Specifying Settings for the Current Test Station (TSM)

You can specify test station configuration options for the tester, such as handler configuration or data logging preferences, that apply to all test lots and that persist during restart and shutdown operations. The test engineer or technician usually configures station settings when initially setting up or later reconfiguring a tester. Generally, an operator has only restricted access to station settings to ensure that critical configuration options do not change.

The test program can use station information to determine how to execute tests. For example, station settings might specify the type of handler to use with the test program, or whether the test station performs inline quality assurance testing. When a test station is reconfigured, such as to specify a different handler or to change the functionality of the tester, the station settings must be updated to account for the changes.

TSM Implementation

The NI_SemiconductorModule_StationSettings data type includes properties that correspond to some fields of the Master Information Record (MIR) and Site Description Record (SDR) of version 4 of the Standard Test Data Format (STDF) and includes other properties specific to TSM. You can access the station settings from the test program, and you can modify the default TSM station settings callbacks to customize how TSM obtains the settings.

The Configure Station button in the default TSM operator interface, the Semiconductor Module » Configure Station menu item in the TestStand Sequence Editor, and the Configure Station button on the TSM toolbar call the ConfigureStationSettings callback sequence to obtain the settings for the current test station. Use the ConfigureStationSettings callback sequence to prompt a test engineer or technician to manually configure station settings in the Configure Station Settings dialog box or to use another mechanism that requires user input.