Automated Test Equipment Mainframe

This Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Mainframe is a prototype I built out of a repurposed Eurocard chassis. It was designed to accommodate up to eight ATE Modules, and uses a shared TTL-UART bus and an integrated USB-to-TTL serial interface to query, program and synchronise the various modules.

  • Support a shared inter-module control bus
  • Do so in a way which neither ties up all of the available intra-module SPI or I2C buses, nor makes the system vulnerable to inter-module conflicts or I2C device address contention
  • Ideally do so in a way that is compatible with ATmega 328P-based microcontroller boards (e.g. the Arduino Nano / Mini Pro)
  • Shared power and reset lines, and a backplane that automatically sets the unit IDs based upon slot position
  • A software-level command interface that allows individual modules to be addressed, but which also allows for 'group' or chassis-wide events such as triggers, etc.
  • Ideally uses a command interface / syntax which resembles existing / industry standards



Pin Function Pin Function
1 (top) +12V supply 11 (Reserved)
2 12 (Reserved)
3 +5V supply 13 (Reserved)
4 14 (Reserved)
5 GND 15 (Reserved)
6 16 (Reserved)
7 RxD (shared) 17 Address Select 0
8 TxD (shared) 18 Address Select 1
9 GND 19 Address Select 2
10 /RST 20 Address Select 3
ModuleModel CategoryDescription
DCL-100 Programmable DC Load ModuleDCL-100ATE, PowerCustom simple 0 – 10A Programmable DC Load module with an SCPI-like command interface
ATE Eurocard MainframeATE Eurocard MainframeATECustom Mainframe supporting up to eight Eurocard-based ATE Modules and an integrated USB-to-TTL-UART multi-master control bus
IOM-8-4 Basic I/O ATE ModuleIOM-8-4ATE, I/OCustom simple, multi-channel digital and analogue I/O module with an SCPI-like command interface
SGM-125-2 Tracking Generator ATE ModuleSGM-125-2ATE, Signal GeneratorCustom dual-channel 12.5MHz Signal Generator module with limited tracking functionality and an SCPI-like command interface
 
Category:
ATE
Entry:
ATE Eurocard Mainframe
Make:
Enginuity
Model:
ATE Eurocard Mainframe
Description:
Custom Mainframe supporting up to eight Eurocard-based ATE Modules and an integrated USB-to-TTL-UART multi-master control bus
Status:
Working prototype
Release-year:
2020
  • Last modified: 2021-11-22 18:37
  • by Peter