IP Library Granted Patent US 10,067,178
Granted Patent B2
US 10,067,178 · App. 15/674,711 · Granted Sep 4, 2018

Two-step self-test circuit for microcontroller unit and antenna

Inventors: Richard Allan Duke (Rock Falls, IL); John Lawrence Payne (Newnan, GA)
Assignee: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC
G01R31/2829G01R19/155G01R29/10G01R31/2884G01R35/00G01R15/18G01R19/145G01R31/026
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,067,178
App. No.
15/674,711
Granted
Sep 4, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system is disclosed. The system includes an antenna and a processor. The processor has at least four ports: a first input port coupled to a first portion of the continuity component; a first output port coupled in series to a first resistor coupled to the first portion of the antenna and to ground via a second resistor; a second output port coupled through a third resistor to the first portion of the antenna; and a second input port coupled to a second portion of the antenna and through a fourth resistor to ground. The processor is operable to activate and deactivate the appropriate ports to put the processor in one of three operating modes: an AC detection mode, an AC self-test mode, and a continuity test mode.

Claims (32)

1. A system, comprising:

an antenna having a first portion and a second portion; and

a processor having:

a first input port coupled to the first portion of the antenna;

a first output port coupled in series to a first resistor coupled to the first portion of the antenna and to ground via a second resistor;

a second output port coupled through a third resistor to the first portion of the antenna; and

a second input port coupled to the second portion of the antenna and through a fourth resistor to ground, wherein when the processor is in an AC self-test mode, the first input port and the first output port are both active, while the second output port and the second input port are both inactive, wherein when the processor is in a continuity test mode, the first input port and the first output port are both inactive, while the second output port and the second input port are both active, and wherein in the continuity test mode a test signal is injected through the antenna.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein when the processor is in an AC detection mode, the first input port is active and the first output port, second output port, and second input port are inactive.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein in the AC self-test mode, an alternating voltage is placed on the first output port.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first input port detects the presence of the alternating voltage.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein when the first input port fails to detect the presence of an alternating voltage a self-test failure is indicated.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein in the continuity mode, a voltage is placed on the second output port.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein a portion of the voltage is detected at the second input port.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein when an incorrect portion of the voltage is detected at the second input port a continuity test failure is indicated.

9. A method of testing an antenna, comprising:

in a first mode, injecting an AC signal from a first output port of a processor into circuitry at a first portion of the antenna and detecting the presence of the AC signal at a first input port of the processor, wherein the first input port is coupled to the first portion of the antenna, wherein the first output port is coupled in series to a first resistor coupled to the first portion of the antenna and to ground via a second resistor, and wherein when the processor is in an AC self-test mode, the first input port and the first output port are both active, while the second output port and the second input port are both inactive; and

in a second mode, injecting a voltage from a second output port of the processor through the first portion of the antenna and detecting the presence of the voltage on a second portion of the antenna at a second input port of the processor, wherein the second output port is coupled through a third resistor to a second portion of the antenna, wherein the second input port is coupled to the first portion of the antenna and through a fourth resistor to ground, wherein when the processor is in a continuity test mode, the first input port and the first output port are both inactive, while the second output port and the second input port are both active, and wherein in the continuity test mode a test signal is injected through the antenna.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising in the first mode, when the AC signal is not detected at the first input port, providing an indication that an AC self-test has failed.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising in the second mode, when a portion of the voltage received at the second input port does not equal an expected voltage, providing an indication that a continuity test has failed.

12. A system, comprising:

an antenna having a first portion and a second portion; and

a processor having:

a first input port coupled to the first portion of the antenna;

a first output port coupled in series to a first resistor coupled to the first portion of the antenna and to ground via a second resistor;

a second output port coupled through a third resistor to a second portion of the antenna; and

a second input port coupled to the first portion of the antenna and through a fourth resistor to ground, wherein when the processor is in an AC self-test mode, the first input port and the first output port are both active, while the second output port and the second input port are both inactive, and wherein when the processor is in a continuity test mode, the first input port and the first output port are both inactive, while the second output port and the second input port are both active, wherein in the continuity test mode a test signal is injected through the antenna.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein in the AC self-test mode an alternating voltage is placed on the first output port.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the first input port detects the presence of the alternating voltage.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein when the first input port fails to detect the presence of an alternating voltage a self-test failure is indicated.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein in the continuity test mode a voltage is placed on the second output port.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein a portion of the voltage is detected at the second input port.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein when an incorrect portion of the voltage is detected at the second input port a continuity test failure is indicated.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; NOVINIUM HOLDINGS, INC.; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072299/0141 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Oct 23, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC (F/K/A COLEMAN CABLE, INC.); TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC (F/K/A TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION); SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 069235/0104 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 19, 2019
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049522/0643 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 19, 2019
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK
Reel/Frame 049522/0836 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2018
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046183/0644 →
AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO TO GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded May 17, 2018
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046187/0922 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2017
From: DUKE, RICHARD ALLAN; PAYNE, JOHN LAWRENCE
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 043267/0112 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62375563 · Aug 16, 2016
Related Publication 20180052195A1 · Feb 22, 2018