TYX TestBase

Functionality

TYX TestBase provides the following main categories of functionality (click the hyperlinks to navigate to a detailed description of each feature):

	Supports the development and execution of “fault tree” test strategies (also called test plans or test sequences)
	Executes test procedures developed with various programming languages and testing environments
	Displays documents and reports in various formats, during test strategy execution
	Stores test results and maintenance data in relational databases and XML files and generates statistical reports
	Supports Custom Data Types through plug-in visual editors
	Supports the import of test strategy information from third-party diagnostic software
	Support for Configuration Management: IDE integration, history, differences

Development of test strategies

The TestBase Integrated Development Environment (IDE) enables the following development operations:

	Characterization of external test procedures and documents/reports
	Creation of a project tree, including multiple UUT models and test strategies
	Visual design of test strategies: The control flow is specified as a flowchart TestBase supports modular test strategies, including multiple diagnostic procedures (flowcharts) that can call each other The visual input mechanism supports documentation through text and color
	Specification of parametric data for test procedure calls and report display actions Arrays: built-in array editor and import from MS Excel
	Compilation of test strategies
	Visual debugging of test strategies through: Breakpoints Step-by-step execution Simulated execution
	Automatic generation of documentation: Design reports for project and diagnostic procedures

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Execution of test strategies

The TestBase distribution includes two user interface modules for production environments:

	Diagnostic Controller - supports simple "load-and-go" execution
	Functional Test Controller - provides advanced execution control capabilities: Sub-selection of test steps to execute Breakpoints Step-by-step execution; "repeat step" capability Looping Execution reports

The user interface modules are distributed in source format and may be customized by users. Users can also develop new such modules, using any COM-compatible programming.

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Execution of test procedures

Currently TestBase supports the execution of test procedures developed with the following programming languages and test environments:

	Agilent VEE
	EADS Test & Services SMART (ATLAS)
	EADS Test & Services Visual ATEC
	Microsoft Visual C++ (COM objects, DLLs)
	Microsoft Visual Basic (COM objects)
	National Instruments LabVIEW
	National Instruments LabWindows/CVI (DLLs)
	TYX PAWS (ATLAS)
	Java (proof-of-concept prototype)

TYX will add support for new types of test procedures in future versions of TestBase. Users can add support for new types of test procedures by developing custom Adapter modules.

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Run-time display of documents and reports

TestBase supports the run-time display of documents and reports. Documents have static (fixed) contents such as: operator instructions, UUT diagrams, repair instructions, etc. Reports have dynamic contents, typically displaying test and diagnostic results. The following formats are currently supported:

	For documents: Adobe PDF HTML Microsoft Word Text All other document formats that can be displayed by Microsoft Internet Explorer through ActiveX document servers
	For reports: HTML Microsoft Excel

TYX will add support for new formats in future versions of TestBase. Users can add support for new formats by developing custom Adapter modules.

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Storage of test results and maintenance data

TestBase stores test and diagnostic results in relational databases and XML documents. The storage is automatic and does not require specialized code in test procedures. The following categories of data are stored:

	Test results: Outcomes for all test procedure calls Input and output parameters for all test procedure calls
	Diagnostic results: Test strategy outcomes (typically, the diagnosed faults)
	Data for Configuration Management: Execution start time and duration Versions of software components Operator identification, etc.

In addition, operators can add maintenance information through the MTI User Interface module. This includes:

	Actual faults identified during repair
	Free-form operator notes

The following database engines and file formats are currently supported for the storage of maintenance test information:

	Microsoft Access
	Oracle
	XML-based file format

TYX will add support for new database engines and file formats in future versions of TestBase. Users can add support for such engines/formats by developing custom MTI Controller modules.

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Generation of statistical reports

The TestBase statistical reports retrieve and analyze historic diagnostic and maintenance data stored in MTI Databases. The results of statistical analysis, displayed in Microsoft Excel format, provide a management-oriented view of MTI data, for example (click the hyperlinks to see report samples):

	Diagnosis occurrences
	Pass/Fail results
	Fault distribution
	Repair cost
	Turnaround time of the diagnose/repair/retest cycle

Users can add new reports by developing Excel templates that contain VBScript code.

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Custom Data Type Editors

TestBase supports the assignment of Custom Data Types (CDTs) to parametric data. TestBase users can add support for CDTs by developing plug-in "CDT Editor" components.

CDT Editors support intuitive data input during development. In addition, they can be used (as ActiveX controls) for run-time data display in reports and in Soft Front Panels of test procedures.

Typically, CDT Editors are domain-specific, for example (click the hyperlinks to see CDT Editor samples):

	Radio Frequency - Frequency Limit; Frequency Response
	Electro-Optics - Infrared Target
	Analog signals - ex. AM Signal
	Digital - Serial bus settings and data, etc.

CDT Editors are COM components and can be written in MS Visual Basic. They are integrated in TestBase IDE through a "plug-in" mechanism.

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Integration with diagnostic software

TestBase supports the import of test strategies generated by diagnostic applications. The following applications are currently supported:

	DSI eXpress
	Intusoft Test Designer

The integration between TestBase and eXpress is achieved through DiagML, a Diagnostic Modeling Language based on XML jointly developed by TYX and DSI. For additional information see the TestBase demonstration page and the presentation on "design-to-test".

Users can add support for importing data from other diagnostic applications by developing custom Test Strategy Importer modules.

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Support for configuration management

The TestBase IDE provides extensive support for the configuration management of TestBase projects. The following categories of functionality are supported:

	Storage of TestBase databases in a configuration management application
	Check in/check out operations directly from the TestBase IDE
	Display of configuration management history
	Display of difference reports: Between the local project and the project under configuration management Between any two versions from configuration management

TestBase is currently integrated with Microsoft Visual SourceSafe. Users can add support for other configuration management applications by developing custom Adapter modules.

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TestBase Links:

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Learn more about TestBase:

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	Demonstration
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