Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1143487
manufacturing constraints may be identified and communicated back upstream to process engi - neering. This can result in im- proved yields on future runs. Tools, such as FaultStation, utilize the design data from the front end to create the graphi- cal troubleshooting solution. Essentially, FaultStation uses a "living" electronic PCB devel- oped from the design data from the OEM. This provides yet an- other quality feedback loop in the matrix when critical and costly designs are being manufactured. These tools provide a crucial feedback component that can capture defects, analyze probabilities, and provide strong statistical feedback to the front end for adjustments in the process to in- crease yield and reduce unnecessary non-con- formance. PCB007 Todd Kolmodin is VP of quality for Gardien Services USA and an expert in electrical test and reliability issues. Figure 2: FaultStation GUI. base, locates the fault record, and presents it graphically to the verification operator. Figure 2 shows the main FaultStation user interface. The operator can then step through the faults visu - ally. The result is that the operator can then ac- curately troubleshoot the PCB because the fault review is based on PCB design data. FaultStation can evaluate the PCB layout di- rectly against the fault data and predict the probability, and in the case of a short circuit, even the location of the suspected fault. Fault - Station logs this data for future reference (ex- ample in Figure 3). Based on this data, systemic 76 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2019 Figure 3: Fault view.