An open architecture for automatic test systems with system-level diagnosis capabilities

Describes an ATS architecture specifically designed for system-level diagnosis of complex systems. The modular, open and distributed nature of the architecture supports the integration of third-party software products, increases the scalability of the solution and allows a better distribution of functionality and data over multiple computers. By enforcing the separation of diagnostic functionality from measurement and testing operations, by stimulating the encapsulation of test procedures, and by supporting generic diagnostic routines, the proposed approach favors the development of reusable and maintainable test strategies and test procedures. The visual development and database storage capabilities differentiate the proposed approach from other COTS products. The above features allow the development of complex fault tree test strategies with large size parametric data. System-level diagnosis is further supported by the integration of third-party diagnostic tools and by the capability to retrieve and use BIT information.