Supporting a family of test program languages using a single open markup language

Having a single structure for representing test program data is the cornerstone for a common architecture of a modular system that includes test program development, test program data collection, test program execution, collection of runtime data and interaction with intelligent sequencers. A common open markup language leads to common tools for data collection, test program editing, and a common runtime engine. Boeing has a fielded, open and scalable format currently supporting a single test program language. This paper will examine the use of this structure for storing other test program languages and how it fits into a common architecture approach. Presented is the concept of a simplified notation for automated test system programs (SNAP) that is human-readable yet easily converted to machine-readable extensible markup language (XML).