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
  • 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