System and method for executing on board diagnostics and maintaining an event history on a circuit board

摘要

A system and method for executing on board diagnostics in connection with automated test hardware and maintaining an event history on a circuit board having a microprocessor and diagnostic routines stored in read only memory (ROM). The testing of a circuit board by automated test equipment causes a microprocessor on the circuit board to execute the diagnostic routines stored in read only memory on the circuit board. Upon completion of the diagnostic routines, the results generated by the routines are stored in non-volatile memory (NVRAM) on the circuit board. Upon completion of the remaining circuit board testing, the results of that testing are also written to the non-volatile memory on the circuit board. Other events occurring during in the production and use of the circuit board may also be written to the non-volatile memory on the circuit board to maintain a log for diagnostic and statistical purposes.