I. PLANNING AND INITIAL DESIGN.
1. Initial Planning. Getting the Most from Your Investment. Technical and System Aspects. Information and Planning Aspects. Organizational and Project Aspects. Make vs Buy Decisions. Cost. Performance. Time. Experience. Support. Training/Documentation. Life of system. Architecture, Obsolescence Protection, and Upgradability. In-house Resources and Competencies Relevant to Test System Design, Test Suite Programming, and System Build.
2. Using COTS and Open Standards to Maximize Flexibility and Control Costs. Understanding COTS and Open Standards. How COTS and Open Standards Maximize Flexibility and Control Costs. Availability. Warranty and Support. Documentation. Potential Upgrade Paths. COTS and NRE Costs. COTS and Open Standards. Disadvantages of COTS and Open Standards.
3. How Control Decisions Affect Hardware Architecture. Choosing How to Control Your System. Go/No-Go Testing. Parametric Recording. Increased Complexity of the Upgrade Process. Test Equipment Spares. The Ability to Reconfigure by Software. Software Development as One of the Major Cost Drivers. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The Test Executive and Test Program Sets. Using Results. Making Future Control Upgrades Easier.
II. TEST SYSTEM DESIGN BUILDING A COMPLETELY NEW SYSTEM.
4. Choosing Test Equipment. Designing an Effective and Efficient Test Solution. Drawing up the Test Parameters Matrix. Eliminating Redundant Tests. Using the Test Parameters Matrix to Choose Test Equipment. Getting the Most from Your Equipment. Evaluating the Cost-Effectiveness of Tests. Omitting the Test. Doing the Test Another Way. Deriving Results from Other Data. Equipment Lists. Effective Use of the Equipment.
5. Sourcing Test Equipment. Deciding Whether to Outsource Equipment Selection. Collecting Information on Available Equipment. Finding the Right Vendors. Using Vendor Options for Effective Solutions. What to Do if You Cannot Match Your Needs to a Commercial Item. Placing Orders.
6. Interfacing to the DUT. Connection to the DUT. Cable Harnesses and Looms. Switching. Reliability Issues. Accuracy Considerations at RF, HF, and Microwave Frequencies. Controlling the Interface to the DUT.
7. Cabling the Rack. Cabling through the Racks. Design to Minimize Cable Stress. DC Considerations. RF and Microwave Considerations. Labeling and Documentation.
8. Using Switch Panels and Interface Panels. Patch Panels. Buying Standard Panels/Rows of Connectors. Virginia¨ Type Interconnect. Auto-interconnect to Your Fixtures. Building Your Own Fixturing. Specifying Your Own Fixturing for Someone Else to Build.
9. Electrical Safety of the System. Key Safety Considerations for the Test Engineer. Safety and Cutout Switches. Earthing Considerations. Other Safety Considerations. Consulting the Experts.
10. Selecting Racks and Racking Furniture. Racks and Rack Furniture. Working Out What Size Rack(s) You Will Need. Matching Equipment Outputs and Connector Locations. Selecting Connector Panels. Racking Accessories. Isolation Transformers.
11. Weight Considerations and Equipment Placement. Checking Overall Weight and Weight Distribution. Positioning Equipment in the Rack. Using Accessories for Rack Stability. System Portability and Ruggedness.
12. Temperature Control and Power Considerations. The Importance of Power and Heat Budgets. Calculating Power Budgets. What to Do if You Need More Three-phase Power. Calculating Heat Budgets. Placement of Equipment to Aid Cooling. Cooling with Water or Other Liquids.
III. RACKING UP.
13. Racking the System. Positioning User Interface Components. Positioning Switch Panels and Patch Panels. Positioning Test Equipment in the Rack. Safety Features. Cabling for Ease of Use. Testing Weight Distribution. Mounting Heavy Equipment Safely. Connector Care. Adapters. Cover Panels. Putting Everything Together. Documentation of Physical Design and Cabling. Tips for Racking an Existing Benchtop System. Special Procedures for a Transportable System.
14. Documentation. Documentation Standards. Documentation and System Lifetime Costs. Documentation and Intellectual Property. Version Tracking. Configuration Control. Documentation and System Support.
15. Operator Training. Training Staff in Equipment Use. Training Staff in Test Procedures. Training Development and Documentation. Maintaining Knowledge and Skills In-house.
16. Support. Software vs Hardware Support. Configuration Control and Multiple Test Systems. In-house Support vs Third-Party Support.
IV. UPGRADING A TEST SYSTEM.
17. Using Standard Software and Open Standards for Obsolescence Protection. Longer System Lifetime and ROI. Planning for Future Requirements. Open Standards and Obsolescence Protection.
18. Dealing with Obsolete Items. Selecting Replacement Equipment. Revising the Test Parameters Matrix. Evaluating Your Long-term Support Requirements. Upgrading the Computer and Control System. Evaluating the Current Software. Old Software and New Equipment. Calibration and Certification. When to Consider a Complete Rebuild.
19. Interface, Rack Layout, and Software Revision for an Upgraded Test System. Replacing Equipment. Evaluating the Existing Switch Interface. Redesigning the Rack Layout. Adding New Software Drivers. Updating Software Modules. Updating Documentation.
Bibliography. Index. 