Ate computer! programmer or processor?

Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) concepts and implementation techniques predate mini-computer technology by many years. This has resulted in: ATE test methodologies that do not fully utilize computer data processing capabilities. To rea lize the full potential of computer controlled ATE, we must replace the traditional "Programmer Evaluator" concepts with innovative data pro cessing techniques. Future UUT's are expected to be characterized by their high information con tent and ability to acquire and communicate this information at increasing high rates. This situation provides an excellent opportunity for ATE computer mechanizations to move into their more natural role of data processor; providing functions such as multiple sampling of groups of parameters, data filtering, wild point rejection, and the use of statistical failure criteria. If we are willing to use the available data pro cessing tools, it will allow computer controlled ATE to emerge from its "development phase" and provide significant advances in the field of automatic test.