Multiple controllers can be combined easily to a multi-channel testing system with strictly synchronized data sampling and closely linked control and supervising functions.

A testing sequence can start simultaneously on all controllers and target functions from the local synthesizers maintain in a fixed phase relation during operation.

Over a special high-speed data link the controllers can exchange data streams and events. During a testing sequence the dif- ferent controllers are able to synchronize their local programs. Raising a multi-controller setup is easy. The user only has to establish the high-speed link with standard cables and he has to connect the

controllers to an ethernet switch. One of the controllers has to be defined as a master the others will be slaves. From then on the master manages initialization, and communication among the system.