8 AUTOMATED TEST EQUIPMENT www.inteprosystems.com Issue 2 2025 Power Electronics Europe www.power-mag.com Rethinking the DIY Approach to Automated Test Equipment Design Developing in-house Automated Test Equipment (ATE) is costly and complex, diverting resources from core innovation. To address this, many companies outsource some or all ATE system design and development to third-party specialists. In an industrial setting, developing Automated Test Equipment (ATE) in-house is often approached as a DIY (Do-ItYourself) project involving the ambitious task of constructing a critical support system using internal engineering resources. Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems serve the critical purpose of ensuring that electronic devices operate according to specifications in the field. The aerospace and defense sectors make substantial investments in ATE due to the criticality of lifesaving electronics utilized in military equipment such as aircraft, naval vessels, and ground vehicles, as well as in various systems like weapons, radar, and wireless communication. Automated Test Systems (ATS) are widely utilized for testing automotive electronics, batteries, and electronic drive systems in the EV market. ATEs are also used to optimize the performance of telecom infrastructure, analyze and improve the efficiency of renewable energy systems, and validate consumer electronics. However, a common misconception is that designing and building ATE systems is a straightforward process, one that merely requires identifying test requirements and assembling the necessary components. In reality, effective test system development demands expertise in test system architecture, component selection, software integration, and regulatory compliance, making in-house development a significant challenge for most organizations. While some enterprises attempt to develop ATE systems in-house, the complexity and cost often outweigh the benefits, diverting focus from core technological advancements. For some companies there can be advantages to turning to specialized providers that can provide all, or parts, of ATE systems. “Many companies are reevaluating inhouse design strategies and choosing to outsource all or significant portions of their automated test systems to specialized providers,” says Andrew Engler of Intepro Systems, a leading supplier of high-power electronic testing Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems serve the critical purpose of ensuring that electronic devices operate according to specifications in the field.
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