Teststand?

[WayneS1324]

Will someone tell me what TestStand is?

All I'm finding are generic descriptions.

Does it simulate hardware? Is that its purpose?

[Norbert_B]

Have you seen this page?

hope this helps,

Norbert

[~jiggawax~ · Accepted solution]

Wayne,

TestStand would be the top layer of software on an entire automated system.  It is a Test Executive.  So if your automated test were an orchestra then TestStand would be the conductor.

You can look at the layers like this:

TestStand

LabVIEW/CVI/.NET/Any Language

Instrument Drivers

Instruments

UUT (Unit Under Test)

The advantage of using TestStand is that it gives a common framework which eliminates a whole bunch of coding on your part.  Basically it does User Management (so who is logged in and what restrictions should I give them), Reporting (XML, HTML, ATML, txt), A Basic Flow Control (Process Model ensures all tests run similarly), Database Logging, Common GUIs to run the tests, etc... 

I did a study on off the shelf ATEs (Automated Test Executives) vs in house ATEs.  The cost difference was astronomical.  I think for TestStand you are looking at around $3500 for a dev license and $500 per deployment.  If you were to build a rough (very rough) ATE in house using LabVIEW I figured it would be around 800 hours (and that doesn't include the actual tests).  Depending on rates at $50/hr that's roughly $40,000.  And the worst part of all that is you have to maintain it. To be fair you do have to learn how to use the off the shelf ATE which would require time and money as well.

TestStand could be compared to other products such as: ATEasy (Geotest), TestStudio (Teradyne), Test Executive (Serendipity Systems), etc...  I have found that TestStand seems to provide the best support and best communication to my software layers.  I found this worksheet useful: http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3326

Hope this helps some and good luck,

[linh.tran]

I just updated my labVIEW .dll but when I run the TestStand. It did not run new update LV .dll. Could you know why? what do I have to do to the TestStand so it will call the new update?

[~jiggawax~]

Can you post that in a new thread?  You are more likely to get help with it.

Regards,

[linh.tran]

Hi,

I am new. How do I create a new thread?

Thanks

[~jiggawax~]

Welcome to the forums.  I suggest you read this thread: http://forums.ni.com/t5/Feedback-on-NI-Discussion-Forums/Quick-Introduction-to-the-Forums-for-New-Us...

You will find the NI discussion forums are friendly for the most part.  People are willing to help.  Just post new questions in new threads so that when others come after you and search they will easily distinguish related content.

Here is how to post a new thread:

Go to the main TestStand forum page:  http://forums.ni.com/t5/NI-TestStand/bd-p/330

Then look for the New Message button:

Type your question in and click the search button.

After the search completes see if your question is in the list.  If you can't find it then click the Post button next to where it says Post this Question.  Then you can type a more descriptive message about your question.

Thanks and regards,