The consolidation of TPS elements within an integrated support concept

The TPS (Test Program Set) was initially conceptualized and structured to address external UUT (unit under test) testing. As the TPS evolved, it began to incorporate some interaction with UUT BIT (built in test). In view of current trends in prime system technology, it is now becoming increasingly clear that the TPS must be capable not only of accommodating UUTs that are BIT (and software) intensive, but also of integrating internal (BIT oriented) test features with external (test system oriented) test capability from the earliest stages of prime system (UUT) design. That is, the internal and external elements of the TPS, as well as the quantitative metrics through which test performance is measured, must be consolidated not only from the technical standpoint but also from the standpoint of acquisition philosophy.