Case Studies

End-of-Line Tester for a Wireless Lockbox Controller

End-of-Line Test for a Wireless Lockbox
Posted in Automotive, Embedded Development & Programming

Summary

Automated End-of-Line Tester

DMC developed an automated End-of-Line (EOL) tester to perform a series of In-Circuit Tests (ICT) of a custom-designed Wireless Lockbox Controller. The lockbox is targeting the Electric Vehicle (EV) market, therefore it is important to thoroughly test its electronics to validate each device and ensure its functionality under a variety of conditions.

Using a bed-of-nails (BON) test fixture, the EOL test programs, and the Device Under Test (DUT), verifies its operation, ensures all hardware and communication interfaces function correctly, and provisions the newly fabricated device into the management system.

Solution

End of line tester

The EOL tester is designed to verify the integrity and functionality of the Wireless Lockbox Controller before it leaves the production line. The system consists of a bed-of-nails (BON) test fixture that makes electrical contact with key test points on the DUT. Once the DUT is placed into the fixture, the test sequence begins at the push of a button. The test sequence is fully configurable and could include a number of steps, for example:

  • Initial Power Test – Ensures the DUT powers are on correctly before programming.
  • Program MCU – Flashing firmware and updating security parameters.
  • Full Power Test – Verifies power consumption under normal operation.
  • External Peripherals Test – Emulates internal/external sensor signals and performs actuators tests to ensure PCB functionality.
  • Provision DUT – Configures the DUT for deployment, applying final settings.

end of line testing

By implementing this automated EOL tester, our client significantly reduced the risk of shipping defective products while increasing production speed and efficiency. The system’s reliability and scalability ensure it remains a valuable asset as the company expands into a very competitive EV market.

Need an automated test solution for your production line? Contact DMC today to discuss your requirements!

Learn more about DMC’s EOL Testing systems or other embedded solutions and contact us for your next project.

EOL Testing

Customer Benefits

  • Automatic provisioning – The test system securely provisions the DUTs into the management system, reducing setup time and minimizing the potential for human error.
  • Increased Production Efficiency – The end of line automated testing process reduces manual labor, accelerating throughput on the production line. Improved Product Quality – Ensures 100% functional testing coverage, reducing field failures and warranty claims.
  • Cost Savings – Eliminates the need for extensive rework and debugging by catching defects early.
  • Adaptable Framework – The end of line test can accommodate new hardware and software updates without significant redesign.
  • Traceability & Data Logging – Captures detailed EOL test results for quality assurance and compliance tracking.

Technologies

  • Hardware: Custom bed-of-nails (BoN) test fixture
  • Software: Python-based test automation scripts, logging & reporting tools, batch scripting for firmware flashing and security parameter updates.