Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1508761
56 SMT007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2023 Is it fair to say that the differentiator with test equipment now is in the software more than the hardware? It's still 50/50. Soware can make it more user friendly and can automate some stuff that you wouldn't normally see. Mirtec is an example on the inspection side. When you're bringing different devices into the library for storage and reuse, reallocation and such, the tool is tremendous. We're breez- ing through that part of the process. I know all the inspection tools have some flavor of that soware but it's amazing to see it in action. What do you think is currently missing from test equipment, and what's on your wish list? I would say what's missing is a good synergy. When you talk to Keysight, Mirtec, or Tera- dyne, they have great coverage analysis; they're all different, yet they're trying to speak the same language. ASTER is a third-party tool, and it's bringing in different formats, putting it into its own language. A soware developer at these companies will see the report differently than will our people on the floor. Something does get lost in translation. So, they're headed in the right direction. They need to just keep doing more of the same. I'll tell you the truth: More mil/aero, medi- cal, and automotive customers want that drill- down data. Our customers want us to do data dumps back into their systems. ey harvest that information using their quality systems. The whole idea of a closed feedback loop, or even all the way up to the designers, is just on the verge, isn't it? I have medical, aerospace, and industry con- trol customers. As soon as we finish a pro- gram, they're asking us to give feedback to their designer. ey're already looking at what to improve in the next rev. ey'll say, "Why couldn't e Test Connection test this?" I respond, "You didn't give us access to this enable pin, or you didn't have this pull up; you didn't have that pull down. You didn't give us access to this pin." When we pass that informa- tion back and they're able to put it in, you're addressing their test coverage. What you're describing is the vision we've had for quite some time in DFX. Are we on the threshold of that vision? I really think we are with OEM tools from Key- sight and Teradyne, as well as third-party tools like those from ASTER Technologies and Men- tor Graphics. ere will always be some dis- connect as OEMs outsource to contract houses and third-party design groups, but if the data is there, and people are willing to share that data to the OEM or give the designer that feedback, they will know what to do "better" in the next design. Fantastic. Bert, thank you so much. Always a pleasure. SMT007