AutoFixtureTester

Automatic Cable Tester System — firmware, hardware, and Windows UI for detecting open and short circuits in flat-flex and custom cable assemblies.

This project includes:

• Firmware for Arduino-based controllers (Signal Controller + Main Controller)
• Custom 4-layer PCB design
• C# Windows Forms UI for running tests and visualizing results

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System Images

Features

• Detects open circuits across specified pin ranges
• Detects short circuits between adjacent and non-adjacent pins
• Supports partial range testing (start pin → end pin)
• Real-time results displayed in UI with color-coded pins:
  • Green = pass
  • OrangeRed = open
  • Red = short
• Timestamped test logs
• Debug/diagnostic utilities for I²C comms and pin state checking

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System Overview

The tester is split into three main parts:

1. Signal Controller (Arduino)

   • Drives and clears test signals
   • Communicates over I²C
   • Handles RUN_OPEN_TEST and CLEAR_SIG_PINS commands

2. Main Controller (Arduino)

   • Coordinates tests with the Signal Controller
   • Parses commands from the PC UI over Serial
   • Runs open, short, or full test sequences
   • Returns structured results in CSV-like format:

     pin,5,passed
     pin,6,open
     pin,7,short,9
     done
     

3. Windows UI (C# WinForms)

   • Sends commands to the tester via Serial
   • Displays pin states in a visual grid of textboxes
   • Provides logs and pass/fail summaries
   • Allows running Open, Short, or Full Test

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Getting Started

Hardware Requirements

• Custom 4-layer AT-CTF-PCB-001 tester PCB
• Arduino-compatible controllers (I²C + Serial)
• DUT (Device Under Test) cable/fixture

Software Requirements

• Arduino IDE (for firmware)
• .NET Framework (WinForms UI)
• Visual Studio (for building UI)

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Usage

1. Connect Device

   • Attach the cable/fixture to the tester board
   • Connect the Main Controller via USB

2. Launch UI

   • Open the Windows application (AutoFixtureTester.exe)
   • Select COM port (defaults to first available)

3. Run Tests

   • Enter start and end pin range (1–50)
   • Choose:
     • Open Test
     • Short Test
     • Full Test (runs both sequentially)
   • Watch pins light up:
     • Gray = not in range
     • Green = passed
     • OrangeRed = open circuit
     • Red = short circuit

4. Review Logs

   • Results and errors are logged in the bottom panel
   • Failures are summarized in a popup

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UI Display:

• Pin 1 → ✅ Green
• Pin 2 → ✅ Green
• Pin 3 → ❌ OrangeRed (open)
• Pin 4 + Pin 7 → ❌ Red (short pair)

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Author

John Glatts
Design Engineer @ Z-Axis Connector Company

• PCB, firmware, and UI design
• Embedded systems + industrial automation enthusiast

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License

This project is released under the MIT License.
See LICENSE for details.