Test control
Select the desired test using the test selector in the header.
Optionally, enter an SIE data file name in the Task pane. If no name is entered, the file name defaults to the setup file name. A unique file name is assigned based on the SIE file name pattern setting defined in the Test setup. The SIE filename cannot be changed after a test run is started; however, it can be changed after the test run is stopped.
Optionally, provide a test run description in the Task pane. This information is embedded in the SIE file as meta data and cannot be changed after the test run is started.
If the test run mode is either Normal or Cyclic, start the test run by clicking on the Start icon. A running test is indicated by the yellow LED flashing rapidly in the status bar and on the device. To stop the current test run, click Stop. If the test run mode is Cyclic, this ends the automatic cyclic starting and stopping of test runs.
If the test run mode is Remote Control, both the Start and Stop icons will be disabled when the SXR configuration file is selected. Click on the Remote Control button located above the Start and Stop icons. The Remote Control Settings dialog window is presented.
Check the box Enable Remote Control to initialize the remote control mode. Typically, the Suspend Remote Control box is not checked. Click the OK button to close the dialog window.
To end the remote control mode, which will typically span multiple test run starts and stops, uncheck the Enable Remote Control box and click the OK button to close the dialog window. If a test run is in progress, the test run will be stopped after the user confirms this action is desired.
See Remote control run mode for more information.
During the test run, the following run statistics are displayed in the Task pane:
The Display Views panel is a workspace for creating charts to display live channel data while the test is running.
To create the first chart, select the desired channels from the Channels list. To add a new chart, drag a channel into an empty area of the Display Views panel. Add channels to an existing chart by dragging a channel onto the chart window or by clicking the chart window to make it the active 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, the user is strongly advised to use one of the recommended browsers. For more information, see Recommended browsers.
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 panel 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.... The Shunt Control dialog is presented.
To install the shunts on all applicable channels, which is every channel in the test defined using one of the Bridge sensor input modes, select Normal or Opposite shunt mode.
NOTE
The Normal mode is based on the System preferences Bridge shunt polarities parameter set 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 based on electrical units scaling (i.e., mV/V scaling). If the sensor scaling slope is negative, the shunt polarity in output units is in the opposite direction. For example, the Up Scale option would result in a negative swing in the output data.
To remove the shunts, select Remove shunt.
All shunt resistors are removed at the start of a new test.
NOTE
The Shunt Control dialog can remain open while navigating the web application and closes automatically at the end of the test run. (It is also closed if the web browser is reloaded or refreshed.)
Interactive triggers provide a means to manually trigger computed channels and Data Modes during a test run. Set up interactive triggers using one or more Interactive trigger computed channels.
If the current test contains an Interactive Trigger computed channel, click Trigger.... The Interactive triggers dialog is presented.
To change the state of a trigger, check or uncheck the box. The change is applied immediately when the box is checked or unchecked.
NOTE
The Trigger Control dialog can remain open while navigating the web application and closes automatically at the end of the test run. (It is also closed if the web browser is reloaded or refreshed.)
Web Interface