Barco launches AUTOTEST for most efficient combinational tests

Citation

(2001), "Barco launches AUTOTEST for most efficient combinational tests", Circuit World, Vol. 27 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.2001.21727dad.012

Barco launches AUTOTEST for most efficient combinational tests

Barco launches AUTOTEST for most efficient combinational tests

Keywords: Printed circuit boards

Combinational testing uses the strengths of both fixture and fixtureless tester to test PCBs more economically than using either tester type by itself.

Flying probe testers offer significant advantages over grid testers for probing PCBs using high density interconnect and packaging technologies. However, universal grid testers continue to hold at least a five-to-one advantage in cost-per-point tested. Moreover, fundamental physical and electrical laws suggest that this advantage will be maintained for some time to come.

Combinational test is a software technique that uses the higher technology fixtureless tester to test only those test points on a PCB that cannot be tested by a conventional universal grid test fixture. It allows the lowest cost test method to be selected on a per-test-point basis. By using optimum combinational test techniques, a PCB manufacturer will reduce test cost per PCB compared to competitors not using combinational test. These manufacturers also reduce the total load demand on expensive fixtureless test equipment, freeing up capital for more effective uses.

AUTOTEST uses Barco's inter-pass reference point (IRP) technology to compute the most efficient combinational tests. IRP technology reduces the number of isolation tests performed on the flying probe, since these take three to ten times longer to test than continuity-only nets. AUTOTEST is the only software capable of automatically moving individual points of a net over to the flying probe. IRP ensures both isolation and continuity test integrity with the minimum test time on the flying probe.

More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.barco.com/ets

For further information, please contact: Barco Graphics NV, ETS Business Unit, Tramstraat 69, 9052 Gent, Belgium. Tel: +32 9 216 94 41.