Digital Transformation for Automated Test Systems

Abstract

Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) have been key in the laboratory testing, calibration, and maintenance of Unit Under Test (UUT) and Line Replaceable Components (LRC), maintaining a high standard in the sustainment of complex systems. In a wide market full of unique capabilities, spanning from legacy systems to cutting-edge technologies, it only makes sense to evolve the ATE world adopting a modular architecture from inception to deployment. A modular mentality applied to every aspect of a system design, shifts away from a rigid perspective and towards a flexible environment where customer ideas and goals can thrive. From utilizing AGILE strategies in execution of design and documentation, taking “vertical slices” on complex designs, utilizing Model-Based Systems Engineering to derive system requirements, using collaborative, cloud-based tools to maximize productivity and shorten program-execution schedules, developing full kit-based solutions, to the virtualization of the ATE design, test and manufacturing plans; All in support of a product that offers confidence during design and execution, maximizes future upgradeability, obsolescence management and field-sustainment, while minimizing non-recurring costs experienced on a traditional, fixed, waterfall ATE design environment. This paper will describe how Digital Transformation in a modular test system makes this possible and enables customers to achieve and maintain success for years to come.