Test Instrument Network Master-Slave Script Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for electrical testing of devices under test (DUTs) are inefficient due to lengthy setup processes and test configurations, especially when dealing with frequently changing DUT types, requiring significant time and resources.
Innovation Solution
A networked test instrument system comprising communicating script processors and measurement resources, where script processors can be dynamically assigned to groups with a master-slave hierarchy, allowing for controlled code execution and operation of measurement resources to streamline testing configurations and enable parallel operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If test systems are configured to test different types of DUTs, then adaptability is improved, but setup time and configuration time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The test system is segmented into independent modular components including multiple script processors and measurement resources that can be independently configured and assigned to different DUT types. This modular architecture allows rapid reconfiguration by simply changing the assignment relationships rather than reconfiguring entire test systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic assignment where script processors and measurement resources can be arbitrarily assigned to different groups based on testing needs. The master-script processor relationship and group assignments can be changed dynamically without physical reconfiguration, enabling rapid adaptation to different DUT types.
2Productivity
If more tests are performed in parallel, then productivity is improved, but coordination complexity and potential interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides parallel test operations into separate groups, each with its own script processor assignments. This segmentation allows multiple groups to operate independently in parallel while the master script processor coordinates overall execution, managing complexity through structured division of labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The master script processor acts as an intermediary that coordinates code execution across all script processors in remote groups. It authorizes and synchronizes parallel operations, preventing interference while enabling maximum parallelism through centralized coordination of distributed resources.
3Ease of operation
If script processors have autonomous operation capability, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of interference and conflicts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements asymmetric authorization where only the master script processor can initiate code execution on remote groups, while slave script processors can only operate measurement resources in their own group. This asymmetric control structure enables autonomous operation within defined boundaries while preventing conflicts through hierarchical authorization.
Solution Approach 2:
Each script processor is granted specific local operational authority based on its role and group assignment. Slave script processors have full autonomy within their local group for operating measurement resources, while the master processor has authority for inter-group coordination. This localized quality of control enables autonomy without global interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A test instrument network for testing a plurality of DUTs includes a plurality of communicating script processors, the script processors being adapted to execute computer code; and a plurality of measurement resources controllable by the script processors in response to executed computer code, the measurement resources being adapted to test the DUTs. Each script processor and measurement resource may be arbitrarily assigned by the controller to one of at least two groups, only one script processor being assigned to be a master script processor, any other script processor being a slave script processor and any group not including the master script processor being a remote group. The master script processor is exclusively authorized to initiate code execution on any script processor in a remote group. Any slave script processor is only able to initiate operation of measurement resources in it own group. When a particular script processor is executing computer code, the master script processor may not initiate execution of computer code on a member script processor in the group of the particular script processor and may not initiate operation of a member measurement resource in the group of the particular script processor.