ProDSP Technical Glossary

A resistance technique using separate current and sense connections to eliminate lead and contact resistance, essential for accurate low-resistance readings.

Also known as: Kelvin measurement, four-terminal sensing

Related: Contact resistance, Shunt, Burden

An electronic system or circuit that converts a continuous analog signal into a discrete digital representation for processing by computers or digital systems.

Related: Analog signal, DAQ, Resolution

A formal test performed to determine whether a system or component satisfies specified acceptance criteria, carried out before delivery to the customer.

Related: FAT, SAT

The closeness of a measurement or calculated value to the true or accepted reference value, representing the absence of systematic error or bias.

Related: Bias, Measurement uncertainty, Repeatability

A data acquisition card that captures analog voltage signals from sensors or device outputs and converts them to digital data for processing.

Related: DAQ, A/D converter, DIO

The temperature of the air in the surrounding environment, typically measured as the current air temperature of a specific location or around a component.

Related: HTOL, Drift

A continuous electrical signal that represents information through infinitely variable physical quantities, such as voltage, current, or frequency, typically forming a smooth and non-ending curve over time.

Related: A/D converter, Signal conditioner

A statistical method used to compare the means of three or more groups by analyzing the ratio of variance between groups to the variance within groups (F-statistic) to determine if at least one group mean is significantly different.

Related: Gauge R&R, MSA

A camera-based automated quality control process that visually inspects products (e.g., PCBs) for defects such as missing components, solder issues, or misalignment.

Related: ICT, Vision system

A structured framework for developing automotive products and processes through defined planning phases to ensure customer requirements are met.

Related: PPAP, IATF 16949

A risk classification (A to D) defined by ISO 26262, specifying safety requirements based on hazard severity, exposure, and controllability.

Related: ISO 26262, SIL

A sequential manufacturing setup where a product is progressively built at consecutive workstations, each performing a defined assembly operation.

Related: Cycle time, Takt time, Pallet conveyor

Single-pair Ethernet variants used for high-bandwidth in-vehicle data such as camera, radar, and infotainment traffic.

Related: CAN, Ethernet, FlexRay

The frequency range over which a system, channel or instrument transfers a signal within a specified amplitude tolerance, expressed in hertz (Hz). In networking the same term is used for the maximum data rate of a link, expressed in bit/s.

Related: Resolution, RF

The difference between the expected value of a measurement or estimator and the true underlying value, representing a systematic error rather than random variation.

Related: Accuracy, Drift, MSA

Circuitry designed into a device that lets it test its own operation, reducing the need for external test equipment and enabling in-field diagnostics.

Related: DFT, Self-test box

A technique accessing component pins via a dedicated serial interface, enabling connection and functional testing of digital devices without physical probes.

Also known as: JTAG, IEEE 1149.1

Related: ICT, DFT

The loading effect a measuring instrument imposes on the circuit it measures — for example the voltage developed across an ammeter's shunt (burden voltage), or the apparent power in VA that a current transformer can supply to its secondary circuit. Excessive burden changes the quantity being measured and has to be accounted for in the uncertainty budget.

Related: Shunt, Impedance, 4-wire measurement

The process of configuring a measurement instrument to produce results matching a known reference standard, ensuring accuracy and traceability.

Related: Traceability, Measurement uncertainty, ISO/IEC 17025

A robust automotive serial bus (ISO 11898) that lets ECUs communicate without a host computer, widely used for in-vehicle networking and as a test interface to the DUT.

Related: CAN FD, CANopen, LIN

An extension of CAN offering higher data rates and larger payloads per frame, used in modern high-bandwidth automotive architectures.

Related: CAN, Automotive Ethernet

A higher-layer protocol built on CAN, providing standardized device profiles and object dictionaries for industrial and embedded control.

Related: CAN, Modbus

A statistical measure of how well a process or product can consistently produce outputs that stay within defined specification limits or requirements. Measured using indices such as Cp and Cpk, it compares natural process variation to allowable tolerances to quantify the risk of defects and the ability to meet customer standards.

Related: Cp / Cpk, Cm / Cmk, LSL / USL

A mandatory European conformity mark indicating that a product meets EU safety, health, and environmental protection requirements.

Related: Machine Safety Directive, EMC

A controlled environment with low levels of pollutants such as dust, airborne microbes, and chemical vapors, used for sensitive manufacturing and testing. Classified per ISO 14644-1.

Related: ISO 14644-1, ESD

Cm (Machine Capability Index) and Cmk (Machine Capability Critical Index) are statistical measures used to evaluate a machine's short-term ability to produce outputs within specification limits. Cm measures potential capability by comparing the machine's spread to the tolerance width, while Cmk accounts for the centering of the distribution relative to those limits. Unlike Cp and Cpk, these indices are calculated from a small sample of consecutive parts to isolate machine-specific variation from other process factors.

Related: Cp / Cpk, Capability

The ability of a measurement system or differential amplifier to suppress unwanted signals or noise that are common to both input terminals.

Related: Signal conditioner, EMI

The process of installing, configuring, and verifying a test system on the production floor until it is fully operational and formally handed over.

Related: FAT, SAT

The resistance to the flow of electric current at the interface of two touching conductive surfaces, caused by factors such as surface roughness, contamination, or oxide layers.

Related: 4-wire measurement, Crimping

The central computing unit (often a PXI-based embedded computer) that runs test sequences, coordinates instruments, and stores test results.

Related: PXI, HMI

Statistical measures used to evaluate process capability. Cp (Process Capability Index) measures the potential capability of a process assuming it is perfectly centered between specification limits, while Cpk (Process Capability Ratio) accounts for the actual centering of the process mean to provide a more realistic assessment of its ability to meet requirements.

Related: Cm / Cmk, Capability, LSL / USL

The ratio of the peak amplitude of a waveform to its root mean square (RMS) value, used to indicate the peakiness or distortion of a signal and its potential stress on electrical components.

Related: RMS, True RMS, Peak hold

A mechanical process of joining two materials, typically a wire and a terminal, by deforming one or both components to create a secure, solderless electrical and mechanical connection.

Related: Harness, POF, Contact resistance

The total time to complete one test or production operation on a single unit; a key driver of station throughput and line balancing.

Related: Takt time, OEE

The reduction or prevention of oscillation in a physical system through the dissipation of energy, typically resulting in a decrease in the amplitude of electrical or mechanical waves over time.

Related: Hysteresis, NVH

The process of sampling and digitizing real-world signals (voltage, current, temperature, etc.) from sensors or devices under test for analysis and recording.

Related: DAQ chassis, A/D converter, PXI

A rack-based enclosure housing multiple DAQ modules, providing power, cooling, and a high-speed data bus (e.g., PXI) connecting them to the controller.

Related: PXI, Controller

A band of input values in a control or signal processing system where no output change or action occurs, typically used to prevent oscillation or repeated activation-deactivation cycles.

Related: Hysteresis, Setpoint

A specialized piece of software that acts as an interface between the operating system and a hardware component, translating high-level commands into device-specific instructions to enable communication and control.

Related: SCPI, LabVIEW

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is an engineering practice focused on designing products to reduce manufacturing costs and increase ease of production by simplifying, optimizing, and refining design elements during the early development phases. It involves considering material selection, production capabilities, and standardization to minimize complexity and identify potential fabrication issues before tooling or assembly begins.

Related: DFT, PCB

Design for Test (DFT) is a design methodology that incorporates specific hardware features—such as scan chains and built-in self-test (BIST) mechanisms—into integrated circuits to ensure they can be efficiently tested for manufacturing defects and verified for quality.

Related: BIST, Boundary scan

A signal interface used to read or control discrete binary states (on/off, high/low) on a device under test, such as relays, switches, or indicator lines.

Related: AI module, PLC

A high-density 2D barcode used to uniquely identify and track individual parts through production and test, enabling full unit-level traceability.

Related: Traceability, MES

A continuous or incremental change over time in an instrument's indication or response due to changes in its metrological properties, independent of changes in the measured quantity or environment.

Related: Bias, Stability, Calibration

The product or component being evaluated by the test system. All electrical and mechanical interfaces of the test equipment are designed around the DUT's specifications.

Related: Fixture, ECU, Harness

An embedded controller governing one or more electrical subsystems in a vehicle; the typical DUT in automotive end-of-line and functional testing.

Related: ECU flashing, UDS, CAN

Writing firmware or calibration data into an ECU's memory, typically performed at end-of-line to load production software before shipment.

Related: UDS, ECU

Specialized test and support equipment used to verify, integrate, and operate an (aero)spacecraft or (aero)space instrument while it is still on the ground.

Related: Vacuum climate chamber, LCL

The ability of a device to operate correctly in its electromagnetic environment without causing interference to, or being affected by, other devices. Verified per EU Directive 2014/30/EU.

Related: EMC chamber, EMI, LISN

A shielded enclosure designed to block external electromagnetic signals, used for radiated emissions and immunity testing of electronic equipment.

Related: EMC, EMI

An undesired electromagnetic disturbance caused by an external source that affects an electrical circuit, potentially degrading performance or causing data loss.

Related: EMC, CMR

A sensor that converts mechanical position or motion into an electrical signal, providing position feedback for motion control and test-stand alignment.

Related: Positioning, PLC

A functional test performed on every finished product at the end of a production line to verify correct operation before shipment.

Related: FCT, ICT, FPY

A professional CAE software platform used for electrical engineering design, including circuit diagrams, wiring layouts, and component documentation.

Related: PCB, Harness

A sudden flow of electricity between objects at different potentials. ESD can damage sensitive electronic components; test equipment must comply with IEC 61340-5-1.

Related: IEC 61340-5-1, Clean room

A real-time Industrial Ethernet fieldbus system, standardized in IEC 61158, that uses a processing-on-the-fly principle to provide high-speed, deterministic data exchange for automation, control, and measurement applications.

Related: PROFINET, EtherNet/IP

A standard for wired computer networking used to connect devices in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), enabling high-speed data exchange via protocols defined in the IEEE 802.3 standards.

Related: Automotive Ethernet, EtherCAT

An industrial network protocol running the CIP application layer over standard Ethernet, widely used for control and I/O in automation systems.

Related: PROFINET, Modbus

Electric Vehicle (EV) refers to a vehicle propelled by one or more electric motors using energy stored in rechargeable batteries, while Autonomous Vehicle (AV) refers to a vehicle capable of sensing its environment and operating without human involvement through advanced software, sensors, and control systems.

Related: ECU, HiPOT

A design feature or practice that ensures a system inherently responds in a way that causes minimal or no harm to equipment, people, or the environment in the event of a failure.

Related: Poka-yoke, Risk assessment, SIL

A structured test at the integrator's site proving a system meets its specification before shipment.

Related: SAT, Acceptance test

A test that exercises the full or partial functional capabilities of a product to verify that it operates within its specified parameters.

Related: EOL test, ICT

A mechanical device that holds and precisely positions the DUT relative to the test interface, ensuring repeatable and reliable electrical contact during testing.

Related: DUT / EUT, ICT, Positioning

A deterministic, fault-tolerant automotive bus for high-speed, safety-critical applications such as x-by-wire systems.

Related: CAN, Automotive Ethernet

A systematic method for identifying potential failure modes, assessing their effects and likelihood, and prioritizing corrective actions.

Related: Risk assessment, APQP

A sensor, also called a force transducer, that converts mechanical force — tension, compression or pressure — into a proportional electrical signal. Most designs use strain gauges bonded to a metal spring element whose deformation changes their electrical resistance.

Also known as: Load cell, force transducer

Related: POF, Signal conditioner

The proportion of units passing all tests on the first attempt without rework; a core quality indicator.

Related: EOL test, OEE

A statistical MSA method that separates the variation of a measurement system into repeatability — the spread when one operator repeats a measurement with the same gauge — and reproducibility, the spread between different operators, setups or conditions. The combined %GRR, compared against the tolerance or the total process variation, determines whether the measurement system is fit to police the specification it is used on.

Also known as: GRR, GR&R, Gauge RnR

Related: MSA, ANOVA, Repeatability

A finalized, customer-approved product sample produced using the same materials and processes as mass production. It serves as the master reference model and quality benchmark for evaluating all future production units during testing and inspection.

Related: Validation, Stability

A standard parallel interface bus used to connect and control programmable test instruments such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and signal generators.

Related: SCPI, RS-232

A margin subtracted from the specification limits to account for measurement uncertainty, reducing the risk of accepting out-of-tolerance product.

Related: Measurement uncertainty, LSL / USL

A bundled assembly of cables and connectors that forms the electrical interconnection between the DUT and the test system. Must be designed for RF performance, shielding, and mechanical durability.

Related: Crimping, POF, Contact resistance

A real-time test method where a controller (e.g. an ECU) is connected to a simulated model of the system it controls, validating its behavior against virtual sensor and actuator signals without the physical plant.

Related: ECU, Test sequence

An electrical safety test, also known as a dielectric withstand test, that applies a high voltage to a component to verify insulation integrity and ensure no current leakage or breakdown occurs.

Also known as: Dielectric withstand test, high-potential test

Related: Insulation resistance, IEC 60204-1

The operator-facing interface of a test system, typically a monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to the controller, used to start tests, monitor status, and access results.

Related: Controller, SCADA

A reliability stress test where a device is operated at elevated temperature and voltage to accelerate failure mechanisms and assess long-term reliability.

Related: Ambient temperature, Vacuum climate chamber

The dependence of a system's output on its current input and its history of past inputs, typically manifesting as a lag in response or a difference in measurement values depending on whether the input is increasing or decreasing.

Related: Deadband, Linearity error

The global automotive quality management standard, built on ISO 9001, defining requirements for defect prevention and continual improvement across the supply chain.

Related: APQP, PPAP

A method using a bed-of-nails fixture to electrically probe individual components on a populated PCB, verifying placement, orientation, and value.

Also known as: Bed-of-nails test

Related: FCT, Boundary scan, AOI

International standard for the safety of machinery with respect to electrical equipment, covering design requirements for control circuits, protective devices, and grounding.

Related: ISO 12100, Machine Safety Directive

International standard specifying requirements for the protection of electronic components from electrostatic discharge in manufacturing and handling environments.

Related: ESD, Clean room

The effective total opposition that a circuit or component offers to the flow of alternating current (AC), consisting of the combined effect of ohmic resistance and reactance.

Related: LISN, Contact resistance

A test measuring insulation resistance between conductors under DC voltage to confirm leakage stays within safe limits.

Related: HiPOT, IEC 60204-1

An international standard that provides a comprehensive framework and general principles for the design of safe machinery, outlining a systematic methodology for risk assessment and risk reduction throughout the machine life cycle.

Related: Risk assessment, Machine Safety Directive

International standard defining cleanliness classes for clean rooms based on airborne particulate concentration, ranging from Class 1 (cleanest) to Class 9.

Related: Clean room

The international standard for functional safety of electrical/electronic systems in road vehicles, covering the full safety lifecycle.

Related: ASIL, SIL

International standard specifying the general requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories; the basis of accredited measurement traceability.

Related: Calibration, Traceability

A two-wire synchronous serial bus for short-distance communication between ICs on a board, commonly used to configure and read sensors on a DUT.

Related: SPI, DIO

A graphical programming environment by NI used to develop measurement, data acquisition, and instrument control applications through a visual dataflow programming paradigm.

Related: NI TestStand, PXI

A switchable protection circuit placed between a power source and a load that trips off after detecting overcurrent, protecting sensitive devices such as space instruments.

Related: PSU, EGSE

A test verifying the sealing integrity of a component or enclosure via pressure decay or tracer-gas flow against a defined leakage threshold.

Related: Pass / Fail, Test specification

A low-cost single-wire serial bus (ISO 17987) for simple subsystems such as window and mirror controls, often tested alongside CAN.

Related: CAN, Automotive Ethernet

The maximum deviation of a sensor's or instrument's actual output from an ideal straight-line relationship over its specified measurement range, typically expressed as a percentage of the full-scale output.

Related: Hysteresis, Accuracy

An electrical network placed between the mains supply and a DUT during EMC testing to provide a defined, stable source impedance and isolate conducted emissions.

Related: EMC, Impedance

The Lower Specification Limit (LSL) and Upper Specification Limit (USL) are the minimum and maximum values allowed for a product or process to meet customer requirements. If a measured value falls between the LSL and USL, the product is considered to meet specifications and passes; values outside these boundaries are classified as defects or failures.

Related: Cp / Cpk, Guard band, Pass / Fail

A mandatory European Union directive that sets essential health and safety requirements for the design and construction of machinery to ensure the protection of workers and consumers while promoting free movement within the single market. It requires manufacturers to perform risk assessments, ensure conformity with technical standards, and affix the CE marking to finished products before they are placed on the market.

Related: CE marking, ISO 12100, IEC 60204-1

A structured, documented sequence of all production and assembly phases, including design, procurement, manufacturing, testing, and delivery, used for project planning and traceability.

Related: Traceability, MES

A quantified doubt about a measurement result, expressing the range within which the true value is expected to lie; essential for stating conformance to tolerances.

Related: Guard band, Calibration, Accuracy

A shop-floor software layer that manages and tracks production, exchanging work orders, results, and traceability data with test stations.

Related: DMC, SCADA, OPC UA

A simple, open serial/Ethernet protocol (Modbus RTU/TCP) for master–slave communication between industrial devices such as PLCs, meters, and sensors.

Related: PROFIBUS, EtherNet/IP

A high-precision frequency reference source used in RF and timing applications, where long-term stability and low phase noise are critical requirements. Not to be confused with Maintenance, Repair and Operations, the same acronym used for spare-part and consumable management in production.

Related: OCXO, Phase noise analyzer

A set of statistical methods used to evaluate and qualify a measurement system's performance — including repeatability, reproducibility, bias, linearity, and stability.

Related: Gauge R&R, Bias, Stability

A rugged, modular instrumentation platform by National Instruments based on the CompactPCI standard, used to build scalable test systems from plug-in measurement modules.

Related: PXI, DAQ chassis

A test management and sequencing software environment by NI that organizes and executes test steps, manages flow control, logs results, and interfaces with instruments and code modules.

Related: LabVIEW, Test sequence

The measurement and analysis of a product's acoustic and vibration behavior (e.g. an e-motor or drivetrain) to characterize sound quality and detect mechanical defects.

Related: Damping, Encoder

A standardized vehicle self-diagnostic system that reports the operational status and fault codes of subsystems, accessed via a defined connector and protocol.

Related: UDS, ECU

A precision frequency reference in which the crystal and oscillator circuit are maintained at a constant temperature to minimize frequency drift.

Related: MRO, Phase noise analyzer

A composite metric combining availability, performance, and quality to quantify how effectively a machine or line is utilized.

Related: FPY, Cycle time

A platform-independent, service-oriented communication standard (IEC 62541) for secure, interoperable data exchange between industrial systems up to the MES/enterprise level.

Related: MES, SCADA

A commercially available standard component or instrument purchased from a supplier rather than custom-designed, used to reduce cost and ensure supportability.

Related: DFM, RFQ

A condition where the current drawn from an electrical circuit exceeds its rated capacity, leading to excessive heat, potential damage to insulation or components, and the triggering of protective devices like circuit breakers or fuses.

Related: PDU, PSU, Fail-safe

An automated transport system used in production lines where products are carried on standardized pallets between workstations, enabling precise positioning and return transport.

Related: Vibration feeder, Positioning

The binary outcome of a product test: Pass (PASS) indicates all measured values are within specification; Fail (FAIL) indicates one or more out-of-tolerance results, triggering further action.

Related: LSL / USL, Test report

A laminated board with conductive copper tracks that mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components. The core building block of most electronic assemblies.

Related: ICT, AOI, Press-fit pin

A rack-mounted unit that distributes incoming mains power to multiple individual outputs with circuit breakers, switches, and protective devices.

Related: PSU, UPS

A measurement mode that captures and retains the maximum value of a signal encountered during a measurement period, updating only when a new, higher peak is detected.

Related: Crest factor, RMS

The angular difference between two periodic electrical waveforms, typically voltage and current in an AC system, expressing how much one leads or lags the other in degrees or radians.

Related: Power factor, VAR

An instrument that measures the frequency stability of an oscillator by characterizing noise sidebands around the carrier frequency, expressed in dBc/Hz.

Related: MRO, OCXO

An industrial computer controlling machinery through real-time logic, handling I/O, timing, and interlocks in automated test and production systems.

Related: SCADA, PROFINET

A quality-control method used to measure the tensile force required to extract an anchor, fastener, or crimped connector from its base material or housing to verify installation quality and structural integrity.

Related: Crimping, Force measuring cell

An error-proofing design principle that prevents or immediately detects mistakes, commonly built into test fixtures and handling systems.

Related: Fail-safe, Fixture

The precise mechanical alignment of a product on a test stand according to prescribed tolerances. Correct positioning is one of the three pillars of test system validation.

Related: Validation, Fixture, Encoder

The ratio of real power (working power) to apparent power (total power supplied) in an AC circuit, representing how effectively electrical power is converted into useful work.

Related: Phase angle, VAR

A standardized procedure demonstrating that a supplier's process can consistently produce parts meeting customer requirements before series production.

Related: APQP, IATF 16949

An electrical connector pin that is pressed into a PCB hole without soldering, creating a reliable gas-tight connection through mechanical interference.

Related: PCB, POF

A serial fieldbus (IEC 61158) connecting controllers to sensors and actuators in industrial automation; the predecessor to PROFINET.

Related: PROFINET, Modbus

An open Industrial Ethernet standard (IEC 61158/61784) for real-time data exchange between controllers and field devices in factory and process automation.

Related: PROFIBUS, EtherCAT

An instrument or module that provides a controlled, programmable DC voltage and current output to power the device under test during testing.

Related: SMU, PDU

A modular electronic instrumentation platform based on PCI/PCIe, offering high data throughput, precise synchronization, and a standard form factor for test instrument modules.

Related: NI PXI / PXIe, DAQ chassis, Controller

The span between the minimum and maximum values that a sensor, instrument, or system can measure or operate within while maintaining specified performance and accuracy.

Related: Resolution, Accuracy

The closeness of agreement between the results of successive measurements of the same measure carried out under the same conditions, including the same operator, instrument, and location over a short period of time.

Related: Gauge R&R, Stability

The smallest change in a physical quantity that a measurement system or instrument can detect and faithfully indicate.

Related: Accuracy, A/D converter

The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum used for wireless communication and precision oscillator signals, typically in the range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz.

Related: RF switch, Phase noise analyzer

An electronically controlled switching matrix that routes RF signals from multiple DUT outputs to a single measurement instrument input.

Related: Switch matrix, RF

A formal document issued by a customer asking suppliers to provide pricing and technical proposals for a defined scope of work.

Related: OTS, Test specification

A systematic process of identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing potential hazards and failure modes—such as equipment malfunctions, human error, or safety risks—to implement control measures that mitigate impact and ensure the reliability of manufacturing and testing operations.

Related: FMEA, ISO 12100

The square root of the mean of the squares of a set of values or a continuous waveform, representing the effective value of a time-varying signal such as AC voltage or current.

Related: True RMS, Crest factor

A serial communication standard introduced in 1960 that defines the electrical, functional and mechanical interface for point-to-point data exchange between a computer (DTE) and a peripheral (DCE) such as a modem or test instrument. It signals binary states with positive and negative voltage levels and typically supports rates up to 20 kbit/s over distances of roughly 15 m (50 ft), using DB-9 or DB-25 connectors.

Related: GPIB / IEEE-488, SCPI

A test at the customer's site after installation, confirming correct operation in the intended production environment.

Related: FAT, Commissioning

A control architecture that supervises industrial processes, aggregating data from PLCs and instruments for operators.

Related: PLC, MES, HMI

A standardized ASCII command syntax for controlling programmable test instruments over GPIB, LAN, or USB.

Related: Device driver, GPIB / IEEE-488

A dedicated hardware subsystem used to verify the correct operation of a test system itself before it is used to test actual products.

Related: BIST, Validation

In test and inspection, the ability of a test to correctly detect a condition or defect that is actually present, expressed as the proportion of true positives among all real positive cases. In instrumentation, sensitivity denotes the ratio of the change in an instrument's output to the change in the measured quantity.

Related: Resolution, Accuracy

The desired or target value for a specific variable or parameter that a control system aims to maintain.

Related: Deadband, PLC

A precision low-value resistor placed in a circuit to measure current indirectly by sensing the voltage drop across it.

Related: 4-wire measurement, Burden

An electronic device or circuit that manipulates a raw analog signal from a sensor—through amplification, filtering, isolation, or linearization—to make it compatible, accurate, and safe for a data acquisition system or controller.

Related: A/D converter, CMR

A measure of the reliability required of a safety function (per IEC 61508), used in industrial machinery and process safety to quantify acceptable failure probability.

Related: ASIL, Fail-safe

A precision instrument that simultaneously sources voltage or current and measures the resulting current or voltage, used for both powering and characterizing DUT channels.

Related: PSU, DAQ

A synchronous serial communication protocol commonly used for short-distance communication between a controller and peripheral devices such as sensors, ICs, and data converters.

Related: I²C, DIO

The ability of a measurement system or instrument to maintain consistent metrological properties and accuracy over an extended period, typically evaluated by monitoring changes in bias or drift through the use of control charts and master samples.

Related: Drift, MSA

A configurable array of relays or solid-state switches that routes signals between multiple test instruments and multiple DUT points, maximizing instrument reuse.

Related: RF switch, DIO

The available production time divided by customer demand, defining the pace at which units must be completed to meet delivery targets.

Related: Cycle time, OEE

A structured document recording the circumstances, instruments used, individual measurements, and pass/fail outcomes of a test or validation activity, providing traceability.

Related: Pass / Fail, Traceability

A defined, ordered series of measurement and control steps executed automatically by the test software, ensuring that all required tests are performed under the correct conditions.

Related: NI TestStand, Test specification

A document defining what and how to test a product, including required measurements, tolerances, test conditions, and acceptance criteria.

Related: Test sequence, Validation

The ability to track a measurement result back through a documented chain of calibrations to a national or international measurement standard.

Related: Calibration, ISO/IEC 17025, DMC

A measurement method that accurately calculates the effective heating value of any AC waveform, including distorted or non-sinusoidal signals, by computing the square root of the average of the squared instantaneous values.

Related: RMS, Crest factor

A diagnostic protocol (ISO 14229) used to read fault codes, run routines, and reprogram ECUs during development, production, and service.

Related: OBD, ECU flashing

A manufacturing process that uses high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to create a solid-state weld between plastic parts without adhesives or fasteners.

Related: Press-fit pin, Crimping

A backup power device that provides emergency power to connected equipment when the main supply fails, allowing controlled shutdown and preventing damage or data loss.

Related: PDU, PSU

A controlled test enclosure that can simulate space-like conditions — including vacuum pressure and extreme temperatures — used for thermal and environmental qualification testing.

Related: HTOL, EGSE

The process of confirming that a test system or process meets its intended purpose and specified requirements, typically covering positioning, MSA, and methodology.

Related: MSA, Positioning, Golden sample

A unit of measurement for reactive power in an AC circuit, representing the electrical power that flows back and forth between the source and the load to maintain electromagnetic fields without performing actual work.

Related: Power factor, Phase angle

An automated parts-feeding device that uses controlled vibration to orient and deliver bulk components to the next assembly step.

Related: Pallet conveyor, Poka-yoke

A camera-based measurement or inspection system that captures images of products to verify dimensions, detect defects, read codes, or guide robotic assembly operations.

Related: AOI, DMC

The SI unit of power, equivalent to one joule per second, used to measure the rate of energy transfer, generation, or consumption.

Related: VAR, Power factor

A calibration setting used to align an instrument's output to its minimum or reference value when the input is at its lowest possible range value, correcting for drift by adding or subtracting a constant offset.

Related: Calibration, Drift