Navigating the New Frontier in Testing: Harnessing the Power of Data

Technology is generating vast, ever-expanding quantities of test and measurement data. Companies across the innovation spectrum—aerospace, electronics, defense, semiconductor, transportation, wireless, (and more)—can use that data in new and exciting ways; no longer just as a final quality check, but during concept and design through production and beyond. The challenge is how best to harness, manage, analyze, and apply that data across a product’s lifecycle.?

This month’s edition of The Edge is about the data conundrum: With so much great new data, how do we avoid drowning in it while using it in innovative ways to drive business performance? You’ll get insights on how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, use data to blur the lines between test and design. You’ll also learn some practical ways of keeping the flood of data complexity from overwhelming your testing organization and negatively affecting business results. Finally, don’t miss your chance to register for NI Connect, where you’ll discover how test is becoming a strategic differentiator for organizations.?

“It’s not just about the data. It's about understanding that unlocks decisions (which allow) you to optimize your product and business performance.”?

That’s just one of many key takeaways from the March 5, 2024, webinar, "Is Data Driving a New Age of Test and Measurement?" ??

The free, on-demand webinar features Charles Schroeder, business and technology fellow at NI. It explores the transformational role of data in shaping the future of “intelligent testing” and the challenges to getting there.?

Schroeder suggests that throughout the entire spectrum of innovative industries—from aerospace and defense to semiconductors and wireless—testing is rapidly evolving from a “final checkpoint” into a crucial, integral element of the entire product lifecycle.??

The challenge is creating systems that are “far more intelligent than they are today” by embracing emerging technologies to harness the increasingly vast amounts of engineering data and, in many cases, fundamentally change the nature of testing.??

Universal pain points?

Schroeder says, “across the board, engineers are struggling” with similar issues, whether they’re developing autonomous vehicles or working on sixth-generation fighter jets.?

• The “incredibly increasing complexity” of devices as multiple discrete functions are integrated in one device.?
• Many more product features are being implemented in software. And because software is so easy to change, devices can change behavior rapidly, which complicates ensuring quality and integrity.?
• Software is increasingly being implemented as embedded artificial intelligence, (which) creates its own set of testing challenges because “it’s behaviorally trained, not coded one line at a time, so it breaks the stimulus response models” that have long been part of test measurement.?
• So many of the affected products/industries directly impact health and safety.??

What needs to happen?

Schroeder believes one of the first priorities is for companies to “use the tools that we (already) have together in an intelligent way.” He also notes that most of the test industry is still PC-based, yet many emerging technologies are happening outside the world of the PC.??

He also believes helping engineers adapt these technologies can accelerate their productivity, innovation, and discovery as they work on the next generation of products.?

He says that it's not just the test system software that needs to be more intelligent. “It's the entire workflow of an engineer who is trying to get a product to market. Using this wealth of data in new ways will enable truly innovative design and testing solutions.”?

Omniverses and digital twins: The merging of test and design??

Schroeder notes that improving the connection between design and test for customers has been complicated by organizational barriers and differences in tool sets and workflows for design and testing.??

He cites a couple of reasons why the future holds hope for overcoming these obstacles. One is the U.S government’s movement toward requiring their contractors to use integrated model-based design and test.??

The other is the rise of embedded AI. Schroeder says, “This world of design and test gets really blurry when your design is trained on data.” When designs are trained rather than just programmed, “measurement data becomes far more critical than it ever has been in the past.”?

Get the full picture?

Don’t miss the engaging, 40-minute discussion to get all the valuable insights as you address the future of testing in your organization.??

Watch the webinar here

Embracing the New Realities of Testing: Strategies for Success?

A recent NI study revealed 75% of organizations struggle to meet key testing metrics, and testing leadership is looking for answers. The challenges posed by “test inflation” and the ongoing exponential expansion of test data require innovative yet practical integration and automation strategies that translate to bottom-line results.?

The new Perspectives article, "How to Combat Test Inflation & Optimize Performance" explores some of the reasons behind testing underperformance as well as proven, actionable optimization strategies.?

It’s no longer enough to simply navigate new complexities. With more than half of product organizations feeling like they are underperforming; we provide what you need to know about the state of play for test and what it means for your business. ?

Read the full article ??

Unlock Your Competitive Advantage at NI Connect 2024?

Join us at NI Connect Austin 2024, May 20–22, for the opportunity to explore breakthrough test technologies. Tailored to the test professional, NI Connect is your opportunity to hear from industry peers and NI experts, as they share how a software-connected approach to test can help ensure new technologies deliver the highest levels of safety, reliability, and functionality, while also meeting demand faster than ever. Join us for sessions and keynotes on product announcements and advancements, get the latest on AI for test, and so much more. Beyond tech insights, don’t miss the chance to network with industry leaders and draw inspiration from success stories from your peers. Plus, experience Austin's vibrant culture and cuisine! Register for NI Connect 2024 today!?