Classroom
- Measurement basics
- Multi Channel measurement software
- Application notes
- Frequently used terms
- Aliasing
- Auto setup
- Arbitrary Waveform Generator
- Bandwidth
- Bus types
- CMRR
- Data logger
- Differential attenuator
- Differential input
- Edge trigger
- Envelope mode
- Function generator
- Input range
- Multimeter
- Oscilloscope
- Pre trigger
- Record length
- Resolution
- Sample frequency
- Sampling
- Scope
- Signal coupling
- Single ended input
- Spectrum analyzer
- Total Harmonic Distortion
- Time base
- Transient recorder
- Triggering
- Force Trigger
- Trigger hold-off
- Trigger hysteresis
- Trigger level
- Trigger source
- Trigger time out
- Trigger type
- TV trigger
- USB
- Voltmeter
- Window trigger
- How to install a driver
Creating and connecting objects
Contents
The Multi Channel software has a modular structure, with measuring instruments, function generators and other objects constructed in the application. Besides measuring data with the TiePie engineering measuring instruments and displaying it like on a conventional scope, it is possible to do different kinds of processing on the measured data. Data can be combined with other measured data or with software generated data.
The objects that can be created, are divided into three groups:
- Sources: these objects generate data, like software generators. Sources only have output(s) (like the channels of an instrument).
- I/O's: objects that accept data (Input), process this data in a specific way, like e.g. adding, multiplying, filtering, etc. and then generate the processed data (Output). These objects have input(s) and output(s).
- Sinks: these objects only accept data, like e.g. graphs and meters. These objects only have input(s).
Objects can be combined and connected to each other to create measurement applications that range from very simple to very complex.
Object tree
All objects are located in the object tree. The object tree is situated at the left side of the main window of the application. It can be resized by dragging the splitter bar at the right of the object tree. It can be hidden and revealed by clicking the small triangle at the upper right corner of the object tree. In the application settings can be determined whether the object tree is default visible or hidden.
Creating objects
You can create a new source, I/O or sink by right clicking on the root item in the object tree and selecting the object of your choice from the popup menu. In the figure below the "I/O's" item is clicked with right mouse button.
To demonstrate we will now create a two SoftGen sources and a Add/Subtract I/O object. We set the signal type of the second SoftGen source to "square".
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| Create an I/O | Set SoftGen to square signal |
Connecting objects
With drag and drop, the different objects in the object tree can be connected to other objects. You can drag a source object on a sink object or I/O block. When the source is dropped it will connect to the object it was dropped on.
In the example in the figure below, the two SoftGens that we have just created are dropped onto the Add/Subtract. The Add/Subtract displays its sources between braces.
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Displaying data
The data of all sources, channels and outputs of I/O's can be displayed in different ways. Usually the data is displayed in a graph, but it is also possible to display the data as numerical values with a meter object.
Displaying data in a graph
To display data in a graph, the source object must be dragged from the object tree onto a graph. The location where the source is dropped determines if the new scale is created at the left or right side of the graph. If a source if dropped in the left half of the graph, the new scale will be at the left. Otherwise the new scale will be at the right.
A source can also be dropped onto an already existing axis if it has the same unit.
Displaying data in Yt mode
To display data in Yt mode the source has to be dropped into an Yt graph. Let's drop the Add/Subtract object we have just created onto a graph:
Displaying data in XY mode
To display data in XY mode the two sources for each XY-line have to be dropped into an XY graph. In the anmimation below, two SoftGens are used. SoftGen1 constains a sine wave of 10000 Hz (default). SoftGen2's frequency has been changed to 11000 Hz.
First the graph is set to XY mode by clicking on the XY button on the graph's toolbar. After that, SoftGen1 is dropped on the left half of the graph, resulting in a new scale at the left. A blinking bottom scale will be created, signalling that it needs a source. SoftGen2 is dropped on the bottom scale and XY plot of SoftGen1 versus SoftGen2 is shown.
Displaying data as numerical values with a meter
To display data in a Meter, we will first have to create one. Follow the procedure as with creating the other objects: right-click "Sinks" and choose "Meter". Now drag the Add/Subtract onto the Meter. The result can be seen below.
Controlling objects
Actions and settings of individual objects can be accessed by right clicking the object in the object tree. This will show a popup menu with all actions and settings of that object.
Multiple objects can be selected in the object tree by holding the Shift key down and left clicking the first and last of the required objects. Now all actions that the selected objects have in common, can be executed simultaneously on all selected object, by right clicking one of the selected objects and selecting the required action from the popup menu.
Another possibility with multiple selected objects is that they can be saved in a TPO file, including the connections between the selected objects. Opening this TPO file creates all saved objects and restores their interconnections.
The data in any object can be exported to disk, in several common file formats.