For project SHAMROC, part of the Exomars mission, the testing will start next week.
This project develops mixed-signal ASICs which have DAC, ADC and temperature sensing functions and the first prototypes will arrive next week. I say prototypes, plural, since the functions are divided onto several ASICs for now. Later, these functions will be integrated on a single die.
This is exciting stuff. These electronics have to conform to the highest demands. Since we're talking about a Mars mission, the ASICs will have be operating in extreme temperatures. The weight has to be the lowest possible, and the limits on energy consumption forces us to use the minimum amount of components. And because of the conditions of the trip, as well as Mars conditions, the components have to be radiation-hard.
When the ASICs arrive, the software group has a generic workbench for testing them. We'll then work together with the electronics guys to make solid, reproducible tests.