Electronics testing and verification? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BnHe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 02, 2022, 09:04:11 am
content: Dear all,I am a recent EE graduate and I'm currently looking for a job as an electronics design engineer.I have noticed that a lot of job ads have "testing and verification" as a skill requirement, and I'm looking for clarification on what exactly this entails.From my current understanding of what might be covered under the umbrella term "testing and verification", the following topics come to mind:- Basic testing. Does this circuit (when built on a PCB, obviously) even work at all, and within the parameters outlined in the specifications? (Test jigs for mass production, etc)- Logic verification of digital designs (VHDL/Verilog etc) using testbenches- Verification (either physical or by using simulation software) of ASIC and FPGA designs- Monte Carlo PSpice/LTspice simulations of analog blocks to make sure the block operates within expected tolerances when accounting for the expected variations in component values- PCB level simulation, to account for parasitics (PathWave ADS, etc). I presume this is mostly only relevant for very high speed designs (>100MHz)- EMC testing (radiated emissions and immunity)- Software testing and verification- Measuring signals on digital designs to ensure timing parameters are well within acceptable rangesIs there anything I missed? I would be very interested if people who have done testing and verification as a part of their job to comment and tell me about what their tasks were and what this topic is really about.On the one hand, the subject feels very intuitive and easy. On the other hand, however, it feels like I'm missing something very obvious. Reading the job ads, I get the impression that companies have formal and established procedures for testing and verification and that I'm expected to know about them. Or even that there are industry-wide formalized testing and verfication procedures that I simply never heard about."Yeah, the thing works, what more do you want?" is kind of what I feel like I'd want to say to a future employer when they ask me if I have tested and verified my (or my team's) design.Thank you in advance for any and all insights into the matter.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2022, 09:13:02 am
content: Bonjour: " a future employer when they ask me if I have tested and verified my (or my team's) design""Yeah, the thing works, what more do you want?"As an EE and running a small firm, I would end the interview.Nowadays safety and EMI emission compliance requires careful design, and testing in a qualified lab.Otherwise the end product may fail test or even be impounded at customs during international shipping.A design that works in software sim or as a prototype may "work" but when manufactured in quantity, fabbed in China with low quality parts, placed into boundless conditions in the field (temperature, vibration, poor power quality on mains, high EMI RFI fields, HV tests by safety agencies) it will fail.Suggest to research each of the topics you mention, there is a huge body of references, book, forums on each topic.With Kind Regards and Bon Chance,Jon

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2022, 05:57:26 am
content: Anything going into flight hardware gets tested in some very wired, sometimes, scenarios:To 'Qualify' a part, let's say a small relay box, it could have to operate, at like, minus 65 degrees. (Farenheit).Add in some (substantial) vibration, for, say, 2 hours on each 'axis'. For that, just for that, somebody in Engineering Dept will have to design / machine a 'plate' for mounting to the vibration table.That table has a 'voice coil', something like a (large) diesel truck engine, in size and shape.And don't forget heat: for that combination, you need an oven, for 'lowering down' over your part, mounting plate, and big vibration test table. So, during those tests, you get to learn about hotels / travel / late nights watching, from a folding chair. Yeah...:Then it happens: a RELAY or something breaks, during third hour, of test...Some of what I'm describing is 'environmental tolerance type, such as, also, salt spray, under-voltages, and EVEN HITTING WITH HAMMER !There are, actual tests where QC folks give a crack with a 'special' moderately hard plastic head. Heck, there is even, I guess, an engineer somewhere, had to specify that (hammer).A lot of that extra testing might be only for military goods, but testing I saw was commercial aircraft.Some of those jobs don't have direct pc board design tasks, but you must be ready and understand issues clearly, and much to learn, while working.If it's a career thing, not too bad a deal as you can use that salary money, to set up hobby lab etc.Don't forget, option to take a course at night, while doing the Test Engineer gig.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2022, 06:39:17 am
content: Yeah, that's a pretty good listing. As you can see, it can involve some pretty diverse subjects, and range from the routine or droll (maintaining production test systems, say?) to the dramatic (e.g. lightning simulation, high-energy military tests -- like, anything up to, rocket sleds ramming concrete blocks -- testing of weapons systems). Mind that the latter are very carefully planned and administered, to maximize test value while minimizing worker risk (safety first!). So it's rather thoroughly tempered with the sheer boredom of setup and lockout procedures.Which, as painfully bothersome as some safety procedures can be -- if you find a workplace that isn't respecting your or others' safety, run like the wind!As far as other job aspects go -- keep in mind that, as a tester, you're likely responsible for identifying (and potentially fixing)other'smistakes. If you're looking for more ownership, a wider scope, or just not dealing with a lot of people, maybe you'd do better on the design side; or for that matter, if you're more outgoing, you might find working at a test lab is great -- have met some very friendly, knowledgeable people in those places.Remember most of all, employment is a relationship, and like any, it goes both ways; if it just isn't working out, no shame in cutting it off and finding new and better. Don't stop looking; it would be nice to be comfy with one place for years, but the reality these days is, raises aren't worth nearly as much as new hires, and you can gain enough experience in just a couple years to make that move worthwhile. This is probably more critical in the US than SE, but still applies pretty much anywhere as far as I know.Tim