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Automated Test

ni.com/automatedtest


Test is ChangingExpanding requirements and unprecedented business constraints present serious

challenges for today’s test engineers. As devices become more complex, engineers

must find ways to increase throughput and explore lower cost solutions. NI has helped

companies across industries build more effective automated test and measurement

systems. With the NI software-defined approach, thousands of companies are building

test systems based on flexible hardware platforms and scalable software.

Multimedia Test

Military Electronics Test

Consumer Electronics Test

RF and Communications Test

Hardware-in-the-Loop Test

Semiconductor Test

‘‘ Standardizing on the NI platform was a strategic decision. For more than a decade, it has met our escalating needs and helped us save hundreds of thousands of dollars while helping us meet aggressive time-to-market demands.’’

—Global Director, Consumer Printer Division, Lexmark Corporation


Reduced Capital Equipment Costs and System SizeDeploy a complete test system at a lower cost and with

the same footprint as a single traditional instrument.

Faster Test Execution With Increased FlexibilityAchieve higher performance with PC data buses,

multicore processors, and FPGAs.

Rapid Test DevelopmentDesign and deploy test systems faster with

graphical software development tools.

Increased System Longevity and SuccessQuickly add functionality as your needs evolve and

benefit from world-class services and support.

Reduce Your Cost of TestThousands of companies have reduced the cost of test in both automated validation and production by switching

to the NI software-defined test platform. With this approach, engineers are building test systems based on flexible

hardware platforms, such as PXI, and scalable software, such as NI TestStand and LabVIEW. As a result, these

companies have achieved savings in capital equipment, system development, and maintenance costs while gaining

faster test execution. Software-defined instrumentation can help you realize the following benefits:

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Software-Defined Test System

NI LabVIEWProductive Software

PXI InstrumentationReconfigurable Hardware

National Instruments Software-Defined Architecture

Technology Shift to Software-Defined

PC

Typewriter

Calculator

Slide Projector

Register

TelephoneFax

CompassCamera

File Cabinet

Radio

Smartphone

Traditional Devicesof the Past

Software-Definedfor the Future

Limited by reliance on a fixed,singular process or task

Multiple devices and tasks integratedinto one flexible platform


Benefits of a Software-Defined ArchitectureThe way we interact with devices is changing. Single-purpose, hardware-centric user

interfaces with limited functionality are giving way to multi-purpose, software-centric

user interfaces with endless capability. In this software-defined approach, commercial

off-the-shelf components leverage software capability to customize functionality.


1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 182

Software-Defined Test System

NI LabVIEWProductive Software

PXI InstrumentationReconfigurable Hardware

National Instruments Software-Defined Architecture

Technology Shift to Software-Defined

PC

Typewriter

Calculator

Slide Projector

Register

TelephoneFax

CompassCamera

File Cabinet

Radio

Smartphone

Traditional Devicesof the Past

Software-Definedfor the Future

Limited by reliance on a fixed,singular process or task

Multiple devices and tasks integratedinto one flexible platform

Flexible Measurements in a Single SystemBecause traditional instruments rely on fi xed software with vendor-defi ned functionality, users are forced to perform

custom analysis offl ine on full data sets. With the NI software-defi ned architecture, the software itself resides on a

host PC, allowing user-defi ned measurements and analysis in real time and extending fl exibility through the deployment

of algorithms to an FPGA for increased performance.


‘‘ Our old system cost about $450,000 USD, required at least 10 kW of power, and took up about 5 by 8 ft of floor space in a 6 ft rack. It also weighed 4,000 lb. The NI PXI tester costs about $40,000 USD, requires 600 W maximum, and is a 60 lb, single-height chassis about 18 by 24 in.’’

—Robert Whitehouse, Analog Devices Inc.

Reduced Capital Equipment Costs and System SizeA modular test system can help reduce your capital equipment costs and system size

without sacrificing performance. The modular architecture shares the PC, chassis,

power supply, and display across all instruments. With this architecture, you can deploy

up to 17 instruments in the same footprint as a single box instrument. In contrast,

box instruments are optimized for stand-alone use on the bench, which requires them

to have redundant mechanical enclosures, processors, power supplies, and displays.


Flexible, Modular HardwarePXI is the leading modular instrumentation platform used to build compact, high-performance automated test

systems. With more than 2,000 products offered by more than 60 vendors, you can quickly interchange and

repurpose modules as your test needs evolve.

The PXI Specification is governed by the PXI Systems Alliance (www.pxisa.org), an industry consortium of more than 60 vendors who have released more than 2,000 PXI products since its founding in 1998.

SoftwareSimplify the development of your application with software tools such as NI LabVIEW, LabWindows™/CVI, and Measurement Studio. These include high-performance drivers with flexible and intuitive high-level APIs that are optimized for the most popular application development environments.

Standard Chassis TypesPXI chassis are available in a variety of configurations such as low noise, high temperature, and low- to high-slot count. They also offer a range of I/O module slot types, integrated peripherals such as LCD displays, and more.

PXI ModulesWith modular instruments, you can choose from a wide variety of measurement, signal generation, RF, power, and switch modules and then configure the instruments in software to meet your specific measurement tasks.

PXI ControllersController options include high-performance embedded controllers with either a Microsoft Windows OS or a real-time OS (NI LabVIEW Real-Time) as well as remote controllers from a desktop, workstation, server, or laptop computer.


LabVIEWLabVIEW, the leading system design software

for automated test, is optimized to help you

quickly develop powerful test software.

■■ Decrease test development time with intuitive graphical programming

■■ Simplify system integration with a single software environment

■■ Reduce execution time and system cost with commercial off-the-shelf technology

■■ Accelerate your productivity by analyzing signals with built-in math and signal processing functions

Rapid Test DevelopmentAutomated test engineers need to develop innovative test systems to meet their

challenging time-to-market and performance requirements. NI offers a variety of

industry-leading application development environments to help you increase test

development productivity and reduce overall costs.

Measurement Studio■■ Integrated toolset for Visual Studio environment

■■ Hardware integration libraries and drivers

LabWindows/CVI■■ Proven ANSI C development environment

■■ Assistants to autogenerate code

‘‘ With LabVIEW, we easily implemented required functions and allowed for future modifications on the test site. NI hardware and software helped us achieve a short development time and respond to the increasingly demanding time and cost requirements for these applications.’’

—Santiago R. López Gordo, Airbus Military


Start With an Off-the-Shelf Test Management SolutionNI offers test management software that can help you reduce the cost of your tests, scale your test methodologies

according to demand, and maximize your hardware investment. Develop your automated test and validation systems

faster with NI TestStand, a powerful ready-to-run test management environment. You can use NI TestStand to develop,

manage, and execute test sequences written in any programming language as well as to facilitate integration with

enterprise systems.

‘‘ We successfully standardized on the National Instruments test platform with NI TestStand, NI LabVIEW, and PXI to reduce our production test costs by 74 percent and save millions of dollars this year and for years to come. ’’

—Kenneth Parfi tt, Harris Corporation

NI TestStandUse NI TestStand for specifying execution fl ow, reporting, database logging, switching, and connecting to other

enterprise systems. Key features include:

■■ Graphical sequence editor environment

■■ Interface for calling tests written in any programming language

■■ Multicore support for high-speed parallel execution


2007 NI PXI RF Instrumentation (testing 802.11a/b/g and 802.11n)

Traditional Rack and Stack (testing 802.11a/b/g)

Traditional Test Time

10X Shorter Test Time Than Traditional

2012 Evolution of NI PXI RF (testing 802.11a/b/g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac)

200X Shorter Test Time Than Traditional

NI PXI Adapts to Evolving Needs

As devices become more complex and include more disparate technologies, you can select from over 600

NI modular instruments and configure them in software to create customized testing solutions for your evolving

system requirements and needs. Because these instruments are modular and software-defined, you can quickly

and easily interchange and repurpose them to meet your test needs.

‘‘ Using the software-designed NI PXI vector signal transceiver and NI WLAN Measurement Suite with NI LabVIEW system design software, we improved test speeds by more than 200 times compared to traditional rack-and-stack instruments while significantly improving test coverage.’’

—Doug Johnson, Qualcomm Atheros

Faster Test ExecutionWith Increased FlexibilitySoftware-defined systems, based on PXI and LabVIEW, take full advantage of

commercial PC technologies, such as Intel multicore processors and PCI Express.

PCI Express, the highest bandwidth data bus, delivers up to 20 times higher

bandwidth and 100 times less latency than LAN. This performance provides much

lower test times.


Integrate a folding rack-mount 1U LCD monitor, a keyboard, a mass interconnect, and mouse drawers into your system

Choose from more than 10,000 instrument drivers at ni.com/idnet

Control traditional instrumentation using GPIB, USB, LXI, serial, and LAN/VXI

Use IEEE 1588 to synchronize highly distributed instruments

Enhance Existing SystemsThe flexibility of the PXI platform helps you take a hybrid approach to enhancing the performance of a test system

with new technologies while extending longevity by reusing current or legacy instrumentation. With a hybrid test

system based on LabVIEW software and PXI hardware, you can easily integrate instrumentation from a variety

of platforms to meet your test needs.

‘‘ The average cost to migrate a TPS for the Department of Defense is currently $259,000 USD. However, we can move those same TPSs to a test system using NI equipment for less than half that cost.’’

—Charles Kohfeldt, Global Engineering Management and Support

‘‘ I estimate that the training courses have saved me more than 150 hours in self-paced learning time to get to an equivalent skill level. ’’

—Thomas Sumrak, PAR Technologies, LLC

Increased Success and System Longevity Count on NI as your trusted adviser while you plan, develop, deploy, and maintain your

test system. We have a direct presence in almost every region of the world, and local

representatives are engineers, ready to work with you to find the best solution for your

application needs. This availability, along with services that include training, hardware

configuration, and technical support, ensures your system success.


Design ServicesReduce Project Risk

■ Implement best practices in your design

■ Find experts in architectures and integration

■ Identify and resolve risks early in your project

Development ServicesReduce Development Time

■ Build a proficient team with a common language

■ Resolve integration challengesquickly with accessto technical experts

■ Leverage our network of development experts

Maintenance ServicesReduce Total Cost of Ownership

■ Improve system uptime and availability

■ Leverage calibration and full repair services around the globe

■ Ensure deployed systems meet life-cycle expectations

NI Product Life Cycle

Design Services

MaintenanceServices

DevelopmentServices

Take Advantage of Global Services and SupportThe National Instruments professional services team consists of NI applications and systems engineers and the

worldwide National Instruments Alliance Partner Network—a program of more than 700 independent consultants

and integrators. From design and specifi cation to application development, project management, and integration of

third-party software and hardware, take advantage of the team’s in-depth knowledge of NI products and applications

to develop and deploy your test system.


Wind Turbine

Hardware-in-the-Loop TestSiemens, a global leader in clean power generation, required a test system

that automates the testing procedures for the control system of its wind

turbines. The company turned to LabVIEW software and PXI hardware to

create a real-time system for hardware-in-the-loop testing of the regularly

updated embedded control software releases that is easy to improve, adapt,

and develop for future installations.

Xbox 360 Controller

Consumer Electronics TestMicrosoft Corporation developed a versatile validation and end-of-line production

test system for the Xbox and Xbox 360 controllers using LabVIEW and PXI modular

instrumentation. With the new test system, Microsoft implemented a test strategy

that resulted in a 100 percent increase in test throughput per test station.

Case StudiesNI has helped more than 35,000 companies around the world improve their automated

test and measurement strategies. NI customers save time and money while ensuring

product quality. Read some of their brief stories below or visit ni.com/automatedtest

to read full case studies from these companies and more.

‘‘ Using National Instruments products, the space used for control units was reduced by 70 percent, the intuitive user interface enabled even a novice to operate the system right away, development costs were reduced by 20 percent, and development time was cut by 60 percent.’’

—Vibhas Singh, Applied Materials


Integrated Circuits

RF Data Transmitter/Receiver

Blu-ray Player

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

Military Electronics TestLockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support (LM STS) developed a standard

test system for avionics suppliers to the joint strike fighter program. The system

uses NI TestStand and LabWindows/CVI software for the core test management

and ANSI C test development. LM STS estimates its standardized approach to the

F-35 JSF program has already saved the US government millions of dollars and

has the potential to save hundreds of millions more over the life of the program.

RF and Communications TestHarris, an international communications and information technology company,

tests RF data transmitters and receivers. Using PXI instruments from NI and

an external wide area network transceiver integrated circuit on a custom-printed

circuit board, Harris implemented a complete serial bit error rate test system that

reduces cost per unit by approximately 4X and offers customization capability

to communication interfaces that have added test requirements.

Semiconductor TestWhen ON Semiconductor needed to replace its costly test system, the

company turned to National Instruments and the flexibility of software-

defined test. By using LabVIEW software and PXI hardware, the company

reduced costs by 3X and increased semiconductor validation time tenfold.

And because of the modularity of PXI, tests can quickly be adapted to meet

ever-increasing performance and speed requirements.

Multimedia TestSony Electronics needed a highly reliable and cost-effective test system for its

line of Blu-ray players. The company used LabVIEW and PXI modular instruments

to hit its target cost, meet rigid performance requirements set by the Blu-ray Disc

Association, and improve test throughput by 33 percent.

Visit ni.com/automatedtest for:■■ Test Development Resources

Access white papers and other resources covering strategies for test system development and optimization.

■■ Case Studies Read in-depth case studies from companies around the world that are saving time and money using the NI test platform.

■■ Software Evaluation and System Specification Download software evaluations and start specifying a test system today with interactive advisors.

©2013 National Instruments. All rights reserved. CVI, LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, National Instruments, NI, ni.com, and NI TestStand are trademarks of National Instruments. The mark LabWindows is used under a license from Microsoft Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. A National Instruments Alliance Partner is a business entity independent from National Instruments and has no agency, partnership, or joint-venture relationship with National Instruments. 350324N-01 08048

U.S. Corporate Headquarters11500 N Mopac Expwy Austin, TX 78759-3504T: 512 683 0100 F: 512 683 9300 [email protected]

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