US20050102580A1 - Test configuration and data management system and associated method for enterprise test operations - Google Patents
Test configuration and data management system and associated method for enterprise test operations Download PDFInfo
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- US20050102580A1 US20050102580A1 US11/012,772 US1277204A US2005102580A1 US 20050102580 A1 US20050102580 A1 US 20050102580A1 US 1277204 A US1277204 A US 1277204A US 2005102580 A1 US2005102580 A1 US 2005102580A1
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- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
- G06F11/22—Detection or location of defective computer hardware by testing during standby operation or during idle time, e.g. start-up testing
- G06F11/2294—Detection or location of defective computer hardware by testing during standby operation or during idle time, e.g. start-up testing by remote test
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- This invention relates to configuration and management techniques for device and product test operations in test, measurement and automation environments.
- test operations often include a variety of different test activities in a variety of different environments.
- Existing systems do not currently provide for efficient test configuration and data management among these disparate test operations, particularly on an enterprise-wide scale.
- test systems also referred to herein as test stations and/or ATEs (automated test equipment)
- UUT unit-under-test
- test sites have also previously included the ability to store centrally raw test data from a number of different test systems for historical purposes.
- FIG. 1A shows an example of such an environment.
- Local test systems 106 A, 106 B . . . 106 C are coupled through connections 114 A, 114 B . . . 144 C to UUTs 116 A, 116 B . . . 116 C, respectively.
- each test system includes test software 112 A, which operates the test being run on the UUT, and includes test management software 110 A, which acts to manage the tests executed by the test software 112 A.
- the raw test result data for the UUT can be stored in the local test systems 106 A, 106 B . . . 106 C.
- this raw test data can be archived for historical purposes in a raw data archival system 102 through manual or direct data storage transfers as represented by dotted lines 115 A, 115 B . . . 115 C, respectively.
- test stations or automated test equipment devices are often located on test floors that do not have network connections or that are configured in such a way as to make network connections to the ATEs rather difficult or impossible.
- ATEs are designed to conduct specific tests that may be unrelated and unlinked to other device tests or manufacturing activities.
- test monitoring has previously focused on the individual test systems and has not adequately addressed enterprise level test monitoring and management.
- disparate tests and test stations typically do not have common data formats, but instead are often custom designed software packages that are interested in nothing but the operations of the particular test being run.
- data is stored, it is often stored simply as a text file or in a proprietary format specific to the designer of the system.
- Tools have been previously developed to help connect test applications to other computers through a network, such as the LABVIEW enterprise connectivity toolset available from National Instruments. These tools allow connectivity to a database. However, these tools require the user to define the databases, communicate with them (usually through SQL commands) and program all the details about communication, database design and anything related to the database operations. As such, these tools do not provide an efficient and easily managed solution for configuring and managing enterprise test operations.
- MES Manufacturing execution systems
- API Automation Programming, Inc.
- Xfactory available from USDATA.
- Such systems allow for the management of information about the manufacturing of the products. They are directed to a manufacturing point of view and are not directed to a testing point of view.
- the present invention provides an enterprise test configuration and data management system and associated method for test, measurement and automation environments that allow management, configuration and analysis of test systems and associated data across enterprise-wide test operations.
- the present invention is directed to the production process from the test and test station point of view and provides a variety of mechanisms for test configuration and data management for test stations including the capability of managing data about each test station, hardware resources, software resources, test configuration, test steps, acquired measurements, test execution, and/or other information related to the tests, the test stations or the units-under-test (UUT).
- the present invention also provides standardized interfaces for the test station (or ATE) software to communicate with server systems and other ATEs if needed, thereby greatly simplify the coding required for these systems and allowing each test station (or ATE) to talk through the same standardized interface.
- FIG. 1A (prior art) is a block diagram for an example of a conventional test site environment for test systems and units-under-test (UUTs).
- FIG. 1B is a block diagram for an enterprise test configuration and management (ETCM) system and database including an ETCM component residing on local test systems, according to the present invention.
- ETCM enterprise test configuration and management
- FIG. 1C is a block diagram for an enterprise environment including an ETCM system and database, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2A is a block diagram for an ETCM system and database including various tools, modules and utilities connected through any desired connection media to test stations and ETCM clients, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2B is a block diagram for an ETCM database and control module including a main module and communication system that allow for transparent database access, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2C is a block diagram for an ETCM component running on a local test station, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3A is a block diagram of data flow for a local test system that includes an ETCM module according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a selectable local/remote data path for ETCM data storage, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3C is a flow diagram for data flow associated with the selectable local/remote data path for ETCM data storage, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 4A is a block diagram for an ETCM control architecture that allows monitoring and management of a plurality of test sites that each having a plurality of test lines or floors that each in turn have a plurality of test systems and associated hardware, software and test parameters.
- FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4 D are example graphical user interfaces for portions of the tree-like test configuration and data management structure depicted for the enterprise test architecture in FIG. 4A , according to the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for test cycle flow diagram for automated test equipment (ATE) or test systems that include an ETCM module, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6A is a flow diagram for selectively choosing whether ETCM control is used with respect to test software installed and operating on a local test station, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6B is a block diagram for a local test station having an ETCM enable module that may be set to enable or disable processing by the ETCM component, according to the present invention.
- the present invention provides for efficient test configuration and data management among disparate test operations, particularly on an enterprise-wide scale.
- the present invention allows an entity to manage its test operations and related test stations (or ATEs) on an enterprise level through an interface that can access a centralized database of test related information, including test input parameters, test input data, test result data, test system information, test configuration information, data management information or any other desired test operations related information.
- ATEs test operations and related test stations
- GUI graphical user interface
- a user can log into the enterprise test configuration and data management (ETCM) system to configure, manage and monitor enterprise-wide test operations.
- GUI graphical user interface
- Test data from disparate test operations and test stations can be stored in the remotely accessible database, and the data formats can be standardized or controlled to provide efficient and enhanced data storage and to allow efficient access, configuration and management through the centralized database. Example embodiments are described below in more detail with respect to the drawings.
- FIG. 1B is a block diagram for a test environment 120 including an enterprise test configuration and management (ETCM) system and database 100 , according to the present invention.
- ETCM enterprise test configuration and management
- FIG. 1B adds ETCM components to the local test systems, for example, ETCM component 108 A within the local test system 106 A.
- the ETCM component 108 A operates on the local test system and can be operationally connected to the test software 112 A and the test management software 110 A through interactions 121 A and 123 A, respectively.
- the ETCM component 108 A can be a software module that communicates with the test software 112 A and the test management software 110 A through appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs).
- APIs application programming interfaces
- the ETCM component 108 A can also be a software subroutine operating as part of the test software 112 A and/or the test management software 110 A.
- the test software 112 A operates to control the testing of the UUT 116 A, while the test management software 110 A operates to control test execution, for example, controlling which tests are actually run from a number of tests potentially executable by the test software 112 A.
- traditional implementations for the test management software 112 A such as TESTSTAND software available from National Instruments have not attempted to manage test data, but rather have been directed to the management of the test programs.
- the ETCM component operates to provide test configuration and data management functionality for the test system and communicates with ETCM system and database 100 through connection 118 A.
- the ETCM component 108 A can also communicate with a raw data archival system 102 through connection 122 A, if desired.
- the ETCM components in the other test systems 106 B . . . 106 C also communicate with the ETCM system and database 100 through connections 118 B . . . 118 C, respectively, and also communicate with the raw data archival system 102 through connections 122 B . . . 122 C, respectively.
- the ETCM system and database 100 also communicates with ETCM clients 124 A, 124 B . . .
- connections 118 A, 118 B . . . 118 C and 126 A, 126 B . . . 126 C can be, for example, any desired communication media, including but not limited to intranet networks, wireless networks, the Internet, or any other device or system that allows systems to communicate with each other.
- the test systems 106 A, 106 B . . . 106 C can be any desired test device or system utilized in a test, measurement and automation environment.
- the ETCM system and database 100 can communicate with a number of different test sites and a number of different test lines at a given test site.
- the collective communication connections 118 A, 118 B . . . 118 C from this site can be designated as connection 115 A.
- the connections 115 B, 115 C . . . 115 D represent these additional test sites.
- the ETCM system and database 100 can be in communication with a large variety of different test sites and lines and the organization of this information and test operation structure can be configured by the user, if desired.
- the collective ETCM components 106 and the ETCM system and database 100 together allow for a wide range of test configuration and data management functionality to be provided to ETCM clients 124 .
- the present invention links together, formats and standardizes the flow of control and test data among disparate test sites and associated test lines and test systems using a centralized ETCM system and database 100 and an ETCM component 108 operating with respect to the individual test stations.
- the present invention thereby provides for a wide variety of useful functions, including management, monitoring, alarm notification and reporting of enterprise test activity.
- FIG. 1C is a block diagram for an enterprise environment 170 that includes an ETCM system and database 100 , according to the present invention.
- the enterprise environment 170 includes a corporate intranet 174 to which are connected an Internet gateway 172 and the ETCM system and database 100 .
- the enterprise environment 170 also includes a number of test sites represented by local test systems 106 , 130 . . . 132 that are in communication with the intranet 174 through respective connections 115 A, 115 B . . . 115 C.
- External ETCM clients 124 A, 124 B . . . 124 C can communicate through the Internet 176 and the Internet gateway 172 to the intranet 174 .
- ETCM clients 124 D can communicate through the intranet 174 to the test systems and the ETCM system and database 100 .
- the groups of test systems 106 , 130 . . . 132 , the ETCM system and database 100 and the ETCM clients 124 A, 124 B, 124 C . . . 124 D are all connected through a communication media.
- this example environment and communication infrastructure can be modified as desired.
- the test systems could communicate with the ETCM system and database 100 through the Internet rather then though a corporate intranet.
- any of a variety of communication techniques may be used, including wireless connectivity.
- the ETCM system and database 100 allows users to manage test stations, test data, results and any other desired information for a group of test stations connected together through any of a variety of different media.
- the test stations do not need to be limited to certain type of testable devices (UUT) nor to how many devices can be tested in any period of time.
- the ETCM system enables users and other software programs to manage test stations from any remote location through a centralized data system.
- the ETCM system also allows the test station terminals to register and communicate with a centralized repository, thereby facilitating the transfer of test related information such as test data results, configuration, serial numbers, etc.
- the ETCM system and its components further provides programming interfaces to allow other devices and systems to connect and communicate with the ETCM system and its components.
- the ETCM system also provides graphical user interfaces (GUI) for operation and manipulation of the test information, test configuration and data management details, as well as any other desired test operation parameter.
- GUI graphical user interfaces
- test stations can be divided and organized in different categories, which are fully configurable to the user's needs, and that the ETCM system can allow for the remote management of these test stations.
- these test stations can be distributed on a network inside a single building or can be distributed in any number of different locations around the world.
- the ETCM system of the present invention is not a factory execution system. Rather, it is a system that enables the management of test stations and related information as well as the management of test data.
- the stations can be distributed anywhere in the world and can be accessed through a computer terminal from anywhere where access to the central repository or database systems is available.
- test stations can include a variety of different capabilities to provide users and organizations with desirable and advantageous functionality.
- test stations (or ATEs) may be organized in a logical way according to a customer's specific needs, independent of the physical location of the test stations.
- test station information such as serial number, vendor, network settings, building location, department responsibility, etc., can be saved, retrieved and administered, either remotely or locally, as desired.
- Information can be set up to track test stations programmatically or through a graphical user interface. Changes to test station information can be scheduled so that these changes are made at a latter specific time and date. Changes can also be made to a single test station or to groups of test stations, depending upon customer needs or the manner in which the user chooses to configure test operations.
- test configuration information can be retrieved and administered through the ETCM system, as well.
- This configuration information can include, for example, test plan configuration information (test plan name, author, last modified, available test stations, etc.), test step configuration information (name, properties, execution properties, etc.) and execution specific configuration information (start time, end time, calibration at execution, etc.).
- Test operations may also be configured to allow tracking of test related activities such as the test plan, test steps, and test execution, either programmatically or through a graphical user interface. Further, the test results can be collected, organized and analyzed. For example, what test data to collect can be configured based upon a selection of the test procedures and results to include.
- events can be configured, enabled and disabled so that if a particular event occurs, the system will execute a specific action, such as a notification to a responsible engineer when a test parameter meets some defined condition, such as the test parameter being equal to a selected value, the parameter being over or under a certain range, etc.
- the ETCM system and database 100 includes various tools, modules and utilities connected through any desired connection media to test stations and ETCM clients, according to the present invention.
- the ETCM system and database 100 includes a status monitoring module 204 , report tools 206 , administration and configuration utilities 208 , data analysis tools 210 and an event configuration and processing module 212 .
- Each of these modules, tools and utilities 204 , 206 , 208 , 210 and 212 are connected to the ETCM database and control module 202 through connections 215 , 216 , 217 , 218 and 219 , respectively.
- connection fabric 214 Each of these modules, tools and utilities 204 , 206 , 208 , 210 and 212 are connected to connection fabric 214 , and the ETCM database and control module 202 is connected to connection fabric 214 through connection 213 .
- the collective connections 115 for the tests systems and the collective connections 126 for the ETCM clients are also connected to the connection fabric 214 .
- the connection fabric 214 represents any of a variety of mechanisms and architectures for effecting the communication of information between different electronic devices.
- the status monitoring module 204 operates on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system and database 100 and can provide a variety of monitoring features that are accessible to the ETCM clients, including enabling a user to remotely monitor ATEs connected to the ETCM system, for example, by providing a remotely accessible hierarchical view of all the ATEs connected into the ETCM system and by providing the user access to more details about particular test stations or ATEs.
- the report tools 206 operate on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system and database 100 and provide a variety of reporting features that are accessible to the ETCM clients.
- the report tools 206 can provide pre-configured reports to display to the user. It can also provide mechanisms for users to configure and create their own reports. These pre-configured and user configured reports can be generated from the information contained on the database server about the ETCM system in general or, more particularly, from information on the database server about specific test stations, devices, UUTs, etc. These reports can be generated and viewed as desired by the user.
- the administration and configuration utilities 208 operate on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system and database 100 and provide a variety of test and data administration and configuration features that are accessible to the ETCM clients. For example, the user can remotely create and modify configuration models and information about the ATEs. These accesses can also be done for individual ATEs or for groups of ATEs, as desired.
- the data analysis tools 210 operate on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system and database 100 and provide a variety of data analysis tools that are accessible to the ETCM clients.
- data analysis tools can provide mechanisms to analyze the data gathered on the test stations.
- One such mechanism is to allow a user to view the trend in a particular value of all the units tested on selected test stations.
- the event configuration and processing module 212 operates on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system and database 100 and provides a variety of testing event notification features that are accessible to the ETCM clients. For example, this module 212 can allow the user to configure an event that gets triggered when a configured condition is met. For example, a user might want to be notified by email when more than a specified number of units (such as five units) have failed on a test station during a period of time. In this case, the user can configure the event through access to this module and the system will provide the corresponding notification.
- a specified number of units such as five units
- FIG. 2B is a block diagram for an ETCM database and control module 202 , which includes a main module 232 , communication system 234 and database server 230 , which communicate with each other through connections 236 and 238 .
- connections 213 , 215 , 216 , 217 , 218 and 219 correspond to the connections depicted in FIG. 2A .
- the database server 230 provides the core database functions and can be, for example, a ORACLE database system available from Oracle, a DB2 database system available from IBM or an SQL SERVER database system available from Microsoft.
- the database server 230 can be a centralized repository of information for the ETCM system.
- Stored information held by the database server 230 can include any desired information, such as information about each test station, about each test related to each test station, about the devices or units under test.
- reports generated through the ETCM system can be created as a result of querying the database server 230 for desired information.
- the database server 230 stores the data utilized for the operation of the ETCM system and enables the efficient retrieval of this data when desired.
- the main module provides an interface to the database server and thereby allows for relatively transparent database access by devices desiring to store or retrieve information from the database server 230 .
- the main module 232 can provide mechanisms to access the information contained in the database server and can allow a developer of the ATE to utilize the database without the overhead of learning and using SQL and database access techniques.
- the communication system 234 provides a connection for systems and modules communicating with the main module and may include various security measures, as desired.
- FIG. 2C is a block diagram for an ETCM component 108 A operating on a local test station 106 A.
- the ETCM component 108 A includes a status manager 252 , a configuration manager 254 , an operations manager 256 , a data manager 258 , a data format manager 260 and an interface 262 .
- the interface 262 provides a communication link to other software or device operations, for example, through connections 121 A, 123 A, 122 A and 118 A, as discussed above.
- the status manager 252 operates to control, manage and track test status and ETCM status information (such as pass or fail, running, connected, scheduled, etc.).
- the configuration manager operates to control, manage and track test configuration information (such as test name, author, test steps, measurements, test sequences, etc) that can be communicated to and from the test software 112 A and the test management software 110 A.
- the operations manager provides general control and management functions for the operation of the ETCM component 108 A.
- the data manager 258 provides control and management of test related data, such as input data and test result data. Examples of this data management are further discussed with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C below.
- the data format manager 260 operates to effect any data format changes or modifications that facilitate data communications between various software and hardware components that are connected to the ETCM component 108 A. For example, data from the test software 112 A may be in a pure, unstructured text string format.
- the data format manager 260 can modify this data so that it takes a format that can easily be incorporated into the database server 230 utilized by the ETCM system and database 100 .
- the database server 230 is an SQL Server database
- the data being communicated to and from the test software 112 A and/or the test management software 110 A can be converted to and from an SQL Server format to the particular data format expected and/or utilized by these other software components.
- data format modifications and conversions can be accomplished, in whole or in part, as part of the operations of the ETCM system and database 100 , if desired, such that data from the test software 112 A can be in a format different for the format desired for use with the database server 230 .
- FIG. 3A is a block diagram of example data flow for local test systems that include ETCM components according to the present invention.
- a number of local test systems and associated UUTs can be part of the enterprise test and management system.
- a representative data flow is shown for local test system 106 A.
- Interface 320 A provides a communication interface for the transfer of information and data between the local test system 106 A and external devices and systems.
- connection 122 A corresponds to the connection in FIG. 1B to the raw data archival system 102
- connection 118 A corresponds to the connection in FIG. 1B to the ETCM system and database 100 .
- connection 328 A represents other control and/or data information that may be communicated to and from the local test station 106 A.
- the ETCM module 108 A within the local test system 106 A controls the flow of data.
- the device data storage 326 A and the result data storage 324 A are connected to the UUT 116 A and to the ETCM data storage 322 A.
- the device data storage 326 A represents local storage of test related data and data relating to the device being tested or the UUT.
- the result data storage 324 A represents local storage of data relating to test results.
- the ETCM data storage 322 A represents storage of data relating to ETCM activities. It is noted that data can be stored in any desired manner, according to the present invention, as long as an ETCM module is present to control, at least in part, the flow of data.
- FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a selectable local/remote data path for ETCM data storage 322 A.
- the ETCM module of the present invention provides this capability.
- the ETCM data storage 322 A allows for data to be sent remotely from the local test system in a variety of ways. For example, if an external connection to a remote device is operable, the data on line 330 A coming into the ETCM data storage 322 A can be immediately transmitted along line 354 A to a remote interface buffer 358 A and out line 336 A to the remote device.
- the data on line 330 A coming into the ETCM data storage 322 A can be transmitted along line 352 A to be stored in local ETCM storage 356 A for later transmission, when an external connection is active, along line 360 A to the remote interface buffer 358 A and out line 336 A to the remote device.
- the switch or selection block 350 A provides the ability to select between these paths depending upon the availability of an external connection.
- FIG. 3C is a flow diagram for data flow 300 associated with the selectable local/remote data path for ETCM data storage, according to the present invention.
- the ETCM module data flow transmission process determines if result test data is available. If “yes,” the data is added to the transmission interface buffer 358 A in block 306 .
- the ETCM module data flow transmission process determines if a connection is active so that data can be transmitted. If “yes,” then control passes to block 304 where a determination is made whether there is data in the buffer to be transmitted. If “yes,” then the data is transmitted in block 310 .
- the sent data can be marked as sent, and the process can ensure data transmission, for example, through a data valid and received acknowledgement from the receiving device. Flow then proceeds back to block 302 . If the determination in decision block 308 is “no,” decision block 315 is reached in which a determination is made whether the interface buffer 358 A is full. If the answer is “no,” flow proceeds back to block 302 . If the answer is “yes,” then the data is moved to the local ETCM data storage 322 A in block 316 .
- the ETCM module data flow transmission process proceeds to decision block 308 to determine if data can be transmitted. If the answer is “no,” control proceeds on to decision block 315 . If “yes,” flow proceeds on to block 304 to determine whether there is data in the remote interface buffer 358 A that is ready for transmission. If “yes,” flow proceeds to block 310 . If “no,” flow proceeds to decision block 312 where the ETCM module data flow transmission process determines whether there is data stored in the local ETCM data storage 322 A. If “yes,” data is moved from the local ETCM data storage 322 A to the remote transmission interface buffer 358 A in block 314 , and flow proceeds back to decision block 304 . If “no,” flow proceeds back to decision block 302 .
- FIG. 4A is a block diagram for an example ETCM control architecture that allows monitoring, configuration and management of a plurality of test sites that each having a plurality of test lines or floors that each in turn have a plurality of test systems and associated hardware, software and test parameters.
- This ETCM architecture 400 may be provided through a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows manipulation of enterprise-wide test configuration and data management.
- Block 402 represents the overall enterprise test architecture under which a tree-like control structure is organized. This tree-like structure can be created, modified and configured by a user logged into the ETCM system and database.
- items 404 A SITE A
- 404 B 404 B
- 404 C . . .
- Items 406 A (LINE A), 406 B, 406 C, . . . represent different test lines or floors that may exist at any given test site, such as test site 404 A (SITE A).
- items 408 A (STATION A), 408 B, 408 C, . . . represent different test stations or ATEs that may exist for any given test line, such as test line 406 A (LINE A).
- test station 404 A For each such test station 404 A (STATION A), additional information may be provided, such as hardware resources 410 A, software resources 410 B and test links 410 C to tests 412 A (TEST A), 412 B, 412 C . . . , which may in turn represent, for example, tests that can be run or are running on the test stations, such as test station 408 A (STATION A).
- additional test related information can be provided. This information can include items such as general test properties 414 A, test execution properties 414 B, and test steps 414 C that links to individual test steps 416 A (STEP A), 416 B, 416 C, . . . for the test.
- test step 416 A can have still additional information linked to it such as test result definition 418 A with parameters such as date/time 420 A, pressure 420 B and temperature 420 C; properties 418 B with parameters such as maximum temperature 422 A and maximum pressure 422 B; and execution properties 418 C such as start time 424 A.
- test result definition 418 A with parameters such as date/time 420 A, pressure 420 B and temperature 420 C
- properties 418 B with parameters such as maximum temperature 422 A and maximum pressure 422 B
- execution properties 418 C such as start time 424 A.
- other information and related links can be provided, as desired, through the enterprise test architecture 402 .
- This control architecture 400 and associated interface allows users, if desired, to monitor, configure and manage enterprise test facilities from a single point as those operations are occurring. Information may be viewed and modified to generate any desired view of the test facilities and operations for the company. In addition, tests on particular test stations can be monitored, manipulated, configured, etc. as desired through the user interface. For each of the items in FIG. 4 , for example, the user can add, delete or modify the item, its location in the tree, and/or the parameters associated with the item. In addition, the user can organize the information as the user desires, similar to a file folder structure in as typical with file handling in personal computer operating systems, such as WINDOWS 95/98 available from MICROSOFT. Thus, the actual, current operations of the test stations can be managed, configured and controlled from a remote location through access to a centralized database.
- a user may determine the current status of enterprise-wide test operations and view these operations on increasing or decreasing levels of detail, as desired, through the tree-like interface structure.
- an indication at each level may be provided for status events, such as “green” for operations within desired parameters, “yellow” for operations within concern levels and “red” for operations that have either stopped or are threatening production or product yield.
- an engineer or test operations manager can quickly monitor, configure and manage test operations through a remotely accessible ETCM system and database.
- This feature provides a way to evaluate the current status of the test operations from one point, thereby providing the ability to make better decisions.
- the person reviewing or managing the test operations does not need to be at the same facility to view the ETCM information.
- companies that have a distributed manufacturing environment for example, different steps of the production line are located at different locations, can use this interface tool to enable personnel to access, monitor and evaluate production line operations as a whole from one point.
- FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4 D provide example graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for portions of the tree-like test configuration and data management structure depicted for the enterprise test architecture in FIG. 4A .
- GUIs graphical user interfaces
- FIG. 4B a “window” interface with a tree-like selection structure is depicted, for example, similar to those used by the MICROSOFT 95/98 operating system available from MICROSOFT.
- Within the window 430 there are a number of items related to enterprise test operations that correlate to those in FIG. 4A . As depicted, these items are separated into a “General Categories” portion 434 that includes an enterprise test operations architecture tree and portion 436 that includes a list of test stations that can be allocated or configured to be part of the architecture tree.
- the enterprise 402 includes three test operation sites, namely the Austin site 404 A, the Dallas site 404 B and the Detroit site 404 C. Again as depicted, the user has selected the Austin site 404 A to reveal its sub-categories in the tree-like structure. Similarly, Building 18 405 A (part of an additional layer to those depicted in FIG. 4A ) has been selected, as has Line 1 406 A. Within Line 1 406 A are TestStation 1 408 A, TestStation 2 408 B, TestStation 3 408 C and TestStation 10 408 D. In portion 436 , three test stations are listed TestStation 11 408 E, TestStation 12 408 F and TestStation 13 408 G.
- the fourth listed test station TestStation 10 408 D is grayed.
- Line 432 indicates that the user has selected and moved this TestStation 10 408 D from the test station list in portion 436 to be included within the Line 1 406 A portion of the architecture tree.
- this move operation for example, may be effected by a click and drag operation with a mouse or through the use of other standard techniques as would be known in the art for GUIs.
- FIG. 4C depicts a GUI that provides further levels of details concerning test operations and configuration.
- portion 456 the same information related to the Austin site 404 A has been selected for display as is shown in FIG. 4B with the addition of information related to TestStation 10 408 D.
- Sub-information under TestStation 10 408 D includes Hardware (HW) Resources 410 A, Software (SW) Resources 410 B and Test Links 410 C, which has further been selected to reveal TestA 412 A.
- HW Hardware
- SW Software
- Test 412 A including Properties 414 A, Execution Properties 414 B and Test Steps 414 C, which has also been selected to show information related to TestStep 1 416 A.
- This information includes TestResultDefinition 418 A (with sub-information TimeDate 420 A, Pressure 420 B and Temperature 420 C), TestProperties 418 B (with sub-information MaxTemp 422 A and Max Pressure 422 B) and TestExecutionProperties 418 C (with sub-information StartTime 424 A).
- the GUI can allow creation operations, click and drag operations, selection operations and other operations consistent with window and tree architecture operations that are common to GUI based environments, such as used by the WINDOWS 95/98 operating system.
- FIG. 4D depicts a GUI that provides test execution related information for enterprise test operations through a network browser.
- Window 470 provides an example of a standard GUI interface as may be displayed through INTERNET EXPLORER available from Microsoft.
- a pointer device such as a mouse and/or a keyboard, can be used to navigate the interface.
- the “address” space 482 provides a data input field to provide the web site or network address for test monitoring access.
- the space 472 provides a similar tree structure to that discussed with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B above, with the test stations in FIGS. 4A and 4B corresponding to ATEs in FIG. 4D , such as ATE_AUS_ 001 .
- the space 480 provides detailed information concerning the particular ATE, for example, ATE name, PC name, serial number, inventory number, manufacturer, business unit, etc. Thus, space 480 can be used to provide any desired information related to the ATE and relate devices, systems and software that are being utilized for device testing.
- the space 478 provides information concerning the device or unit-under-test (UUT) that is being monitored or accessed, such as SERIAL_ 001 as shown in FIG. 4D .
- the space 476 provides information concerning the tests that are being run on the UUT, for example, Test Number, Test Name, Status, Result, Start Date, End Time, etc. Thus, space 476 can be used to provide any desired information related to the test being utilized for device testing.
- the space 474 provides information concerning the particular test, for example, Time tag, Upper Limit allowed, Lower Limit allowed, actual test Value, etc. As with the other spaces, this space 474 can be used to provide access to any desired information relating to the selected item.
- FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for test cycle flow diagram for automated test equipment (ATE) or test systems that include an ETCM module, according to the present invention.
- the ATE test cycle process 500 starts with block 562 where the ETCM component 108 A queries the ETCM system and database 100 to obtain all information for the ATE that is available in the ETCM database. This ATE information is utilized to configure and operate the ATE to conduct testing of the UUT.
- serial number information for the UUT is obtained.
- the ETCM component 108 A queries the ETCM system and database 100 to obtain all information for the UUT that is available in the ETCM database.
- the ETCM component 108 A queries the ETCM system and database 100 to obtain test plan information for the UUT.
- calibration information is obtained, or self calibration of the ATE system is executed.
- the test for the UUT is executed in block 572 after which the test results are transmitted or uploaded in block 574 to the ETCM system and database 100 , for example, as described above with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C .
- data modified by a user who is logged into the ETCM system and database 100 can be given effect. This data can then be updated onto the test stations.
- This tool therefore, can not only make sure that the test data and configuration information is available for the test station, depending on how the test station has been developed, this tool can also react to the change of information in a variety of different ways.
- FIG. 6A is a flow diagram for selectively choosing whether ETCM control is used with respect to test software installed and operating on a local test station.
- Process 600 provides for processing with or without the ETCM component.
- Decision block 602 determines whether ETCM processing is enabled or not enabled. If the answer is “no,” standard control block 604 acts to control test activities according to the software installed on the local test station.
- Block 606 represents that data is handled according to individual tests running on the local test stations. Thus, there is no standardized data format and there is no centralized data storage in a readily accessible database system. If the answer is “yes,” however, ETCM control occurs in block 608 .
- data formats from disparate test stations are standardized and stored in a centralized ETCM database.
- an ETCM configuration and management interface becomes active allowing for remote users to log onto the ETCM servers and the configure and manage test activities, for example, through an Internet connection and a browser program.
- FIG. 6B is a block diagram for a local test station 106 A having an ETCM enable module 622 A that may be set to enable or disable processing by the ETCM component 108 A.
- the interface 320 A provides access from external devices to the local test station 106 A.
- the test software 112 A and the test management software 110 A are traditionally designed, installed and operated to conduct a particular desired test of a UUT.
- the ETCM component 108 A allows for advantageous management of test data activities.
- the connection 122 A is connected raw data archive system 102
- connection 118 A is connected to the ETCM system and database 100 , as depicted in FIG. 1B .
- the connection 328 A is provided for other device operation interactions, as shown in FIG. 3A .
- the ETCM module 622 A is accessible through the interface 320 A and allows selective enabling or disabling of the ETCM component 108 A.
- the switches 620 A and 621 A are set to allow information to pass through and be controlled by the ETCM component 108 A.
- ETCM control is disabled, the switch 620 A and 621 A are set so that information passes along line 624 so that the information bypasses and is not controlled by the ETCM component 108 A.
- the switch 620 A, the switch 621 A and the ETCM enable module 622 A may be any desired technique for selectively enabling processing by an ETCM component of a test station.
- the ETCM component 108 A may be software-based processing that is installed as part of the test software.
- the ETCM enable module 622 A and the switches 620 A and 621 A may essentially be a software switch that is set through the interface 320 A. This software switch may determine whether or not the ETCM component installed on the test station 106 A operates.
- the ETCM enable module 622 A and switch 620 A could be implemented through a software patch that is installed and executed on the test station 106 A at a later date.
- the ability to selectively enable the ETCM component 108 A provides significant flexibility in test installations and operations. For example, if a company does not have the connectivity infrastructure to effect the transmission of information from a test floor where the test stations are located, the company can still include the ETCM component 108 A in a software installation on the local test station 106 A. In this way, when the connectivity infrastructure is constructed in the future, the ETCM component 108 A can be enabled with little additional effort. Other advantageous uses of this selectivity are also situations where the connectivity infrastructure is in place, but the company nevertheless chooses not to utilize the ETCM control. In Addition, even if the connectivity infrastructure is not in place, the ETCM control may be enabled, leading to data storage in the ETCM data storage 322 A, as discussed with respect to FIGS.
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Abstract
Enterprise test configuration and data management systems and associated methods are disclosed for test, measurement and automation environments that allow management, configuration and analysis of test systems and associated data across enterprise-wide test operations. These systems and methods are directed to the production process from the test and test station point of view and provides a variety of mechanisms for test configuration and data management for test stations (or automated test equipment (ATEs)) including the capability of managing data about each test station, hardware resources, software resources, test configuration, test steps, acquired measurements, test execution, and/or other information related to the tests, the test stations or the units-under-test (UUT). Standardized interfaces are also contemplated for the test station (or ATE) software to communicate with server systems and other ATEs if needed, thereby greatly simplifying the coding required for these systems and allowing each test station (or ATE) to talk through the same standardized interface.
Description
- This application claims priority to the following co-pending provisional application: Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/314,922 entitled “TEST CONFIGURATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR ENTERPRISE TEST OPERATIONS,” which was filed on Aug. 24, 2001.
- This invention relates to configuration and management techniques for device and product test operations in test, measurement and automation environments.
- Many companies, and specifically electronic and semiconductor device companies, produce products that must be tested to meet various specifications before the products can be shipped to customers. These test operations often include a variety of different test activities in a variety of different environments. Existing systems do not currently provide for efficient test configuration and data management among these disparate test operations, particularly on an enterprise-wide scale.
- With respect to data management, test systems (also referred to herein as test stations and/or ATEs (automated test equipment)) have previously included the ability to store test result data from a unit-under-test (UUT) on the test systems. In addition, test sites have also previously included the ability to store centrally raw test data from a number of different test systems for historical purposes.
FIG. 1A (prior art) shows an example of such an environment.Local test systems connections test system 106A as an example, each test system includestest software 112A, which operates the test being run on the UUT, and includestest management software 110A, which acts to manage the tests executed by thetest software 112A. The raw test result data for the UUT can be stored in thelocal test systems data archival system 102 through manual or direct data storage transfers as represented bydotted lines - With respect to connectivity, test stations or automated test equipment devices (ATEs) are often located on test floors that do not have network connections or that are configured in such a way as to make network connections to the ATEs rather difficult or impossible. In addition, many ATEs are designed to conduct specific tests that may be unrelated and unlinked to other device tests or manufacturing activities. Thus, test monitoring has previously focused on the individual test systems and has not adequately addressed enterprise level test monitoring and management. In addition, disparate tests and test stations typically do not have common data formats, but instead are often custom designed software packages that are interested in nothing but the operations of the particular test being run. Thus, if data is stored, it is often stored simply as a text file or in a proprietary format specific to the designer of the system. Although such raw test data has been stored centrally so that it can be retrieved at a later time for historical analysis, this raw test data is typically not formatted in any standard manner or managed such that it can be used as testing is in progress.
- Tools have been previously developed to help connect test applications to other computers through a network, such as the LABVIEW enterprise connectivity toolset available from National Instruments. These tools allow connectivity to a database. However, these tools require the user to define the databases, communicate with them (usually through SQL commands) and program all the details about communication, database design and anything related to the database operations. As such, these tools do not provide an efficient and easily managed solution for configuring and managing enterprise test operations.
- This need for systems to provide efficient test configuration and data management for test operations is distinct from a need for systems to monitor and manage manufacturing operations. Manufacturing execution systems (MES) have been developed that focus on controlling the execution of a manufacturing process including actions such as keeping track of materials, products, work in progress, etc. However, these MES systems are not directed to test operations. Example MES products are those that are sold under the trade names QFS available from Automation Programming, Inc. (API) and Xfactory available from USDATA. Such systems allow for the management of information about the manufacturing of the products. They are directed to a manufacturing point of view and are not directed to a testing point of view. Thus, such systems fall short on managing the test data and test results thereby making difficult the task of finding specific data about a test, and do not provide mechanisms to maintain configuration information about each test station or any tests run on each test station. In addition, such existing systems do not provide capabilities to monitor the test stations (or ATEs) and the data related to the ATEs. Without a direct connection between the ATEs and a server system, it is extremely difficult and complex to attempt to create software code that allows such capabilities.
- The present invention provides an enterprise test configuration and data management system and associated method for test, measurement and automation environments that allow management, configuration and analysis of test systems and associated data across enterprise-wide test operations. The present invention is directed to the production process from the test and test station point of view and provides a variety of mechanisms for test configuration and data management for test stations including the capability of managing data about each test station, hardware resources, software resources, test configuration, test steps, acquired measurements, test execution, and/or other information related to the tests, the test stations or the units-under-test (UUT). The present invention also provides standardized interfaces for the test station (or ATE) software to communicate with server systems and other ATEs if needed, thereby greatly simplify the coding required for these systems and allowing each test station (or ATE) to talk through the same standardized interface.
- It is noted that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
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FIG. 1A (prior art) is a block diagram for an example of a conventional test site environment for test systems and units-under-test (UUTs). -
FIG. 1B is a block diagram for an enterprise test configuration and management (ETCM) system and database including an ETCM component residing on local test systems, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 1C is a block diagram for an enterprise environment including an ETCM system and database, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 2A is a block diagram for an ETCM system and database including various tools, modules and utilities connected through any desired connection media to test stations and ETCM clients, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 2B is a block diagram for an ETCM database and control module including a main module and communication system that allow for transparent database access, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 2C is a block diagram for an ETCM component running on a local test station, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 3A is a block diagram of data flow for a local test system that includes an ETCM module according to the present invention. -
FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a selectable local/remote data path for ETCM data storage, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 3C is a flow diagram for data flow associated with the selectable local/remote data path for ETCM data storage, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 4A is a block diagram for an ETCM control architecture that allows monitoring and management of a plurality of test sites that each having a plurality of test lines or floors that each in turn have a plurality of test systems and associated hardware, software and test parameters. -
FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D are example graphical user interfaces for portions of the tree-like test configuration and data management structure depicted for the enterprise test architecture inFIG. 4A , according to the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for test cycle flow diagram for automated test equipment (ATE) or test systems that include an ETCM module, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 6A is a flow diagram for selectively choosing whether ETCM control is used with respect to test software installed and operating on a local test station, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 6B is a block diagram for a local test station having an ETCM enable module that may be set to enable or disable processing by the ETCM component, according to the present invention. - The present invention provides for efficient test configuration and data management among disparate test operations, particularly on an enterprise-wide scale. In general respects, the present invention allows an entity to manage its test operations and related test stations (or ATEs) on an enterprise level through an interface that can access a centralized database of test related information, including test input parameters, test input data, test result data, test system information, test configuration information, data management information or any other desired test operations related information. Through this interface, which may be Internet-based access through a web browser and a graphical user interface (GUI), a user can log into the enterprise test configuration and data management (ETCM) system to configure, manage and monitor enterprise-wide test operations. Test data from disparate test operations and test stations can be stored in the remotely accessible database, and the data formats can be standardized or controlled to provide efficient and enhanced data storage and to allow efficient access, configuration and management through the centralized database. Example embodiments are described below in more detail with respect to the drawings.
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FIG. 1B is a block diagram for atest environment 120 including an enterprise test configuration and management (ETCM) system anddatabase 100, according to the present invention. Compared to the conventional environment described above with respect toFIG. 1A , the ETCM environment inFIG. 1B adds ETCM components to the local test systems, for example,ETCM component 108A within thelocal test system 106A. As depicted, theETCM component 108A operates on the local test system and can be operationally connected to thetest software 112A and thetest management software 110A throughinteractions ETCM component 108A can be a software module that communicates with thetest software 112A and thetest management software 110A through appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs). TheETCM component 108A can also be a software subroutine operating as part of thetest software 112A and/or thetest management software 110A. Thetest software 112A operates to control the testing of theUUT 116A, while thetest management software 110A operates to control test execution, for example, controlling which tests are actually run from a number of tests potentially executable by thetest software 112A. It is further noted that traditional implementations for thetest management software 112A, such as TESTSTAND software available from National Instruments have not attempted to manage test data, but rather have been directed to the management of the test programs. - The ETCM component operates to provide test configuration and data management functionality for the test system and communicates with ETCM system and
database 100 throughconnection 118A. TheETCM component 108A can also communicate with a raw dataarchival system 102 throughconnection 122A, if desired. Similarly, the ETCM components in theother test systems 106B . . . 106C also communicate with the ETCM system anddatabase 100 throughconnections 118B . . . 118C, respectively, and also communicate with the raw dataarchival system 102 throughconnections 122B . . . 122C, respectively. To provide remote configuration, management and monitoring of test operations, the ETCM system anddatabase 100 also communicates withETCM clients connections connections test systems - The ETCM system and
database 100 can communicate with a number of different test sites and a number of different test lines at a given test site. Consideringlocal test systems collective communication connections connection 115A. Considering that an enterprise can include a number of different test sites, theconnections database 100 can be in communication with a large variety of different test sites and lines and the organization of this information and test operation structure can be configured by the user, if desired. - The
collective ETCM components 106 and the ETCM system anddatabase 100 together allow for a wide range of test configuration and data management functionality to be provided to ETCM clients 124. In short, the present invention links together, formats and standardizes the flow of control and test data among disparate test sites and associated test lines and test systems using a centralized ETCM system anddatabase 100 and an ETCM component 108 operating with respect to the individual test stations. The present invention thereby provides for a wide variety of useful functions, including management, monitoring, alarm notification and reporting of enterprise test activity. -
FIG. 1C is a block diagram for anenterprise environment 170 that includes an ETCM system anddatabase 100, according to the present invention. As depicted in this embodiment, theenterprise environment 170 includes acorporate intranet 174 to which are connected anInternet gateway 172 and the ETCM system anddatabase 100. Theenterprise environment 170 also includes a number of test sites represented bylocal test systems intranet 174 throughrespective connections External ETCM clients Internet 176 and theInternet gateway 172 to theintranet 174. In addition,internal ETCM clients 124D can communicate through theintranet 174 to the test systems and the ETCM system anddatabase 100. Thus, the groups oftest systems database 100 and theETCM clients database 100 through the Internet rather then though a corporate intranet. In addition, any of a variety of communication techniques may be used, including wireless connectivity. - As further described below, the ETCM system and
database 100 allows users to manage test stations, test data, results and any other desired information for a group of test stations connected together through any of a variety of different media. The test stations do not need to be limited to certain type of testable devices (UUT) nor to how many devices can be tested in any period of time. The ETCM system enables users and other software programs to manage test stations from any remote location through a centralized data system. The ETCM system also allows the test station terminals to register and communicate with a centralized repository, thereby facilitating the transfer of test related information such as test data results, configuration, serial numbers, etc. The ETCM system and its components further provides programming interfaces to allow other devices and systems to connect and communicate with the ETCM system and its components. The ETCM system also provides graphical user interfaces (GUI) for operation and manipulation of the test information, test configuration and data management details, as well as any other desired test operation parameter. - It is further noted that the number of test stations can be divided and organized in different categories, which are fully configurable to the user's needs, and that the ETCM system can allow for the remote management of these test stations. In addition, these test stations can be distributed on a network inside a single building or can be distributed in any number of different locations around the world. The ETCM system of the present invention is not a factory execution system. Rather, it is a system that enables the management of test stations and related information as well as the management of test data. The stations can be distributed anywhere in the world and can be accessed through a computer terminal from anywhere where access to the central repository or database systems is available.
- Management of test stations and test related information can include a variety of different capabilities to provide users and organizations with desirable and advantageous functionality. For example, test stations (or ATEs) may be organized in a logical way according to a customer's specific needs, independent of the physical location of the test stations. In addition, test station information, such as serial number, vendor, network settings, building location, department responsibility, etc., can be saved, retrieved and administered, either remotely or locally, as desired. Information can be set up to track test stations programmatically or through a graphical user interface. Changes to test station information can be scheduled so that these changes are made at a latter specific time and date. Changes can also be made to a single test station or to groups of test stations, depending upon customer needs or the manner in which the user chooses to configure test operations. Software versions and updates can also be monitored, controlled and remotely downloaded to test stations depending upon configurations or user input. Specific test configuration information can be retrieved and administered through the ETCM system, as well. This configuration information can include, for example, test plan configuration information (test plan name, author, last modified, available test stations, etc.), test step configuration information (name, properties, execution properties, etc.) and execution specific configuration information (start time, end time, calibration at execution, etc.). Test operations may also be configured to allow tracking of test related activities such as the test plan, test steps, and test execution, either programmatically or through a graphical user interface. Further, the test results can be collected, organized and analyzed. For example, what test data to collect can be configured based upon a selection of the test procedures and results to include. In addition, events can be configured, enabled and disabled so that if a particular event occurs, the system will execute a specific action, such as a notification to a responsible engineer when a test parameter meets some defined condition, such as the test parameter being equal to a selected value, the parameter being over or under a certain range, etc.
- Looking now to
FIG. 2A , a block diagram is depicted for the ETCM system anddatabase 100, which includes various tools, modules and utilities connected through any desired connection media to test stations and ETCM clients, according to the present invention. In the embodiment depicted, the ETCM system anddatabase 100 includes astatus monitoring module 204,report tools 206, administration andconfiguration utilities 208,data analysis tools 210 and an event configuration andprocessing module 212. Each of these modules, tools andutilities control module 202 throughconnections utilities connection fabric 214, and the ETCM database andcontrol module 202 is connected toconnection fabric 214 throughconnection 213. Thecollective connections 115 for the tests systems and thecollective connections 126 for the ETCM clients are also connected to theconnection fabric 214. Theconnection fabric 214 represents any of a variety of mechanisms and architectures for effecting the communication of information between different electronic devices. - The
status monitoring module 204 operates on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system anddatabase 100 and can provide a variety of monitoring features that are accessible to the ETCM clients, including enabling a user to remotely monitor ATEs connected to the ETCM system, for example, by providing a remotely accessible hierarchical view of all the ATEs connected into the ETCM system and by providing the user access to more details about particular test stations or ATEs. - The
report tools 206 operate on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system anddatabase 100 and provide a variety of reporting features that are accessible to the ETCM clients. For example, thereport tools 206 can provide pre-configured reports to display to the user. It can also provide mechanisms for users to configure and create their own reports. These pre-configured and user configured reports can be generated from the information contained on the database server about the ETCM system in general or, more particularly, from information on the database server about specific test stations, devices, UUTs, etc. These reports can be generated and viewed as desired by the user. - The administration and
configuration utilities 208 operate on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system anddatabase 100 and provide a variety of test and data administration and configuration features that are accessible to the ETCM clients. For example, the user can remotely create and modify configuration models and information about the ATEs. These accesses can also be done for individual ATEs or for groups of ATEs, as desired. - The
data analysis tools 210 operate on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system anddatabase 100 and provide a variety of data analysis tools that are accessible to the ETCM clients. For example, data analysis tools can provide mechanisms to analyze the data gathered on the test stations. One such mechanism is to allow a user to view the trend in a particular value of all the units tested on selected test stations. - The event configuration and
processing module 212 operates on ETCM server systems that are part of the ETCM system anddatabase 100 and provides a variety of testing event notification features that are accessible to the ETCM clients. For example, thismodule 212 can allow the user to configure an event that gets triggered when a configured condition is met. For example, a user might want to be notified by email when more than a specified number of units (such as five units) have failed on a test station during a period of time. In this case, the user can configure the event through access to this module and the system will provide the corresponding notification. -
FIG. 2B is a block diagram for an ETCM database andcontrol module 202, which includes amain module 232,communication system 234 anddatabase server 230, which communicate with each other throughconnections connections FIG. 2A . - The
database server 230 provides the core database functions and can be, for example, a ORACLE database system available from Oracle, a DB2 database system available from IBM or an SQL SERVER database system available from Microsoft. For example, thedatabase server 230 can be a centralized repository of information for the ETCM system. Stored information held by thedatabase server 230 can include any desired information, such as information about each test station, about each test related to each test station, about the devices or units under test. As indicated above, reports generated through the ETCM system can be created as a result of querying thedatabase server 230 for desired information. In short, thedatabase server 230 stores the data utilized for the operation of the ETCM system and enables the efficient retrieval of this data when desired. - The main module provides an interface to the database server and thereby allows for relatively transparent database access by devices desiring to store or retrieve information from the
database server 230. For example, themain module 232 can provide mechanisms to access the information contained in the database server and can allow a developer of the ATE to utilize the database without the overhead of learning and using SQL and database access techniques. Thecommunication system 234 provides a connection for systems and modules communicating with the main module and may include various security measures, as desired. -
FIG. 2C is a block diagram for anETCM component 108A operating on alocal test station 106A. TheETCM component 108A includes astatus manager 252, aconfiguration manager 254, anoperations manager 256, adata manager 258, adata format manager 260 and aninterface 262. Theinterface 262 provides a communication link to other software or device operations, for example, throughconnections status manager 252 operates to control, manage and track test status and ETCM status information (such as pass or fail, running, connected, scheduled, etc.). The configuration manager operates to control, manage and track test configuration information (such as test name, author, test steps, measurements, test sequences, etc) that can be communicated to and from thetest software 112A and thetest management software 110A. The operations manager provides general control and management functions for the operation of theETCM component 108A. Thedata manager 258 provides control and management of test related data, such as input data and test result data. Examples of this data management are further discussed with respect toFIGS. 3A-3C below. Thedata format manager 260 operates to effect any data format changes or modifications that facilitate data communications between various software and hardware components that are connected to theETCM component 108A. For example, data from thetest software 112A may be in a pure, unstructured text string format. Thedata format manager 260 can modify this data so that it takes a format that can easily be incorporated into thedatabase server 230 utilized by the ETCM system anddatabase 100. In other words, if thedatabase server 230 is an SQL Server database, the data being communicated to and from thetest software 112A and/or thetest management software 110A can be converted to and from an SQL Server format to the particular data format expected and/or utilized by these other software components. It is also noted that data format modifications and conversions can be accomplished, in whole or in part, as part of the operations of the ETCM system anddatabase 100, if desired, such that data from thetest software 112A can be in a format different for the format desired for use with thedatabase server 230. -
FIG. 3A is a block diagram of example data flow for local test systems that include ETCM components according to the present invention. As depicted, a number of local test systems and associated UUTs can be part of the enterprise test and management system. A representative data flow is shown forlocal test system 106A.Interface 320A provides a communication interface for the transfer of information and data between thelocal test system 106A and external devices and systems. For example,connection 122A corresponds to the connection inFIG. 1B to the raw dataarchival system 102, andconnection 118A corresponds to the connection inFIG. 1B to the ETCM system anddatabase 100. In addition,connection 328A represents other control and/or data information that may be communicated to and from thelocal test station 106A. As discussed above, theETCM module 108A within thelocal test system 106A controls the flow of data. Thedevice data storage 326A and theresult data storage 324A are connected to theUUT 116A and to theETCM data storage 322A. Thedevice data storage 326A represents local storage of test related data and data relating to the device being tested or the UUT. Theresult data storage 324A represents local storage of data relating to test results. TheETCM data storage 322A represents storage of data relating to ETCM activities. It is noted that data can be stored in any desired manner, according to the present invention, as long as an ETCM module is present to control, at least in part, the flow of data. -
FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a selectable local/remote data path forETCM data storage 322A. As discussed above with respect toFIG. 1A (prior art), conventional test data management techniques did not address active configuration and management of enterprise-wide test operations. The ETCM module of the present invention provides this capability. As part of this operation, theETCM data storage 322A allows for data to be sent remotely from the local test system in a variety of ways. For example, if an external connection to a remote device is operable, the data online 330A coming into theETCM data storage 322A can be immediately transmitted alongline 354A to a remote interface buffer 358A and outline 336A to the remote device. Also, if an external connection is not active, the data online 330A coming into theETCM data storage 322A can be transmitted alongline 352A to be stored inlocal ETCM storage 356A for later transmission, when an external connection is active, alongline 360A to the remote interface buffer 358A and outline 336A to the remote device. The switch orselection block 350A provides the ability to select between these paths depending upon the availability of an external connection. -
FIG. 3C is a flow diagram fordata flow 300 associated with the selectable local/remote data path for ETCM data storage, according to the present invention. Starting first withdecision block 302, the ETCM module data flow transmission process determines if result test data is available. If “yes,” the data is added to the transmission interface buffer 358A inblock 306. Indecision block 308, the ETCM module data flow transmission process determines if a connection is active so that data can be transmitted. If “yes,” then control passes to block 304 where a determination is made whether there is data in the buffer to be transmitted. If “yes,” then the data is transmitted inblock 310. In addition, the sent data can be marked as sent, and the process can ensure data transmission, for example, through a data valid and received acknowledgement from the receiving device. Flow then proceeds back to block 302. If the determination indecision block 308 is “no,”decision block 315 is reached in which a determination is made whether the interface buffer 358A is full. If the answer is “no,” flow proceeds back to block 302. If the answer is “yes,” then the data is moved to the localETCM data storage 322A inblock 316. - Looking back to decision block 302, if the answer is “no” and data is not currently available for transmission, the ETCM module data flow transmission process proceeds to decision block 308 to determine if data can be transmitted. If the answer is “no,” control proceeds on to
decision block 315. If “yes,” flow proceeds on to block 304 to determine whether there is data in the remote interface buffer 358A that is ready for transmission. If “yes,” flow proceeds to block 310. If “no,” flow proceeds to decision block 312 where the ETCM module data flow transmission process determines whether there is data stored in the localETCM data storage 322A. If “yes,” data is moved from the localETCM data storage 322A to the remote transmission interface buffer 358A inblock 314, and flow proceeds back todecision block 304. If “no,” flow proceeds back todecision block 302. -
FIG. 4A is a block diagram for an example ETCM control architecture that allows monitoring, configuration and management of a plurality of test sites that each having a plurality of test lines or floors that each in turn have a plurality of test systems and associated hardware, software and test parameters. ThisETCM architecture 400, for example, may be provided through a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows manipulation of enterprise-wide test configuration and data management.Block 402 represents the overall enterprise test architecture under which a tree-like control structure is organized. This tree-like structure can be created, modified and configured by a user logged into the ETCM system and database. In the example depicted,items 404A (SITE A), 404B, 404C, . . . represent a of different test sites which may be, for example, at different geographic locations.Items 406A (LINE A), 406B, 406C, . . . represent different test lines or floors that may exist at any given test site, such astest site 404A (SITE A). Similarly,items 408A (STATION A), 408B, 408C, . . . represent different test stations or ATEs that may exist for any given test line, such astest line 406A (LINE A). - For each
such test station 404A (STATION A), additional information may be provided, such ashardware resources 410A,software resources 410B andtest links 410C totests 412A (TEST A), 412B, 412C . . . , which may in turn represent, for example, tests that can be run or are running on the test stations, such astest station 408A (STATION A). For each test, such astest 412A (TEST A), additional test related information can be provided. This information can include items such asgeneral test properties 414A,test execution properties 414B, and teststeps 414C that links toindividual test steps 416A (STEP A), 416B, 416C, . . . for the test. Each test step, such astest step 416A (STEP A) can have still additional information linked to it such as test resultdefinition 418A with parameters such as date/time 420A,pressure 420B andtemperature 420C;properties 418B with parameters such asmaximum temperature 422A andmaximum pressure 422B; andexecution properties 418C such asstart time 424A. In addition to the example control, configuration and management information provided inFIG. 4A , other information and related links can be provided, as desired, through theenterprise test architecture 402. - This
control architecture 400 and associated interface allows users, if desired, to monitor, configure and manage enterprise test facilities from a single point as those operations are occurring. Information may be viewed and modified to generate any desired view of the test facilities and operations for the company. In addition, tests on particular test stations can be monitored, manipulated, configured, etc. as desired through the user interface. For each of the items inFIG. 4 , for example, the user can add, delete or modify the item, its location in the tree, and/or the parameters associated with the item. In addition, the user can organize the information as the user desires, similar to a file folder structure in as typical with file handling in personal computer operating systems, such as WINDOWS 95/98 available from MICROSOFT. Thus, the actual, current operations of the test stations can be managed, configured and controlled from a remote location through access to a centralized database. - Thus, from one interface, a user may determine the current status of enterprise-wide test operations and view these operations on increasing or decreasing levels of detail, as desired, through the tree-like interface structure. In addition, an indication at each level may be provided for status events, such as “green” for operations within desired parameters, “yellow” for operations within concern levels and “red” for operations that have either stopped or are threatening production or product yield. In this way, an engineer or test operations manager can quickly monitor, configure and manage test operations through a remotely accessible ETCM system and database. This feature provides a way to evaluate the current status of the test operations from one point, thereby providing the ability to make better decisions. In other words, the person reviewing or managing the test operations does not need to be at the same facility to view the ETCM information. In addition, because this access can be accomplished remotely, companies that have a distributed manufacturing environment, for example, different steps of the production line are located at different locations, can use this interface tool to enable personnel to access, monitor and evaluate production line operations as a whole from one point.
-
FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D provide example graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for portions of the tree-like test configuration and data management structure depicted for the enterprise test architecture inFIG. 4A . Looking first toFIG. 4B , a “window” interface with a tree-like selection structure is depicted, for example, similar to those used by the MICROSOFT 95/98 operating system available from MICROSOFT. Within thewindow 430, there are a number of items related to enterprise test operations that correlate to those inFIG. 4A . As depicted, these items are separated into a “General Categories”portion 434 that includes an enterprise test operations architecture tree andportion 436 that includes a list of test stations that can be allocated or configured to be part of the architecture tree. More particularly, inportion 434, theenterprise 402 includes three test operation sites, namely theAustin site 404A, theDallas site 404B and theDetroit site 404C. Again as depicted, the user has selected theAustin site 404A to reveal its sub-categories in the tree-like structure. Similarly,Building18 405A (part of an additional layer to those depicted inFIG. 4A ) has been selected, as hasLine1 406A. WithinLine1 406A areTestStation1 408A,TestStation2 408B,TestStation3 408C andTestStation10 408D. Inportion 436, three test stations are listedTestStation11 408E, TestStation12 408F andTestStation13 408G. The fourth listedtest station TestStation10 408D is grayed.Line 432 indicates that the user has selected and moved thisTestStation10 408D from the test station list inportion 436 to be included within theLine1 406A portion of the architecture tree. Using a computer GUI, this move operation, for example, may be effected by a click and drag operation with a mouse or through the use of other standard techniques as would be known in the art for GUIs. -
FIG. 4C depicts a GUI that provides further levels of details concerning test operations and configuration. Within thewindow 450, there are a number of items related to enterprise test operations that correlate to those inFIG. 4A . These items are separated intoportion 456 that includes an architecture tree of test operations in theAustin site 404A andportion 454 that includes an architecture tree related toTESTA 412A. Withinportion 456, the same information related to theAustin site 404A has been selected for display as is shown inFIG. 4B with the addition of information related toTestStation10 408D. Sub-information underTestStation10 408D includes Hardware (HW)Resources 410A, Software (SW)Resources 410B andTest Links 410C, which has further been selected to revealTestA 412A. Looking to portion 454A, additional information is displayed concerningTest 412 A including Properties 414A,Execution Properties 414B andTest Steps 414C, which has also been selected to show information related toTestStep1 416A. This information includesTestResultDefinition 418A (withsub-information TimeDate 420A,Pressure 420B andTemperature 420C),TestProperties 418B (withsub-information MaxTemp 422A andMax Pressure 422B) andTestExecutionProperties 418C (withsub-information StartTime 424A). As stated above, the GUI can allow creation operations, click and drag operations, selection operations and other operations consistent with window and tree architecture operations that are common to GUI based environments, such as used by the WINDOWS 95/98 operating system. -
FIG. 4D depicts a GUI that provides test execution related information for enterprise test operations through a network browser.Window 470 provides an example of a standard GUI interface as may be displayed through INTERNET EXPLORER available from Microsoft. As with the other GUIs, a pointer device, such as a mouse and/or a keyboard, can be used to navigate the interface. The “address”space 482 provides a data input field to provide the web site or network address for test monitoring access. Thespace 472 provides a similar tree structure to that discussed with respect toFIGS. 4A and 4B above, with the test stations inFIGS. 4A and 4B corresponding to ATEs inFIG. 4D , such as ATE_AUS_001. Thespace 480 provides detailed information concerning the particular ATE, for example, ATE name, PC name, serial number, inventory number, manufacturer, business unit, etc. Thus,space 480 can be used to provide any desired information related to the ATE and relate devices, systems and software that are being utilized for device testing. Thespace 478 provides information concerning the device or unit-under-test (UUT) that is being monitored or accessed, such as SERIAL_001 as shown inFIG. 4D . Thespace 476 provides information concerning the tests that are being run on the UUT, for example, Test Number, Test Name, Status, Result, Start Date, End Time, etc. Thus,space 476 can be used to provide any desired information related to the test being utilized for device testing. Thespace 474 provides information concerning the particular test, for example, Time tag, Upper Limit allowed, Lower Limit allowed, actual test Value, etc. As with the other spaces, thisspace 474 can be used to provide access to any desired information relating to the selected item. -
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for test cycle flow diagram for automated test equipment (ATE) or test systems that include an ETCM module, according to the present invention. The ATEtest cycle process 500 starts withblock 562 where theETCM component 108A queries the ETCM system anddatabase 100 to obtain all information for the ATE that is available in the ETCM database. This ATE information is utilized to configure and operate the ATE to conduct testing of the UUT. Inblock 564, serial number information for the UUT is obtained. Inblock 566, theETCM component 108A queries the ETCM system anddatabase 100 to obtain all information for the UUT that is available in the ETCM database. Next, inblock 568, theETCM component 108A queries the ETCM system anddatabase 100 to obtain test plan information for the UUT. Inblock 570, calibration information is obtained, or self calibration of the ATE system is executed. The test for the UUT is executed inblock 572 after which the test results are transmitted or uploaded inblock 574 to the ETCM system anddatabase 100, for example, as described above with respect toFIGS. 3A-3C . It is noted that in querying the central database for information, data modified by a user who is logged into the ETCM system anddatabase 100 can be given effect. This data can then be updated onto the test stations. This tool, therefore, can not only make sure that the test data and configuration information is available for the test station, depending on how the test station has been developed, this tool can also react to the change of information in a variety of different ways. -
FIG. 6A is a flow diagram for selectively choosing whether ETCM control is used with respect to test software installed and operating on a local test station.Process 600 provides for processing with or without the ETCM component.Decision block 602 determines whether ETCM processing is enabled or not enabled. If the answer is “no,”standard control block 604 acts to control test activities according to the software installed on the local test station.Block 606 represents that data is handled according to individual tests running on the local test stations. Thus, there is no standardized data format and there is no centralized data storage in a readily accessible database system. If the answer is “yes,” however, ETCM control occurs inblock 608. As indicated inblock 610, data formats from disparate test stations are standardized and stored in a centralized ETCM database. In addition, as indicated inblock 612 an ETCM configuration and management interface becomes active allowing for remote users to log onto the ETCM servers and the configure and manage test activities, for example, through an Internet connection and a browser program. -
FIG. 6B is a block diagram for alocal test station 106A having an ETCM enablemodule 622A that may be set to enable or disable processing by theETCM component 108A. Theinterface 320A provides access from external devices to thelocal test station 106A. Thetest software 112A and thetest management software 110A are traditionally designed, installed and operated to conduct a particular desired test of a UUT. As discussed above, theETCM component 108A allows for advantageous management of test data activities. Theconnection 122A is connected raw data archivesystem 102, andconnection 118A is connected to the ETCM system anddatabase 100, as depicted inFIG. 1B . Theconnection 328A is provided for other device operation interactions, as shown inFIG. 3A . TheETCM module 622A is accessible through theinterface 320A and allows selective enabling or disabling of theETCM component 108A. When ETCM control is enabled, theswitches ETCM component 108A. When ETCM control is disabled, theswitch line 624 so that the information bypasses and is not controlled by theETCM component 108A. - The
switch 620A, theswitch 621A and the ETCM enablemodule 622A may be any desired technique for selectively enabling processing by an ETCM component of a test station. For example, theETCM component 108A may be software-based processing that is installed as part of the test software. The ETCM enablemodule 622A and theswitches interface 320A. This software switch may determine whether or not the ETCM component installed on thetest station 106A operates. In addition, the ETCM enablemodule 622A and switch 620A could be implemented through a software patch that is installed and executed on thetest station 106A at a later date. - Advantageously, the ability to selectively enable the
ETCM component 108A provides significant flexibility in test installations and operations. For example, if a company does not have the connectivity infrastructure to effect the transmission of information from a test floor where the test stations are located, the company can still include theETCM component 108A in a software installation on thelocal test station 106A. In this way, when the connectivity infrastructure is constructed in the future, theETCM component 108A can be enabled with little additional effort. Other advantageous uses of this selectivity are also situations where the connectivity infrastructure is in place, but the company nevertheless chooses not to utilize the ETCM control. In Addition, even if the connectivity infrastructure is not in place, the ETCM control may be enabled, leading to data storage in theETCM data storage 322A, as discussed with respect toFIGS. 3A-3C . In this way, for example, standardized data can be offloaded manually from thelocal test station 106A throughinterface 320A and then transferred to the ETCM system anddatabase 100, if desired. In short, this selective enabling provides significant flexibility and efficiency advantages. - Further modifications and alternative embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. It will be recognized, therefore, that the present invention is not limited by these example arrangements. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown and described are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention.
Claims (2)
1. An enterprise test data management system, comprising:
a plurality of test systems configured to operate test software to conduct at least one test on a device and to operate a data management software component, at least two of the test systems being directed to different test operations;
a database configured to store test data related to the plurality of test systems; and
a server system coupled to the database and configured to communicate with the plurality of test systems to receive the enterprise test data through operation of the data management software components on the plurality of test systems.
2-26. (canceled)
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