Revolutionary PXI Testing for Electronics with Universal Test System!

The Challenge:

Developing a PXI-based system to fully automate the testing of radio component parameters.

The Solution:

Combining the benefits of NI PXI hardware and LabVIEW software to create a universal automated test system to test radio components of different types and sizes in a very short time.

About Company 

Van Technologies LLC, is a rapidly progressing company engaged in developing automation systems, supervisory control and monitoring of industrial and manufacturing facilities, designing and implementing software products, developing automated test systems, and creating educational stands for training specialists. The company has great experience with projects in the energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing industries. All projects are based on up-to-date technologies and equipment complying with international engineering standards, particularly technologies and equipment by NI.

System Architecture

We designed our Universal Test System for Electronic Components (Test System) for input control of the following electronic components of various types and appointments:

• Transistors
• Zener diodes
• Thyristors (SCRs)
• Diodes
• LEDs
• Relays
• Optoelectronic switches
• Capacitors
• Resistors

The system is based on PXI hardware from NI. We used the LabVIEW graphical programming environment to develop special software to operate Test System. The software features an intuitive interface with sections for each type of test board and component. We can display the test results and save them as tables. Due to NI off-the shelf technology, we reached our final goals with the highest efficiency and got a research positive outcome. We also decreased development time and cost.

The system includes:

1. Connector block
2. Test boards with connection devices
3. PXI platform (control and measuring block)
4. Monitor

The connector block (Figure 2) is a desktop platform to connect test boards and components to the measuring system. We designed the connector block to test components of various types. We can easily insert the test board put in the guide rails into the slot of the connector block. An electric clamping mechanism connects the test board with the connector block. The control panel (Figure 3) provides automatic up lifting, down lifting, and fixing of test boards.

The control panel includes:

• Button power (on/off)
• Button for lifting board
• Button for down lifting and fixing board
• Button to start testing
• Indicators that signal the current status of the test

The connector block is equipped with a protective cover for safety.

PXI Platform (Control and Measuring Block)

Our hardware platform consists of the following equipment:

• NI PXIe-1085 chassis
• NI PXIe-8135 controller
• PXI-4112 module
• NI PXIe-4143 module
• PXI-4132 module
• PXI-4071 module
• PXI-4072 module
• NI PXIe-6363 module
• PXI-2527 module
• TB-2627 connector block

The hardware platform has a modular design, which allows us to build up the functionality of the Test System.

Test System Software

The software features:

• Reading configuration data of tests from the file
• Selecting test component from the list
• Automatic selection of test parameters from the list
• Automatic recognition of the test board
• Possibility to insert the operator’s identification data
• Generate reports in Excel

Figure 4 shows the user interface of the software.

The complete set also includes:

• Technical description and instruction manual
• Installation manual
• Passport
• CD with software