Generation of software for computer controlled test equipment for testing analog circuits

The NOPAL system automatically generates programs in the ATLAS test programming language to test and diagnose malfunctions in analog electronic circuit boards. The system consists of two parts: a top part which analyzes the circuit diagram and determines the necessary tests, and a bottom part which analyzes the required tests and produces a program in the RCA EQUATE ATLAS test language for use with the RCA AN/USM-410 automatic test equipment. The top part, the NOPAL language, and the bottom part are described in respective sections of the article. The operation and advantages of NOPAL are also illustrated with an example of a voltage regulator circuit board. The article concludes with a discussion of features of NOPAL for generating programs in other test programming languages and for other automatic test equipment.