Integrated Instrumentation Toolset for Signal Testing Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Programming instrumentation for signal generation and analysis is complex and time-consuming, requiring extensive knowledge of instrument APIs and programming languages, which poses challenges for quality, reliability, and accuracy, especially for inexperienced programmers.
Innovation Solution
A graphics-based integrated instrumentation toolset (I2T) that employs GUIs, automated code generation, macro recording, and test sequencing to simplify instrument programming, allowing users to generate and analyze signals with reduced complexity and without manual code writing, using CASE tools for efficient automation and documentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual programming of instrumentation is performed, then signal generation and analysis can be accomplished, but programming complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system records user interactions with the graphical interface and automatically generates corresponding programming code, creating a copy of the visual operations in executable form. This eliminates manual code writing while preserving the ability to control instruments programmatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automated code generation and test sequence creation based on user-defined parameters, making the programming process self-executing rather than requiring manual intervention for code composition and compilation.
2Device complexity
If automated code generation is implemented, then programming complexity is reduced, but knowledge of instrument APIs and programming languages is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface acts as an intermediary between the user and the complex instrument APIs. Users interact with visual controls and parameters rather than directly with programming interfaces, while the system automatically translates these interactions into appropriate API calls and code.
3Reliability
If multiple tests are conducted on acquired signals, then analysis comprehensiveness improves, but test execution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple test sequences and analysis routines before signal acquisition. After signals are acquired once, the pre-prepared test sequences can be executed efficiently on the stored signal data without requiring re-acquisition, thereby maintaining comprehensive analysis while improving throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous analysis capability by keeping acquired signals in memory and allowing multiple test sequences to run sequentially on the same signal data. This eliminates the idle time between acquisitions and keeps the analysis process continuously productive.
Data Source
AI summary
Integrated application of specific CASE tools that allow a user to accomplish instrument programming and control when generating, capturing and/or analyzing electronic signals, and in doing so automatically generate automation code to replicate a desired instrument setup, acquisition, analysis and sequence control. The CASE tools include, but are not limited to, GUI instrument programming tools, an electronic signal redisplay tool, a waveform analyzer tool, automated code generation tools, macro generation tools, macro and sequence playback tools, a test creation tool, a test sequencer tool, a decision engine that may be part of the test sequencer tool, and test result data logger. A method for analyzing electronic signals that enables multiple tests to be performed after a single signal acquisition, and enables results from the multiple tests to be analyzed is also disclosed.