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Publication No. 980938 Rev. K
Model T940 User Manual
Astronics Test Systems
Soft Front Panel Operation 5-1
Chapter 5
Soft Front Panel Operation
The Soft Front Panel (SFP) is a stand-alone executable that can be used to
program, query and run the DRM digital resource.
Regardless of the user’s choice of programming path (VXI
plug&play
instrument
driver, A24/A32 register-based access, or a combination of these) the following
basic 7-step process is required to implement a DRM test program:
1. Open a communication link to the DRM module called a session.
2. Configure global hardware parameters.
3. Configure the available I/O channels.
4. Edit the Data Sequencers
a. Program the timing sets to govern the I/O data transfers.
b. Create the pattern sets and populate them as appropriate.
c. Create the Waveforms and define
d. Set sequence parameters
e. Edit sequence steps
5. Execute the sequence.
6. Utilize status and post process functions to evaluate/analyze results.
7. Close the VXI DRM session.
The following sections describe the SFP operation as it pertains to the previous
seven steps. Additionally, sections are included covering the instrument
functions, self-test, calibration, and utility functions.
The relevant VXI
plug&play
instrument driver function(s) for each step are also
listed. The program has a help menu for additional assistance.
SFP Basics
A single T940 is referred to as a Digital Resource Module (
DRM
). A single DRM
can be programmed as two separate 32 channel instruments (Not Linked) or as a
single 64 channel instrument (Linked).
Multiple DRMs can be coupled and synchronized as a Digital Resource Suite
(
DRS
). Each 32 channel group in the DRM can be included in the DRS or it can
be independent. Up to eight DRMs can be coupled.
The SFP is a DRM utility that can be used to debug or check out user
configurations and programming.