PAtools is designed for use in a system that might require hardware, drivers, and software to optimize PAtools for your application. Use the minimum required PAtools system components as a starting point for building your system.

Note A system and the surrounding environment must meet any requirements defined in the relevant specifications documents.
Figure 1. PAtools System Components
Components of PAtools, including the PAtools SQL database, SystemLink (optional), test generator, test stations, and user PCs.
  • PAtools SQL Database—Database management system for the PAtools databases.
  • NI SystemLink Enterprise (Optional)—Scalable, self-hosted enterprise software for managing product validation, production test operations, and life cycle analytics. Refer to SystemLink Enterprise Overview for more information.
  • PAtools Test Generator Machine (Optional)—PC used to generate PAtools tests from SystemLink test plans to run on a specific test station.
  • Test Stations—Equipment required for an instance of testing. Each test station has a PXI controller that is configured to run PAtools tests.
  • Other Purpose Stations—Equipment required to perform other operations in the test lab, such as a station to prepare a DUT for testing.
  • User PCs (Optional)—PCs used by engineers to perform the following tasks using the PAtools software.
    • Writing and configuring test procedures
    • Creating tests to deploy to a test station
    • Monitoring and debugging the tests
    You can also use a user PC to interact with SystemLink when performing the following tasks.
    • Managing a test lab
    • Controlling and monitoring test execution
    • Reviewing test data