SYSTEM AND METHOD TO QUICKLY AND ACCURATELY DETECT AND REPORT COMPONENT FAILURES USING RFID

An apparatus for reporting failed components which integrates a radio-frequency identification tag sub-circuit into each component of a system, including a latch controllable by a diagnostic function. The latch has at least two stable modes including an unlatched mode which prevents said tag from transmitting signals upon query by a radio-frequency identification reader, and a latched mode which enables said tag to transmitting signals upon query by a radio-frequency identification reader. The latch is transitioned to said latched mode by the diagnostic function responsive to detection of a failure, fault, or error condition of said component by said diagnostic function. Subsequent "reading" by an RFID reader of the tag allows identification of the failed component without requiring system power or communications busses to be operative, where only failed components respond to the RFID reader, and the latch prevents known-good components from responding to the reader.