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Help: to create a Test Flow sequence for a function generator i/p

Question asked by RajDE on Jan 28, 2018
Latest reply on Feb 26, 2018 by RajDE

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Hello community,

I am a newbie to Benchvue software and Test Flow. It would be of great help if any one can help me with the following question. Thanks.

I am trying to create a Test Flow sequence with a function generator and the flow of execution should be as follows:

step 1:

amplitude A1

frequency f1

Step 2:

amplitude A2

frequency f2

Step n:

amplitude An

frequency fn

As one can see, for each step, I have a different amplitude and frequency. If one of them is constant, I can easily put the other in a list and run the test flow sequence.

But my requirement is to have different amplitude and frequency for each step and there are multiple number of steps.

Is there a programmatic way to do this?

Thanks and regards,

Raj

w0dz

Jan 29, 2018 9:00 AM

Correct Answer

Here is how to do this. Create two variables, v (voltage) and f (frequency). Use the math function to add to these as appropriate. Put them in a loop. Drag the set amplitude and set frequency blocks over. Make sure the instrument is in the desired function before dragging the frequency block over. There's a bug in Test Flow that will cause the set frequency block to set the arb frequency instead of the sine frequency if it is in arb mode when you first drag over the frequency block, and even changing it to sine won't fix it.

See the reply in context

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w0dz

Jan 29, 2018 9:00 AM

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RajDE @ w0dz on Feb 1, 2018 2:24 AM

Hi, thank you. Your reply is very helpful to get a head-start on the software's capabilities.

one more clarification:

Typically my signal generator inputs do not have a constant step size between them. please see the table below. Is it possible to program this input? I can do it in MATLAB. I am not sure whether it is possible with Benchvue sw.

Ampl. [mV/rms]	f [Hz]
0.00	80
24.50	10
49.00	10
105.66	20
141.00	50
176.50	100
211.00	120
247.00	200
282.00	400
317.20	800
353.00	1000

Thanks again.

Best regards,Raj

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w0dz

@ RajDE on Feb 1, 2018 1:48 PM

Yes! Instead of using "Set" when you drag the frequency and amplitude over, use the "List" option:

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RajDE @ w0dz on Feb 2, 2018 5:32 AM

Hi , thanks again for the reply.

Listing helps if one of my inputs is constant and the other is changing. for e.g. if amplitude is constant and frequency is changed for each step,, then i can put the frequency in the list.

However in my case both are different.

If I make a list for both of them and include frequency list inside the amplitude list, for each amplitude (A1), all the listed frequencies are supplied(f1 to fn) and then again the same gets repeated for A2.

the result is

A1 f1

A1 f2

...

A1 fn

A2 f1

A2 f2

...

A2 fn

where as i need only

A1 f1

and in the next step

A2 f2

Hope I explained it in an understandable way.

I doubt whether it is programmable in Benchvue. It would be great if it is possible.

Thanks and regards,

Raj

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w0dz

@ RajDE on Feb 2, 2018 11:00 AM

If your data is constant and unlikely to change, it might be simpler to just duplicate the blocks and manually enter the amplitudes and frequencies. But if you want to truly make it programmable, there is a way to read in a file and assign the data to variables. The process is this:

1. Create a dummy .bat file that does nothing. In the example below, I made "do_no_harm.bat" which contains one line - cd C:\BV\Bugs.

2. Create a text file using Notepad that has one entry per line. In your case, 0.001, then 80, and so on. You can't use a value of 0, so I changed that first one to 1mVrms

3. To create the sequence, first create all your variables: a1, f1, a2, f2, ..., a11, f11

4. The first step in the sequence should be a set amplitude of 1mVrms so that the units match (mVrms)

5. The second step is to use the "Run a Script" block, specifying the path to your .bat file, and the path and file name of the data file. I used "one_is_the_loneliest_number.txt". Create 22 output parameters and drag the variables over one at a time. In the pic below, I have already run the sequence and you can see the values that it read in.

6. Create a "Group" block and put the set:amplitude and set:frequency blocks inside, then drag the relevant vars over. You don't have to use a group block, but they can be collapsed, so you don't have to see all the commands all at once. Name the group blocks A1,F1; A2,F2, etc. Note that you can't copy and paste the group box, so you have to drag it over 11 times. When you do so, Test Flow might put it inside the previous block, so if it does that, you'll have to move it.

See the attached pix.

Brian

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RajDE @ w0dz on Feb 26, 2018 6:32 AM

Hi Thanks again.

for my situation, duplication worked. the other process is more cumbersome.

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6 Replies

w0dz Jan 29, 2018 9:00 AM
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Correct Answer
Here is how to do this. Create two variables, v (voltage) and f (frequency). Use the math function to add to these as appropriate. Put them in a loop. Drag the set amplitude and set frequency blocks over. Make sure the instrument is in the desired function before dragging the frequency block over. There's a bug in Test Flow that will cause the set frequency block to set the arb frequency instead of the sine frequency if it is in arb mode when you first drag over the frequency block, and even changing it to sine won't fix it.
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- RajDE @ w0dz on Feb 1, 2018 2:24 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Hi, thank you. Your reply is very helpful to get a head-start on the software's capabilities.
  
  one more clarification:
  Typically my signal generator inputs do not have a constant step size between them. please see the table below. Is it possible to program this input? I can do it in MATLAB. I am not sure whether it is possible with Benchvue sw.
  
  Ampl.
  [mV/rms] f [Hz]
  0.00 80
  24.50 10
  49.00 10
  105.66 20
  141.00 50
  176.50 100
  211.00 120
  247.00 200
  282.00 400
  317.20 800
  353.00 1000
  Thanks again.
  Best regards,Raj
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  - w0dz @ RajDE on Feb 1, 2018 1:48 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Yes! Instead of using "Set" when you drag the frequency and amplitude over, use the "List" option:
    Like • Show 1 Like1
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    - RajDE @ w0dz on Feb 2, 2018 5:32 AM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Hi , thanks again for the reply.
      
      Listing helps if one of my inputs is constant and the other is changing. for e.g. if amplitude is constant and frequency is changed for each step,, then i can put the frequency in the list.
      
      However in my case both are different.
      
      If I make a list for both of them and include frequency list inside the amplitude list, for each amplitude (A1), all the listed frequencies are supplied(f1 to fn) and then again the same gets repeated for A2.
      the result is
      A1 f1
      A1 f2
      ...
      A1 fn
      
      A2 f1
      A2 f2
      ...
      A2 fn
      
      where as i need only
      A1 f1
      and in the next step
      A2 f2
      Hope I explained it in an understandable way.
      
      I doubt whether it is programmable in Benchvue. It would be great if it is possible.
      Thanks and regards,
      
      Raj
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
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      - w0dz @ RajDE on Feb 2, 2018 11:00 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        If your data is constant and unlikely to change, it might be simpler to just duplicate the blocks and manually enter the amplitudes and frequencies. But if you want to truly make it programmable, there is a way to read in a file and assign the data to variables. The process is this:
        1. Create a dummy .bat file that does nothing. In the example below, I made "do_no_harm.bat" which contains one line - cd C:\BV\Bugs.
        2. Create a text file using Notepad that has one entry per line. In your case, 0.001, then 80, and so on. You can't use a value of 0, so I changed that first one to 1mVrms
        3. To create the sequence, first create all your variables: a1, f1, a2, f2, ..., a11, f11
        4. The first step in the sequence should be a set amplitude of 1mVrms so that the units match (mVrms)
        5. The second step is to use the "Run a Script" block, specifying the path to your .bat file, and the path and file name of the data file. I used "one_is_the_loneliest_number.txt". Create 22 output parameters and drag the variables over one at a time. In the pic below, I have already run the sequence and you can see the values that it read in.
        6. Create a "Group" block and put the set:amplitude and set:frequency blocks inside, then drag the relevant vars over. You don't have to use a group block, but they can be collapsed, so you don't have to see all the commands all at once. Name the group blocks A1,F1; A2,F2, etc. Note that you can't copy and paste the group box, so you have to drag it over 11 times. When you do so, Test Flow might put it inside the previous block, so if it does that, you'll have to move it.
        See the attached pix.
        
        Brian
        Like • Show 1 Like1
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        RajDE @ w0dz on Feb 26, 2018 6:32 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Hi Thanks again.
        for my situation, duplication worked. the other process is more cumbersome.
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions

Help: to create a Test Flow sequence for a function generator i/p

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