AUTOMATIC TESTING OF INSTRUMENTATION MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDER/REPRODUCERS

Abstract

Over the past few years, small desktop computers have been used more and more to control test equipment in various instrumentation evaluation applications. Computer control not only greatly reduces test time, but provides more consistent results by eliminating variations in individual test techniques. This paper describes a computerized system at the Western Space and Missile Center (WSMC), Vandenberg AFB, CA designed to automatically conduct IRIG compatible tests of instrumentation magnetic tape recorder/reproducers, analyze and print out the results. The system features remote or manual control of the various recorder types. Tests include harmonic distortion, frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, flutter, time base error, interchannel time displacement error, intermodulation distortion, crosstalk and slot noise. The first six tests can be run individually or as a complete set designated as a “System” test.