SBIR-STTR Award

This project addresses the issue of improving return on investment for control software, primarily the test program sets (TPSS), for automatic test Systems (ATSS) by establishing generic instrument classes (GIC) for asset drivers that will reduce compatibility problems, the costof TPS development, and the adverse impact of instrument change-out.Through a systematic analysis of alternatives that impact the end effect over the entire control path, a methodologies for establishing optimum classes will be established. The methodology will be tested on four categories of assets: digital multi-meters, power supplies, counter timers, and digitizers. An innovative use of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) will accelerate the process of preparing specifications for the resulting GICs.

Benefits:
Reducing cost of TPS and assets driver development. Greater re-use of TPS and freedom to insert new devices in ATS. Broader base for asset supplies to amortize driver costs due to greater asset interoperability among different suppliers. Reduced cost of ATS reduces support cost for all industry. Cost of ownership of factories, aircraft, trucks, and automobiles will be reduced.