Knowledge-based simulation design methodology. A flexible test architecture application

This article presents Knowledge-Based Simulation Design Methodology and its application in the domain of flexible testing. Basic concepts and techniques of the methodology are introduced and employed to design a flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB) test architecture. A PCB testing framework is proposed. The framework involves the following phases: A board under test is represented using the entity structure formalism. This representation, augmented with test criteria, is used to select a test resolution (degree of test detail). The fault modeling process is supported by a class of tree models specified in Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS). Tree models with fault locations represent PCBs for which a test station architecture and testing strategy are being designed. The test strategy selection and the configuration of the test station are generated from the generic entity structure representation of a tester. This generation process uses a production rule-based approach. The tester architecture is modeled and simulated using DEVS-Scheme simulation language. Alternative tester architectures and test strategies can be compared through a simulation modeling study prior to an actual set-up of a test cell. This approach is expected to result in improvements in test/rework time, first pass yield, and reduced scrap and work-in-process inventory.