Modular Concept from MCD Elektronik for Test Systems with Advanced Technology

Published on: 01.07.2011 Press

Modular Concept from MCD Elektronik

MCD breaks into new worlds with the TestManager.

Birkenfeld, July 1st 2011: The test software TestManager CE is universal standard software for user-specified measuring and testing facilities in the automotive and electronics industries. It is simple, modularly scalable, inexpensive and swift. Through state-of-the-art technology, the known cPCI-software program was further developed and upgraded into the 'Classic Edition' providing a transition into a new MCD generation of software. The TestCollection will consist of several modules. The TestManager CE is a software development package that generates applications for test systems. Applications include screening systems, board testing, final inspection and process control. It allows the creation of portable systems and procedures, and includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI) with a variety of interfaces (e.g. IEEE-488, RS-232, TCP / IP). The program also offers an interpreter with ties to DLLs COM, ActiveX, .NET Assemblies and a modular concept with the latest technologies (LINBus, .NET). The test software TestManager CE is customized to fulfill the specific, individual requirements of each customer.

The TestManager Classic Edition
The software concept is essentially divided into universal basic software (TestManager CE) with type management and process control, and the testing system which creates and analyzes the steps. This allows the testing and measuring programs to be generated easily and quickly. With advanced technologies provided, TestManager CE is able to offer a software-development package for the preparation of applications for test systems in endurance testing, board analysis and final inspection.

The main features are a configurable Graphical User Interface, a variety of software and hardware interfaces with extensive test monitors, and a powerful interpreter with direct integration of external DLLs + COM / ActiveX -., NET - and LabView - components. Among the software interfaces are TCP / IP, database and web interfaces. The self-explanatory MCD-interpreter language is just as easily programmable as in C #, VB and Java #, without an additional development environment. With the assistance of the management type, test procedures for various sorts of devices and structures are summarized. Through variant creation, existing operations can be modified without requiring them to be recreated. The selection and charging processes of the sample to be tested during operation can be done automatically. Integrated tool monitors are available to provide assistance during the program development cycle as well as the commissioning or troubleshooting phases.

Test procedures indicated step-by-step
The representation of layout data and test-point coordinates, the breakdown of all communication protocols (e.g. CAN, LIN, MOST, RS323), the display and modification of existing switching conditions, or the signal tracking using voltage and current measurement, signal analysis, or via Oscilloscopes are various examples of what can be done. In addition, an integrated debugger can view and control the test process step by step.

Critical for the analyses to be performed are the test procedures themselves. Individual sub-tasks for the units are divided into separate test steps and then processed sequentially. The individual test steps are then created by the application developer within the test software TestManager CE. Specific methods or modes are provided in case complex functions occur. This is especially relative for access to connected hardware and also for linkages to external components, such as databases or the process-control engineering.

By integrating .Net Frameworks and additional programming languages, the application developer has access to an almost endless number of pre-built components and tools that can be integrated into the test sequence. These components can enhance the visualization, the data exchange on the intranet, complex calculations or the integration of external components. With the help of the constructed test steps, the application developer ultimately generates a flow chart for the entire analysis. In conjunction with the sequential control of the TestManager CE, both individual testing as well as parallel testing of multiple specimens are realized.

The Hardware
For data acquisition, standard measuring systems from the MCD product line Modline (MCD UMS) are used. Different modules in Euro-format, such as digital and analog converters, multiplexers, frequency generators and counters, and many others can find their use in the MCD-UMS. The system can be configured according to the desired requirements of the inspection task. External instruments can be controlled serially or via IEEE 488, Ethernet, or USB. With dissimilar adaptations and the above-described software concept, various tests can be performed with this system. This allows both the use and development of prototype and small batch production as well as for series production.

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MCD Elektronik GmbH
Hoheneichstr. 52 | 75217 Birkenfeld | Fon +49 7231 78 405-49 | Fax +49 7231 78 405-10
Ms. Verena Feidy, verena.feidymcd-elektronik.SPAMPROTECTION.de