Open architecture ATE: dream or reality?

Several years ago, when discussion of open architecture semiconductor ATE was openly starting, the bar discussion agreed with that comment from a leading ATE architect. Since then, we have seen announcements, denouncements and many papers describing aspects of open architecture. Most semiconductor ATE systems allow some of the instruments to be used, but they have always seemed to be unwelcome intrusions into the systems. Such instrument standards have at times been described as "not being suitable for ATE systems". The current interest in open architecture ATE lead to several different outcomes.