Supporting Multiple Runtime Engines on a Common and Scalable Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) Framework

Abstract

New Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) must be capable of supporting multiple runtime systems to be a cost effective solution across multiple military platforms. This paper will present a third generation ATE architecture capable of supporting legacy runtime systems, commercial off the shelf runtimes and a hybrid runtime system based on Microsoft's Visual Studio product line. The paper will touch on rapid development of an ATE system and the techniques to test the software layers exposed to test program developer. Presented will be trade-offs between cost, schedule and long term supportability based on the requirements for developing and sustaining test programs over a long period of time as generally required by military systems. Included is a discussion on graphical User Interfaces (UI) and the possibility of a generic UI for test development. The paper will cover a brief history of the how this third generation of ATE architecture is used to support current programs.