Comprehensive automatic test equipment based on PXI bus

Abstract

The invention discloses integrated automatic test equipment based on a PXI (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation) bus, which comprises a modularized hardware platform and a layered software system, and is characterized in that the hardware platform consists of a PXI case, an adapter module, a power supply, a self-inspection device and a standardized interface, and the adapter module is connected with the PXI case through a bus; executing excitation signal output, electronic load adjustment and digital / analog signal acquisition; the self-detector simulates a signal of the tested equipment and verifies a hardware function; the power supply module provides direct-current and medium-frequency power. The software system is developed based on a LabWindows / CVI platform, adopts a database to drive a test process, realizes logic separation of a program and the process, synchronously acquires data through a multi-thread technology and displays the data in real time, and supports analysis and playback of historical data. The expansibility is improved through the PXI bus architecture, the universality is enhanced through the adapter design, and the problems that traditional testing equipment is poor in expansibility, high in maintenance cost and low in self-checking efficiency are solved by combining dynamic process management and a cooperative self-checking mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automatic testing, and in particular to a PXI-based integrated automatic testing device. Background Art

[0002] During the performance test of the five categories of electrical components in gas turbine generator sets, test equipment is required to test their functions and performance. During the test, it is required to be able to synchronously collect and store data for subsequent data analysis and performance evaluation; the test equipment is required to be versatile and can be expanded to test a variety of electrical components; the test equipment itself is required to have good self-test capabilities to enhance the testability and reliability of the test equipment.

[0003] Existing automated test systems often utilize PCI buses or fixed architectures, resulting in poor scalability and limited versatility. This is particularly true for testing complex electrical components like gas turbine generator sets, where traditional systems struggle to achieve simultaneous multi-channel data acquisition, dynamic test process management, and high-reliability self-testing. Furthermore, existing technologies often involve a high degree of coupling between test procedures and processes, leading to increased maintenance and expansion costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on the above technical problems, the present invention has developed a comprehensive test equipment with certain versatility. The test equipment hardware platform is constructed based on PXI bus technology and mature PXI instrument resource modules. The adapter is designed with an instrument resource-oriented concept to connect to the device under test. The DC power supply module and the intermediate frequency power supply module are used to meet the power supply requirements of the test equipment and the device under test.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is a comprehensive automated test device based on the PXI bus, comprising: a hardware platform, including a PXI chassis and supporting boards, an adapter module, a power supply module, an external interface module, and a self-test device; the PXI chassis is connected to the adapter module via a bus for transmitting control instructions and test data; the adapter module is connected to a device under test via an external interface module, generates excitation signals, adjusts electronic loads, and collects digital and analog signals from the device under test; the power supply module is electrically connected to the PXI chassis, the adapter module, and the device under test, providing a DC power supply and an intermediate frequency power supply; the self-test device is connected to the adapter module via the external interface module, and simulates electrical signals from the device under test to verify the function of the test device; The software system includes a user interface module, a test process scheduling module, a system self-test module, a data acquisition and storage module, a data analysis and playback module, a background current monitoring module and a database module; the test process scheduling module calls the test process index library through the database module to drive the adapter module to execute the test task; the data acquisition and storage module communicates with the adapter module, stores the collected test data in a binary file in real time, and interacts with the data analysis and playback module to generate an analysis report; the system self-test module works in conjunction with the self-tester to verify the operating status of each module of the hardware platform through analog signals.

[0006] Preferably, the adapter module includes a digital signal acquisition unit, which communicates with the PXI chassis through an internal cable; an analog signal acquisition unit, which is connected to the data acquisition card of the PXI chassis through a PXI bus; and an excitation signal generating unit, which synchronously outputs the excitation signal to the device under test through a PXI trigger line.

[0007] Preferably, the power supply module includes: a DC power supply output end, which supplies power to the PXI chassis and the adapter module through a power distribution unit; and an intermediate frequency power supply output end, which is connected to the device under test through an isolation transformer to ensure power supply safety.

[0008] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: A hardware platform based on PXI bus instruments is used to construct the test equipment, and the selected instrument resources cover current and future equipment expansion needs, thereby improving the versatility and scalability of the equipment. A test adapter is designed with a test resource-oriented approach, improving the scalability and versatility of the equipment. The test software is developed under the Lab Windows / CVI 8.5 platform, using a database as the carrier of the test process and separating the test program from the test process. The software supports test process selection, displays test process information, and saves test results, providing a user-friendly human-computer interaction interface. CVI multi-threading technology is used to enable real-time display of key data during the test process, synchronous data acquisition and storage, and analysis and playback of the stored data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 : Schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a PXI integrated automated test equipment system in the present invention; Figure 2 :The present invention is a software functional block diagram of a PXI integrated automated test equipment; Figure 3 :The present invention is a test step flow chart based on PXI integrated automated test equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0011] Based on the testing requirements of existing electrical components and taking into account future equipment expansion capabilities, this universal test equipment consists of five parts: the first part is the PXI chassis and its associated boards; the second part is the adapter function module, which includes a custom-made digital and analog signal acquisition module, an excitation signal generation module, and an electronic load module; the third part is the power supply, which includes a DC power supply module and an intermediate frequency power supply module; the fourth part is the external interface, which includes a universal interface and docking interfaces for various components; and the fifth part is the self-test device.

[0012] The PXI chassis consists of the standard hardware necessary for communication with the host computer. Different adapters are configured depending on the product being tested. The PXI computer connects to the adapter via a universal interface for host computer communication. The adapter is used to execute control commands for the device under test, the stimulus generator, the power supply, and the electronic load regulation. It also collects test results from the device under test and provides feedback on the control results of the stimulus generator, the power supply, and the electronic load regulation. The adapter also features a docking interface that matches the device under test, and the device under test connects to the adapter via a dedicated cable.

[0013] The self-test device can simulate the electrical signal of the tested component and is used to self-test the test equipment to determine the working status of the equipment, locate equipment faults, and improve the reliability of the test equipment.

[0014] On the software side, a universal software framework suitable for most automated test systems has been designed. This framework separates test programs from test tasks, breaking down test tasks according to test flows and populating them into a database. Test programs are designed to read, interpret, and execute these flows. This allows the test program to maintain a consistent size as the number of test flows increases. Adding new test flows eliminates the need to recompile and relink the program, facilitating program debugging. Programs written using this framework exhibit excellent versatility, portability, extensibility, maintainability, and interchangeability. The software primarily includes a user interface module, a test flow scheduling module, a system self-test module, a data acquisition and storage module, a data analysis and playback module, a background current monitoring module, and a database module.

[0015] The functions of each part are described as follows: (1) The user interface module provides a human-computer dialogue operation interface, including the display of system time, the selection of test items, the display of test process and the display of results; (2) The test process scheduling module is used to read, interpret and execute the database test process, and supports operations such as jump, branch, confirmation and condition judgment; (3) The system self-test module uses the method of test equipment self-test and self-tester joint debugging to realize equipment self-test, ensuring the reliability of the test equipment working status; (4) The data acquisition and storage module uses the acquisition and storage function of the PXI instrument to collect data during the test process, and then transfers it to a binary file after the acquisition is completed, and then analyzes and replays it; (5) The data analysis and playback function module is used to analyze and process the recorded binary files and play them back to perform quantitative analysis on the performance of the device under test; (6) The database module is used to store the test process index library and the test process library, and is password protected. Users only need a little training to master the database filling method and database maintenance, which facilitates the maintenance of the test process.

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention utilizes a standard 12U roto-molded rack enclosure to form the test equipment system. The assembly enclosure measures 19 inches wide, approximately 850mm deep, and 12U high. The host and slave hardware are housed within a custom-designed enclosure. Operation and connectivity are achieved through a custom-designed operation and connection panel.

[0017] The test software for test equipment primarily consists of two parts: automatic testing and manual debugging. The automatic testing part is primarily used to test the equipment's normal operating mode. It tests the various performance characteristics of electrical components in sequence according to the test process and outputs the test results on the display to improve test efficiency and readability. The manual debugging part is primarily used for fault analysis during the development, debugging, and maintenance of equipment. The manual debugging function allows you to identify the cause of a problem item by item and quickly and accurately locate the fault location.

[0018] The test software also includes an instrument module initialization program design. After the test equipment is powered on, it can perform a self-check on the instrument modules in the equipment to determine whether the module's working status is normal. If an abnormal situation occurs, an alarm prompt will pop up to the equipment operator and indicate the solution to avoid damage to the test equipment and the equipment under test.

[0019] During the testing process of the test equipment, a large amount of test data will be generated, and most of the test data needs to be saved for subsequent analysis. The test software has set up corresponding data collection and storage functions, data analysis and playback functions.

[0020] In summary, the test software mainly includes the following five parts: test process database module, test process scheduling module, user interface control module, equipment self-test module and data processing module. The test software functions are as follows: Figure 2 shown.

[0021] The system test software has designed the following user interfaces: (1) User login interface, used for user login management and password modification; (2) System initialization interface, used to initialize the instrument modules used in the system and check the working status of each test module, and reflect the results on the interface; (3) Main test interface: mainly includes test process selection list, test information display, test item time, test process information list, etc.; (4) Historical data playback interface: can display the names of all saved data; (5) The device debugging interface can perform individual debugging on each test module.

[0022] This system uses a lot of mature instrument resource modules, which have been strictly tested before leaving the factory. There is no need to test them again. Only the self-developed parts need to be tested, including the hardware parts of the adapter, test cable and self-tester. The test steps are as follows: Figure 3 shown.

[0023] Software testing mainly includes testing of system test software and instrument modules, communication testing of test software and special test combinations, and joint testing of test software and self-testers.

[0024] Assemble all the instrument modules into the rack box, connect the internal cables between the adapter and the instrument modules, and also connect the cables between the module under test and the adapter. Connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and you can start debugging: (1) The test software initializes the instrument modules and dedicated test combinations.

[0025] (2) Communication test of test software and special test combination.

[0026] After the system test software and each part are debugged, you can connect the test equipment and self-test device with a test cable, write the equipment self-test process, and test all functional parts of the test equipment.

[0027] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention are shown and described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A comprehensive automated test equipment based on PXI bus, characterized in that: include: The hardware platform includes a PXI chassis and supporting boards, an adapter module, a power supply module, an external interface module, and a self-test device. The PXI chassis is connected to the adapter module via a bus for transmitting control instructions and test data. The adapter module is connected to the device under test via the external interface module to generate excitation signals, adjust electronic loads, and collect digital and analog signals from the device under test. The power supply module is electrically connected to the PXI chassis, the adapter module, and the device under test to provide DC power and intermediate frequency power. The self-test device is connected to the adapter module via the external interface module to simulate electrical signals from the device under test to verify the function of the test device. The software system includes a user interface module, a test process scheduling module, a system self-test module, a data acquisition and storage module, a data analysis and playback module, a background current monitoring module, and a database module; the test process scheduling module calls the test process index library through the database module and drives the adapter module to execute the test task; The data acquisition and storage module communicates with the adapter module, stores the collected test data in a binary file in real time, and interacts with the data analysis and playback module to generate an analysis report; the system self-test module works in conjunction with the self-tester to verify the operating status of each module of the hardware platform through analog signals.

2. The testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The adapter module includes a digital signal acquisition unit that communicates with the PXI chassis via an internal cable; The analog signal acquisition unit is connected to the data acquisition card of the PXI chassis through the PXI bus; The excitation signal generating unit synchronously outputs the excitation signal to the device under test through the PXI trigger line.

3. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein: The power supply module includes: a DC power output terminal, which supplies power to the PXI chassis and the adapter module through a power distribution unit; The output end of the medium frequency power supply is connected to the device under test through an isolation transformer to ensure power supply safety.

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