JavaScript tool automates instrumentation for embedded system development

London embedded systems design and test house Bermondsey Electronics has launched what it describes as an “integration verification engine” that automates the operation of networkable instrumentation to exercise a device-under-test (DUT) and verify that its hardware and software are functioning together as intended.

Bermondsey-Electronics-Believe-block-diagram

Called Believe, and based on JavaScript, it “can also be used for continuous integration and end-of-line quality assurance in manufacturing,” according to the company. “During product development, Believe can be used to inject faults and mimic events or conditions that
would otherwise be hard to replicate.”

It can also automatically generate reports and can run tests outside office hours.

“Believe is all about providing confidence in a design and going to market with verified products,” said Bermondsey MD Peter Wrigley, adding that he believes it to be a new kind of embedded system development tool, that adds real hardware into the test-driven development methodology familiar to software engineers, and allows the creation of a simulated environment in which the tested device can operate.

The tool runs scripts that controls networked instruments such as bench PSUs, oscilloscopes, data loggers and multimeters, changing, for example, input power, analogue inputs and digital inputs, while recording outputs. User interactions, such as keypad button pushes and switch throws, can be simulated which is what allows it to run unattended.

“Believe was born of necessity,” said Wrigley. “We needed a capable integration verification engine to support our own design and test services. When we presented it at UKEmbedded in May, the audience reaction was staggering. In just over four months we have commercialised it.”

There are two versions:

Believe -DV for design and verification work, supplied with editable interface libraries allowing engineers to write their own tests. Enabled user interfaces include ‘test
manager’, ‘project manager’, ‘test editor’ and a command line interface
Believe-QA is for manufacturing, or as part of a continuous integration tool chain. It runs on the PC’s command line

Both come with a getting-started guide, and come with various licence caveats and charges.

Full function 30-day-limited evaluation versions can be downloaded from the company website.