3.3 Integrate Reconfigurable Mass Interconnect Solutions. Evaluating Platforms for Performance and Reusability

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1 3.3 Integrate Reconfigurable Mass Interconnect Solutions Evaluating Platforms for Performance and Reusability 157

2 What is a MASS INTERCONNECT? Creates Order From Chaos 158

3 Mass Interconnect Standardize your interconnect platform Allows for modularity and expansion Quick and reliable change from one fixture or DUT to another Digital, analog, RF, power, pneumatic, vacuum, fiber optic and thermocouple connections ,000 connection points Reduces/eliminates false failures, incorrect wiring Many systems rated >20,000 cycles A Mass Interconnect as part of the overall design of a simple to complex test system, offers several features. A few of these features are outlined as follows; A Mass Interconnect System. 159

4 Application Connectivity Considerations I/O types and quantities UUT requirements Test equipment obsolescence Added requirements after TPS definition Expected life versus actual service life If a little thought and planning goes into the Mass Interconnect approach, it will provide the flexibility to expand for any requirements encountered over the life of the program. Automated test applications are in a constant state of change. With a Mass Interconnect design employed into the test system, these obstacles are not difficult to overcome even after the test system is deployed. I/O types and quantities If the requirements change, altering the I/O scheme is fairly simple. Addition, deletion or other modifications to the established pin map is a fairly easy obstacle to overcome UUT requirements As additional UUT requirements arise, an additional fixture will be the result, rather than an additional test system of configuration. This reduces the cost of test exponentially as program requirements evolve and expand Test equipment obsolescence The Mass Interconnect does not care what is behind it. In most cases, if a particular instrument becomes obsolete, a replacement instrument can be interfaced to without a lot of trouble. Usually this can be accomplished with the established I/O footprint of the original instrument Added requirements after TPS definition As we all know, consistent requirements mean consistent changes. With expansion capabilities built into the original Mass Interconnect approach, additional requirements and modifications are easy to accommodate Expected life versus actual service life With a Mass Interconnect designed into the original test set, the rugged nature of a Mass Interconnect will ensure that the service life will exceed the expectations of the user. It keeps going and going and going. 160

5 Why Mass Interconnect? Standard Interface Platform Easy to configure, maintain, and support Flexibility The interface does not care what s behind it Allows quick fixture or UUT changeover Reliability Supports thousands of connections and connector mating cycles Extends the life of your expensive test instruments Lowest Total Cost of Ownership A few benefits in which a Mass Interconnect offer at a minimum are: Standard Interface Platform Easy to configure, maintain, and support Flexibility The interface does not care what s behind it Allows quick fixture or UUT changeover Reliability Supports thousands of connections and connector mating cycles over the expected lifetime of the integrated test system Extends the life of your expensive test instruments Lowest Total Cost of Ownership 161

6 Standard Interface and Wiring Platform One company-wide standard reduces costs related to: Redundancies in test system development Wiring design Integration Support at multiple locations Standard documentation, troubleshooting, and maintenance approach reduces test program administration and support costs Economic purchasing benefits associated with company-wide standard Most, if not all of existing companies throughout the world that are faced with manufacturing test objectives would benefit from the establishment of a core test strategy. A mass interconnect provides the necessary means to accomplish the objective with a standard interface and wiring platform. 162

7 Flexibility Quick changeover from one test fixture or DUT to another regardless of I/O quantity or complexity Automatically configures any ATE I/O wiring requirement Accepts single or parallel DUTs Preconfigured cable assemblies support most commonly available PXI instruments Modular and expandable for future requirements Flexibility is a given based upon the conceptual approach in which a Mass Interconnect system is designed around. 163

8 Reliability >20,000 connection mating cycles Protects instruments from frequent connect/disconnects Minimizes downtime associated with repairing worn or damaged connectors Eliminates false failures due to faulty connections Pre-manufactured cable assemblies reduce wire lengths, wiring errors, troubleshooting time Lower Total Cost of Ownership and quicker ROI than conventional connector systems As far as the interface is concerned, the rugged design ensures that reliability will never be comprised throughout the deployment of the system. 164

9 Components of Mass Interconnect System Vertical Hinge Mounting Frame Cable Assemblies ITA Modules ITA w/ Enclosure Receiver ITA Frame ITA Patchcords Test Equipment 165

10 PXI Mass InterConnect Solution Mass Interconnect Receiver (G12) Pre-Manufactured Cable Assemblies Test Fixture for DUT Mass Interconnect ITA Frame PXI Chassis and Instrumentation Here are some specific examples of products that interface well with PXI chassis. This is the G12 solution from VPC. 166

11 Innovative InterConnect Applications PCB adapters enable use of COTS cable assemblies Ribbon cable Standard double-ended SCSI cables And so on Rapid connection between the mass interconnect interface and instrument modules VPC PCB Adapters PXI-2532 PCB Solution VPC also offers connectivity for a wide range of plug-in modules, including the PXI crosspoint switch module from NI. This module breaks signals out into ribbon cables, so we have developed a PCB adapter that accepts those cables and routes them into the test adapter. We can also do this with other standard cable types, providing a rapid connection between the mass interconnect interface and the instrument modules. 167