System and method for detecting a failure in a field replaceable unit

摘要

An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment and includes a light guide configured to couple to an electronic unit. The electronic unit is a replaceable unit of an electronic component, the light guide extending along a body structure of the electronic unit and signaling an operational state of the electronic unit. In more specific embodiments, the light guide communicates optical energy from a light source coupled to the electronic unit and configured to indicate the operational state of the electronic unit. In still other embodiments, the light source is a light emitting diode (LED) that indicates the operational state of the electronic unit. The light guide can include a light input that enhances an optical coupling between the light source the light guide. In still other embodiments, the light guide includes a curved portion that changes a direction of optical energy propagating within the light guide.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an electronic field replaceable unit; and a light guide extending along a body structure of the electronic field replaceable unit, wherein the light guide can communicate optical energy from a status indicator light at an end that the light guide terminates, wherein the status indicator light is mounted on an edge portion of a circuit board of an electronic component and is separate from the electronic field replaceable unit, wherein the status indicator light provides a visual indication of a current operational state of the electronic field replaceable unit.