Logging: Gaining access to the inner workings of your TPS

This paper describes an enhanced test system software architecture that includes a general use facility for passing test program data from an executing test program set (TPS) to one or more support applications running in parallel with the TPS. These support applications may include tools to assist the TPS developer in debugging the TPS, characterizing the unit under test, archiving test results data, and other applications that a test organization may find relevant and helpful. The same test system software architecture can also be used by instrument vendors in the design and implementation of the debugging tools that accompany their instrument drivers and other software. The paper also includes a description of a possible implementation of such an architecture, and demonstrates how it can be used to simplify the development of multiple and diverse types of support applications with little to no impact on the development of the TPS itself.