Measure Foundry 5.0 R29:Measure Foundry€¦ · generating output signals, control-ling program...

AdvancedFeatures Base Professional Instruments InstrumentsPowerful Test & Measurement Application Builder � � � �Develop applications quickly � � � �Complete support of all instruments through VISA Layer � � � �Drag and drop graphical interface � � � �Create hybrid systems including LXI, GPIB, USB, VXI, PXI � � � �Advanced analysis functions � � � �Support for DT USB and PCI boards � � � � Academic licenses available �Built-in installer for easy distribution � � �Supports all systems standards: IVI, VISA, and SCPI � �Manage LXI instruments over your LAN � �IVI-COM support for Function Generators & Arb, Scopes, DMMs, and Power Supplies � �IVI-COM support for Spectrum Analyzers, Switches, RF Signal Generators, and Power Meters �

Measure Foundry is a rapid application development pack-age that provides a system solution for all types of mea-surement instruments. Measure Foundry provides all thepower and flexibility of a programming language in a dragand drop graphical interface.

� Open, complete support of all instrumentsthrough VISA Layer . . . allows existing and lega-cy applications to be utilized.

� Full featured, powerful rapid applicationdevelopment environment.

� Create test and measurement, process controland data analysis applications quickly andeasily.

� Application development on one layer providesa clear systems understanding for data channels,control sources, and events.

� Fully integrated solution builder . . . prototypeand production are the same . . . no compiler.

� Never lost, never make a mistake . . . only validpossibilities presented with property pages.

� Patent-pending drag & drop software basedon the look and feel of Windows XP/Vista.

� Design custom applications withoutprogramming.

� Built-in installer for easy distribution.

Create system level applications that control stan-dard instruments for automated testing in industryand science.

Measure Foundry Instruments andAdvanced Instruments versions:

� Support all system standards: IVI, VISA,and SCPI.

� Use existing standard interfaces like LXI,GPIB, USB, PXI/VXI, and RS-232 withoutchanging applications.

� Provide complete support of all IVI instru-ment classes.

— DMM — RF Signal Generator— DC Power Supply — Spectrum Analyzer— Function Generator & Arb — Power Meter— Oscilloscope — Switch

Summary of Features

Application Builder forTest & Measurement Systems.

Open. Powerful.

Measure Foundry

Data Acquisition Instrument Programming

Test Systems

WWW.DATATRANSLATION .COM US & CANADA (800) 525-8528 GERMANY (49) 7142 95310 UK (44) 1256 333330 2

Measure Foundry fulfills thepromise of being able to build com-plex test and measurement applica-tions easily without writing code.Accessibility to all elements of thesystem is simple with drag-and-dropcomponents being placed on a formand then rapidly configured withtheir property pages. There is nochance of a mistake, with only validoptions presented for configuration.

Accessibility is the full support ofall standard instrument interfacessuch as GPIB, RS-232, USB, and oth-ers as well as existing code imple-

mentation for SCPI commandsthrough the VISA transport layer.More channels, more devices, andmore protocols can be readily

accommodated without designchanges. Execution speed is alwaysthe same from small to large applica-tions.

Measure Foundry is an all-in-onedevelopment system. It allows theuser to build system solutions quick-

ly and at low cost. It's unique struc-ture (patent pending architecture)allows a system view on one com-mon level for all data sources, con-

trol sources, and events. This acces-sibility makes system understand-ing straightforward and easy toexpand from small systems to a larg-er solution. And the developmentversion is the final version for distri-bution with its built-in installer.

Overview

Data Acquisition

Instrument Programming

Test Systems

It's unique structure (patent pending architecture) allows a systemview on one common level

Analog InputComponent

1 Select Devices and channels.

3 Add Control Button to con-trol start of the data source.

2Add Oscilloscopecomponent. Select source

and channels to display.



4 Compile and Run!

Oscilloscope Display Component

Oscilloscope Display Component

Build test applications without text programming using Measure Foundry’s drag-and-drop design. Simply dragcomponents such as Oscilloscopes, Chart Recorders designed to display live data streaming to the PC onto a form,set the properties and run.

Basic Operation of Measure Foundry

Instrument Socket The Instrument Socket componentlets you make a TCP/IP, GPIB, VXI,ASRL, or USB connection to anyinstrument that supports SCPI com-mands over VISA. Use this compo-nent in conjunction with the VISAScript component to send commandsto instruments on your system.

VISA Script Component

The VISA Script Component let yousend SCPI commands to any instru-ment on your network that supportsVISA connections. In this way, youcan use Measure Foundry as aninstrument programming tool. Youfirst configure an Instrument SocketComponent to establish a connectionto the instrument and then use theVISA Script Component to programthe instrument.

When using the VISA ScriptComponent, Measure Foundry pro-vides a property page that lets youenter and test a VISA script. Ascript can consist of more than oneline and contain conditional loopsand branches. You can create ascript using the available VISA func-tions provided in the Foundry win-dow. Simply drag and drop a func-tion from the Foundry window tothe appropriate place in the Scriptwindow. Once the script is createdit can be checked by opening theScript validation dialog box. Anyerrors in the Script are reported backto the user.

Open

Figure 2. The Instrument Socketcomponent lets Measure Foundryconnect to any instrument thatsupports VISA commands. The VISAScript component is used to con-struct and send VISA commands toan instrument.

Open means... Access to the wide world oftest and measurement instruments.


Agilent Scopes Pickering Switches Rohde & SchwarzSpectrum Analyzers

Agilent Multimeter

Keithley RF Generators

Agilent Function GeneratorsAgilent Power Meters

Sorenson Power Supplies

Figure 1. Measure Foundry can communicate with any instrument thataccepts SCPI commands. Picture shows leading instruments manufactur-ers and the eight standard instruments types.

Multi-threaded designThe multi-threaded design runstasks in parallel, so big or small pro-grams built in Measure Foundry runwithout a performance hit.

Process ComponentThe multi-threaded processes occursimultaneously in Measure Foundry.The Process Component allows you

to execute a sequence of processes inwhatever order needed. This com-ponent acts as an executive allowingevent traps, delays, and wait periodsas needed for your test require-ments.

Analyze Your DataMeasure Foundry provides severalways to analyze your data. For sim-

ple applications, you can use theSpectrum Analyzer component toperform an FFT operation on yourdata before displaying it withoutprogramming.

The Melting Pot Component pro-vides the flexibility of text basedprogramming to the graphical pro-gramming environment. TheMelting Pot offers hundreds of mathoperations and functions from sim-ple to complex that you can use tocreate your own formulas for pro-cessing and analyzing input signals,generating output signals, control-ling program flow, and controllingyour process.

One-Click DistributionMeasure Foundry Professional andInstrument versions include aDistribution Wizard that provides‘One-Click’ Distribution, wrappingthe application into a ready-to-installsetup file complete with all files anddrivers needed. No worries aboutwhat files need to be included in thesetup, or if the end user will installthe driver properly. DistributionWizard takes the guesswork out andproduces a professional applicationinstallation.

Figure 3. The Process Component allows the creation of automated testsequences.

Figure 4. The Melting Pot Component adds text based programmingin a graphical environment that gives ultimate flexibility to doexactly what you want.

Sequences Through Process

Powerful Powerful means…Having a built-in text-based language option tocreate custom functions for simple to complex data analysis.

• Multi-threaded design• Process component

• Programming capability• Distibution

Figure 5. Distribution Wizard creates aninstallation file complete with all driversand files needed to install your applica-tion immediately on any WindowsXP/Vista system.

Up until now, the center of instru-ment control is support of thatinstrument. Connecting variousinstruments in test stands can bestraightforward using IVI libraries.Measure Foundry does this for allinstruments and can tie them togeth-er to create a test system. MeasureFoundry brings system level supportfor all IVI class instruments to a newlevel.

Add a layer of software that sits ontop of the IVI-COM interface andrise above COM based program-ming. You do not need to know howto use COM components to create anapplication in Measure Foundry.

IVI Classes

Measure Foundry Instruments andAdvance Instruments versions pro-vide the easiest and fastest way to

access IVI-COM base instrumentclasses. No traditional text or COMprogramming needed with thisunique approach to configuring andcontrolling all supported test instru-ments. Simply connect, configure,and control your instruments viaproperty pages. Instruments becomenew data sources or data sinks andare controlled like any other compo-nent.

Application Builder for Test & Measurement Systems

Figure 6. Configure IVI-COM Instrument driverswithout the hassle of COM programming. Simplyconfigure the instrument class properties to createa new data source or data sink that communicatesto/from your Measure Foundry application. TheDMM class above shows how easy it is to select andconfigure your instruments without programming.

Application Builder for Test & Measurement Systems means…Create Windows applica-tions without programming.

• Digital multimeter (DMM)• Oscilloscope• DC power supply• Arbitrary waveform/function

generator

• Switch• Spectrum Analyzer• RF signal generator• Power meter

IVI Instrument Classes


Measure Foundry ships with manyready-to-measure applications thatrequire no modification to use.Whether you are slowly loggingtemperature, or analyzing a high fre-quency signal, you will find anexample application to use inMeasure Foundry.

MATLAB & Excel Support

Measure Foundry provides seamlessintegration to MATLAB and Excel.

Analyze your data with yourMATLAB™ software using theMelting Pot component. Send datausing the PutVector command,receive data using the GetVectorcommand, and process the datausing all MATLAB functions. TheMelting Pot component provides anintegrated test bed to access all thefunctions of MATLAB, including itsnumerical computation, scientificgraphics, and signal processingcapabilities.

If you prefer Microsoft Excel user,you can send data directly to anExcel spreadsheet as it is acquired,using the Excel Live Link compo-nent. This component allows you toquickly and easily log, graph, andsave data in a standard Excelspreadsheet. Since this link isdynamic, you can watch your Excelspreadsheet update as new valuesare acquired.

Figure 7. There are many Ready-to-Run applicationsin Measure Foundry such as the TemperatureLogging/Monitoring and Chart Recorder applicationsabove. These applications can also be modified orcustomized if desired.

Figure 8. MeasureFoundry communicatesdirectly to MATLAB. Thisexample illustrates send-ing live data to MATLABusing the “Surf Peaks”command in MATLAB.

Figure 9. Measure Foundry communicatesdirectly with Excel. This example illustratessending live data to Microsoft Excel. Use anyExcel tools to analyze and report data

Microsoft® Excel

MATLAB®

Ready-to-Measure Applications Chart Recorder

Temperature Logger

Measure Foundry uses a uniquearchitecture to allow you to rapidlycreate test and measurement appli-cations. Understanding a few basicprinciples of the software will helpyou create complex measurementapplications quickly and easily.

ConceptsMeasure Foundry uses the followingcommunications and transportmechanisms:

Data Sources: These are used to setup your hardware so that data canbe transferred from your device to

the data sink component you arecreating in software, i.e. oscilloscope,signal analyzer, DMM etc. Datasources can be Analog Input, AnalogOutput, Digital Input, DigitalOutput, Counter, Frequency Input,or Rate Generator components.

Control Sources: These allow youto set up properties and actions for acontrolling component, such as aSlider or Button. When you connectthese controlling components to theproperties of another component,you are allowed to control the func-tions of that component. For exam-

ple, changing the trigger level of anOscilloscope component or savingdata sent to a component by using a"Save" control button.

Events: These allow you to react toa change in your project. As anexample, an event is when a buttonis pressed or a data source is started.All components support events.

Using the above method, MeasureFoundry provides a powerful butflexible environment for creating testand measurement applications.


Understanding Measure Foundry

Measure Foundry Concepts

Figure 10. Key to understanding the unique architecture of Measure Foundry is the principles of how dataflows and is controlled as illustrated above.

1

2

3

Three ways to create data sources:

Data Sink:

Control:

Events:

Acquire and Control SignalsData acquisition devices and instru-ments are regarded as data sourceswithin Measure Foundry. To set upa data source, simply drag-and-dropone or more component onto yourform and configure the propertypages for the particular device.

When you configure the propertypages of a device, you set up theparameters of your I/O operations,such as the number of channels youwant to acquire and the number ofvalues to save in each data buffer.All input channels use virtual time-stamping, which allows you to cor-relate your measurements.

Control Your ApplicationBuilt-in control forms and eventscontrol the properties and actions ofyour application based on real-world conditions and set alarms iflimits are exceeded. By connecting acontrolling component to the prop-erty or action of another component,you can change the behavior of yourapplication during runtime. Forexample, you can connect a ControlButton to the Start and Stop actionproperty of an Analog Input form tostart and stop an analog input oper-ation during runtime.

To handle events, use the EventTrap component. You can specifythe event that you want to react to,and the property that you want to

change or the action that you wantto perform whenever the eventoccurs. For example, you can use anEvent Trap to write data to diskwhenever an Analog Input compo-nent starts sampling.

Measure Foundry provides othercomponents, such as ActionCounter, Comparator, and DataCounter that you can use to controlyour application.

Display Your DataDisplay components, such asOscilloscope, Bar Graph, Gauge,Chart Recorder, Digital Display,Label, and LEDs are provided to dis-play the results of your measure-ments. In addition to panning and

Measure Foundry allows you to make very sophisticated measurements quickly without knowing how to pro-gram. Simply drag and drop components onto your form and double-click each one to configure their propertypages. Unlike traditional programming environments, Measure Foundry prevents incompatibilities, so that onlyvalid options, or properties, are presented – there are no bad choices! When you’ve finished configuring, simplypress a button to compile and run your application! Building an application has never been easier.

So, how does this work? InMeasure Foundry, componentscan stream data, regardless of itstype, to other components in theapplication. You can think of thesecomponents – classified as datasources – as broadcast stationsthat sit on top of a mountain andtransmit data. Other componentsin the application – classified asdata sinks – act like radio receiversthat tune into the selected broad-cast station and receive the datathat is being transmitted.

For example, your data source could be an Analog Input component that acquires data from a USB data acqui-sition device and broadcasts this data throughout Measure Foundry. Data sink components, such as theOscilloscope, Bessel Bandpass Filter, and Melting Pot components then receive this data and display or process it.Processed data is then made available to other components in the same way. This data source/data sink mecha-nism allows components throughout your Measure Foundry application to be aware of all the data that is avail-able, and handle it appropriately.

Other components in Measure Foundry – classified as control sources – allow you to control the properties oractions of another component. For example, you could use a Control Button component to start and/or stop datathat is acquired using the Analog Input components. In addition, all components in Measure Foundry providestatus messages – called events – that provide information about the state of the application. You can view ortrap these messages for further application control.

Principles of Operation

Figure 11. Data Sources act like broadcast stations that send data toother components that act like receivers and/or transceivers.

zooming, many of these componentsalso provide the ability to adjust therange and scale of the y-axis, printthe displayed results, freeze the cur-rent display, and save the result to afile. Simply link the display compo-nent to the data source whose resultsyou want to see (using propertypages), then start the operation tosee the results of your measurement!

To help structure your applica-tions, Measure Foundry providesmany ready-to-run example applica-tions, also a template library to getyou up, and running right away.

Inspector ToolView your entire application withthe enhanced Inspector Tool. Onceyou have configured all of the com-ponents in your application, you candisplay, print and save the relation-ships, contingencies, and dependen-cies among the components usingthe Inspector Tool. This is an excel-lent tool that provides an overviewof all component interaction in theprogram.

Update ManagerPeace of mind comes with using theUpdate and License Manager utilitythat comes with Measure Foundry toalways have the very latest versionof Measure Foundry on your system.Simply click on ‘Check for Updates’and the software is compared to thelatest available on our server. Youcan view the release notes beforedownlaoding.

Figure 12. A window that provides a visual representation of the way thethree basic elements of Measure Foundry (data sources, control sources,and events) communicate with each other. You can use the Inspector tosave project information to an ASCII (.TXT) or .PDF file, or print projectinformation to a printer.


Figure 13. Update and License Manager Utilty checks to see if you havethe latest version installed on your system and provides an instantupdate to the latest version of Measure Foundry.

• Measure Foundry Base• Measure Foundry Professional• Measure Foundry Instruments• Measure FoundryAdvanced

Instruments• Measure Foundry Academic

Measure Foundry BaseMeasure Foundry Base offers thefull-featured, powerful rapid appli-cation development environmentthat is standard in MeasureFoundry. You can develop applica-tions easily and quickly with theunique drag and drop graphicalinterface using property pages toconfigure necessary components.

Measure Foundry offers completesupport for all system standardsincluding, VISA, and SCPI throughthe VISA transport layer. Thisunique design also allows you to useyour existing GPIB, USB, PXI/VXI,and RS-232 equipment withoutchanging your application. The abil-ity to create "hybrid" systems thatcombine these different interfaceshelps you protect both your hard-ware and software investment andsaves you time and money. MeasureFoundry Base ships with a booktitled “Measure Foundry: AStructured Approach” and an instal-lation CD.

Measure Foundry Base alsoincludes support for the full line ofData Translation USB and PCIboards that are compatible with theDT-Open Layers for .NET ClassLibrary.

Measure Foundry ProfessionalMeasure Foundry Professionalcomes with everything included inthe Base version, and also provides abuilt-in installer for easy, royalty-free distribution of executables. It iseasy to use and ensures that theapplication includes all the neces-sary files, including drivers andlibraries, for delivery to the end-users.

This feature allows you to cus-tomize your applications, compileand link it in executable form, anddistribute it to as many end-users asyou wish – at no extra cost. TheDistribute feature is particularlyimportant when you need to run thesame program on multiple comput-ers, as is often the case with applica-tions on the factory floor. To accom-plish this, you are provided with acomplete setup utility that automati-cally generates a complete installa-tion setup .exe file.

Measure Foundry InstrumentsMeasure Foundry Instrumentsincludes everything provided in theBase and Professional versions, butoffers complete support for all sys-tem standards including IVI, VISA,and SCPI. Measure FoundryInstruments provides support forIVI instrument classes that includeDMMs, Power Supplies, FunctionGenerators, and Oscilloscope.Regardless of the standard or instru-ment used, your Measure Foundryapplication will run.

This version adds a layer of sup-port that sits on top of the IVI-COMinterface. This makes it easier to pro-gram instruments by raising it up alevel above COM programming.

Measure Foundry AdvancedInstrumentsMeasure Foundry AdvancedInstruments comes with everythingincluded in the Instrument version,and adds support for RF Generators,Spectrum Analyzers, Power Meters,and Switches.

Measure Foundry AcademicMeasure Foundry Base version isavailable to download at no chargeto qualified institutions. The down-load includes the ‘Measure Foundry:A Structured Approach’ book inPDF format. See website for details.

Backward CompatibilityAnother valuable feature of MeasureFoundry 5.0 is that it allows existingusers to continue to use their currentMeasure Foundry programs in thenew version with little or no changesrequired. Just load your .dtx filesinto Measure Foundry 5.0, save it asa new .MFProj file, and use it in thenew version.

Platinum SupportThe Platinum Support programenables you to stay current with thelatest software releases and access toresources designed to help you besuccessful with Measure Foundry.

As a member, you receive allMeasure Foundry software updates,including Major, Minor and Release,one-on-one phone support, and pri-ority email support.

HelpThe new Help function allows youto compile a file that reports impor-tant system information such as con-figuration, hard drive size, Windowsversion, etc. Providing this informa-tion to a Technical Support engineervia e-mail, problems can often besolved in less time.

Our comprehensive knowledgedatabase provides on-line answers tothe most frequently asked questions.

Measure Foundry Versions

� Microsoft Windows XP/Vista (coming soon)

Supported Hardware for Measure Foundry� Data Translation PCI boards or USB modules� VISA compatible instrument� IVI compatible instrument

For pricing information, see the current price list, visit ourweb site, or contact your local reseller.� SP1300-CD

Measure Foundry Base, Version 5.0, single license� SP1308-CD

Measure Foundry Professional, Version 5.0, singlelicense

� SP1309-CDMeasure Foundry Instruments, Version 5.0, singlelicense

� SP1310-CDMeasure Foundry Advanced Instruments, Version 5.0,single license

� SP1300-DWNLDMeasure Foundry Academic, Version 5.0, annuallicense

� Platinum Support Contract

© Copyright 2007 Data Translation, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarksare the property of their respective holders. Prices, availability, and speci-fications subject to change without notice. 03/07.

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Measure Foundry 5.0 R29:Measure Foundry€¦ · generating output signals, control-ling program...

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