For those of you who are new to functional test or beginning a new project, you have some “homework” to do. Before placing your first purchase order for signal switching, you need to understand what you are testing. After all, no one relay works from DC to 67 GHz, nor can you find a relay that switches millivolts to kilovolts – your electronic test specifications will help determine what relay types are to be used and configurations are needed and where they are needed. In addition, the test spec will identify what type of measurements you will be making. That will help determine what switching configurations will be necessary (more on that in a later post).
So, to begin, here is a list of questions to ask as you review test specifications or when you talk to Product Engineering about any requirements:
One more thing to consider when reviewing test specifications; make sure you are working closely with the design and manufacturing engineers. There may be some negotiations as to how much test is allowed or budgeted for. For example, how much time is being allocated for each test cycle? If the test takes too long, the only solutions are more test systems or how much testing can be cut to reduce test cycle time and still get a quality product out the door. There is no hard and fast rule here. Just make sure that everyone knows what kind of test you are creating.
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