The world’s first solution for Automatic Test Program Generation
Reduce development time by
70%optimize resource usage, and establish a repeatable, traceable test workflow
In the field of semiconductor testing, test programs (TP) are the operational code that controls the Automated Test Equipment (ATE), enabling verification of the performance and compliance of electronic devices (DUT – Device Under Test) with technical specifications.
Traditionally, creating a test program requires:
- Datasheet analysis of the DUT: to identify critical parameters.
- Manual coding: often using complex programming languages.
- Tester configuration: defining signals, measurements, and operating conditions.
- Debugging and optimization: an iterative process to correct errors and ensure test coverage.
This traditional approach is not only slow and complex, but it also heavily depends on the individual skills of the test engineer.
With Kronos, Microtest is transforming this paradigm, delivering both speed and consistent quality.
Definition and purpose
Kronos is a software platform developed by Microtest to automate the generation of test programs. By integrating proprietary Artificial Intelligence algorithms, Kronos accelerates the drafting of test specifications.
The goal is to reduce development time, minimize errors, and ensure test standardization, providing a guided workflow based on the Microtest method, refined through years of field application and designed to meet the real demands of the industry, by providing automated documentation and full control over every configuration.
Key Features
Interface (GUI)
Users are guided through test definition without the need to write any code.
Test setups are defined using dropdown menus and preconfigured selections.
Kronos checks the entered parameters, highlighting inconsistencies before code generation.
The test program is automatically generated and ready to run on Microtest testers.
Kronos’ Workflow
Kronos’ workflow is designed to offer maximum flexibility and adaptability, enabling the rapid and standardized development of test programs. The platform supports two main operational scenarios:
- Creation of new test programs
- Conversion of existing test programs
In both cases, Kronos guides the user through a series of structured steps, simplifying each operation and reducing the risk of errors, leveraging Microtest’s deep industry know-how.
The graphical interface and automatic validation features ensure that every test is correctly configured and optimized for execution on proprietary testers.
- The user imports the device datasheet (DUT) directly into Kronos.
- The device specifications are organized into Tasks (test blocks) and Setups (individual tests).
- Each Setup defines the measurement parameters and operating conditions.
- Kronos guides the user through the test configuration, minimizing the risk of errors.
- Once completed, the test program is automatically generated using proprietary algorithms.
- Kronos can help convert an existing test program (already developed on another platform)
- Kronos identifies tasks and parameters to test.
- The user can optimize and standardize the test specifications by leveraging Kronos’s automation features.
- The converted test program is immediately ready for execution on Microtest testers.
- Kronos employs Artificial Intelligence algorithms to analyze the datasheet and suggest optimal test parameters.
Architecture and Structure of the Test Program
A test program generated with Kronos is organized in a modular and standardized way, ensuring clarity, simplified maintenance, and consistent quality. Each test is divided into Tasks and Setups, with clearly defined technical specifications.
- Tests are organized into Tasks, each representing a logical and functional block. These may include, for example, absolute rating tests, static and dynamic measurements, functional patterns, or validations on digital and analog interfaces.
- Each Task is further divided into Setups, which define individual tests and the specific measurements to be performed.
- This modular structure simplifies test management, enhances understanding, and supports long-term code maintenance.
Each Setup includes:
- Configuration instructions (e.g., setting voltage levels on a pin).
- Measurement parameters (acceptable minimum and maximum values).
- Execution conditions (timing sequences, temperature, etc.).
- Kronos automatically checks that all entered parameters are correct and consistent with the datasheet.
- Errors or inconsistencies are flagged by a proprietary validation system, significantly reducing debugging time.
Concrete Benefits of Kronos
Kronos transforms test program development by combining speed, simplicity, and precision. From cutting development time to ensuring guaranteed quality, every feature is designed to optimize the work of test engineers.
Up to 70% faster than traditional methods
Requires only minimal programming knowledge
Each test is clear, fully documented, and traceable
Test programs follow a uniform structure, reducing the risk of errors
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project, developing tests in parallel
Every modification is recorded, simplifying maintenance
Automation and Standardization
Kronos doesn’t just simplify the test program development process. It standardizes it. Every test follows precise rules, each Setup is fully documented, and every change is traceable, ensuring consistency and quality even in complex projects.
The test program is:
- Standardized: every test follows a uniform structure, making it easier to read and maintain.
- Traceable: every change is automatically recorded and documented.
- Platform-independent: test specifications are defined in a way that is agnostic to the tester (ATE).
By applying the Microtest method, Kronos ensures consistent test quality and simplifies management even in long-term projects.
Automatic documentation
Guaranteed traceability and quality
Kronos is a structured system that enables the generation of automatically documented and traceable Test Programs within a controlled workflow.
Competitive Advantages
Kronos: A Success Story
An established industrial company specializing in the design and production of electronic devices adopted Kronos to accelerate the development of their test programs.
Before Kronos, each new device required weeks of development, with test engineers manually writing code and performing extensive debugging.
With Kronos, their test programs are created in just a few days, achieving higher quality and full traceability.
Graphical Interface and Usability
The Kronos interface is designed to combine simplicity with operational power. Every function is accessible through a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that guides users in test configuration, minimizing the need for advanced programming skills.
- Intuitive UI: enables users to select signals, set measurement parameters, and define operating conditions with ease.
- Real-time validation: each parameter is checked instantly, helping to reduce errors.
- Clear visualization of tasks and setups: users can easily navigate between different tests.
Compatibility and Scalability
Test programs generated with Kronos are optimized for execution on Microtest platforms.
Kronos can be adapted to run on third-party testers through dedicated conversion modules.
Projects can be divided into tasks, enabling multiple users to work simultaneously and collaboratively.
Why Choose Kronos?
Kronos is a solution developed by Microtest using proprietary AI. It represents the cutting edge of automation and standardization in semiconductor test program development.
Unlike traditional solutions, Kronos doesn’t just simplify test configuration: it automates the entire process, eliminating the need for code writing and ensuring consistent quality.
Kronos AI platform is fully developed by Microtest and based on a standardized workflow that reduces test program development time by up to 70%.
While other solutions require programming skills or are restricted to specific platforms, Kronos delivers full automation and multi-platform support.
Test configuration is handled via GUI, with no need for programming. Even users without coding experience can create advanced test programs.
Suitable for both the creation of new test programs and the conversion and optimization of existing ones.
The test programs generated are fully integrated with Microtest tester architecture, ensuring consistency and seamless operation.
Kronos is the tangible result of Microtest’s know-how, a technology in constant evolution, designed to address the real-world needs of test engineers in the semiconductor industry.
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