Parallel testing in a per-pin hardware architecture platform

• US 7,853,425 B1
• Filed: 07/11/2008
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keithley Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Keithley Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Chao, Michael, Williamson, Jerold A., Furio, Joseph N., Lei, Miao
• Primary Examiner(s): Wachsman; Hal D
• Application Number:
  US12/171,765
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 702/123, 702/108, 702/117, 702/120
• US Class Current: 702/123
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2834 Automated test systems [ATE]; using microprocessors or computers G01R31/317 takes precedence; ATE for detection of defective computer hardware G06F11/2736
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31907 Modular tester, e.g. controlling and coordinating instruments in a bus based architecture

Abstract

Provided is a method and system for testing a DUT. The system includes a plurality of testing devices for interacting with the DUT and conducting a plurality of different tests on the DUT, and a computer-readable memory for storing computer-executable instructions defining the plurality of tests to be conducted by the testing device on the DUT. A scheduler component designates at least a first test and a second test from the plurality of tests to be conducted on the DUT in parallel, wherein said designating is based at least in part on content of the computer-executable instructions defining the first test and the second test. And a controller initiates the first test and the second test to be conducted in parallel and initiating at least a third test sequentially relative to at least one of the first and second tests.

Claims

1. A measurement system for testing a device under test (DUT), said system comprising:

a plurality of testing devices for interacting with the DUT and conducting a plurality of different tests on the DUT;

a computer-readable memory for storing computer-executable instructions defining the plurality of tests to be conducted by the testing devices on the DUT;

a scheduler component for designating at least a first test and a second test from the plurality of tests to be conducted on the DUT in parallel, wherein said designating is based at least in part on content of the computer-executable instructions defining the first test and the second test;

a controller operable to read and execute said computer-executable instructions, said controller initiating the first test and the second test to be conducted in parallel and initiating at least a third test sequentially after at least one of the first and second tests wherein said first test, said second test and said third test may or may not be unique and the scheduler component comprises;

a query component for identifying from the computer-executable instructions defining the first and second tests a testing device resource to be utilized in conducting each of the first and second tests;

a comparison component for comparing the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting the first test to the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting the second test; and

a logic component for determining that the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting the first test does not conflict with the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting the second test.

2. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the scheduler component designates the third test to be performed sequentially based at least in part on content of the computer-executable instructions defining the third test.

3. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the query component extracts the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting each of the first and second tests from resource declaration statements in the computer-executable instructions.

4. The measurement system according to claim 3, wherein the resource declaration statements are collected in a resource block within the computer-executable instructions designated for allocation of testing device resources.

5. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein designating at least the first test and the second test to be conducted on the DUT in parallel by the scheduler component comprises:

identifying from the computer-executable instructions defining the first and second tests relative portions of the DUT on which the first and second tests are to be conducted;

comparing the portion of the DUT on which the first test is to be conducted to the portion of the DUT on which the second test is to be conducted; and

determining that conducting the first and second tests on the relative portions of the DUT will not create a conflict.

6. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein designating at least the first test and the second test to be conducted on the DUT in parallel by the scheduler component comprises:

identifying from the computer-executable instructions defining the first and second tests a dependency of the second test on another test result;

comparing the another test result to a test result of the first test; and

determining that the another test result is not the same as the test result of the first test.

7. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the content of the computer-executable instructions defining the first and second tests is adapted for conducting the first and second tests sequentially.

8. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the scheduler component designates a destructive test to be conducted on a portion of the DUT after all non-destructive tests have been conducted on the portion of the DUT.

9. A method of testing a device under test (DUT) to determine if the DUT functions properly, the method comprising:

querying with a controller computer-executable instructions defining a plurality of tests stored by a computer-readable medium for a conflict between the tests, wherein said conflict interferes with conducting the tests in parallel;

based on said querying, scheduling a first test and a second test that is compatible with the first test to be conducted on the DUT in parallel;

based on said querying, scheduling a third test that conflicts with the first test to be conducted on the DUT sequentially after the first test wherein said first test, said second test and said third test may or may not be unique;

and said querying comprising;

identifying from the computer-executable instructions defining the first and second tests a testing device resource to be utilized in conducting each of the first and second tests;

comparing the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting the first test to the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting the second test; and

determining that the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting the first test does not conflict with the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting the second test; and

performing said tests.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said querying further comprises:

identifying a portion of the DUT on which the first and second tests are to be conducted within the computer-executable instructions defining the first and second tests;

comparing the portion of the DUT on which the first test is to be conducted to the portion of the DUT on which the second test is to be conducted; and

determining that the first test does not conflict with the second test when the first and second tests are to be conducted on different portions of the DUT.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the different portions of the DUT are electrically isolated from each other.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein identifying the testing device resource comprises extracting the testing device resource to be utilized in conducting each of the first and second tests from resource declaration statements in the computer-executable instructions.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the resource declaration statements are collected in a resource block within the computer-executable instructions designated for allocation of testing device resources.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein said querying further comprises:

identifying from the computer-executable instructions defining the first and second tests a dependency of the second test on another test result;

comparing the another test result to a test result of the first test; and

determining that the another test result is not the same as the test result of the first test.