Thesis Proposal – Modular designed circuit boards for test equipment

Description of the thesis proposal:

In production testing of electronic devices, the goal is to verify proper functionality of the device. This is accomplished by performing measurements on the device whilst subjecting it to specific test conditions.

In a test system there is the automatic test equipment (ATE) containing the equipment necessary to generate said test conditions and perform measurements. As a link between the ATE and the device under test (DUT), a test interface (TIF) circuit board can be used. The TIF circuit board is often highly customized for a specific DUT. It is therefore difficult to reuse or inherit into other test systems.

The thesis should analyze how to develop a more modular design of TIF board. The modular design could be based on a processor board with the most basic functions. Interfaces towards the DUT would then be attached with expansion modules to the processor board to give the TIF more functionality. An example of an expansion module could be a multiplexer that allows the ATE to access different signals on the DUT at different times.

For example, the thesis work could include:

• Selection of a suitable processor for the TIF board.

• HW Interface for the expansion modules.

• Selection of a suitable operating system.

• How to configure and control the expansion modules from a SW perspective in an easy and effective manner.

• Design of expansion modules for a specific test interface towards the DUT.

The main goal of this thesis is to compare some different HW and SW solutions and determine the pros and cons of these. The project covers literature studies and hardware development.

We seek one to two students for this thesis. Depending on the applicant’s background and interests, we are flexible in the scope of the thesis project.

For successful thesis work, we believe that the applicants should:

• Have experience in electronics and hardware.

• Have experience in embedded systems.

• Good knowledge in both Swedish and English, speaking and writing.

To give you the best possible support during your thesis, we’d like you to be able to come to the office connected to the project and spend most of your time working from there.

Application:

We look forward to receiving your resume, and preferably, a personal letter in which you explain why you want to write your thesis with Syntronic.

We screen and evaluate applications on an ongoing basis. The thesis project may be filled before the application deadline.