Compact PCB tester

CompactDAQ-based platform · Portable test setup · Quick fault diagnosis · Base-level maintenance support · Scalable deployment · Reliable testing performance

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Product overview

What is compact PCB tester?

The Compact PCB Tester is designed to support base-level PCB testing and diagnostics. Developed to address maintenance challenges, the system enables quick fault identification without requiring routing faulty PCBs to distant testing facilities.

Built on NI’s CompactDAQ platform, the solution provides reliable testing performance while supporting deployment across multiple maintenance locations.

Product Specifications

  • NI CompactDAQ core platform
  • Portable, field-ready design
  • Passive component validation
  • Voltage line checking
  • Base-level (I-level) testing
  • PCB fault diagnosis
  • Maintenance support tooling
  • Scalable deployment across multiple sites
  • Hanger/bay-level testing
  • Preliminary diagnostics

Product features

Robust CompactDAQ-based test setup

Reliable and portable testing platform for PCB diagnostics.

Passive component validation

Supports validation of passive components for fault identification.

Basic voltage line checking

Enables voltage line verification during testing.

Hanger/base level testing

Supports quick diagnostics at production and maintenance sites.

Scalable deployment

Enables large-scale installation of similar systems.

Portable design

Supports testing closer to the maintenance location.

What the Compact PCB Tester Can Do

Platform Capabilities

Testing Capabilities

NI CompactDAQ-based system — the core hardware platform behind every unit

PCB fault diagnosis — identifying the root cause of a board failure

Portable test setup — built to move to the equipment, not the other way around

Preliminary testing — first-pass checks before a full diagnostic cycle

Passive component validation — catching faults in passive components directly

Maintenance-level testing — I-level diagnostics performed at the point of maintenance

Basic voltage line checking — verifying voltage lines as a standard diagnostic step

Production-site diagnostics — testing carried out directly on the production floor

Base-level maintenance testing — designed for on-site use, not lab-only conditions

Hanger/bay-level testing — fast diagnostics at hangar and bay maintenance points

Why this product matters

Industry challenges

Maintenance and repair teams working with mission-critical platforms often have to route every faulty PCB to a distant, fully-equipped test facility to get a diagnosis — regardless of how simple the underlying fault actually is. That routing adds real cost and extends downtime on equipment that can’t afford to sit idle.

OUR SOLUTION:

We engineered the Compact PCB Tester to close that gap. It brings quick, reliable I-level testing directly to the base — passive component validation and basic voltage line checking that catch the simpler faults on-site, so only the cases that genuinely need full diagnostic facilities ever have to travel there.

Benefits

Benefits of compact PCB tester

A portable, scalable, and cost-effective solution that brings PCB fault diagnosis closer to the maintenance team — reducing downtime and logistics overhead.

Applications areas

PCB fault diagnosis

Base-level maintenance

Passive component validation

Voltage line checking

Production site diagnostics

Hanger/bay level testing

Technologies used

NI CompactDAQ-based system

CompactDAQ test platform

PCB testing technologies

Maintenance-level testing platform

Portable Precision System for PCB Fault Detection Solutions

The Compact PCB Tester is a mobile, robust, and easy-to-use diagnostic system designed for preliminary PCB testing at hangar and bay level. It enables engineers and technicians to perform fast Go/No-Go testing for multiple PCB variants without relying on large, high-cost ATE labs. Built on National Instruments’ CompactDAQ platform, the system is scalable, reliable, and provides accurate results while reducing time and operational costs.

Traditional PCB testing faces several limitations that impact efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Conventional testers are expensive and require dedicated ATE labs, increasing operational overhead and dependency on specialized infrastructure. They often lack flexibility, making it difficult to test multiple PCB variants on the same platform. Setup and diagnostic procedures are time-consuming, reducing throughput and slowing production. Additionally, these testers are bulky and non-portable, making hangar- or bay-level testing challenging, limiting on-site troubleshooting, and delaying maintenance or validation tasks for critical electronic modules.

The TMCS Compact PCB Tester delivers reliable, high-performance diagnostics with a flexible, scalable architecture. Built on NI CompactDAQ hardware and LabVIEW/TestStand software, it provides a COTS-based platform for accurate and repeatable testing across multiple PCB variants. Its mobile and portable design enables convenient deployment at hangar or bay-level locations, reducing dependency on dedicated ATE labs. The scalable system architecture supports expansion for large-scale installations, ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and future-ready PCB testing for industrial and aerospace applications.

The TMCS Compact PCB Tester stands out with a portable and rugged design, allowing field-level deployment in hangars, bays, or maintenance areas. It supports quick Go/No-Go testing for multiple PCB variants, streamlining diagnostics and improving throughput. Software-guided test sequences built on NI LabVIEW and TestStand ensure ease of use and consistent results. The scalable architecture enables large-scale deployment across multiple bays while reducing reliance on expensive dedicated ATE labs, making it a cost-effective and efficient solution for industrial and aerospace PCB testing.

The TMCS Compact PCB Tester is ideal for a variety of industrial and aerospace applications. It enables fast and accurate PCB fault diagnostics at hangar and bay-level locations, providing on-site troubleshooting and maintenance capabilities. The system supports quick Go/No-Go testing across multiple PCB variants, making it suitable for preliminary validation before advanced modular ATE deployment. Its portable design allows field-level testing directly on production lines, maintenance bays, or repair stations, reducing downtime and eliminating dependency on dedicated ATE labs while ensuring reliable and repeatable diagnostics.

Challenges with Traditional PCB Testing

  • High cost and dependency on dedicated ATE labs
  • Limited flexibility for testing multiple PCB variants
  • Time-consuming setup and diagnostic procedures
  • Need for portable systems for hangar or bay-level testing

TMCS Compact PCB Tester - Efficient and Scalable

  • CompactDAQ-Based Test Setup – Reliable, COTS-based platform for consistent PCB diagnostics
  • Mobile and Portable Design – Enables easy deployment at hangar or bay level
  • Scalable Architecture – Supports multiple PCB variants and enables large-scale installations

CompactDAQ Hardware Platform Powered by NI CompactDAQ modules, the system provides:

Fast and precise signal measurement

Seamless integration with LabVIEW-based software

Long-term maintainability and easy component replacement

What Makes Our Compact PCB Tester Unique

  • Portable and robust design for field use
  • Quick Go/No-Go testing for multiple PCB variants
  • Software-guided test sequences for ease of use
  • Enables large-scale deployment across multiple bays
  • Reduces dependency on expensive dedicated ATE labs

Explore TMCS solutions

Automated test equipment (ATE)

End-of-line (EOL) test systems

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)

High-speed data acquisition (DAQ)

Indigenized defence equipment

Panel engineering services

Resource deployment

Software development

Training services

Why Choose TMCS Compact PCB Tester

NI CompactDAQ-Based Platform

Built on a proven, reliable core hardware platform designed for portable diagnostics.

Faster Turnaround on Simple Faults

Identifies straightforward issues on-site, cutting the downtime that comes from routing every fault to a centralized facility.

True Portability

Brings testing to the equipment’s location, eliminating the need to transport faulty boards to a distant facility.

Scalable, Repeatable Deployment

One standardized unit that can be installed across multiple sites without custom re-engineering.

I-Level Fault Diagnosis

Purpose-built for base-level testing, including passive component validation and voltage line checking.

Cost-Efficient Maintenance

Reduces logistics overhead and maintenance cost by handling simpler diagnostics closer to the point of need.

Where It Can Be Used

  • PCB fault diagnostics at hangar and bay level
  • Go/No-Go testing for multiple PCB variants
  • Preliminary testing before advanced Modular ATE
  • Field-deployable PCB testing for maintenance and production lines

Applications

Our Key Products

Fly By Wire Ground Tester

Modular Automated Test
Equipment

Related Services & Products

TMCS develops specialized testing, validation, and automation solutions for aerospace, defence, industrial, and manufacturing applications.

Ready to explore the compact PCB tester?

Learn how TMCS can help accelerate PCB fault diagnosis and maintenance activities with a portable and reliable testing platform.

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