What you will learn:
This course covers every aspect of a test engineer's responsibility. Participants will learn how to select an automatic test equipment (ATE) from the number of choices and generically different types available. You will learn how to build an ATE from instrumentation and other building blocks. You will learn the bussing requirements of the IEEE 488, VXIbus, and PC-based instruments. You will also learn the software issues. The course will teach you how to approach a functional test programming activity for digital circuits. (In the longer, three-day course, analog test programming is also covered.) Finally, you will learn test management issues, such as test program development estimation, acquisition and quality assurance.
Abstract:
This course provides a test engineering curriculum. From a quick introduction of ATE, the course goes on to test strategies. Test requirements and test specifications are discussed in detail. Next, the course dissects the ATE and looks closely at Stimulus Measurement, and Switching Instruments. The IEEE 488 (GPIB or HPIB) and the PC bus is introduced and the VXIbus is examined in detail. The course also covers, PXI and LXI. ATE maintenance issues and specmanship is also covered. The course then provides a structured approach to test program development in which the students get hands-on experience. Simulation and Automatic Test Pattern Generation (ATPG) is explored. ATE languages, such as ATLAS, are also discussed. Finally, the students are taught how to estimate and manage test engineering resources.
Who should attend:
This course offers an in-depth education in test engineering that is missing from the university curriculum. Every test engineer, whether new to the field or already experienced will greatly benefit from the structured approach this course provides. Anyone dealing with Design for Testability issues will also find this course an important prerequisite. Understanding of Test Engineering problems is probably the best way for a designer to figure out how to make circuits more testable.
Detail:
Course Content:
Introduction
- ATE's Historical Development
- When to Test. When Not to.
- The Test Philosophy
The ATE Introduced
- Manual Tester Subsystems
- Automatic Tester Subsystems
ATE Selection
Testing Methods
- IC Testers
- Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI) and X-ray (AXI)
- Assembly Fault Testers
- Manufacturing Defects Analyzers
- Flying Probe Testers
- In-Circuit Testers
- Boundary-Scan Testers
- Functional Testers
- Systems Testers
- Environmental Test - Burn-In
- Field Service Testers
Test Economics
- Cost of Testing
- Costs of Not Testing
- Manual vs. Automatic Testing
- Military vs. Commercial ATE
- Effect of Fault Distribution
- Work Load Analysis
- Capacity Calculations
- Test Effectiveness
- Investment Appraisal Method
Test Strategy Development
- Analyzing the UUT
- Fault Distribution
- Test Stage Mixes
- Assessing ATE Requirements
- Test Cost Estimation Software
The Test Manager's Role
Test Requirements
- Test Specifications
- Test Requirements Document (TRD)
- Test Requirements Analysis (TRA)
- Test Strategy Report (TSR)
- Test Program Set (TPS)
Building your ATE
ATE Building Blocks
- Stimulus Subsystems
- Measuring Subsystems
- Routing Subsystems
Introduction to GPIB, HPIB, IEEE 488.1 and 488.2
Introduction to the VXI Bus
- Why instrumentation buses?
- The IEEE 488 Bus
- The VME Bus
- Construction of a VXI card
- P1 (VME) Connector
- P2 & P3 Connector Signals
- Local Bus Signals
VXI Plug&Play Alliance
PC-Based Instruments and PXI
Test Executive and Test Software
ATE Maintenance
- Upgrading an ATE
- ATE Reliability
- Sources of ATE Errors
ATE Buy/Build Decision
Digital Test Programming
Functional Board Testing
- Stuck-at Fault Models
- Fault Detection
- Fault Isolation
- Path Sensitization
Simulation
- The Simulation Model
- Good Circuit Simulation vs. Fault Simulation
- Fault Scoring
- Guided Fault Probing
- Fault Dictionary
Analysis Before Coding
- Testability Concerns
- Timing Considerations
- Bus Considerations
Interfacing
- Mechanical Interfacing
- Electrical Interfacing
- Test Adapter Design
- Test Adapter Test
The Test Strategy Report (TSR)
- Why we need TSRs?
- Contents of the TSR
- TSR Review Process
Example Test Program
Automatic Test Pattern Generation (ATPG)
- When is ATPG useful?
- ATPG Techniques
- Limitations of ATPG
ATE Languages
- Characteristics
- Standardization
- ATLAS
- ATE Language Translation
Analog Testing - Included in a three-day version of the class
Introduction to the Analog World
- Measurement Problems
- Stimulus Problems
- Speed Problems
- Automation Problems
Analog Testing
- Measurements Criteria
- Failure Analysis
- Digital Signal Processing
- Fixturing Considerations
Analog Fault Isolation
- Concept of the Active Element Group (AEG)
- In-Circuit Test Methods
Analog Simulation
- Using ISPICE
- Mathematical Modeling
- Tolerances and Accuracies
- Analog Automatic Test Generation
Managing Automated Test
Managing Test Resources
- TPS Cost Estimation
- TPS Acquisition
- In-House TPS Development
- TPS Quality Assurance
- The Test Strategy Report
Managing Various Test Functions
- Design for Testability
- Production Testing
- Software Testing
- Maintenance Testing
- Field Return Testing
- Concurrent Engineering
Instructor: Louis Y. Ungar
Louis Y. Ungar is president of A.T.E. Solutions, Inc., a leading independent test and testability consulting and educational firm. He has taught ATE and Testability courses at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and throughout industry. Mr. Ungar is a consultant to The American Society of Test Engineers, has served as Testability Chair for the Surface Mount Technology Association and has served on committees for various IEEE standards, including those of IEEE Std. 1149.x. Mr. Ungar holds a B.S.E.E. and Computer Science degree from the UCLA and has completed his course work towards a M.A. in Management.