A parallel data bus tester is particularly applicable to SCSI type buses,
and uses a plurality of comparator circuits to simultaneously examine the
voltages present on the conductors of a bus cable. For twisted pair type
conductors, the tester uses a high reference voltage, which is compared to
the high voltage conductor of each pair, and a low reference voltage,
which is compared to the low voltage conductor of each pair. The reference
voltages are adjustable, and allow each reference voltage to be swept
through the expected voltage range for its respective conductors. As the
level of a reference voltage crosses that of a conductor voltage being
examined, a comparator that receives the reference voltage and conductor
voltage changes output state. This output is used to drive a corresponding
LED assigned to the conductor in question. Thus, as the reference voltage,
which is compared to each of its corresponding conductor voltages (i.e.,
high or low), is swept through the voltage range of those conductors, the
LEDs for each conductor turn on. If any of the LEDs turns on at a
significantly different voltage level than the others, it indicates a
potential problem with that conductor. Latch circuits for each of the
comparator outputs are also provided, allowing intermittent errors to be
recorded.