MONITORING POWER-SUPPLY CURRENT AND USING A NEURAL-NETWORK ROUTINE TODIAGNOSE CIRCUIT FAULTS

As a circuit is tested, the current drawn from a power supply can vary as different functions are invoked by the test. The current draw can be plotted against time, showing a characteristic trace for the test p erformed. Sensors in the ATS power supply can be used to monitor the c urrent flow during test execution. Defective components can be classif ied using a Neural Network according to the pattern of variation from the ''trace'' of a good card. This can be performed as a background fu nction, with the network gaining in accuracy over time. This paper dis cusses the Neural Network Routine for diagnosing circuit faults using monitored power supply current.