Choosing Testers

Abstract

The selection of test equipment is a complicated and inexact process. Specific requirements of the manufacturing process and fiscal restraints are but two of the criteria that must be considered when choosing testers. Equipment choices are particularly difficult in an immature product situation, where the projected volumes and test requirements are not as firm. The equipment strategy is very different in a low-volume uncontrolled situation than it is in a stringent high-volume manufacturing scenario. In an uncontrolled manufacturing operation, the unit specifications may be fluid or the design goals not expressly stated in an effort to be most responsive to customer needs. This often blurs many of the specifications for testing. A conscientious test engineer will err on the side of conservatism, choosing equipment that has the ability to cover a wider range of signals as well as measuring to a tighter tolerance than the manufacturing process may demand. This conservatism allows the test engineer to have confidence in the test results.