System and method for short detection in a computing device
A computing device includes a module that connects to a main board and a short detector. The short detector applies a voltage to a first electrical contact of the module; while the voltage is applied: makes a comparison of a second voltage on a second electrical contact of the module to the voltage; makes a determination, based on the comparison, that the first electrical contact is connected to the second electrical contact via a short circuit; and in response to the determination, initiates remediation of the short circuit.
1. A computing device, comprising:
a module adapted to connect to a main board; and
a short detector adapted to:
apply a first voltage to a first electrical contact of the module; and
while the first voltage is applied:
make a comparison of the first voltage to a second voltage on a second electrical contact of the module;
make a determination, based on the comparison, that the first electrical contact is connected to the second electrical contact via a short circuit;
in response to the determination, initiate remediation of the short circuit; and
after initiating the remediation:
make a second comparison of the first voltage to the second voltage;
make a second determination, based on the second comparison, that the first electrical contact is no longer connected to the second electrical contact via the short circuit; and
after making the second determination, continue the remediation of the short circuit.
2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the short circuit is remediated by aborting a startup of the module.
3. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the short detector comprises:
a voltage source adapted to selectively apply the first voltage during a short detection test.
4. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the short detector further comprises:
a comparator adapted to:
obtain the first voltage as a first input,
obtain the second voltage as a second input; and
perform the comparison using the first input and the second input.
5. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the second electrical contact is adapted to receive power.
6. The computing device of claim 5 , wherein the first electrical contact is adapted to communicate with another device.
7. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the short circuit is a partial short circuit.
8. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the short circuit is a total short circuit.
9. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the initiating remediation of the short circuit comprises:
enabling a map to be updated based on the determination, wherein the map specifies whether the module is in a shorted out state.
10. A short detector, comprising:
a voltage source adapted to apply a first voltage to a first electrical contact of a module during a short test; and
a comparator adapted to:
perform a comparison between the first voltage and a second voltage on a second electrical contact of the module;
make a determination, based on the comparison, that the first electrical contact is connected to the second electrical contact via a short circuit; and
in response to the determination, initiate remediation of the short circuit; and
after initiating the remediation:
make a second comparison of the first voltage to the second voltage;
make a second determination, based on the second comparison, that the first electrical contact is no longer connected to the second electrical contact via the short circuit; and
after making the second determination, continue the remediation of the short circuit.
11. The short detector of claim 10 , wherein the short circuit is remediated by aborting a startup of the module.
12. The short detector of claim 10 , wherein the voltage source is further adapted to remove the first voltage when the short test is complete.
13. The short detector of claim 10 , wherein the comparator comprises:
an operational amplifier adapted to:
obtain the first voltage as a first input,
obtain the second voltage as a second input; and
perform the comparison using the first input and the second input.
14. The short detector of claim 10 , wherein the second electrical contact is adapted to receive power.
15. The short detector of claim 14 , wherein the first electrical contact is adapted to communicate with another device.
16. The short detector of claim 10 , wherein the short circuit is a partial short circuit.
17. The short detector of claim 10 , wherein the short circuit is a total short circuit.
18. The short detector of claim 10 , wherein the initiating remediation of the short circuit comprises:
enabling a map to be updated based on the determination, wherein the map specifies whether the module is in a shorted out state.