General
Electronics now plays a dominant role in virtually every product from watches and calculators to TVs and games to computers, airplanes, and military weapons systems. These electronic systems have become increasingly more complex with every passing day. Their circuit density and speed factors increase at seemingly exponential rates. As reliable as these systems are, from time to time they malfunction. Whereas years ago such a malfunctioning system could be repaired by a technician using manual instrumentation, today this is impossible.
Today the use of a sophisticated electronic testing system, commonly referred to as ATE (Automatic Test Equipment), is an absolute must. ATE ascertains whether an electronic system, subsystem, module, or printed circuit board is operating correctly and, if not, identifies what part of the unit is faulty and should be removed and replaced.
ATE has many uses during the life of an electronic product or system. First it is used during the product build cycle on a production floor. The usual scenario is for ATE to test the incoming Integrated Circuits (ICs) used to populate an assembly commonly referred to as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or module. A different type of ATE then tests the PCB. When a number of PCBs are assembled into a subsystem or black box, again ATE is utilized. Finally, if a number of subsystems are assembled into a system, once again ATE is used to ascertain proper functioning.
Once a system (e.g., computer, aircraft, medical electronics, weapon system) is in use, ATE must again be employed when the system malfunctions. Usually ATE, which is either built into the system or "stands alone," ascertains if the system is functioning correctly and, if not, identifies which subsystem is faulty and thus should be replaced. The faulty subsystem must then be tested on the same or different ATE to identify which of its PCBs or modules is to be replaced. Finally, that PCB or module must be tested to determine which IC or ICs are to be replaced.
In short, ATE has become a total necessity in today's increasingly complex, electronics-dominated world. Without ATE, electronic systems can neither be manufactured nor maintained.