Translator Module for Legacy ATS Obsolescence Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy Automated Test Systems (ATS) and Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) face challenges in replacing obsolete instruments without disrupting the Test Program Sets (TPS), due to incompatibility issues and the interdependence of test programs and instruments, making it costly to introduce new instruments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a translator module to translate obsolete instrument instructions into compatible instructions for new instruments, allowing seamless replacement with minimal impact on the legacy system, enabling continued functionality of test program sets through an instruction repository and communications interface analyzer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new instruments are introduced into a legacy automatic test system, then the system can access newer technology and improve functionality, but the incompatibility of instruction sets and communication interfaces increases device complexity and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translator module as an intermediary component that sits between the legacy test program set and the new instrument. This translator receives instructions intended for obsolete instruments, translates them into appropriate instructions for new instruments, and handles communication protocol conversions. This mediator approach allows new instruments to be integrated without requiring changes to the legacy test program set, thereby improving adaptability while managing system complexity through a dedicated translation layer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If test program sets are modified to accommodate new instruments, then compatibility is achieved, but the cost and time for regression testing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translator module is pre-configured with knowledge of both legacy instrument instruction sets and new instrument instruction sets. Before actual testing begins, the translation mappings are established and validated. This preliminary configuration allows the system to immediately begin using new instruments without requiring subsequent regression testing of test program sets, as the translation layer is already in place and tested independently.
3Reliability
If obsolete instruments are replaced with new instruments, then obsolescence is mitigated, but the interdependence of test programs and instruments requires program changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional layers: the legacy test program set layer, the translator module layer, and the new instrument layer. This segmentation decouples the interdependence between test programs and instruments by placing the translation functionality in a separate, independent module. The test program set remains unchanged and continues to operate as before, while the translator handles all instrument-specific translation concerns, allowing obsolete instruments to be replaced without modifying test programs.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for obsolescence mitigation of electronic systems including hardware and software components, in particular methods and systems for managing obsolete instrument hardware and application software used in legacy Automated Test Systems (ATS) or Automatic Test Equipment (ATE). When one or more components of a test program set (TPS) has been rendered obsolete, migration to one or more replacement instruments without any impact to the TPS or other remaining legacy instruments in the ATE or ATS is obtained by a translator module interposed between the new instrument and the system bus for translating instructions for the obsolete instrument or set of instruments into instructions or procedures for the new instrument whereby the new instrument thus functions in the same manner as the obsolete instrument or set of instruments.