A generic platform for automatic test equipment maintenance training

A training platform was developed to provide an alternative to existing training methods for automatic test equipment technicians. The solution offers a flexibility in training not afforded by using the automatic test equipment hardware and software. Central to this approach is the concept of an Operational Data Database (ODD). The ODD starts in the form of an ASCII text file that can be edited by standard test editors operating in an ASCII mode. The ODD can contain ATLAS source statements, supplemental information generated by the system software, or instructional commands which facilitate the simulation of hardware faults. The text version of the ODD is transformed to a dBase (Ashton-Tate) compatible file which the simulation software reads to provide the correct observables to the student. A maintenance program allows the student to perform maintenance actions to fix the simulated faults.