Test Plan Generation

Circuit-synth now includes a specialized Test Plan Creation Agent that helps generate comprehensive test procedures for your circuit designs. This ensures thorough validation before manufacturing.

Overview

The test-plan-creator agent analyzes your circuit design and generates:

  • Functional test procedures

  • Performance validation tests

  • Safety compliance testing

  • Manufacturing test procedures

  • Equipment recommendations

  • Pass/fail criteria

Quick Start

Using with Claude Code

# Generate a test plan for your circuit
Task(subagent_type="test-plan-creator", description="Generate test plan", prompt="Create a comprehensive test plan for my ESP32 development board circuit")

Using CLI Commands

# Generate a basic test plan
create-test-plan my_circuit.py

# Include performance and safety tests
create-test-plan ESP32_board.py --include-performance --include-safety

# Export to JSON format
create-test-plan circuit.py --format json --output test_plan.json

# Generate manufacturing tests
generate-manufacturing-tests board.py --ict --boundary-scan

Test Plan Categories

1. Functional Testing

  • Power-on sequence verification

  • Reset and initialization testing

  • GPIO functionality validation

  • Communication protocol testing

  • Basic operation verification

2. Performance Testing

  • Power consumption measurement

  • Frequency response characterization

  • Timing analysis

  • Load regulation testing

  • Temperature coefficient testing

3. Safety and Compliance

  • ESD protection verification

  • Overvoltage/overcurrent protection testing

  • Thermal shutdown validation

  • EMI/EMC pre-compliance

  • Isolation barrier testing

4. Manufacturing Testing

  • In-circuit testing (ICT) procedures

  • Boundary scan/JTAG testing

  • Functional test procedures

  • Burn-in test specifications

  • Visual inspection checklists

Example Usage

Basic Test Plan Generation

from circuit_synth import Component, Circuit, Net

@circuit(name="USB_Power_Supply")
def create_power_supply():
    """5V USB power supply with protection"""
    # ... circuit implementation ...
    pass

# Generate test plan using the agent
prompt = """
Analyze the USB_Power_Supply circuit and generate:
1. Functional tests for power delivery
2. Protection circuit validation
3. Manufacturing test procedures
"""

# Use with Claude Code:
# Task(subagent_type="test-plan-creator", prompt=prompt)

Advanced Manufacturing Tests

# Generate comprehensive manufacturing tests
generate-manufacturing-tests complex_board.py --ict --boundary-scan --fixture

# This generates:
# - ICT test point mapping
# - Boundary scan chain configuration
# - Test fixture specifications
# - Programming procedures

Output Formats

Markdown (Default)

Human-readable test procedures with:

  • Clear section headers

  • Step-by-step instructions

  • Tables for specifications

  • Checklists for validation

JSON

Structured data format for:

  • Test automation integration

  • Database storage

  • API consumption

  • Programmatic processing

CSV

Spreadsheet format for:

  • Test parameter matrices

  • Measurement limits

  • Results recording

  • Excel compatibility

Checklist

Simple format for:

  • Quick reference

  • Pass/fail marking

  • Production floor use

  • Printable forms

Test Equipment Recommendations

The agent provides equipment specifications based on your circuit:

  • Voltage Measurements: DMM accuracy requirements

  • Frequency Analysis: Oscilloscope bandwidth needs

  • Current Testing: Shunt/probe specifications

  • Safety Testing: ESD gun, hi-pot tester requirements

Integration with Circuit-Synth Workflow

  1. Design Phase: Create your circuit in Python

  2. Validation Phase: Generate test plan with the agent

  3. Simulation Phase: Use simulation-expert agent to validate

  4. Manufacturing Phase: Generate production tests

  5. Documentation Phase: Export test procedures

Best Practices

  1. Generate Early: Create test plans during design phase

  2. Include All Categories: Don’t skip safety or manufacturing tests

  3. Define Clear Criteria: Specify exact pass/fail thresholds

  4. Consider Production: Design for testability from the start

  5. Update Regularly: Revise test plans as design evolves

Troubleshooting

No Test Points Identified

  • Ensure nets are properly named in your circuit

  • Add test point components explicitly

  • Use descriptive net names (VCC, GND, SIGNAL_OUT)

Missing Equipment Specs

  • Provide voltage/current ranges in circuit

  • Specify frequency requirements

  • Include component tolerances

Incomplete Procedures

  • Add more circuit documentation

  • Include component specifications

  • Provide functional descriptions

API Reference

Agent Tools

# Analyze circuit for test points
analyze_circuit(circuit_file, analysis_type="test_points")

# Generate specific test procedure
generate_test_procedure(test_type="functional", circuit_info={})

# Get equipment recommendations
recommend_equipment(measurement_type="voltage", specifications={})

# Create validation checklist
create_validation_checklist(circuit_type="power", requirements=[])

# Export test plan
export_test_plan(format="markdown", test_procedures=[])

CLI Commands

# Main test plan command
create-test-plan [OPTIONS] [CIRCUIT_FILE]
  --include-performance
  --include-safety
  --format [markdown|json|csv|checklist]
  --output PATH

# Manufacturing test command  
generate-manufacturing-tests [OPTIONS] [CIRCUIT_FILE]
  --ict
  --boundary-scan
  --fixture

Contributing

To improve the test plan agent:

  1. Add new test categories in test_plan_agent.py

  2. Extend equipment database

  3. Add industry-specific test templates

  4. Improve circuit analysis algorithms

See the Contributor Guide for details.