Methods and apparatus for testing electronic devices

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for testing electronic devices, and more particularly, to electronic device testers that automatically change force conditions and measurement settings on the fly in the course of a test sequence, without system controller intervention. Apparatus for testing an electronic device under a plurality of test conditions created during a test sequence includes an arbitrary waveform generator that sequentially generates the plurality of test conditions. The test conditions include selectively forcing voltage or forcing current over a wide range of amplitudes, measuring a plurality of results with various resolutions and at selected times during the test sequence, changing filter settings, gains and other parameters. The test conditions are selected and set under the control of a system clock using data stored in memory. A controller initiates the test sequence of the apparatus and determines whether measured results are within predetermined specifications. The controller uses processor-driven software, but the settings of the test apparatus are changed at predetermined times during the test sequence, without controller intervention. Several test apparatus are typically managed by one controller. Performing test sequences without controller intervention reduces the time required for testing.