IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,504,459
Granted Patent B2
US 12,504,459 · App. 18/525,384 · Granted Dec 23, 2025

Injecting vibrations to detect a fault in a transmission line

Inventors: Tushar Gohel (Winchester, MA); Zachary Farrer (Boston, MA); Daniel Desjardin (South Grafton, MA)
Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
G01R31/11G01R31/52G01R31/54
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,504,459
App. No.
18/525,384
Granted
Dec 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An example system includes an apparatus configured to output an audio signal having a power level sufficient to generate a vibration in a transmission line comprising, or associated with, a device under test (DUT). The vibration exposes an intermittent fault in the transmission line. A detector is configured to monitor the transmission line and to detect information associated with the intermittent fault in the transmission line.

Claims (52)

1 . A system comprising:

a signal source to repeatedly output multiple instances of a same electrical signal to a transmission line, the transmission line being, or being associated with, a device under test (DUT);

an apparatus configured to output an audio signal having a power level sufficient to generate a vibration in the transmission line, the vibration exposing an intermittent fault in the transmission line;

a detector configured to monitor the transmission line and to detect information associated with the intermittent fault in the transmission line, wherein the detector is configured to detect a difference in an attribute associated with the multiple instances of a same electrical signal on the transmission line, the difference in the attribute corresponding to the information associated with the intermittent fault.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a subwoofer.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a low frequency effects transducer.

4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

test equipment comprising pin electronics, the detector comprising the pin electronics.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the intermittent fault comprises one or more broken mechanical or electrical connections in the transmission line.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more broken mechanical or electrical connections comprise an open circuit in the transmission line.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the intermittent fault comprises a short circuit in the transmission line.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the transmission line comprises one or more connectors, the one or more connectors being susceptible to the vibrations to cause the open circuit.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the audio signal has a power level sufficient to generate a vibration of a structure of the DUT to which the transmission line is in contact, the vibration of the structure causing the vibration in the transmission line.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the DUT is powered off during vibration and monitoring.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the power level sufficient to generate the vibration in the transmission line exceeds 250 Watts.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the power level sufficient to generate the vibration in the transmission line exceeds 1 Kilowatt.

13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal source and the detector are configured to perform time domain reflectometry (TDR) to detect the intermittent fault; and

wherein the intermittent fault relates to an electrical impedance of the transmission line.

14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal source and the detector are configured to perform spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR); and

wherein the intermittent fault relates to an electrical impedance of the transmission line.

15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal source and the detector are configured to perform sequence time domain reflectometry (STDR); and

wherein the intermittent fault relates to an electrical impedance of the transmission line.

16 . A method comprising:

outputting an audio signal from an audio output device that is proximate to a device under test (DUT), the audio signal being output at a power level sufficient to generate a vibration in a transmission line comprising, or associated with, the DUT, the vibration exposing an intermittent fault in the transmission line;

transmitting a known signal on the transmission line at least during output of the audio signal while monitoring the transmission line; and

detecting the intermittent fault in the transmission line during the monitoring.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

repeatedly outputting multiple instances of a same electrical signal to the transmission line;

wherein detecting the intermittent fault comprises determining a difference in an attribute associated with the multiple instances of a same electrical signal on the transmission line.

18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the audio signal is output using a subwoofer.

19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the audio signal is output using a low frequency effects transducer.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the intermittent fault comprises one or more broken mechanical or electrical connections in the transmission line.

21 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the one or more broken mechanical or electrical connections comprise an open circuit in the transmission line.

22 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the intermittent fault comprises a short circuit on the transmission line.

23 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the transmission line comprises one or more connectors, the one or more connectors being susceptible to the vibrations to cause the open circuit.

24 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the audio signal has a power level sufficient to generate a vibration of a structure of the DUT to which the transmission line is in contact, the vibration of the structure causing the vibration in the transmission line.

25 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the DUT is powered off during vibration, monitoring, and detecting.

26 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the power level sufficient to generate the vibration in the transmission line exceeds 250 Watts.

27 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the power level sufficient to generate the vibration in the transmission line exceeds 1 Kilowatt.

28 . The method of claim 16 , wherein detecting the intermittent fault comprises performing time domain reflectometry (TDR); and

wherein the intermittent fault relates to an electrical impedance of the transmission line.

29 . The method of claim 16 , wherein detecting the intermittent fault comprises performing spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR); and

wherein the intermittent fault relates to an electrical impedance of the transmission line.

30 . The method of claim 16 , wherein detecting the intermittent fault comprises performing sequence time domain reflectometry (STDR); and

wherein the intermittent fault relates to an electrical impedance of the transmission line.

31 . A system comprising:

a vibration source configured generate a vibration in a vicinity of a transmission line comprising, or associated with, a device under test (DUT), the vibration exposing an intermittent fault in the transmission line;

a signal source to output a signal on the transmission line; and

a detector configured to monitor the transmission line at least following output of the signal and to detect information associated with the intermittent fault in the transmission line.

32 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the vibration source comprises a motor.

33 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the vibration source comprises an audio output device.

34 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the vibration source comprises multiple motors configured to operate in a vicinity of the transmission line.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2025
From: GOHEL, TUSHAR; FARRER, ZACHARY; DESJARDIN, DANIEL
To: TERADYNE, INC.
Reel/Frame 072189/0005 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2024
From: GOHEL, TUSHAR
To: TERADYNE, INC.
Reel/Frame 067546/0676 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2024
From: DESJARDIN, DANIEL
To: TERADYNE, INC.
Reel/Frame 067546/0744 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2024
From: FARRER, ZACHARY
To: TERADYNE, INC.
Reel/Frame 067546/0768 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250180623A1 · Jun 5, 2025
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