Minicomputers Improve Filter Testing at Western Electric

Minicomputers are used in controlling test equipment for process adjustments and final testing of complex passive filters and active amplitude equalizers. Automated testing reduces test time by factors of 5 : 1 which can yield a pay-back period of less than one year. These facilities can be used for adjusting and testing insertion loss or gain, return loss, current drain, continuity, and other active parameters. The operator interacts with the computer control through a simple keyboard terminal controlling the options available; i.e., data printout, adjustment or final test. Software is written at machine level to allow the use of 8K machines. The software includes a monitor and individual product programs. Each test facility uses an individual computer for its control center because it reduces software and hardware complexity.