Teaching of `design for test´-mythconceptions

The influx of overseas semiconductor manufacturers into the UK has created a greater need for test engineers rather than digital circuit designers. If universities are to satisfy the needs of these industries, test engineering must be promoted as an essential engineering discipline. Consequently one must: a) dispel the myth that testing is the career move for failed designers; b) stress that design for testability is as much of a design issue as performance and functionality; c) emphasise that in order to make good use of advances in VLSI technology rapid progress in the development of new testing strategies is essential. To bring about the rapid progress that is required, test engineers must be innovative and skilled; in order to keep up with advances in technology, intensive training and continued self-education is required