Reducing legacy ATE system sustainment costs through modern system engineering architecture concepts

The cost of sustaining legacy automatic test systems is increasing. Obsolete and unsupportable equipment create higher maintenance costs every year the systems are in operation. With a large dollar investment in the test program sets (TPS) and extended sustainment requirements beyond expected life cycle, a plan to sustain the test capability is needed. A complete modernization of the test system at reduced cost can be achieved using the latest system engineering concepts. Object oriented design, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software products reduce station costs dramatically. Preservation of a large legacy TPS investment drives specialized hardware selection criteria. Applying open architecture concepts and use of standardized bus architectures allows for multiple vendor selection and easier replacement of instrumentation when obsolete, minimizing future sustainment costs. Electronic technical manuals and voice command control integration combine to produce an end product that is easier to use and reduce training time for operating personnel. In-station calibration provides for easier maintenance. Combining all the above concepts into a system engineering approach reduces development time, hardware costs, documentation costs, training and maintenance of a new station which will result in a dramatic cost savings for sustainment of the legacy system