Amfax have recently designed, built and delivered core PXI based automated test systems to a major aerospace manufacturer. The brief was to come up with a design that could test all the pilots display unit (PDU) modules using a single automated tester. Previously the client had a number of ATE's that each tested just one module. This meant that previously the client not only had to invest in multiple testers but had to obtain support for each unit separately. The ATE used a fully loaded PXI rack to house all of the instrumentation needed to ensure test coverage of all the measurements required for each module. The modules tested included a solar cell, electronic display, interface unit and auxiliary PCBs.

System benefits:

• The test system was easy to use by the operators. This was achieved by careful design of the GUI
• The client could take up ownership easily to due the modular nature of the system
• The self test fixture enables easy and regular maintenance of the system
• Modular design enables easy repeat system build

LabVIEW
LabVIEW was used as the primary development language for this project and delivered the following benefits :

• Rapid development
• Hardware support
• Accredited code standards
• Wide industry support

LabVIEW Real Time
The real time module for LabVIEW allowed us to make use of PXI RT hardware, broadening the scope and capability of this system.

• Deterministic Epoch
• Safety critical

TestStand
Each type of hydraulic component needed its own test sequence with step by step limits and custom control conditions. TestStand was the natural choice for this and offered these benefits :

• Separate test from application
• Custom step types
• Separate installers