Verification of device interface hardware interconnections prior to the start of testing

This paper presents a software method that can be used to verify the integrity of the hardware interconnections between the tester and the device interface before testing any product. This technique does not require the use of any special fixtures or shorted devices. By using time domain reflectometry (TDR) values generated by the tester during calibration, and comparing those values to known good or characterized values, it is possible to predict which signal channels in the device interface are open, and the general location of the open. This information can then be used to direct an operator to correct the source of a problem before the start of testing.