Development of a Tester System for CD Drives Based on the Tester Platform TAVT
Initial situation and project task
Blaupunkt is a Bosch subsidiary, headquartered in Hildesheim, Germany, which develops and produces various products for the following fields of the automotive industry:
For the production of navigation devices and driver information systems it is essential to use CD drives showing a high degree of reliability and quality, which therefore need to be tested thoroughly. The drives to be tested are produced for integration into Blaupunkt’s own products. Several models of these drives are available, varying in power supply or analogue and digital signal output. In addition to that, the new tester system was to be applied all over the world.
Regarding these pre-conditions the required tester system has to be rather flexible as far as measurement, handling and localization are concerned.
Implementation and challenge
Based on these requirements it was decided to implement the tester as a TAVT-based (telecommunications, audio, video and telemetric) tester system by NOFFZ. The main components of the system are provided by National Instruments and LeCroy.
The interface unit comprises a signal conditioning system and an interface for connecting to PXI cards. Power supply for the devices under test is provided via two programmable, high-quality power supplies, which can be controlled via a GPIB interface. The tester’s ordinary stage of expansion consists of two adapters being able to work parallel. Both adapters offer an integrated touch panel for easier and direct handling of the test sequences.
Blaupunkt is a Bosch subsidiary, headquartered in Hildesheim, Germany, which develops and produces various products for the following fields of the automotive industry:
- Indication instruments
- Automobile radio
- Cockpit electronics
- Human Machine Interface (HMI)
- Navigation devices and driver information systems
For the production of navigation devices and driver information systems it is essential to use CD drives showing a high degree of reliability and quality, which therefore need to be tested thoroughly. The drives to be tested are produced for integration into Blaupunkt’s own products. Several models of these drives are available, varying in power supply or analogue and digital signal output. In addition to that, the new tester system was to be applied all over the world.
Regarding these pre-conditions the required tester system has to be rather flexible as far as measurement, handling and localization are concerned.
Implementation and challenge
Based on these requirements it was decided to implement the tester as a TAVT-based (telecommunications, audio, video and telemetric) tester system by NOFFZ. The main components of the system are provided by National Instruments and LeCroy.
The interface unit comprises a signal conditioning system and an interface for connecting to PXI cards. Power supply for the devices under test is provided via two programmable, high-quality power supplies, which can be controlled via a GPIB interface. The tester’s ordinary stage of expansion consists of two adapters being able to work parallel. Both adapters offer an integrated touch panel for easier and direct handling of the test sequences.
The system provides two modes of operation for production and laboratory applications. The different needle boards for different types of devices under test are detected automatically. Required configurations for different types of devices (calibration data) are carried out automatically, as well.
The application of NI TestStand guarantees for a modular software architecture. StepTypes for various tests and measurements have been designed and suitable established StepTypes have been integrated. These StepTypes have been completed with special test steps, for example for jitter measurement. Parameters for each test step can be configured through an interactive configuration window. Test and configuration windows have been designed by means of LabVIEW or rather LabWindows/CVI.
The software solution has been completed by an operator interface and a service tool including an SPC tool, a database connection, a limit editor, a service panel and a hardware check.
Conclusion and future prospects
Due to the modular concept of the TAVT platform, it was possible to meet all demands towards the required tester system. Having implemented the first tester platform successfully, by now the whole production facilities have been equipped with the innovative tester system.
The application of NI TestStand guarantees for a modular software architecture. StepTypes for various tests and measurements have been designed and suitable established StepTypes have been integrated. These StepTypes have been completed with special test steps, for example for jitter measurement. Parameters for each test step can be configured through an interactive configuration window. Test and configuration windows have been designed by means of LabVIEW or rather LabWindows/CVI.
The software solution has been completed by an operator interface and a service tool including an SPC tool, a database connection, a limit editor, a service panel and a hardware check.
Conclusion and future prospects
Due to the modular concept of the TAVT platform, it was possible to meet all demands towards the required tester system. Having implemented the first tester platform successfully, by now the whole production facilities have been equipped with the innovative tester system.