal, the second variable resistor first terminal, the third variable resistor first terminal and the fourth variable resistor first terminal collect voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800. The first variable resistor second terminal, the second variable resistor second terminal, the third variable resistor second terminal and the fourth variable resistor second terminal are grounded. The first variable resistor adjust terminal, the second variable resistor adjust terminal, the third variable resistor adjust terminal and the fourth variable resistor adjust terminal output voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800which are decreased.

The voltage processing circuit200includes a microcontroller U1. The microcontroller U1includes a first voltage signal collecting terminal PA0, a second voltage signal collecting terminal PA1, a third voltage signal collecting terminal PA2, a fourth voltage signal collecting terminal PA3, a first PWM signal output terminal PB0, a second PWM signal output terminal PB1, a third PWM signal output terminal PB2, a fourth PWM signal output terminal PB3, an indication signal output terminal PC0, a control signal receiving terminal PD0and a feedback signal receiving terminal PD1. The first voltage signal collecting terminal PA0is electrically connected to the first variable resistor adjust terminal. The second voltage signal collecting terminal PA1is electrically connected to the second variable resistor adjust terminal. The third voltage signal collecting terminal PA3is electrically connected to the third variable resistor adjust terminal. The fourth voltage signal collecting terminal PA4is electrically connected to the fourth variable resistor adjust terminal. The first PWM signal output terminal PB0, the second PWM signal output terminal PB1, the third PWM signal output terminal PB2and the fourth PWM signal output terminal PB3output the plurality of PWM signals. The control signal receiving terminal PD0receives the control signal. The feedback signal receiving terminal PD1outputs voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800. The indication signal output terminal PC0is ground via a first resistor R1and a LED (light emitting diode) that are electrically connected in series.

The voltage regulating circuit300includes an integrated operational amplifier U2, a first voltage regulator U3, a second voltage regulator U4, a third voltage regulator U5and a fourth voltage regulator U6. The integrated operational amplifier U2includes a first PWM signal input terminal P0, a second PWM signal input terminal P1, a third PWM signal input terminal P2, a fourth PWM signal input terminal P3, a fifth PWM signal output terminal P4, a sixth PWM signal output terminal P5, a seventh PWM signal output terminal P6and an eighth PWM signal output terminal P7. The first voltage regulator U3includes a first voltage regulator adjust terminal, a first voltage regulator voltage input terminal and a first voltage regulator voltage output terminal. The second voltage regulator U4includes a second voltage regulator adjust terminal, a second voltage regulator voltage input terminal and a second voltage regulator voltage output terminal. The third voltage regulator U5includes a third voltage regulator adjust terminal, a third voltage regulator voltage input terminal and a third voltage regulator voltage output terminal. The fourth voltage regulator U6includes a fourth voltage regulator adjust terminal, a fourth voltage regulator voltage input terminal and a fourth voltage regulator voltage output terminal.

The first PWM signal input terminal P0is electrically connected to the first PWM signal output terminal PB0via a second resistor R2. The second PWM signal input terminal P1is electrically connected to the second PWM signal output terminal PB via a third resistor R3. The third PWM signal input terminal P2is electrically connected to the third PWM signal output terminal PB2via a fourth resistor R4. The fourth PWM signal input terminal P3is electrically connected to the fourth PWM signal output terminal PB3via a fifth resistor R5. The fifth PWM signal output terminal P4is electrically connected to the first voltage regulator adjust terminal via a sixth resistor R6and a seventh resistor R7that are electrically connected in series. The seventh resistor R7includes a seventh resistor first terminal and a seventh resistor second terminal. The seventh resistor first terminal is grounded via a first capacitor C1. The seventh resistor second terminal is grounded via a second capacitor C2. The sixth PWM signal output terminal P5is electrically connected to the second voltage regulator adjust terminal via an eighth resistor R8and a ninth resistor R9that are electrically connected in series. The ninth resistor R9includes a ninth resistor first terminal and a ninth resistor second terminal. The ninth resistor first terminal is grounded via a third capacitor C3. The ninth resistor second terminal is grounded via a fourth capacitor C4. The seventh PWM signal output terminal P6is electrically connected to the third voltage regulator adjust terminal via a tenth resistor R10and a eleventh resistor R11that are electrically connected in series. The eleventh resistor R11includes an eleventh resistor first terminal and an eleventh resistor second terminal. The eleventh resistor first terminal is grounded via a fifth capacitor C5. The eleventh resistor second terminal is grounded via a sixth capacitor C6. The eighth PWM signal output terminal P7is electrically connected to the fourth voltage regulator adjust terminal via a twelfth resistor R12and a thirteenth resistor R13that are electrically connected in series. The thirteenth resistor R13includes a thirteenth resistor first terminal and a thirteenth resistor second terminal. The thirteenth resistor first terminal is grounded via a seventh capacitor C7. The thirteenth resistor second terminal is grounded via an eighth capacitor C8. The first voltage regulator voltage input terminal receives a +3.3V DC voltage from a power supply (not shown). The second voltage regulator voltage input terminal receives a +5V DC voltage from the power supply. The third voltage regulator voltage input terminal receives a +12V DC voltage from the power supply. The fourth voltage regulator voltage input terminal receives a +5V standby DC voltage from the power supply.

The power supply circuit400includes a zener diode D2. The zener diode D2includes a zener diode anode and a zener diode cathode. The zener diode cathode is electrically connected to a voltage adapter (not shown) via a fourteenth resistor R14. The voltage adapter is grounded via a ninth capacitor C9and a tenth capacitor C10. The zener diode anode is grounded. An eleventh capacitor C11is parallel connected with the zener diode D2. A connection point between the zener diode D2, the fourteenth resistor R14and the ninth capacitor C9outputs a +1 volts first DC voltage. In this embodiment, the voltage adapter converts a 220 volts AC voltage to a +5 volts second DC voltage. The +1 volts first DC voltage and the +5 volts second DC voltage are provided to the integrated operational amplifier U2. The +5 volts second DC voltage is provided to the microcontroller U1.

The conversion circuit500includes a voltage level conversion chip U7. In one embodiment, the voltage level conversion chip U7is a MAX232 type chip for RS-232 standard interface circuit of computer. The voltage level conversion chip U7includes charge terminals C1+, C1−, C2+, C2− and data transforming terminals T1IN, T1OUT, R1IN, R1OUT. The charge terminal C1+ is electrically connected to the charge terminal C1− via a twelfth capacitor C12. The charge terminal C2+ is electrically connected to the charge port C2− via a thirteenth capacitor C13. The charge terminals C1+, C1−, C2+, C2−, the twelfth capacitor C12and the thirteenth capacitor C13form a charge pump circuit for generating a +12V voltage and a −12V voltage which are provided to the RS-232 standard interface circuit. The data transforming port R1IN acts as a first voltage level signal receiving terminal for receiving the control signal from the control device600. The data transforming port R1OUT acts as a first voltage level signal transmitting terminal for transmitting the control signal converted by the voltage level conversion chip U7to the control signal receiving terminal PD0. The data transforming port T1IN acts as a second voltage level signal receiving terminal for receiving the voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800from the feedback signal receiving terminal PD1. The data transforming port T1OUT acts as a second voltage level signal transmitting terminal for transmitting the voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800converted by the voltage level conversion chip U7to the control device600.

During testing, the motherboard800is electrically connected to the test system as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The control device600outputs control signal to the microcontroller U1according to the plurality of predetermined voltage values. The microcontroller U1outputs the plurality of PWM signals of a corresponding duty cycle at the first PWM signal output terminal PB0, the second PWM signal output terminal PB1, the third PWM signal output terminal PB2and the fourth PWM signal output terminal PB3. The plurality of PWM signals is transmitted to the first PWM signal input terminal P0, the second PWM signal input terminal P1, the third PWM signal input terminal P2and the fourth PWM signal input terminal P3via the second resistor R2, the third resistor R3, the fourth resistor R4and the fifth resistor R5. The plurality of PWM signals is amplified by the integrated operational amplifier U2and output at the fifth PWM signal output terminal P4, the sixth PWM signal output terminal P5, the seventh PWM signal output terminal P6and the eighth PWM signal output terminal P7. The plurality of PWM signals amplified by the integrated operational amplifier U2are converted to a plurality of linear DC voltage signals by the sixth resistor R6, the seventh resistor R7, the first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2, the eighth resistor R8, the ninth resistor R9, the third capacitor C3, the fourth capacitor C4, the tenth resistor R10, the eleventh resistor R11, the fifth capacitor C5, the sixth capacitor C6, the twelfth resistor R12, the thirteenth resistor R13, the seventh capacitor C7and the eighth capacitor C8.

In one embodiment, the sixth resistor R6, the seventh resistor R7, the first capacitor C1and the second capacitor C2constitute a first integrated circuit. The eighth resistor R8, the ninth resistor R9, the third capacitor C3and the fourth capacitor C4constitute a second integrated circuit. The tenth resistor R10, the eleventh resistor R11, the fifth capacitor C5and the sixth capacitor C6constitute a third integrated circuit. The twelfth resistor R12, the thirteenth resistor R13, the seventh capacitor C7and the eighth capacitor C8constitute a fourth integrated circuit. The plurality of linear DC voltage signals is transmitted to the first voltage regulator adjust terminal, the second voltage regulator adjust terminal, the third voltage regulator adjust terminal and the fourth voltage regulator adjust terminal. The first voltage regulator U3, the second voltage regulator U4, the third voltage regulator U5and the fourth voltage regulator U6proportionally output a plurality of DC voltages at the first voltage regulator voltage output terminal, the second voltage regulator voltage output terminal, the third voltage regulator voltage output terminal and the fourth voltage regulator voltage output terminal according to the plurality of linear DC voltage signals. The plurality of DC voltages is transmitted to the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800.

The first variable resistor first terminal, the second variable resistor first terminal, the third variable resistor first terminal and the fourth variable resistor first terminal collect voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800. The voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800are decreased and transmitted to the first voltage signal collecting terminal PA0, the second voltage signal collecting terminal PA1, the third voltage signal collecting terminal PA2and the fourth voltage signal collecting terminal PA3via the first variable resistor adjust terminal, the second variable resistor adjust terminal, the third variable resistor adjust terminal and the fourth variable resistor adjust terminal. The voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800decreased by the first variable resistor RP1, the second variable resistor RP2, the third variable resistor RP3and the fourth variable resistor RP4are transmitted to the control device600via the voltage level conversion chip U7.

The control device600adjusts the control signal according to the voltage signals at the plurality of voltage input terminals of the motherboard800decreased by the first variable resistor RP1, the second variable resistor RP2, the third variable resistor RP3and the fourth variable resistor RP4. The voltage processing circuit200adjusts the plurality of PWM signals output at the first PWM signal output terminal PB0, the second PWM signal output terminal PB1, the third PWM signal output terminal PB2and the fourth PWM signal output terminal PB3according to the control signal. The voltage regulating circuit300adjusts the plurality of DC voltages output to the motherboard800at the first voltage regulator voltage output terminal, the second voltage regulator voltage output terminal, the third voltage regulator voltage output terminal and the fourth voltage regulator voltage output terminal according to the plurality of PWM signals. Therefore, a stability of the plurality of DC voltages output to the motherboard800is ensured. During testing, the microcontroller U1outputs an indication signal at the indication signal output terminal PC0and controls the LED D1emit light to indicate that a test is in progress. In one embodiment, during the initialization process before the test, the LED D1does not emit light; the LED D1flashes on and off during the test, and the LED D1emits steady light when the test is complete.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the preferred embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.