An optical data channel for ATE enhancement

Describes the development of an optical data channel for use in automatic test equipment (ATE). It is proposed that: (1) optical communication technology offers many advantages over conventional wired links for interequipment connection; (2) it is now both technically feasible and commercially viable to incorporate serial optical data channels within normal equipment, where use of fibre is not mandated by the circumstances; (3) in many applications a custom interconnection, offering reduced complexity and cost can be used with no loss of system compatibility. The benefits and technical features of optical communication systems are well documented. The paper does not dwell on those matters, but discusses a practical, commercial implementation. The paper discusses a large digital test peripheral which was designed to be driven by a now obsolete mini computer. It requires data transfer in addition to code conversion