SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING PROCESSING IN A TESTING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for automated testing of computing equipment, the method comprising:
- performing a procedure on test hardware through a test program the procedure including a request for a test function;
decoupling the test program from the test hardware through an abstraction layer;
generating within the abstraction layer, a virtual instrument (“
VI”
) layer without hardware implementation-specific functionality;
receiving, by the VI layer, at least one request from the test program through at least one virtual instrument virtual instrument (“
VI”
) interface, wherein said VI interface is implemented as an add-only programming interface using a virtual instrument virtual function table to allow backward-compatible upgrades;
(b) map the request from the test program into a function call to a hardware-specific physical instrument layer;
(c) communicate the function call to at least one hardware-specific physical instrument layer;
receiving the function call from the virtual instrument layer through a virtual instrument (“
VI”
) to physical instrument interface (“
PI”
); and
communicating the function call to a hardware-specific physical instrument (“
PI”
) layer including at least one physical instrument (“
PI”
) module representing the hardware specific implementation of a test instrument, wherein said VI to PI interface is implemented as an add-only programming interface using a physical instrument virtual function table to allow backward-compatible upgrades;
(b) map the functional call into a hardware specific instruction for at least one test instrument in the test hardware; and
(c) communicate the hardware-specific instruction to the test instrument for execution.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and methods can execute processes in a test system. A flexible platform may be provided for developing test programs for performing automated testing. For example, the tester and its instruments are isolated from the tester operating system, permitting any tester operating system to be used. In another example implementation, a user layer of the platform is isolated from the physical layer of the architecture, permitting hardware-independent test programs that can be created and used among different testers having different test hardware and software. In yet another implementation, execution of a test program is isolated from a tester platform operating system, permitting the test program to function independent from the tester platform. Functionality can be implemented on the platform such that functions are only added, and that existing links to functions are not broken, ensuring continued test system operation when new software, hardware and/or features are added to the platform.
5 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for automated testing of computing equipment, the method comprising:
-
performing a procedure on test hardware through a test program the procedure including a request for a test function; decoupling the test program from the test hardware through an abstraction layer; generating within the abstraction layer, a virtual instrument (“
VI”
) layer without hardware implementation-specific functionality;receiving, by the VI layer, at least one request from the test program through at least one virtual instrument virtual instrument (“
VI”
) interface, wherein said VI interface is implemented as an add-only programming interface using a virtual instrument virtual function table to allow backward-compatible upgrades;
(b) map the request from the test program into a function call to a hardware-specific physical instrument layer;
(c) communicate the function call to at least one hardware-specific physical instrument layer;receiving the function call from the virtual instrument layer through a virtual instrument (“
VI”
) to physical instrument interface (“
PI”
); andcommunicating the function call to a hardware-specific physical instrument (“
PI”
) layer including at least one physical instrument (“
PI”
) module representing the hardware specific implementation of a test instrument, wherein said VI to PI interface is implemented as an add-only programming interface using a physical instrument virtual function table to allow backward-compatible upgrades;
(b) map the functional call into a hardware specific instruction for at least one test instrument in the test hardware; and
(c) communicate the hardware-specific instruction to the test instrument for execution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeBin1 ATE
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Original AssigneeBin1 ATE
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InventorsBlancha, Barry Edward, Lechowicz, Leszek Janusz, Helm, Stephen S., Adam, Sean Patrick, Camargo, Jorge, Mendes, Paulo, Heil, Carlos
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Application NumberUS14/708,566Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current1/1CPC Class CodesG01R 31/2834 Automated test systems [ATE...G01R 31/3181 Functional testing G01R31/3...G01R 31/3183 Generation of test inputs, ...
