The Reference Unit is a device known as GOLDEN Unit or SILVER Unit, used as a reliable standard to validate the operation of test benches, fixtures, and industrial automation systems.
These units represent a product with validated and stable behavior, allowing verification if the test environment is operating correctly — before testing mass production.
Testing the tester is as important as testing the product.
🧩 Difference between GOLDEN and SILVER
| Unit Type | Characteristics | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| GOLDEN Unit | 100% functional product, validated in the lab, defect-free | Calibration of the bench, signal comparison |
| SILVER Unit | Functional product validated by the factory with small variations within specification | Periodic stability check of the test |
Both can be used for line integrity verification, but the GOLDEN is generally more precise, while the SILVER is routinely used for quick operational validations.
🧪 When and why to use the Reference Unit?
The GOLDEN and SILVER units are not only used to validate products but mainly to verify if the test system is working correctly.
It is highly recommended:
- Perform a test with the reference unit before each production shift, ensuring the bench is calibrated and functional before starting batch tests.
- Conduct repeatability tests with the GOLDEN or SILVER unit after any maintenance intervention or adjustment on the bench, such as component, firmware, cable, or software replacement.
- Record the results of these validations for traceability, audit, and process reliability purposes.
⚙️ What to validate with a reference unit?
- Analog and digital signals (levels, response, rise times)
- Communication with the DUT
- Test cycle time
- Operation of actuators, sensors, and peripheral simulations
- Measurement tolerances, electrical consumption, firmware response
🔧 How AJOLLY Testing supports the use of GOLDEN/SILVER Units
AJOLLY Testing structures processes and tools to facilitate the creation, use, and traceability of reference units in test and production environments.
🛠️ Technical definition and documentation
- Creation of validation criteria to define the GOLDEN unit
- Configuration of EEPROM, firmware, and unique serial number
- Technical manual for using the reference unit and validation checklist
🧪 Integration with test systems
- Automatic verification of the unit before releasing production
- Identification of variations with comparative logs
- Alarms for cycle time deviations or expected reading failures
📁 Traceability and control
- Record of GOLDEN unit usage by date, station, and operator
- History of changes, revalidations, and replacements
- Support for periodic calibration and metrological control
With AJOLLY Testing, the reference unit ceases to be a forgotten piece on the bench — and becomes a vital instrument to ensure test reliability.