Hardware-Independent ATE Software for SLT
Ric Dokken · 2024
As test challenges evolve, custom solutions for automatic test equipment (ATE) may prove to be the best choice for some use cases. A major driver for custom ATE solutions is system level test (SLT). Historically, ATE providers develop, manufacture, and market standard products. Today, custom solutions for SLT applications are promoted on ATE supplier websites [1]. Increases in requirements for SLT solutions may continue to demand more features and complexity in custom solutions. Increases in cost at SLT may demand cost reduction at earlier test steps, such as final test (FT), thus furthering the need for additional capability to redeploy FT tests to SLT.While it may be practical to conceptualize the hardware for custom test solutions, these conceptualized solutions are often avoided due to limitations of software. Availability of hardware-independent ATE controller software may open the door to more custom test hardware that may result in best-fit solutions.