DFT – Design for Testability is an engineering approach that consists of designing a product from the start to facilitate its testing during the validation, production, and maintenance stages.
The goal of DFT is to reduce test time, increase coverage, facilitate fault diagnosis, and decrease the total cost of quality. In production environments, DFT is essential to ensure that the product is easy to test, validate, and reliably release.
Designing to be tested is as important as designing to function.
🧩 Practical examples of DFT application
| Good DFT Practice | Direct Benefit in Testing |
|---|---|
| Insert accessible test points | Facilitates measurement of signals, voltages, and current |
| Use digital identifiers | Allows automatic recognition of the DUT in the test software |
| Include status LEDs | Helps operator and system quickly visualize the DUT status |
| Standardize connectors | Facilitates interface with jig, reduces risk of incorrect connection |
| Integrate EEPROM or QR Code | Stores serial number, firmware, calibration, history |
| Decouple functional blocks | Allows isolation of faults and testing of separate sections |
⚙️ Benefits of DFT
- Reduction in test cycle time
- Greater functional and electrical test coverage
- Ease of integration with automatic systems and jigs
- Less need for operator intervention
- Faster fault diagnosis (MTTR lower)
- Lower rework cost and reduced risk of improper release
🔧 How AJOLLY Testing applies DFT in its projects
AJOLLY Testing works side by side with product engineers to apply the DFT concept from the first schematics to industrialization.
🛠️ Technical project analysis
- Layout review for signal and power accessibility
- Suggestion of changes to facilitate switching and simulation of peripherals
- Identification of critical components for monitoring during testing
🧪 Integration with test benches and jigs
- Definition of test pins compatible with PXI systems, relays, switches
- Creation of interfaces compatible with TestStand, LabVIEW, C#, Arduino, etc.
- Automatic validation of presence, firmware, revision, serial, and DUT status
📈 Support for NPI and production
- Continuous feedback between testing and design
- Reduction of issues in pilot and mass production
- Facilitates corrective actions and CAPA based on traceable data
With AJOLLY Testing, DFT becomes a strategic tool for quality and productivity, ensuring that each product is easily testable and reliable from the start.