Abstract: A method of transferring disk drives within a disk drive testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to retrieve multiple disk drives presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver each retrieved disk drive to a respective test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert each disk drive in the respective test slot.

Abstract: A method of supplying storage devices to a storage device testing system includes placing a storage device tote, carrying multiple storage devices, in a presentation position accessible to an automated transporter of the storage device testing system. The method includes actuating the automated transporter to retrieve one of the storage devices from the storage device tote, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver the retrieved storage device to a test slot of the storage device testing system and insert the storage device in the test slot.

Abstract: A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to retrieve multiple storage devices presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver each retrieved storage device to a respective test slot of the storage device testing system and insert each storage device in the respective test slot.

Abstract: An automatic test system that can be configured to perform any of a number of test processes. The test system contains multiple functional modules that are interconnected by a network. By using software to configure data flow between functional modules, combinations of modules can be made, thereby creating virtual instruments. As test requirements change, the test system can be reconfigured to contain other virtual instruments, eliminating or reducing the need to add instruments to meet changing test requirements. To ensure adequate performance of the test system, a proposed configuration may be simulated, and if a virtual instrument does not provide a required level of performance, the test system may be reconfigured.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a test slot in a disk drive testing system includes regulating temperature changes of a subject test slot based on one or more operating conditions of one or more other test slots neighboring the subject test slot.

Abstract: A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to substantially simultaneously retrieve multiple storage devices presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to substantially simultaneously deliver each retrieved storage device to a respective test slot of the storage device testing system and substantially simultaneously insert each storage device in the respective test slot.

Abstract: A method of supplying disk drives to a disk drive testing system includes placing a disk drive tote, carrying multiple disk drives, in a presentation position accessible to an automated transporter of the disk drive testing system. The method includes actuating the automated transporter to retrieve one of the disk drives from the disk drive tote, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver the retrieved disk drive to a test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert the disk drive in the test slot.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a subject test slot in a cluster of test slots includes evaluating a request for a temperature change for the subject test slot to determine if sufficient power is available to achieve the requested temperature change, and inhibiting the requested temperature change unless or until sufficient power is determined to be available to achieve the requested temperature change.

Abstract: A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to substantially simultaneously retrieve multiple storage devices presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to substantially simultaneously deliver each retrieved storage device to a respective test slot of the storage device testing system and substantially simultaneously insert each storage device in the respective test slot.

Abstract: A method of transferring disk drives within a disk drive testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to retrieve multiple disk drives presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver each retrieved disk drive to a respective test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert each disk drive in the respective test slot.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a subject test slot in a cluster of test slots includes evaluating a request for a temperature change for the subject test slot to determine if sufficient power is available to achieve the requested temperature change, and inhibiting the requested temperature change unless or until sufficient power is determined to be available to achieve the requested temperature change.

Abstract: A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to substantially simultaneously retrieve multiple storage devices presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to substantially simultaneously deliver each retrieved storage device to a respective test slot of the storage device testing system and substantially simultaneously insert each storage device in the respective test slot.

Abstract: A method of supplying disk drives to a disk drive testing system includes placing a disk drive tote, carrying multiple disk drives, in a presentation position accessible to an automated transporter of the disk drive testing system. The method includes actuating the automated transporter to retrieve one of the disk drives from the disk drive tote, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver the retrieved disk drive to a test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert the disk drive in the test slot.

Abstract: A method of transferring disk drives within a disk drive testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to retrieve multiple disk drives presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver each retrieved disk drive to a respective test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert each disk drive in the respective test slot.

Abstract: A disk drive testing system includes at least one robotic arm defining a first axis substantially normal to a floor surface. The robotic arm is operable to rotate through a predetermined arc about and extend radially from the first axis. Multiple racks are arranged around the robotic arm for servicing by the robotic arm. Each rack houses multiple test slots that are each configured to receive a disk drive transporter configured to carry a disk drive for testing.

Abstract: A disk drive testing system includes at least one robotic arm defining a first axis substantially normal to a floor surface. The robotic arm is operable to rotate through a predetermined arc about and extend radially from the first axis. Multiple racks are arranged around the robotic arm for servicing by the robotic arm. Each rack houses multiple test slots that are each configured to receive a disk drive transporter configured to carry a disk drive for testing. A transfer station is arranged for servicing by the robotic arm. The transfer station includes multiple tote receptacles that are each configured to receive a disk drive tote.

Abstract: An automatic test system that can be configured to perform any of a number of test processes. The test system contains multiple functional modules that are interconnected by a network. By using software to configure data flow between functional modules, combinations of modules can be made, thereby creating virtual instruments. As test requirements change, the test system can be reconfigured to contain other virtual instruments, eliminating or reducing the need to add instruments to meet changing test requirements. To ensure adequate performance of the test system, a proposed configuration may be simulated, and if a virtual instrument does not provide a required level of performance, the test system may be reconfigured.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus for testing equipment for serial busses employs a generic bus model that breaks down a serial bus into separate layers that are managed by separate processors. The processors have parameters that can be programmed for communicating via one type of serial bus, or can be reprogrammed for communicating via another type of serial bus.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus for testing equipment for serial busses employs a generic bus model that breaks down a serial bus into separate layers that are managed by separate processors. The processors have parameters that can be programmed for communicating via one type of serial bus, or can be reprogrammed for communicating via another type of serial bus.

Abstract: A bus extender for extending synchronous busses of limited length provides convenient access to bus cards in ATE systems. The bus extender plugs into a synchronous bus, for example, a PCI bus, and a cable carries bus signals to a remote location, where a remote card is engaged. The bus extender supports both initiator (master) and target (slave) modes of the remote card, and communicates with the remote card in the native protocol of the bus. The bus extender operates without requiring separate control from the bus. For example, the bus extender does not require its own device driver. The bus extender includes a bus snooper circuit that monitors bus transactions with the remote card and stores configuration data. The bus snooper circuit responds locally on behalf of the remote card to bus requests that require rapid responses. The bus extender further includes a state machine that copies the stored configuration data to the remote card to reset the remote card without requiring a reset of the bus.