Open Architecture Tools to Describe Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) Capabilities

Develop innovative methods and associated tools to support the definition of Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) capabilities and their individual instruments using an Open Architecture (OA) approach, to allow for precise understanding of the ATE, interoperability across Navy and DoD electronics maintenance, and improved utilization of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) tools to support ATE operations. These tools will be useful as an untapped resource to aid in ATS planning and support. Data mining can serve to expose run-time inefficiencies or under- and over-utilized test equipment (or specific capability ranges within a piece of equipment) and provide significant benefit to the selection of new ATE components during replacements and upgrades. Broad questions can be answered about ATE component capabilities including not only the frequency of their use but also the manner of their use. Additionally, such an analysis could identify economic targets of opportunity for the deployment of new and innovative test techniques.