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The EFT Module for TestStand is a commercially available architecture and suite of tools for NI TestStand that dramatically reduces test development time and maintenance.

Introduction

As a principal test engineer at BLOOMY^®, one of my roles is to anticipate our customers’ test requirements so that we can evolve our automated test solutions to meet their current and future needs. A common request I receive is the ability for the user to interactively select which tests to run from a menu of tests on the user interface, prior to test sequence execution.

What NI software licenses and subscriptions are available and/or required for Bloomy’s integrated test systems?

As NI has officially rolled out a new software licensing model in 2022, this is to inform our customers of the choices available when sourcing systems from Bloomy containing NI software.

New feature of Bloomy's EFT Module for TestStand improves data recovery in the event of a crash

Bloomy recently added a new feature to the database logging function of the 2019 EFT Module for TestStand, versions 2019 and later. This new feature allows real time, also known as on-the-fly (OTF), data logging to a datab

Robust, high-speed MIL-STD-1553B communications using NI VeriStand and Alta interface hardware

The Bloomy Custom Device for Alta 1553 interface hardware is the only high-speed, robust MIL-STD-1553B solution available for NI VeriStand on the market today. Since its deployment over six years ago, multinational airframers have relied upon this custom device in their systems integration labs (SILs) for high-fidelity validation testing of line replaceable units (LRUs), avionics and systems.

2021 Highlights

• Renovations and move-in to expansive new 30,000 ft2 headquarters
• Final delivery of 10 HIL Simulation Systems for unmanned undersea vehicle program
• Ramped production test throughput of robotics systems for modernizing the global supply chain
• Tested and then scaled-up test capacity for new hypersonic missile defense technology
• Resisted climate change through the delivery of multiple battery electronic test systems and heavy investment in new battery test and simulation technology
• Launched the Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) Technology Evolution Center with NI
• Navigated supply chain issues, promoted health and safety in order to avoid COVID-19 issues

A Test Engineer's Perspective

During a recent social media post, a reader inquired: "I am interested in your thoughts on MOSFETs (or IGBTs) vs. Contactors in a BMS."

MIL-STD-1553B is a low-speed avionics data protocol frequently used in aircraft for communication between different line-replaceable units (LRUs). Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulators and systems integration labs (SILs) frequently simulate MIL-STD-1553B networks using devices such as Bloomy's 1553B C Series module. This article presents a high-level overview of MIL-STD-1553B communications and implementation.

To celebrate the release of the newest EFT Module for TestStand version, which adds native support for LabVIEW and TestStand 2019, we wanted to share with you some very useful features that you might not be aware of.

LabVIEW Real-Time driver for Bloomy’s MIL-STD-1553B Avionics Bus Communications C-Series Module dramatically simplifies development and improves performance.

Programming Bloomy’s 1553B C-Series Module may now be performed using LabVIEW Real-Time, without the need for complex FPGA software development. While the FPGA remains an available resource, the new driver largely eliminates its use for most common automated test applications. The new Real-Time driver is much more intuitive, functional, as well as higher performing. New capabilities include: