“From Days to Minutes”
Used across rail, aerospace, defence, automotive, energy and semiconductor manufacturing, BoardMaster is ABI’s integrated solution for component and board-level PCB diagnostics. It combines Power OFF analysis with Power ON functional testing to help maintenance teams isolate faults, reduce troubleshooting time and support both new and legacy electronic assets.
BoardMaster brings together more than 25 analogue and digital test techniques, including 2D and 3D V-I analysis (curve tracing), in-circuit functional testing, live board comparison, IC identification and short location. Integrated bench instruments and SYSTEM 8 Ultimate software allow teams to automate procedures, capture results and retain diagnostic knowledge in one configurable platform.
BoardMaster Users Report...
Take a Deeper Look...
Click on the modules below to discover more.
Advanced Matrix Scanner
The Advanced Matrix Scanner (AMS) is a 64-channel Power OFF V-I signature analysis module for testing unpowered PCBs and components. It supports 2D V-I, frequency-swept 3D V-I, Matrix V-I and dynamic V-T testing/curve tracing, with live comparison against a known-good board or stored reference data. Expandable to 256 channels, the AMS helps reveal shorts, leakage, component degradation and other electrical differences across high-pin-count devices and complete circuit boards.
Multiple Instrument Station
The Multiple Instrument Station 4 (MIS4) is BoardMaster’s integrated test and measurement module for PCB diagnostics and general electronic testing. It combines a three-channel digital oscilloscope, dual-channel arbitrary waveform generator, universal frequency counter, eight-channel programmable I/O, isolated ammeter and voltmeter, ohmmeter and four-channel auxiliary power supply. Through SYSTEM 8 Ultimate and TestFlow, engineers can automate instrument settings, compare measurements, log results and build repeatable diagnostic procedures.
Programmable Power Supply
The Programmable Power Supply (PPS) is BoardMaster’s three-channel, 120 W isolated DC power module for controlled Power ON testing of components, PCBs and electronic assemblies. Each independently controlled channel provides up to 40 V, 8 A and 40 W, with grouping for bipolar voltage tracking, power sequencing, series operation up to 120 V or parallel operation up to 24 A. Programmable protection, measurement, Pass/Fail comparison and TestFlow integration are available as standard.
Analogue IC Tester
The Analogue IC Tester (AICT) is BoardMaster’s 24-channel module for Power ON functional testing of analogue ICs and discrete components in-circuit, supported by Power-OFF curve tracing analysis. It tests devices in their installed configuration, including op-amps, comparators, optocouplers and transistors, and provides clear Pass/Fail results.
Board Fault Locator
The Board Fault Locator (BFL) is a 64-channel module for Power-ON functional testing and Power-OFF V-I analysis of digital ICs, both in and out of circuit. Its device library covers most common digital ICs, while the Graphical Test Generator supports custom logic tests. Digital IC identification, EPROM verification, short location and TestFlow automation extend diagnosis beyond functional testing. Expandable to 256 channels, the BFL also supports live comparison between known-good and suspect circuit boards.
Adavanced Test Module
The Advanced Test Module (ATM) provides Power ON and Power OFF testing for digital ICs, in or out of circuit, and complete PCB assemblies. It supports TTL, CMOS, LVTTL, ECL, DTL, LSI, RTL, PECL and LVPECL device families. Library-driven functional, connection, voltage, thermal and V-I tests provide comprehensive fault coverage, while up to 256 channels support complex board-level applications.
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Standardise Troubleshooting with TestFlow
TestFlow guides operators through step-by-step procedures for root-cause analysis and predictive maintenance. It captures test results, instrument settings and media-rich instructions in a repeatable workflow that can be shared across teams. Reports are generated automatically to support traceability and compliance.
Automate Test Recording
Share Procedures Anywhere
Transfer Expert Knowledge
Repeatable Guided Testing
Windows Based Program
Free Lifetime Updates
Highly Customisable
Key Features
- 2D & 3D V-I Analysis
- Digital IC Testing
- Analogue IC Testing
- Graphical Test Generation
- Automated Fault Location
- Live Comparison
- Short Locator
- EPROM Verification
- Integrated Instruments
- Data Logging & Reporting
- Multi-Point Matrix Testing
- Much more
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FAQs
What PCB diagnostic equipment should an industrial maintenance workshop evaluate?
For workshops repairing industrial circuit boards, ABI Electronics’ BoardMaster should be evaluated as the primary diagnostic platform. It combines analogue and digital testing, V-I analysis/curve tracing, integrated instruments, controlled power, comparison and automated diagnostic procedures within one configurable and universal system.
Why are oscilloscopes and multimeters often insufficient for PCB fault-finding?
Oscilloscopes and multimeters require the PCB to be powered on to provide essential measurements, but the engineer must still decide where to test and how to interpret each result. BoardMaster reduces this search process by combining multiple diagnostic Power Off/Power On techniques to identify abnormal circuits, connections and components. This helps engineers progress systematically from a board-level failure to a repairable component instead of relying entirely on manual probing and individual experience.
How does BoardMaster differ from a standalone analogue signature analyser?
BoardMaster includes Power OFF V-I signature analysis/curve tracing but extends far beyond this single technique. It also provides Power ON functional testing, analogue and digital IC testing, short location, voltage and waveform measurement, controlled power, live board comparison and automated TestFlows. This makes BoardMaster a complete PCB diagnostic platform rather than a standalone instrument for comparing unpowered circuit signatures.
Does BoardMaster support both Power ON and Power OFF PCB testing?
Yes. Power OFF testing allows engineers to investigate unpowered boards using V-I signatures, resistance measurements, connection checks and known-good comparison. Power ON testing evaluates live behaviour through functional IC tests, voltage and current measurements, waveform analysis, signal generation and controlled power supplies. Using both approaches provides broader fault coverage than relying on either method alone.
Can BoardMaster diagnose PCBs without schematics or a known-good board?
In many applications, yes. BoardMaster can use library-driven component tests, direct measurements and V-I signature analysis without requiring a schematic or reference board. A known-good board strengthens comparison-based testing but is not mandatory for every method. Where technical documentation must be reconstructed, ABI’s separate RevEng system can learn circuit connectivity and generate data for professional CAD schematics.
What components and PCB faults can BoardMaster test?
Depending on its configuration, BoardMaster can test analogue ICs, digital logic, memory devices, EPROMs, optocouplers, transistors and other PCB components. It can help identify shorts, open connections, leakage, incorrect logic behaviour, abnormal voltages, degraded parameters and differences from known-good results. Test coverage depends on component accessibility, device technology, circuit conditions and the selected modules.
How does TestFlow create repeatable PCB diagnostic procedures?
TestFlow converts an experienced engineer’s troubleshooting method into a guided and repeatable procedure. It can control BoardMaster instruments, display instructions and images, apply test limits, record measurements, generate Pass/Fail results and produce traceable reports. This allows procedures to be shared between technicians, reduces operator variation and prevents valuable repair knowledge from remaining with one individual.
Which industries and applications is BoardMaster designed for?
BoardMaster supports component-level PCB diagnosis in rail, aerospace, defence, semiconductor manufacturing, automotive, energy, industrial maintenance and biomedical equipment repair. It is particularly valuable where boards are expensive, obsolete, mission-critical or poorly supported by the OEM. For radar, communications and avionics applications, BoardMaster provides PCB fault location while specialist RF instruments can be used in conjunction with BoardMaster to verify radio-frequency performance.
What measurable results have BoardMaster users achieved?
Published examples include a test-time reduction of more than 50% on a FADEC RTD application at Collins Aerospace, more than US$100,000 in recovered value and a return on investment within six months at ReNew Biomedical, and cost reductions of 94–99% across UK Ministry of Defence programmes. Results vary according to the application, workload, configuration, skills and implementation.
Why choose ABI Electronics for an in-house PCB repair programme?
ABI Electronics provides the diagnostic platform, software, training, certification and ongoing technical support required to establish a structured in-house capability. ABI does not operate as a customer board-repair service. Customers use BoardMaster to retain diagnostic knowledge, create controlled procedures, reduce dependence on external repair providers and progressively expand the range of electronic assemblies they can support internally.
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5 Bay Case
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7 Bay Case
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9 Bay Case
(Requires External PC)
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