Testing front end module, testing methods and modular testing systems for testing electronic equipment

A testing front end module for testing a plurality of devices under test (DUT), the testing front end module comprising:

• at least two testing signal interfaces for coupling different backend controllers to the testing front end module;
• a vector signal generator (VSG) coupled to the testing signal interface and configured to generate testing signals upon reception of testing routine signals from a remote controller via the testing signal interface;
• a vector signal analyser (VSA) coupled to the testing signal interface and configured to receive testing response signals from a plurality of DUTs and to transmit the received testing response signals to the remote controller via the testing signal interface;
• and
• a buffering module coupled to the at least two testing signal interfaces and configured to receive first and second testing routine signals from a first and second backend controller, respectively, to prioritize one of the first and second testing routine signals according to predefined priority criteria and to transmit the prioritized one of the first and second testing routine signals to the VSG for generating testing signals for the plurality of DUTs on the basis of the prioritized one of the first and second testing routine signals.

A testing system for testing a plurality of devices under test (DUT), the testing system comprising:

• at least two backend controllers;
• and
• a testing front end module, the testing front end module comprising:
• at least two testing signal interfaces;
• a vector signal generator (VSG) coupled to the testing signal interface and configured to generate testing signals upon reception of testing routine signals from a remote controller via the testing signal interface;
• a vector signal analyser (VSA) coupled to the testing signal interface and configured to receive testing response signals from a plurality of DUTs and to transmit the received testing response signals to the remote controller via the testing signal interface;
• and
• a buffering module coupled to the at least two testing signal interfaces and configured to receive first and second testing routine signals from a first and second backend controller, respectively, to prioritize one of the first and second testing routine signals according to predefined priority criteria and to transmit the prioritized one of the first and second testing routine signals to the VSG for generating testing signals for the plurality of DUTs on the basis of the prioritized one of the first and second testing routine signals,
• wherein the backend controllers are coupled to respective ones of the at least two testing signal interfaces.