Audio/Video Source Reference Architecture for Set-Top Box Test

System Hardware

The system hardware is broken into two components. The core part of the system is the PXI chassis and PXI controller where instruments are controlled and application software is executed. The second part of the system consists of all the needed modular instruments for testing the technologies in the device under test. This architecture contains hardware components for performing CVBS, CAV, S-video, VGA, HDMI audio, HDMI video, SPDIF audio, and stereo audio analysis as well as DVB generation to the set-top box.

Using an architecture based on PXI Express technology, users can stream full (1080p 60 Hz) HDMI content across the PXI Express backplane to perform picture quality analysis and remove operator inspection requirements from the application.

 

System Software

The system software has two distinct layers. The first is the application software such as NI VMS for video analysis, NI AudioMASTER for audio analysis, NI PQA software for dynamic audio/video tests, or the Averna Trident Suite for DVB generation. The application software interfaces with high-performance driver software to each instrument for faster measurements.

NI TestStand, the NI test management software, controls code execution written in any programming language, allowing you to reuse current code modules. NI TestStand contains built-in auto-scheduling capabilities to manage hardware resources to optimize application performance for parallel test. Many of the leading consumer electronics manufacturers rely on NI TestStand to manage their manufacturing applications. 

Read the case study on how NI TestStand saved Flextronics millions of dollars in production costs.