978–1–4673–2240–9/12/$31.00 ©2012 IEEE 207 35th Int. Spring Seminar on Electronics Technology
Automatic Testing of Multimedia Units
Vaclav Wirth
1)
, Tomas Blecha
1)
, Ladislav Herc
2)
, Lukas Klocker
2)
, Richard Linhart
1)
, Karel Rendl
1)
,
Petr Sehnal
2)
, Frantisek Steiner
1)
1)
Department of Technologies and Measurement, Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic
2)
Continental Automotive Czech Republic s.r.o., Brandys nad Labem – Stara Boleslav, Czech Republic
vwirth@ket.zcu.cz
Abstract: This article deals with possibilities of the automatic testing of multimedia units. The aim of
the work was to design and realize an automatic test system for a functional parameter measurement
of multimedia units. The system was built up by the help of individual measuring devices and the
designed multiplexer. The entire system is controlled by the control computer. For the control
computer was necessary to create software to control and communicate with devices and multimedia
unit itself. For making utility programs, the programming language Labview and Teststand software
tool from National Instruments was chosen.
1. INTRODUCTION
This article deals with possibilities of the
automatic testing of multimedia units. The
cooperation between the University of West Bohemia
and Continental Automotive Czech Republic s.r.o.
enabled the system realization. The company will
continue to use this system. In order to find out
whether a tested product is in accordance with
required parameters, the testing includes the
measurement of multimedia unit parameters. These
parameters are given by a customer and its fulfillment
warrants a correct functionality and a service life of a
product. Formerly, the test was carried out manually
according to single measurements. The manual test
was time-consuming therefore a demand for automatic
tester making occurred. This article describes the
measuring system enabling a measurement of basic
functional parameters and the used software and
hardware which enable further modification for other
parameter tests. The flow diagram of the testing
system is seen in the fig. 1. Since currently all devices
are not used at once, they are connected by the help of
the multiplexer. The multiplexer is controlled by a
control computer. In dependence on a type of
procedure measurement, single measuring devices are
connected to outputs of a multimedia unit.
Fig. 1. Flow diagram of the test system.
2. REQUIREMENTS
Measurement of functional parameters of
multimedia units carried out manually is demanding
for operation and time necessary for testing. For these
reasons, a demand for an automated test originated.
Further demand was to exploit current measuring
devices. By the help of this system, it should be
possible to measure various multimedia units. Test
parameters are given by the customer. Therefore, the
system must enable measurement for various
parameters. Due to mentioned demands, the system
must be modifiable and expandable.