Abstract:
A method for controlling testing apparatus having a plurality of device stations for test, a plurality of measuring portions measuring an identical item, and a matrix switch changing a coupling combination between the plurality of the device stations for test and the plurality of the measuring portions, including: performing checking step of a measuring portion with respect to the plurality of the measuring portions, the checking step measuring the measuring portion by measuring a standard device; and performing checking step of a device station for test with respect to the plurality of the device stations for test, the checking step mounting a standard sample on the device station for test and checking the standard sample with use of the measuring portion coupled to the device station for test on which the standard sample is mounted.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2009/070681 filed on Dec. 10, 2009, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-333509 filed on Dec. 26, 2008, subject matter of these patent documents is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    (i) Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a method for controlling testing device. 
         [0004]    (ii) Related Art 
         [0005]    A network type of testing device has a structure in which a plurality of device stations for test and a plurality of measuring devices are coupled to each other via a coupling portion. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-271588 discloses that a network type of testing device checks a device station for test on which a standard sample is mounted, with use of a plurality of stations for measuring. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    There is no suggestion of a checking operation of the network type of testing device. The checking operation is an operation in which a standard device is mounted on a device station for test, characteristics of the standard device is measured with use of the station for measuring, and obtaining of an expected value is confirmed. 
         [0007]    In generally a testing device, the device station for test and the station for measuring are coupled to each other by one-to-one. The checking of the testing device is finished when the standard device is mounted on the device station for test and the expected value is obtained by measuring the standard device with use of the station for measuring. 
         [0008]    However, a plurality of stations for measuring that measure an identical item are mounted on the network type of testing device. It is not determined which station for measuring is coupled to the device station for test. 
         [0009]    When the standard device is mounted on one of the device stations for test and is checked in the network type of testing device, the standard device is coupled to only one of the plurality of the stations for measuring. Therefore, the other stations for measuring cannot be checked with use of the standard device. It is not guaranteed that all stations for measuring are subjected to the checking, even if the other device stations for test are subjected to the checking operation. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling testing device that allows normal checking even if any of a plurality of stations for measuring are used. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling testing apparatus having a plurality of device stations for test, a plurality of measuring portions measuring an identical item, and a matrix switch changing a coupling combination between the plurality of the device stations for test and the plurality of the measuring portions, including: performing checking step of a measuring portion with respect to the plurality of the measuring portions, the checking step measuring the measuring portion by measuring a standard device; and performing checking step of a device station for test with respect to the plurality of the device stations for test, the checking step mounting a standard sample on the device station for test and checking the standard sample with use of the measuring portion coupled to the device station for test on which the standard sample is mounted. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a testing apparatus including: a plurality of device stations having a device for test and a drive portion driving the device for the test; a plurality of measuring portions measuring an identical item; a standard station having a standard device and a drive portion driving the standard device; and a matrix switch connecting between the device stations or the standard station and the plurality of the measuring portions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of a testing device in accordance with a first embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  illustrates details of a device station to be tested; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  illustrates details of a measuring station; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  illustrates details of a standard station; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a flowchart of a method for controlling testing device executed by an external controller; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of another example of the method for controlling testing device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of another example of the method for controlling testing device; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart of another example of the method for controlling testing device; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic view of a testing device in accordance with a fifth embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    A description will be given of a best mode for carrying the present invention. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0023]    A description will be given of a testing device  100  in accordance with a first embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2C .  FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of the testing device  100 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates details of a device station  30  for test described later.  FIG. 2B  illustrates detail of a station  20  for measuring described later.  FIG. 2C  illustrates details of a standard station  50  described later. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the testing device  100  includes an outer controller  10 , a plurality of stations  20  for measuring, a plurality of device stations  30  for test, a matrix switch  40 , and a controller  11 . 
         [0025]    The outer controller  10  and the controller  11  include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM(Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) and so on. The outer controller  10  controls the station  20  for measuring, the device station  30  for test, the controller  11  and the standard station  50 . 
         [0026]    The controller  11  receives an instruction from the outer controller  10 , and controls the matrix switch  40 . The matrix switch  40  receives an instruction from the controller  11 , and changes a coupling combination of each station  20  form measuring, each device station  30  for test, and the standard station  50 . In this case, each of the stations  20  for measuring is coupled to one of the device station  30  for test and the standard station  50 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , each device station  30  for test includes a mount portion  31  mounting a device, a driver  32  and a controller  33 . The controller  33  includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and so on, and controls the driver  32 . The driver  32  receives an instruction from the controller  33  and drives a device mounted on the mount portion  31 . In the embodiment, as an example, a semiconductor laser is mounted on the mount portion  31 . 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , each station  20  for measuring includes a measuring device  21  and a controller  22 . The controller  22  includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and so on and controls the measuring device  21 . The measuring device  21  receives an instruction from the controller  22  and measures characteristics of the device mounted on the device station  30  for test coupled thereto through the matrix switch  40  or on the standard station  50 . Each measuring device  21  can measure identical characteristics. The station  20  for measuring uses one of an optical oscilloscope, a power meter, a wavelength meter, a BER measuring device, a spectrum measuring device and so on as the measuring device  21 . The above-mentioned each measuring device may be structured with a single measuring device or a plurality of measuring devices. The station  20  for measuring may include a plurality of combinations using a plurality of the measuring devices  21 . 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , the standard station  50  includes one or more standard light source  51 , a controller  52  and an optical switch  53 . Each standard light source  51  includes a standard device  54  and a driver  55 . The controller  52  includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and so on, and controls each driver  55  and the optical switch  53 . Each driver  55  receives an instruction from the controller  52  and drives the standard device  54 . It is confirmed in advance that the standard device  54  has predetermined characteristics. In the embodiment, a semiconductor laser is used as the standard device  54 . The optical switch  53  receives an instruction from the controller  52  and selects a light source from the standard devices  54 . 
         [0030]    Next, a description will be given of a method for controlling the testing device  100 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart for controlling the testing device  100 . The outer controller  10  executes the flowchart. The outer controller  10  substitutes “1” into a variable “n” (Step S 1 ). 
         [0031]    Next, the outer controller  10  checks nth station  20  for measuring with use of the standard device  54  of the standard station  50  (Step S 2 ). In this case, the outer controller  10  controls the matrix switch  40  through the controller  11  so that the standard device  54  is coupled to the nth station  20  for measuring. With the execution of Step S 2 , it is confirmed whether the nth station  20  for measuring operates normally, and confirmed whether a path from the station  20  for measuring to the matrix switch  40  acts normally. 
         [0032]    Next, the outer controller  10  determines whether all of the stations  20  for measuring are checked (Step S 3 ). If it is determined “no” in Step S 3 , the outer controller  10  substitutes “n+1” into the variable “n” (Step S 4 ). After that, the outer controller  10  executes Step S 2  again. 
         [0033]    If it is determined “yes” in step S 3 , the outer controller  10  waits until a standard sample is mounted on the mount portion  31  of the device station  30  for test that is not checked (Step S 5 ). Here, the standard sample is the same type as the standard device. It is confirmed in advance that the standard sample has predetermined characteristics. In the embodiment, the standard sample is a semiconductor laser. 
         [0034]    The outer controller  10  measures the standard sample with use of the station  20  for measuring that is checked, after the standard sample is mounted on the mount portion  31  of the device station  30  for test that is not checked (Step S 6 ). In this case, the outer controller  10  controls the matrix switch  40  through the controller  11  so that the standard sample is coupled to the station  20  for measuring that is checked. With the execution of Step S 6 , it is detected whether there is a trouble in the device station  30  for test, a component or a path from the device station  30  for test to the matrix switch  40 , or the like. 
         [0035]    Next, the outer controller  10  determines whether all of the device stations for test are checked (Step S 7 ). If it is determined “no” in Step S 7 , the outer controller  10  executes Step S 5  again. If it is determined “yes” in Step S 7 , the outer controller  10  terminates the flowchart. 
         [0036]    Checking frequency of the device station for test may be the same as that of the station for measuring and may be different from that of the station for measuring. For example, checking of any of the stations for test is guaranteed at the checking of the device station for test, if the checking frequency of the station for measuring is higher than that of the device station for test. This allows reducing waiting time for the checking of the station for measuring at the checking of the device station for test. 
         [0037]    In accordance with the embodiment, the device station  30  for test is checked with use of the station  20  for measuring that is checked, when the checking step of the station  20  for measuring and the checking step of the device station  30  for test are performed separately. In this case, a normal checking is performed even if the device station  30  for test to be subjected to the checking is coupled to any of the stations  20  for measuring that are checked. In a general testing device in which a device station for test and a station for measuring are coupled to each other by one-to-one, a combination of a device station for test and a station for measuring is fixed. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the checking step of a station for measuring and the checking step of a device station for test separately. 
         [0038]    In accordance with the embodiment, a dedicated standard station  50  for mounting the standard device is provided. In this case, a process for mounting the standard device on the device station  30  for test may be reduced. Generally, a jig for mounting a device station for test is different from each other with respect to each type. Therefore, the number of processes may increase when each jig is exchanged. However, when a standard station is provided, a dedicated standard device may be included in the standard station  50 . Therefore, the number of processes for exchanging each jig may be reduced. 
         [0039]    When the standard station is used, it is possible to reduce influence of desorption of the standard device on the jig of the device station for test on the characteristics. The checking of the station for measuring is performed automatically, if the standard station is used. Therefore, the checking of the station for measuring is performed at night in which an actual test is not performed. Accordingly, it is restrained that the checking of the station for measuring prevents an operation of the actual test. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0040]    The checking of the device station  30  for test may start after a part of the stations  20  for measuring is checked.  FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of another method for controlling the testing device  100 . A description of Step S 11  and Step S 12  of  FIG. 4  is the same as that of Step S 1  and Step S 2  of  FIG. 3  and is omitted. After the execution of Step S 12 , the outer controller  10  determines whether all of the stations  20  for measuring are checked (Step S 13 ). And, the outer controller  10  determines whether the variable “n” is larger than a threshold “m” (&lt;n) (Step S 15 ). The threshold “m” is an optional value. For example, the threshold “m” is n/2. 
         [0041]    If it is determined “no” in Step S 13 , the outer controller  10  substitutes “n+1” into the variable “n” (Step S 14 ). After that, the outer controller  10  executes Step S 12  again. If it is determined “yes” in Step S 13 , the checking of the station  20  for measuring is finished. 
         [0042]    If it is determined “no” in Step S 15 , the outer controller  10  waits. If it is determined “yes” in Step S 15 , the outer controller  10  waits until the standard sample is mounted on the mount portion  31  of the device station  30  for test that is not checked (Step S 16 ). In this case, the outer controller  10  checks the station  20  for measuring in parallel until all of the stations  20  for measuring are checked. Step S 17  and Step S 18  are the same as Step S 6  and Step S 7  of  FIG. 3 . So, description of Step S 17  and A 18  are omitted. 
         [0043]    In accordance with the second embodiment, the checking of the device station  30  for test starts before all of the stations  20  for measuring are checked. In this case, the time until the device station  30  for test is checked is reduced. When one or more device station  30  for test is checked, an actual testing may start on ahead by a combination of that wherein the station  20  for measuring and the device station  30  for test are checked each. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0044]    The checking of the device station  30  for test may start before the checking of the station  20  for measuring.  FIG. 5  illustrates another example of a flowchart of a method for controlling the testing device  100 . The outer controller  10  waits until the standard sample is mounted on the mount portion  31  of the device station  30  for test that is not checked (Step S 21 ). 
         [0045]    After the standard sample is mounted on the mount portion  31  of the device station  30  for test that is not checked, the outer controller  10  measures the standard sample with use of one of the measuring devices  21  (Step S 22 ). Next, the outer controller  10  determines whether all of the device stations for test are checked (Step S 23 ). If it is determined “no” in Step S 23 , the outer controller  10  executes Step S 21  again. 
         [0046]    If it is determined “yes” in Step S 23 , the outer controller  10  substitutes “1” into the variable “n” (Step S 24 ). 
         [0047]    Next, the outer controller  10  checks the measuring device  21  of nth station  20  for measuring with use of the standard device  54  of the standard station  50  (Step S 25 ). Then, the outer controller  10  determines whether all of the stations  20  for measuring are checked (Step S 26 ). If it is determined “no” in Step S 26 , the outer controller  10  substitutes “n+1” into the variable “n” (Step S 27 ). After that, the outer controller  10  executes Step S 25  again. 
         [0048]    If it is determined “yes” in Step S 26 , the outer controller  10  terminates the flowchart. 
         [0049]    In accordance with the third embodiment, the checking of the device station  30  for test starts before the checking of the station  20  for measuring. For example, the checking method is effective when the reliability of the station for measuring is relatively high. 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0050]    The checking of the station  20  for measuring may start after a part of the device stations  30  for test is checked.  FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a flowchart of a method for controlling the testing device  100 . Step S 31  and Step S 32  are the same as Step S 21  and Step S 22  of  FIG. 5 . Description of Step S 31  and Step S 32  are omitted. After the execution of Step S 32 , the outer controller  10  determines whether all of the device stations  30  for test are checked (Step S 33 ). And, the outer controller  10  determines whether a predetermined number of the device stations  30  for test are checked (Step S 34 ). 
         [0051]    If it is determined “no” in Step S 33 , the outer controller  10  executes Step S 31  again. If it is determined “yes” in Step S 33 , the checking of the device station  30  for test is finished. 
         [0052]    If it is determined “no” in Step S 34 , the outer controller  10  waits. If it is determined “yes” in Step S 34 , the outer controller  10  executes Step S 35 . Steps S 35  through S 38  are the same as Steps  24  through  27  of  FIG. 5 . Description of Steps S 35  through S 38  is omitted. 
         [0053]    In accordance with the fourth embodiment, the checking of the measuring device  21  starts before all of the device stations  30  for test are checked. In this case, the time until the checking of the measuring device  21  is finished. 
       Fifth Embodiment 
       [0054]    The standard station  50  may not be provided.  FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic view of a testing device  100   a  in accordance with a fifth embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the testing device  100   a  does not have the standard station  50 . In this case, each station  20  for measuring may be checked, when the standard device is mounted on one of the device stations  30  for test and the standard device is measured with use of a plurality of the stations  20  for measuring. 
         [0055]    In the above mentioned embodiments, a single type of station  20  for measuring that measures identical characteristics is provided. However, the structure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. When a plurality of stations for measuring that measure different characteristics are provided, the checking step of the station for measuring and the checking step of the device station for test may be separately performed with respect to each type of station for measuring in accordance with the flowcharts of  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 6 . When the number of the station for measuring that measures different characteristics is only one, a plurality of the device stations may be checked with use of the one station for measuring. 
         [0056]    In the above-mentioned embodiments, the outer controller  10  controls the testing device  100 . However, the structure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. The outer controller  10  may be replaced by one of the controllers  11 ,  22 ,  33  and  52 . 
         [0057]    The outer controller  10  may have a table of a check history of each of the station  20  for measuring and the device station  30  for test, a condition of the checking, and so on. In the checking, the outer controller  10  may determine necessity of checking or may control refusal against a request of the normal test being checked with reference to the table. 
         [0058]    In the above-mentioned embodiment, one-to-one coupling may be checked with use of the measuring device  21  not subjected to the checking step of measuring device and the device station  30  for test not subjected to the checking step of device station for test. In this case, checking efficiency is improved. 
         [0059]    The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments and variations but may include other embodiments and variations without departing from the scope of the present invention.