ECU
Test Specialists
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ECU
Test Specialists
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Nissan Altima In-line Functional Tester The Challenge: Creating a production In-line validation tester and programmer to perform complete functional testing of a fully populated IPC board while validating the color and intensity of 58 LED's on the board. The Solution: Using PTM industry standard components and the PTM test executive, PTM developed a test system, test fixture and high accuracy color sensor test elements. The test system applied vehicle signals directly to the IPC PCB, performed all functional tests including validation of the LCD signals, and assurance that each of the 58 LED's produced the proper color and intensity when activated. The tester fully validates the entire IPC prior to final case and connector assembly in less than 30 seconds. Introduction PTM Electronics has provided audit, in line, end of line and service test systems for validation of Instrument Panel Clusters since 1990. Current IPC validation products and solutions provide accurate vehicle sensor simulations and communication to validate proper operation of the cluster, the cluster microprocessor, and the electronic components on the board. Hardware The test system utilizes PTM relay boards for 24 relay inputs and outputs for switched in indicator activation, CAN communications, counter timer processing, variable reluctance speed sensor simulation (when required) and LED Color detection modules. A standard industrial PC provides the high level command and control interface to operate the machine. Test system operation and performance is accessed over the factory network.
Software Software includes PTM's data base driven test executive, used to select and run and report test results. Our test executive allows for variable test sequences to accommodate the variations and options of each Atlima IPC. A bar code scanner is provided to determine the part type for test selection and option programming. Using the PTM data base editor new parts can be added, old ones deleted, and each part can be sequenced through different test protocols. When the IPC is loaded into the test fixture, it is scanned and and clamped into place. The IPC is tested for shorts, all 58 LED's are tested for color and intensity, the LCD output is validated, all functions are simulated and validated, and the IPC is programmed.
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Copyright © 2004
PTM Electronics
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PTM's unique solution to sensing color differences met a
stringent client requirement for detecting incorrectly populated PCB's.
The LED components included the colors Red, Green, Yellow, and Amber operating
at various intensities and duty cycles. The ability to determine the difference
between Yellow and Amber has long been a problem for CCD vision systems
requiring expensive and time consuming recalibration. The PTM solution is
accurate, reliable, faster, and more economical than conventional vision
solutions.