Test Instrument Execution Time Data Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic test systems face increased testing times and costs due to unknown execution times of test instruments, leading to reduced test throughput and inflexibility, which complicates UUT transportability, stimulus and measurement synchronization, and functional testing.

Innovation Solution

Characterizing test instruments with execution time data and enabling communication of this data among instruments and the system controller, allowing for execution time-dependent test programs that optimize test throughput by reducing communication latency and improving timing precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional automatic test systems are used without execution time data, then the system structure is simple, but the test throughput is reduced and testing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest throughputVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by characterizing test instruments with execution time data before actual testing begins. The system pre-measures and stores the time required for each test instrument to perform specific operations, then uses this pre-acquired data to optimize test sequence execution and reduce communication latency, thereby improving test throughput without adding operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring and measuring the actual execution times of test instruments during operation. This measured execution time data is fed back into the system to update and refine the characterization profiles of test instruments, enabling the system to adaptively optimize test sequences and improve throughput over time based on real performance data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If test instruments are characterized with execution time data and communication is enabled, then testing time is reduced and throughput increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting timeVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a centralized database or memory structure that stores execution time data for all test instruments. This intermediary repository enables efficient communication and data sharing among test instruments and the system controller without requiring complex direct peer-to-peer communication protocols, thereby reducing testing time while keeping the communication infrastructure manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing a standardized execution time data format and communication protocol that can be used across different types of test instruments and system controllers. This universal interface allows the same communication infrastructure to serve multiple functions: storing execution time data, coordinating test sequences, and optimizing throughput, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If execution time data is used to optimize test sequences, then test throughput increases, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring execution times arises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest sequence execution efficiencyVSAvoidexecution time measurement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual or complex mechanical timing measurement methods with electronic timestamping and digital time recording mechanisms. The system uses precise digital clocks and electronic timers embedded in each test instrument to automatically capture execution times, substituting cumbersome mechanical measurement procedures with automated electronic detection that is both accurate and easy to implement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7707000B2Test instrument and system responsive to execution time data

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Test instruments constituting an automatic test system are characterized in terms of execution time data. The execution time data is composed of a set of execution times. Each of the execution times is the time required for the test instrument to perform a respective testing operation. The test instruments additionally have the ability to communicate their respective execution time data to such recipients as others of the test instruments, the system controller and recipients outside the automatic test system. Additionally, such test instruments have the ability to communicate test results to at least one other of the test instruments and the ability to process test results received from at least one other of the test instruments. Such characterization, communication and processing allows a system integrator to devise execution time-dependent test programs as part of a test suite that allows test throughput to be maximized.