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.
Design Considerations
- 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
Bus Pinouts
| 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 |
Compatible Modules
| Module | Model | Category | ↑ Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOM-8-4 Basic I/O ATE Module | IOM-8-4 | ATE, I/O | Custom simple, multi-channel digital and analogue I/O module with an SCPI-like command interface |
| DCL-100 Programmable DC Load Module | DCL-100 | ATE, Power | Custom simple 0 – 10A Programmable DC Load module with an SCPI-like command interface |
| SGM-125-2 Tracking Generator ATE Module | SGM-125-2 | ATE, Signal Generator | Custom dual-channel 12.5MHz Signal Generator module with limited tracking functionality and an SCPI-like command interface |
| ATE Eurocard Mainframe | ATE Eurocard Mainframe | ATE | Custom Mainframe supporting up to eight Eurocard-based ATE Modules and an integrated USB-to-TTL-UART multi-master control bus |
- 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