Automatic Test Markup Language

Recent advancements in information technology offer the potential for substantial lifecycle cost savings for Automatic Test Systems (ATSs). The improved performance of modern microprocessors is allowing information to be dealt with in more sophisticated and useful ways. One very visible example of this is eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and the tools that are available to support it. The technology offers efficiencies that come from enforcing commonality of information format. Once the common formats called schemas are produced using XML, they can be manipulated in various ways by generic tools instead of point solution type applications. Automated test systems present many opportunities throughout their lifecycles to utilize this emerging technology. A detailed study needs to be accomplished to identify viable ATS application points where XML can save cost and enhance information interoperability. Once the study is accomplished commercially viable tools can be defined and produced to promote the technology insertion.