Test control
Before starting a test run, select the desired test using the test selector in the header.
Enter a data file name and description in the task bar panels. This information is optional cannot be changed once a test is running.
Optionally, enter a time in seconds in the Select Test Duration task bar panel. This parameter determines the duration of the test run, after which time the test automatically stops. Show or hide this parameter in the Test section of the System preferences.
To start the selected test, click Start. A running test is indicated by the flashing yellow LED in the status bar and on the device. To stop the current test run, click
Stop.
Any user with privileges can stop a test run. The user who started the test need not be the same user who stops the test.
During the test run, the following run statistics display in the task pane:
The Display Views panel provides for the display of live channel data.
To create the first chart, select the desired channels from the Channels list. To add a new chart, drag a channel onto an empty area of the Displays panel. Add channels to an existing chart by dragging a channel onto the chart window or by clicking the chart window and selecting channels from the Channels list. To add a digital meter containing all test channels (up to the current maximum of 100), click the Show All Channels in DVM button at the top of the Channels list.
TIP
Change chart options including the default chart type and size in User preferences. Change the default chart and decimal places for each channel in the Input channels spreadsheet.
NOTE
Live display views can be configured before a test run is started and also while a test is running. When a test is running the user should pay attention to the CPU load indicator on the status bar to understand how much additional processing load is being consumed to drive the live displays. This can be significant and there is the possibility that the CPU will overload and the system will reset on error. The system is designed to preferentially disable the live displays when the CPU load is too high, but this functionality may not always work.
NOTE
The actual rendering of the live display charts is done on the client device (for example, on a PC or tablet). For most modern client devices with high processor or graphics accelerator speeds, the client device will usually not be a factor.
However, for reasons beyond the scope of this help topic, the web browser used can be a significant factor. As of the present software version, only IE11 is seen as seriously problematic in this regard and using a different browser is currently recommended.
A related issue is antivirus software running on the client device. Using HTTPS will minimize the likelihood of antivirus software negatively impacting display capabilities. For users who are not connected to the Internet, disabling antivirus software should be considered.
The Display Views window can contain many different display views, each with its own named tab. Different views allow for a variety of chart types, sizes, locations and channels. Display views can be created or modified at any time.
To manage views, open the views menu by clicking the menu button () or right clicking in the Display Views panel.
Shunt control allows installation and removal of shunt resistors during a test run. If the current test contains one or more applicable channels , click Shunt....
To install a shunt, select Normal or Opposite shunt mode.
NOTE
The Normal mode is based on the System preferences Bridge shunt polarities parameter unless the bridge channel is configured to use the internal shunt resistor scaling mode. In this case, the Normal mode is the polarity defined in the sensor scaling configuration.
NOTE
Shunt polarity is in terms of the electrical units of mV/V. If the sensor scaling slope is negative, the shunt polarity in physical units is in the opposite direction. For example, the Up Scale option results in a negative swing in the physical units output data.
To remove a shunt, select Remove shunt.
All shunt resistors are removed at the start of a new test or new display mode.
NOTE
The Shunt Control dialog can remain open while still navigating the web application and closes automatically at the end of the test run.
Interactive triggers provide a means to manually trigger computed channels and Data Modes during a test run. Set up interactive triggers through the Interactive Trigger computed channel.
If the current test contains an Interactive Trigger computed channel, click Trigger....
Select a trigger index to set the trigger to TRUE. To invert the trigger logic, select the Invert trigger parameter when adding or editing the computed channel. Triggers not defined in the test setup are disabled.
NOTE
The Trigger Control dialog can remain open while still navigating the web application and closes automatically at the end of the test run.