DoD/MOD coalition efforts for ATS

Abstract

The US DoD and UK MOD have recognized that they have similar goals in terms of advancing Automatic Test System (ATS). Over the years, representatives from both departments have discussed these mutual goals, worked cooperatively in trying to achieve them, and shared results and lessons learned. Recently, the DoD and MOD have begun to arrange more formal agreements that will help to facilitate leveraging of each Department's resources, and to more efficiently achieve the mutual goals as they arise. This paper discusses the most recent initiatives being considered. The paper presents the background for the DoD and MOD ATS initiatives, the topics under consideration, the benefits intended by the DoD and MOD, and how the efforts are planned to be executed. Both the DoD and MOD are looking to industry standards to improve the interoperability of their individual test systems. Further, a future goal is for interoperability across DoD and MOD ATS. To help accomplish this goal, the Coalition Partners have identified a few joint initiatives that will build upon the work already accomplished individually. Greater use of industry standards (as described in IEEE 1641 and 1671), to be used to support Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) execution and Test Program Set (TPS) development, has been identified as the most beneficial effort to be addressed jointly. One particular area that the DoD is currently addressing is an environment to possibly include a test programming language to develop TPSs, a run time system that can interpret various programming languages, and mathematical models to represent signals. In order to reduce costs and take advantage of new technologies, the DoD is looking into methods that will take advantage of open software architectures, increased supportability, increased readability, and increased transportability across varied operating systems. The MOD has also been looking into this issue, and based on recent research and development, it is now evident that a teaming relationship between the DoD and MOD can provide for a more advanced solution in less time. This will change the way test support is performed by distancing TPS development from the initial target equipment, and advances the potential for TPSs to be deployed onto alternate test equipment. Interoperability requires an open systems approach, tools which conform to the approach, and a means to document the interfaces so that all parties are aware of what they need to provide in order to allow for interoperability between them. This paper describes the desire for test programming language independence, mathematical models to represent signals, and industry standards. Finally, the paper contains a discussion regarding an automated tool to map Unit Under Test (UUT) requirements to ATE capabilities, based on industry standards, which will further advance interoperability by indicating what capabilities are required in individual ATE to meet testing requirements.