Embedding video in stand alone test equipment to eliminate training for low-volume, high mix manufacturing and field diagnostics

A common problem in supporting system readiness is the training required to operate test and diagnostic systems. Newly enlisted personnel, or multinationals not fluent in English, are often called upon to operate and maintain complex, high-value, low-volume systems with a minimum of training. Cost and availability of highly skilled technicians versus user interface development is frequently a major consideration in test system design. The latest generation of commercially available test equipment is being built around popular operating systems to enhance connectivity and code transportability. One of the new operating system benefits is built-in support for multimedia presentations. It is now possible for the test professional to embed custom application-specific video interfaces on stand-alone commercial test equipment. This enables the end user's application instructions to be delivered directly from the screen of instruments like oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers and network analyzers in the form of a video. These videos can be used to virtually eliminate the requirement for highly skilled operators with intimate system knowledge. Key to putting custom step-by-step video operating instructions on to the newest generation of test equipment is the approach used for content development. The recent revolution in video cameras, high-speed IEEE 1394 interconnections, nonlinear video editing software, animation software and codecs have greatly reduced the cost of developing highly effective user interfaces, and are fast becoming an essential part of the test engineer's development tools. This paper covers a unique approach to capturing video instructions, animating block diagrams and multilingual narration for inexpensive 'on-screen' delivery to the test operator. The appropriate software development tools and codecs are reviewed, as well as common mistakes in assimilating video technology in large organizations. Additionally, the media considerations necessary for a downloadable architecture in an Internet distributed-test environment are also suggested.