An integrated circuit tester (IC tester) is used to test integrated circuits (ICs). We can easily test any digital IC using this type of an IC tester. To test an IC, we need to use different hardware circuits for different ICs; As we need a particular type of tester to test a logic gate and another to test flip flops or shift records that involves more complication and time involved will also be more. So here is an IC tester to overcome this problem. Unlike other IC testers, this is more reliable and easier since we do not need to assemble different types of circuits for different types of integrated circuits every time we need to test them.
Unlike the IC testers available in the market today, which are often expensive, this IC tester is affordable and easy to use. This IC tester is built using 8951 microcontroller along with a keyboard and a display unit. You can test digital integrated circuits with up to 24 pins. Since it is programmable, any number of ICs can be tested within the restriction of available memory. This IC tester can be used to test a wide variety of integrated circuits that includes simple logic gates and also sequential and combinational ICs such as flip-flops, counters, shift registers, and so on. It is portable and easy to use.
The block diagram of the programmable digital IC tester is as shown below. It consists of two integrated circuits of 8951 microcontrollers, a 24-pin IC socket, a keyboard unit, a display unit and indicators.
To test a particular digital IC, it is necessary to insert the IC into the IC socket and enter the IC number with the keypad and then press the "ENTER" key. The IC number is displayed on the 7-segment display unit.
Four LEDs are provided as indicators. If the IC being tested is a logic gate, then each of the 4 LEDs corresponds to the 4-door IC. In any other case where the inserted IC is not a logic gate, all 4 LEDs function as a single indicator.
Block diagram is given below :
![[Image: block.jpg]](http://electrofriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/block.jpg)
