E84 Analysis Application User Manual

E84 Analysis Application

User Manual

Version 2.8

E84 Analysis Application User Manual Version 2.8

Table of Contents

Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 1

E84 Analysis Application ................................................................................................................ 1

Getting Started ............................................................................................................................................ 1

Minimum System Requirements .................................................................................................... 1

Typographical Conventions ............................................................................................................ 1

Installation ...................................................................................................................................... 2

Troubleshooting WinNT, 2000, and XP Installation ........................................................... 2

Uninstalling the E84 Analysis Application ......................................................................... 2

E84 Analysis Menu Bar ............................................................................................................................... 3

File Menu ........................................................................................................................................ 3

Save Recorded Data ......................................................................................................... 3

Open Data Set for Playback .............................................................................................. 3

Import DLD Log File .......................................................................................................... 4

Import HHT Cycle / Manual Test Data .............................................................................. 4

Export Graph as Metafile ................................................................................................... 4

Export Graph as Bitmap .................................................................................................... 4

Export Data to Text File ..................................................................................................... 5

Exit .................................................................................................................................... 5

Configuration Menu ........................................................................................................................ 5

Set E84 Interface Inputs .................................................................................................... 6

Enable Reserved Inputs .................................................................................................... 6

Set E23 Interface Inputs .................................................................................................... 7

Replace RSVD_1 with Pin 6 (Light Curtain) ...................................................................... 7

Set X-Axis Scale ................................................................................................................ 8

Set Voltage Reference ...................................................................................................... 8

Enter Test Information ....................................................................................................... 9

E23 Test Information ....................................................................................................... 10

Set Long Term Recording Mode ..................................................................................... 10

Record Using LPT (E84 Recorder) ................................................................................. 11

Record Using USB (E84 Recorder) ................................................................................. 11

Record Using COM (E84 DLD) ....................................................................................... 11

Analysis Menu .............................................................................................................................. 11

Ignore Idle Noise ............................................................................................................. 11

Ignore TD0 Warnings ...................................................................................................... 11

Ignore E23 CS Signal ...................................................................................................... 12

DLD Interface Menu ..................................................................................................................... 12

Configure DLD ................................................................................................................. 12

Upload DLD ..................................................................................................................... 14

Help Menu .................................................................................................................................... 14

Data Recoding Mode ................................................................................................................................. 15

Recorded Data File Structure ....................................................................................................... 15

Starting and Stopping Data Recording ......................................................................................... 15

START Button ................................................................................................................. 15

STOP Button ................................................................................................................... 16

UPLOAD DLD Button ...................................................................................................... 16

Sampling Rate .............................................................................................................................. 16

E84 Recorder FIFO Overflow ....................................................................................................... 17

E84 DLD Power On Graph Indicator ............................................................................................ 18

E84 DLD Power Off Graph Indicator ............................................................................................ 18

Timing Diagram Graph Update Rate ............................................................................................ 18

E84_Analysis_Application_User_Manual.wpd


Playback Analysis Mode ........................................................................................................................... 19

Playback Analysis Mode Graph Window ...................................................................................... 19

Playback Analysis Tools ............................................................................................................... 20

Graph Zoom Tool ............................................................................................................ 20

ZOOM FULL Button ........................................................................................... 22

Playback Scroll Feature ..................................................................................... 22

Delta Signal Measurement Tool ...................................................................................... 22

MEASURE SAMPLE Button .............................................................................. 22

Transitional Search Tool ................................................................................................. 25

Find Next Transition Button ................................................................................ 25

Find Previous Transition Button ......................................................................... 26

CLEAR CURSORS Button .............................................................................................. 26

ERROR ANALYSIS Button ............................................................................................. 27

Ignoring Idle Noise Errors ................................................................................... 29

Ignoring TD0 Warnings ...................................................................................... 30

Ignoring E23 CS Signal ...................................................................................... 31

Analyzing Large Recorded Data Sets ............................................................................. 31

Exiting Playback Analysis Mode ................................................................................................... 31

Appendix A ................................................................................................................................................ 32

Export Samples ............................................................................................................................ 32

Exported Graph in WMF Format ..................................................................................... 34

Exported Graph in BMP Format ...................................................................................... 35

Exported Tabular Text File .............................................................................................. 36

Version History ............................................................................................................................. 37

Technical Support ..................................................................................................................................... 38



List of Figures

E84 NT Driver Error ..................................................................................................................................... 2

File Menu ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

Save E84 Data Set Dialog Box ................................................................................................................... 3

Open E84 Data Set Dialog Box ................................................................................................................... 3

Import DLD Log FIle Dialog Box .................................................................................................................. 4

Save As Metafile Dialog Box ....................................................................................................................... 4

Save As Bitmap Dialog Box ........................................................................................................................ 4

Save As Text Dialog Box ............................................................................................................................. 5

Configuration Menu ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Set X-Axis Range Dialog Box ...................................................................................................................... 8

Enter Test Information Dialog Box .............................................................................................................. 9

E23 Test Information Dialog Box ............................................................................................................... 10

Long Term Recording Mode Enabled ....................................................................................................... 10

Long Term Recording Mode Active ........................................................................................................... 10

Record Using Menu Options ..................................................................................................................... 11

Analysis Menu Options .............................................................................................................................. 11

DLD Interface Menu Options ..................................................................................................................... 12

Configure DLD Dialog Box ........................................................................................................................ 12

Upload from DLD Dialog Box .................................................................................................................... 14

Save Data Set Dialog Box ......................................................................................................................... 14

Help Menu ................................................................................................................................................. 14

About E84 Analysis Application Dialog Box .............................................................................................. 14

Data Recording Mode ............................................................................................................................... 15

Sample Graph Window during Data Acquisition ....................................................................................... 16

Playback Analysis Mode Graph Window ................................................................................................... 19

Sample Screen - Zoom In Tool: Time Window Selection ......................................................................... 20

Sample Screen - Zoom In Tool: Zoom Applied ......................................................................................... 21

Delta Signal Measurement - Step 1: Instructions ..................................................................................... 22

Delta Signal Measurement - Step 2: Starting Point Marked ..................................................................... 23

Delta Signal Measurement - Step 3: Ending Point Marked ...................................................................... 24

Sample Transitional Search Screen - First Find Next Transition .............................................................. 25

Sample Transitional Search Screen - Second Find Next Transition ......................................................... 25

E84 Analysis Details .................................................................................................................................. 28

E84 Analysis Mode - Noise Error .............................................................................................................. 29

E84 Analysis Mode - TD0 Warning ........................................................................................................... 30

Sample Graph exported in Windows Meta File format (WMF) .................................................................. 34

Sample Graph exported in Bitmap File format (BMP) ............................................................................... 35

Sample Data Set exported in Tabular Text File format (TXT) ................................................................... 36


(This page intentionally left blank)


Overview

GCI’s E84 Recorder and E84 Data Logging Device (DLD) capture E84 Signal Streams associated with automated material handoff operations in semiconductor fabrication facilities. Both units connect in-line between Active (AMHS) and Passive (process equipment) E84 entities. The E84 Recorder connects to a personal computer to provide real-time monitoring and unlimited recording to disk. The compact E84 DLD is a self-contained unit capable of recording the last 50 material handoff operations to battery-backed memory. GCI’s E84 Analysis application provides data analysis and management for both products.

E84 Analysis Application

GCI’s E84 Analysis application is a menu-driven graphical user interface that runs on the

Microsoft Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Vista operating systems (DLD support only). It configures the E84

Recorder and E84 DLD, supports data recording via the E84 Recorder, and uploads logged data from the

E84 DLD. It provides playback features including scroll, zoom, time measure, and automated error analysis. Finally, the E84 Analysis application can save and load recorded E84 Signal Streams via the

PC’s hard drive.

Getting Started

Minimum System Requirements

•

•

•

•

The E84 Analysis application requires the following minimum system configuration:

•

•

•

486, or Pentium processor-based personal computer, laptop or desktop.

Windows NT/2000 or XP/Vista operating system.

E84 Recorder (not Vista compatible) - one parallel printer port (ECP support required). The parallel printer port must be assigned to one of the standard memory addresses (378, 278, 3BC).

E84 DLD - one RS-232 or COM port

16 MB RAM

5 MB of available hard disk space.

CD-ROM drive

Typographical Conventions

Throughout this manual, various type styles are used in describing the E84 Analysis application’s GUI.

The styles defined here are used for:

Bold

- Used for screen names.

Italics

Underlined

SMALL CAPS

- Used for menu options.

- Used for option button names.

- Used for data entry fields.


1


Installation

To install the E84 Analysis application, locate the file GCI_E84AnalysisAppsetup.exe (on the E84 Analysis

Application Installation CD-ROM) using Windows Explorer

®

and double-click it. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Re-boot your system following installation.

A new group (GCI E84 Analysis) will be created in the Start Menu. Several shortcuts are added to this new group, including shortcuts to the application, and this Users Manual.

Troubleshooting WinNT, 2000, and XP Installation

If, when starting the E84 Analysis Application, you receive an error message of the form:

E84 NT Driver Error

The E84 NT Driver was not properly loaded or started. Verify that the correct System Registry entries were made during installation using regedt32.exe. Four keys need to be entered as follows:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\HDLCDRVR]

“ErrorControl” = dword: 00000001

“Start” = dword: 00000002

“Type” = dword: 00000001

“ImagePath” = string:”\??\c:\Program Files\Get Control, Inc\

E84 Analysis Application\hdlcdrvr.sys”

Note: The ImagePath string must contain the path used during installation. The path listed in the example is the default installation directory.

Uninstalling the E84 Analysis Application

If it becomes necessary to remove the Application, an Uninstall shortcut is added to the Start Menu.Follow

the on-screen instructions to fully uninstall the application.


2


E84 Analysis Menu Bar

The E84 Analysis Menu Bar is displayed along the top of the Graph Window. The available menu options are File, Configuration, DLD Interface, Analysis, and Help.

File Menu

The File Menu provides the user with options to save the current set of recorded data, load a set of previously recorded data (for Playback

Analysis Mode), and export the current data in either graphical or tabular format.

Note: File Menu options are disabled during Data Acquisition.

Save Recorded Data

This option allows the user to save the current set of recorded data. A standard Windows Save As dialog box is displayed. The current data set is saved to the file name supplied by the user. This data file can then be loaded for use in the Playback Analysis Mode.

File Menu

The Save As dialog box is automatically displayed at the end of Data Acquisition. When the user completes a Data Acquisition session by clicking the STOP button, this Save As dialog box is displayed to allow the user to save the just recorded data set. A default file name is generated for the user in the form TEMP####.dat

(where the #### is auto-incremented for each recorded data set saved).

If the user cancels the Save As dialog box, and initiates another Data Acquisition session, the first set of recorded data is lost.

Save E84 Data Set Dialog Box

Open Data Set for Playback

This option allows the user to load a previously recorded data set for use in the Playback Analysis

Mode. The user is prompted for the desired file through a standard Windows Open File dialog box.

When the user selects a file to load, the Playback

Analysis Graph Window is displayed, along with the data set form the selected file. Playback Analysis

Mode options are then available.

Open E84 Data Set Dialog Box


3


Import DLD Log File

This option allows the user to import a DLD Log file that was uploaded using the

GCI Handheld Tester (HHT). When uploading a DLD Log file directly with the

E84 Analysis Application, it is automatically converted to the proper format during upload. When uploading a DLD Log file using the GCI HHT, the Log file is left in it’s raw binary format. This raw format must be converted before displaying. This option converts the raw DLD Log file, prompts the operator for a save file name, and displays the converted data. Reserved signals are processed based on the current setting of the Enable Reserved Inputs option in the configuration menu.

Import DLD Log FIle

Dialog Box

Import HHT Cycle / Manual Test Data

This option allows the user to import Cycle and Manual test results saved using the GCI Handheld Tester

(HHT). HHT cycle and manual tests record a time chart that can be displayed by the Analysis Application.

This data must be converted before viewing. This option processes that conversion and displays the time chart.

Export Graph as Metafile

This option allows the user to export the currently displayed graph in Enhanced Meta File (EMF) or

Windows Meta File (WMF) format. The user is prompted for a file name through a standard Windows

Save As dialog box.

Use the Save as type: list on the Save As dialog box to change between Enhanced Meta File and standard

Windows Meta File formats. This allows the user to export the Graph Window for use with other applications.

Export Graph as Bitmap

Save As Metafile Dialog Box

This option allows the user to export the currently displayed graph in Bitmap File format.

The user is prompted for a file name through a standard

Windows Save As dialog box.

The Save as type: list on the Save As dialog box has no affect when saving the graph in Bitmap format.

Bitmap files are significantly larger than WMF or EMF files, but can generally be imported into more applications. Appendix A contains an example of a

Bitmap export.

Save As Bitmap Dialog Box


4


Export Data to Text File

This option allows the user to export the current data set to a text file in signal state change order. The user is prompted for a file name through a standard Windows

Save As dialog box.

All user supplied test information is formatted into a page header in the text file. This header is followed by a tabular list of time-stamped signal state changes.

Each line in the table contains a time-stamp, followed by the signal name whose state changed at that time, the signal’s new state, and the states of all other recorded signals.

Save As Text Dialog Box

Any E84 Error conditions detected by E84 Analysis are marked in the text file. Detailed error messages are displayed, along with the expected state of all E84 signals. All Analysis Menu option settings (described below) are reflected in E84 Error reporting within the text file.

An example text file can be found in Appendix A.

Exit

This option closes the E84 Analysis application. Any open data files are closed, and the E84 Recorder is placed in an idle mode.

Configuration Menu

The Configuration Menu allows the user to set data acquisition options for the E84 Recorder. It also provides an option to enter test information for E84

Recorder and E84 DLD data sets. E84 Recorder data acquisition options include setting the types of signals to record, the Voltage Reference, and the default X-Axis time scale. Test information entry includes test operator, test location, equipment manufacturer and model number, and timeout settings.

Configuration Menu options have no affect during Data

Acquisition. Changes to the Configuration Menu must be made prior to starting Data Acquisition.

During Playback Analysis Mode, the user can select the Enter Test Information option to add test comments,

Configuration Menu or change test details. The changes are made to the currently open data set, but are not automatically saved to disk. Use the Save Recorded Data option from the File menu to store the changes to disk.


5


Set E84 Interface Inputs

The Set E84 Interface Inputs option configures the E84 Recorder to record standard E84 Active and

Passive mode signals. The Graph Window is annotated with the currently selected Interface Input record mode. This is the default recording mode.

A check mark is displayed in the Configuration Menu next to the currently selected Interface Input record mode.

Signals recorded in E84 Interface Inputs mode are:

Active Mode Signals

VALID (Pin 14)

CS_0 (Pin 15)

CS_1 (Pin 16)

Passive Mode Signals

L_REQ (Pin 1)

U_REQ (Pin 2)

READY (Pin 4)

TR_REQ (Pin 18)

BUSY (Pin 19)

COMPT (Pin 20)

CONT (Pin 21)

HO_AVBL (Pin 7)

ES (Pin 8)

Enable Reserved Inputs

The Enable Reserved Inputs option configures the E84 Recorder to also record the three reserved E84 signals. This option is available under both E84 and E23 recording modes. The default recording mode has these inputs disabled.

The additional recorded signals are:

RSVD_1 (Pin 10)

RSVD_2 (Pin 11)

RSVD_3 (Pin 12)

When recording an Optical Communications link, these reserved signals represent the Select (Pin 10),

Mode (Pin 11) and Go (Pin 12) signals.

When uploading data from an attached DLD, the status of this option affects the displayed data. Once the

DLD data has been saved, this option cannot be changed.


6


Set E23 Interface Inputs

The Set E23 Interface Inputs option configures the E84 Recorder to record standard E23 Active and

Passive mode signals. The Graph Window is annotated with the currently selected Interface Input record mode. Additional annotation changes include new timeout value names in the test information header section.

The recorded signals are:

Active Mode Signals

VALID (Pin 14)

CS_0 (Pin 15)

CS_1 (Pin 16)

CS_2 (Pin 17)

TR_REQ (Pin 18)

BUSY (Pin 19)

COMPT (Pin 20)

Passive Mode Signals

L_REQ (Pin 1)

U_REQ (Pin 2)

READY (Pin 4)

If the interface being recorded does not match the pin assignments detailed above, custom adapter cables must be assembled.

Replace RSVD_1 with Pin 6 (Light Curtain)

Some equipment manufacturers have replaced one of the unused E84 signals with a light curtain status indicator. While this violates the published E84 specification, because the signal is not used for standard

E84 hand-offs, it does not affect AMHS deliveries.

This option replaces the RSVD_1 signal (pin 11 on the E84 interface connector, which is typically connected to the Mode bit) with pin 6, connected to the light curtain status indicator. This allows those customers using a light curtain indicator to display it’s status on the real time graph.

The Enable Reserved Inputs option is automatically set when selecting this option.

This option must be set before uploading data from an attached DLD. Once the DLD log file is uploaded and saved, this option cannot be changed.


7


Set X-Axis Scale

The Set X-Axis Scale option displays a dialog box where the user can enter the desired maximum X-Axis

Time value. It is recommended that the user set the maximum X-Axis Time value large enough to capture the entire test. For example, if a typical load sequence takes three minutes, set the maximum X-Axis Time value to at least three minutes (00:03:00).

The Set X-Axis Range dialog box contains three entry fields, arranged in H:MM:SS format. Enter the desired

Set X-Axis Range Dialog Box hours, minutes and seconds for the X-Axis. The X-Axis range can be any time length between one minute (0:01:00) and nearly 2 hours (1:59:59). The default setting for the maximum X-Axis Time is two minutes (00:02:00).

Note: The X-axis scale only determines the length of the data set displayed on the screen at one time during recording. It does not limit the length of the data recorded. For example, when using the default setting of two minutes, the first two minutes of recorded data is displayed in real-time on the graph. When the graph lines reach the right edge of the graph (at the two minute mark), the first two minutes of data is shifted off the graph (to the left), the X-Axis labels are incremented by two minutes, and the next two minutes of recorded data is plotted.

Set Voltage Reference

The Set Voltage Reference option displays a dialog box where the user can enter the voltage reference used in determining the state of the E84 Recorder’s inputs.

This setting does not affect the E84 DLD.

The Voltage Reference can be set to a level between

0.1 and 10.0 Volts in 0.1 Volt increments. The entered

Voltage Reference value is displayed on the Graph

Window, and in the test information header of the tabular text file.

The default setting for the Voltage Reference is 1.8

Volts.

E84 logic states are determined by the presence or lack of current between the outputs and inputs of the passive and active entities. However, the E84 Recorder inputs must be of high-impedance to remain nonintrusive to the interface between the active and passive entities. Therefore, the E84 Recorder utilizes a voltage sense approach to detect the logic state of each E84 signal.

The E84 Recorder provides a programmable voltage reference to set the DC threshold voltage for sensing the logic levels on the E84 interface. The SEMI

®

E84 specification specifies a maximum On State Voltage of 1.8 Volts DC. This is the default setting for the E84 Recorder. This threshold voltage may be optionally changed as required for a specific interface between active and passive entities or optical transceiver devices.


8


Enter Test Information

The Enter Test Information option displays a dialog box where the user can enter details about the two pieces of process equipment involved in the recording session.

Test details that can be entered by the user include:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

G

RAPH

T

ITLE

N

AME OF THE USER RUNNING THE TEST

L

OCATION OF THE TEST

L

OAD

P

ORT NUMBER BEING TESTED

A

CTIVE

E

QUIPMENT

M

ANUFACTURER

A

CTIVE

E

QUIPMENT

M

ODEL

N

UMBER

A

CTIVE

T

IMEOUT

S

ETTINGS

(TA1 TA3)

•

•

•

P

ASSIVE

E

QUIPMENT

M

ANUFACTURER

P

ASSIVE

E

QUIPMENT

M

ODEL

N

UMBER

P

ASSIVE

T

IMEOUT

S

ETTINGS

(TP1 TP6)

Enter Test Information Dialog Box

All test information entered by the user is stored with the saved data file, and displayed during Playback

Analysis Mode. It is also displayed in the E84 Data Recorder Graph Window, as well as in the exported

Meta, Bitmap and Text files.

When entering the Active and Passive Timeout settings, remember that the SEMI

®

E84 Specification sets limits on valid timeouts (1 - 999 seconds). Values entered that are outside of the SEMI

®

E84 Specification limits will not be accepted.

The only test information items that have defaults are the nine timeout settings. These defaults match the typical values noted in the SEMI

®

E84 Specification (in seconds):

Timer

TA1

TA2

TA3

Default

2

2

2

Timer

TP1

TP2

TP3

TP4

TP5

TP6

Default

2

1

2

2

60

60

When recording data from an E84 DLD, The “Enter Test Information” dialog also displays the DLD’s firmware version and ID number at the bottom of the dialog window.

A message is displayed when data recorded using the Replace RSVD_1 with Pin 6 (Light Curtain) option is opened.


9

E84 Analysis Application User Manual

E23 Test Information

When configured to record E23 signals, the Enter Test

Information option displays a slightly altered dialog box where the user can enter details about the two pieces of process equipment involved in the recording session.

The main difference between E84 and E23 Test

Information is the renaming of timeout values. E23 timeouts are numbered T1 through T8.

Version 2.8

Set Long Term Recording Mode

Long Term recording mode allows the user to continuously record the E84 handshaking between two pieces of equipment over long periods of time, with realtime graphing disabled. The user can record several days worth of E84 handshaking, and then use the recorded data to trouble-shoot a failed E84 handoff that occurred any time during the recorded session.

E23 Test Information Dialog Box

To enable the Long Term Recording Mode, the user selects the Set Long Term Recording Mode option from the Configuration Menu. When selected, a check mark is displayed along side the option text in the menu. The

Graph Window is removed, and replaced with the

Long Term Recording Enabled window.

To initiate Long Term Recording, the user clicks the

START button. The screen changes to the Long Term

Recording Active window. Long Term Recording is now active.

Long Term Recording Mode Enabled

To terminate a long term recording session, the user clicks the STOP button. When the STOP button is clicked, the user is prompted to save the recorded data set. After the data set is saved, the Long Term

Recording Active window is removed, and the system enters Playback Analysis Mode. The Graph Window is re-displayed, and the recorded data is plotted.

From here the user can export the recorded data set to a text file for analysis.

When the user exits Playback Analysis Mode, the

Graph Window is removed, and the Long Term

Recording Enabled window is displayed. To exit from

Long Term Recording Mode, select the Set Long Term

Long Term Recording Mode Active

Recording Mode option from the Configuration Menu.

The displayed check-mark next to the menu option will be removed, and the Graph Window will be displayed.

More details on Data Acquisition follow in the next section.


10


Record Using LPT (E84 Recorder)

Select this option if you are recording data from an E84 Recorder that is connected to your computer’s parallel port.

Version 2.8

Record Using USB (E84 Recorder)

Select this option if you are recording data from an E84 Recorder that is connected to one of your computer’s USB ports. Note that as of publication, USB hardware in the E84 Recorder is still under development, and is unavailable.

Record Using Menu Options

Record Using COM (E84 DLD)

If you are downloading the recorded data from an E84 DLD, use this menu to select the COM port to which the DLD is connected. The drop down list shows all available COM port supported by Windows.

Once the COM port is selected, the E8 4Analysis Application can record live mode data through the attached DLD.

Analysis Menu

The Analysis Menu allows the user to set E84 Analysis Mode options. These options dictate how E84 Error Analysis takes place. Analysis Menu options have no affect during Data

Acquisition.

E84 Analysis Mode is covered in detail later in this document, including examples of the error conditions covered by this menu.

Analysis Menu Options

Ignore Idle Noise

The first option in the Analysis Menu allows the user to ignore Idle Noise errors. Idle Noise is defined as any E84 Error condition that occurs when no E84 Handshake is taking place. Valid E84 handshaking begins with the AMHS turning one (or both) of the Load Port Assignment Signals ON, and ends with all

AMHS signals turned OFF.

This option allows the user to filter out idle noise, and concentrate his analysis on those error conditions that occur during an E84 Handshake.

To ignore Idle Noise, select this option. A check mark will be displayed next to the option when selected.

To turn off Idle Noise filtering, un-check the option.

Note: Idle noise is in violation of the E84 Specification. The cause should be determined and repaired.

Ignore TD0 Warnings

The second option in the Analysis Menu allows the user to ignore TD0 Warnings. TD0 warnings are displayed when the recorded data shows the AMHS does not adhere to the recommended, but optional delay timer between turning the Load Port Assignment Signals and the VALID signal. The E84

Specification calls out a 0.1 to 0.2 second delay between the CS_0 / CS_1 signal and the VALID signal.

The time separating these two signals is measured, and compared against the 0.1 to 0.2 second range


11


defined by the E84 Specification. If the measured separation falls outside of this range (either less than

0.1 seconds or greater than 0.2 seconds) a warning message is displayed.

This message is a warning only, not an error message. If failure to adhere to this optional delay timer causes any problems for the Load Port, some other error condition will occur and be marked accordingly.

It is very possible that failure to adhere to this timer will have no affect at all on the success of the E84

Handshake. For this reason, the default state of the Ignore TD0 Warnings option is selected.

This option allows the user to filter out TD0 warnings. To ignore TD0 warnings, select this option. A check mark will be displayed next to the option when selected. To turn off TD0 filtering, un-check the option.

Ignore E23 CS Signal

The last option in the Analysis Menu allows the user to ignore the three CS signals during E23 recording.

A typical E23 handoff begins with one or more of the CS signals (CS_0, CS_1, and CS_2) turning ON, followed by VALID turning ON. Some E23 implementations do not utilize the three CS signals. An E23 handoff that does not utilize the CS signals begins with the VALID signal turning ON.

When this option is not selected, the Analysis Application will tag all E23 handoffs that do not include at least one CS signal as invalid. When this option is selected, the Analysis Application will treat those handoffs as valid.

For those application where the CS signals are not implemented, this option should be enabled.

DLD Interface Menu

The DLD Interface Menu allows the user to configure the E84

DLD and upload logged data from the E84 DLD.

Configure DLD

DLD Interface Menu Options

The Configure DLD option displays the Configure DLD dialog box with options to read and set the configuration of the currently connected E84 DLD.

The Get Current DLD Settings button will attempt to communicate with a connected DLD and retrieve its current settings. This is a good test when bringing up a newly installed DLD to verify proper communications with the PC.

After the PC retrieves the current DLD settings, the

Date, Time, Daylight Savings, Version, and ID fields will be filled in with the current values from the DLD. If the attached DLD contains firmware version 2.0 or greater, the Counter section will also be updated. Note: the RJ-

11 Transceiver does not support counters at this time.

If connected to an RJ-11 Transceiver, the Counter section will remain blank.

Configure DLD Dialog Box

After verifying proper communications as described above, the user should set the desired DLD configuration options. These options include:


12


Synchronize DLD Time/Date with System Time/Date

This option resets the DLDs internal real time clock to match the PC’s time and date.

Initialize (Clear) DLD RAM

This option erases the DLDs recording RAM buffer.

Initialize (Clear) Counters

This option clears the internal counters (for version 2.0 or greater DLD’s).

Ignore Control Signals

This option enables a masking function that treats changes in the three control signals as non-events. (Requires version 2.5 or greater DLD’s).

When this option is disabled, changes on the three control signals do trigger events, and are written into the RAM buffer.

Note: Leave this option disabled unless the recorded data shows excessive control signal events. Having a recording of the true states of the control signals is very valuable when analyzing a data set. This option will mask true changes to the control signals.

Enable DLD Error Trapping

This option turns on the special Errors Only Recording mode (for version 2.0 or greater

DLD’s).

Ignore Idle Noise

This option is used only when the Enable DLD Error Trapping option is selected. It instructs the DLD to ignore signal state changes that would normally trigger an error if those transitions occur outside of a standard handoff (for version 2.0 or greater DLD’s).

When bringing up a newly installed DLD, the user should always select the Synchronize DLD Time/Date and Initialize (Clear) DLD RAM options. For more details on DLD configuration options, see the E84

DLD User Manual.

Note: when the Initialize (Clear) DLD RAM option is selected, the DLD erases it’s internal recording RAM buffer. An attempt to upload the DLD log file just after clearing the RAM buffer will result in an error message saying that the DLD Log file contains no data points. After clearing the RAM buffer, make sure that the DLD has recorded new signal transitions so the RAM buffer will contain valid data points. The

DLD will log power on events, so an easy way to ensure the RAM contains at least one data point is to power cycle the DLD after clearing the RAM.

After desired options have been selected, press the Update DLD button. The PC will attempt to communicate with the connected DLD and configure it with the selected options. Options are stored in non-volatile RAM, and remain in effect until the DLD is reconfigured.


13


Upload DLD

The Upload DLD option displays the Upload DLD dialog box. Select the Connect button to connect to the currently connected DLD and upload its data log.

Logged data from the currently connected E84 DLD is uploaded and converted to E84 Data Recorder

Application format. The progress of the upload and conversion are displayed in the Upload DLD dialog box.

The user may abort the upload by selecting the Cancel button.

After the E84 Recorder uploads and converts the logged data, the Save E84 Data Recorder Data Set dialog box prompts the user to save the uploaded data

Upload from DLD Dialog Box to disk. This dialog box consists of a standard Windows Save As dialog box. A default file name is generated for the user in the form TEMP####.dat (where the #### is auto-incremented for each recorded data set saved). The current data set is saved to the file name supplied by the user. If the user cancels the Save As dialog box, and initiates another upload, the first set of recorded data is lost.

When the Save As dialog box has closed (by the user selecting either the Save or Cancel buttons), the uploaded E84 Signal Stream is displayed in the

Playback graph window Playback Analysis Mode is started. For a detailed discussion on analysis tools available, see the Playback Analysis Mode section below.

Help Menu

The Help Menu provides the user with an About E84

E84 Analysis Application option. This option displays a dialog box showing version number information for both the E84 Analysis

Application and the E84 Recorder firmware.

Save Data Set Dialog Box

For E84 DLD’s, the message

Firmware Version x.x is replaced by

Help Menu the message E84 Recorder Not Connected.


About E84 Analysis Application Dialog Box

14


Data Recoding Mode

The initial mode for the E84 Analysis application is Data Recording Mode. When recording live data, the

Data Recording Mode provides the interface to start and stop data recording. When connected to the

E84 DLD, Data Recording Mode also supports uploading logged data.

During data recording, the E84 Analysis application plots the acquired E84 Signal Stream on a timing diagram graph in real-time and saves it to a temporary file on disk. During data upload via the E84 DLD, the E84 Analysis application converts the logged data and saves it to a temporary file on disk. Data analysis features are not available during Data Recording Mode (except for the real-time updates to the timing diagram graph, when not in Long Term Recording mode). Recorded and uploaded data can be analyzed using the Playback Analysis Mode described below.

Recorded Data File Structure

The recorded data file contains all user supplied test information, along with time-stamped data samples for each signal state change that occurred during the recording session. Only those data samples that contain a state change are logged to the data file. This provides a compressed file format to limit the size requirements of the data file. If every sampled data point were stored (at the 1 kHz sample rate), the storage requirements would be 4 kBytes for each second of recorded data. For a typical 3 minute test, that would equate to a 720 kByte file. Saving only the signal state changes reduces this storage requirement to under 100 bytes (for a typical load sequence). E84 Specification violations such as idle noise will affect the storage requirements.

The compressed data file is expanded during Playback Analysis Mode to display the true 1 mSecond sample data recorded by the E84 Recorder.

Starting and Stopping Data Recording

While in Data Record Mode (with Long Term Recording enabled or not), three option buttons are available on the Graph Window. The START button initiates data recording, while the STOP button terminates data recording. The UPLOAD DLD button opens the Upload DLD dialog box

START Button

Pressing the Start button re-displayed the Graph

Window (to include the user supplied Test Information if entered) and initiates data recording. Data recording continues until the Stop button is pressed. Recorded data is added to the timing diagram graph, and logged to disk in a temporary data file.

Note, if Long Term Recording Mode has been enabled, the Graph Window is not displayed, and recorded data is not plotted in real-time.

Data Recording Mode


15


STOP Button

Pressing the Stop button halts data recording. The user is prompted to save the data set (through a standard

Windows Save As dialog box). The file name is defaulted to “TEMP####.dat” (where #### is a sequential file index starting at 0000). The user has the option of changing the file name, or leaving it at the temporary default. If the recorded data is not required for additional Playback Analysis, the user can cancel the Save As dialog box. The recorded data will not be saved (though it is still available for immediate

Playback Analysis).

When the Save As dialog box has closed (by the user selecting either the Save or Cancel buttons), the graph is updated with the last recorded data point, and

Sample Graph Window during Data Acquisition

Playback Analysis Mode is started. A signal state change table is built and displayed to the right of the timing diagram. This table shows the time-stamped sequence of state changes that occurred during data recording. The displayed table shows the first 29 signal state changes currently visible on the graph.

For a detailed discussion on analysis tools available, see the Playback Analysis Mode section below.

UPLOAD DLD Button

The Upload DLD button is a short cut to the Upload DLD dialog box described in detail previously in this manual. Select the Connect button to connect to the currently connected DLD and upload its data log.

Logged data from the currently connected E84 DLD is uploaded and converted to E84 Analysis application format. The progress of the upload and conversion are displayed in the Upload DLD dialog box. The user may abort the upload by selecting the Cancel button.

Sampling Rate

The E84 Recorder and E84 DLD record the E84 Signals using a transitional method. During recording, all

E84 signals are sampled simultaneously. The current state of the signal is compared with the previously sampled signal state. If one or more signals have changed in the previous from the previous sample, the data is time-stamped and recorded. The E84 Recorder samples at a 1 KHz rate (1mS resolution) and the

E84 DLD samples at a 500 Hz rate (2mS resolution).

The E84 Recorder produces a 4Hz timing mark (250 mS period) that is read by the E84 Analysis application. The E84 Analysis application buffers a minimum of four samples per second. The timing mark produces a minimum 250 mSecond update for the timing diagram graph during time periods of static

E84 signals.


16


E84 Recorder FIFO Overflow

The E84 Recorder contains a FIFO capable of buffering up to 16 signal transitions or timing records without being serviced by the E84 Analysis application. If the E84 Recorder writes more than 16 records to the FIFO before the E84 Analysis application reads the FIFO, the FIFO will overflow. If the FIFO overflows, buffering of signal state transitions halts until the FIFO has been read. This results in potential data loss. Limiting the real-time graph update to 100 Hz significantly improves the probability that the E84

Recorder FIFO will not overflow. If the E84 Recorder FIFO does overflow, the recorded data sample is flagged.

When Data Acquisition completes, and the recorded data is displayed in Playback Analysis mode, a vertical line is drawn at the time-stamp where the FIFO overflow was detected. This vertical line indicates potential data loss. Due to the E84 Recorder’s 16-sample FIFO, the potential data loss occurred 16 samples past the displayed vertical line.

The most common cause for FIFO overflow problems is related to Windows multi-tasking. During Data

Acquisition, the E84 Recorder continuously records data samples at a minimum rate of 4 samples per second (when no signal state changes are occurring). That rate increases with increased signal state changes (to a maximum of 1000 samples per second). The E84 Analysis application can easily keep up with the E84 Recorder during normal testing.

If, however, the user attempts to start another application during Data Acquisition, the computer shifts processing time (away from the E84 Analysis application) to access the hard-drive, and load and initialize the new application. This shift of processing time limits the E84 Analysis application’s ability to read data samples from the E84 Recorder. This forces the E84 Recorder to buffer samples deeper into the FIFO, eventually filling it up.

Due to the potentially high rate of sampling, FIFO overflows may even occur when the computer switches into Screen-Saver mode.

FIFO overflow errors are not common. Typical E84 signal handshaking contains few signal state changes, separated by adequate time for proper recording, even if the host computer is busy with another application. If the E84 interface being recorded is not functioning properly, with signals oscillating or bouncing, FIFO overflow errors will be more common.

If FIFO overflow errors do occur, verify that no other applications are stealing processing time from the

E84 Analysis application. Disable Screen-Saver mode to keep the computer from switching off the display. Analyze the recorded data. If signals are changing at a very high rate of speed, trouble-shoot the

E84 interface to determine the cause.


17


E84 DLD Power On Graph Indicator

Power for the E84 DLD is provided by the Load Port. The E84 DLD can log transitory signal changes during power up that the user may choose to ignore.

To indicate a power cycle, a vertical line is drawn at the time-stamp to indicate a power cycle on the E84

DLD. This marker is identical to the vertical line used to indicate an E84 Recorder FIFO Overflow

(described above).

E84 DLD Power Off Graph Indicator

The DLD (starting with version 2.3) also writes a power down event into the log file. This allows the E84

Analysis Application to mark areas in the graph were the DLD was not under power. This greatly aids in analyzing the resultant data file. The power down event is indicated by a vertical colored line.

The figure at right shows two successive IR Transceiver

Tests run on a GCI Handheld Tester. A DLD was inserted between the HHT and the Optical Transceiver being tested. The signal state changes recorded show the sequence of signal tests run by the HHT.

The graph shows a solid black vertical line at the far left of the display. This is a DLD Power On Indicator.

Following a series of signal changes, the graph displays a second vertical line whose color ranges from red (near the top of the display) to green (in the middle), back to red and ends in black. This colored vertical line is the DLD Power Down Indicator.

A second DLD Power On Indicator is shown towards the right of the graph window, followed by a second

IR Transceiver Test. No signal lines are graphed between the DLD Power Down and Power Up indicators. A final DLD Power Down Indicator is shown at the far right of the graph window.

Timing Diagram Graph Update Rate

The real-time graph provides a maximum resolution of 100 data points per second (or 10 mS period). This limitation is imposed due to the overhead of updating the graphics screen. Signals which transition faster than 100 Hz may be transparent on the real-time graph. However, these signal transitions will be recorded, reported in the tabular reports, and available for graphing during Playback Analysis mode.

When displaying previously recorded data using the E84 Analysis application’s Playback Analysis Mode, the graph update rate reverts to the 1 mSecond sample rate of the E84 Recorder. This allows complete analysis of recorded data, including those signal state changes that occurred under the 10 mSecond update rate of the real-time graph.


18


Playback Analysis Mode

The Playback Analysis Mode can be used to examine the recorded data in detail. Playback Analysis

Mode is entered automatically upon termination of Data Acquisition. Playback Analysis Mode can also be entered by selecting a saved data set using the Open Data Set for Playback option from the File menu.

The Playback Analysis Mode Graph Window is displayed, and the recorded data set is plotted on the timing diagram graph. The resolution of the X-Axis is set to the 1 mSecond sample rate of the E84

Recorder. This allows the user to see every state change recorded. The initial X-Axis settings for the graph are set to include the entire recorded data set on one screen. For long recording sessions, this may cause a delay in updating the graph due to the large number of data points being plotted.

Playback Analysis Mode offers several analysis tools that help in understanding the data set recorded.

These tools are described in detail in the following sections.

Playback Analysis Mode Graph Window

Along with the timing diagram of the recorded data, the Playback Analysis Graph Window includes several option buttons not present during Data Acquisition. These option buttons provide access to the analysis tools available.

Also displayed on the Playback Analysis Graph Window is a tabular, time-stamped list of signal state changes. This table contains the first 29 state changes occurring within the time scale currently displayed in the timing diagram. If the time scale is changed, using one of the analysis tools described below, the table is updated. For example, if the user zooms in to display a single, signal state change, the table is updated to include the time-stamp for only that one change.

Playback Analysis Mode Graph Window


19


Playback Analysis Tools

Graph Zoom Tool

The original graph displayed in Playback Analysis Mode covers the entire recorded data set. It is very difficult to see the separation between different signal state changes, especially for long recording sessions. The Graph Zoom Tool allows the user to focus in on a specific (time based) area of the timing diagram.

The Graph Zoom Tool allows the user to set the minimum and maximum time-axis points for the displayed timing diagram. This means the user can zoom in to a specific time window, adjusting the minimum and maximum time-stamps displayed on the timing diagram. The scale along the X-Axis changes with the zoom, while the Y-Axis remains constant. This keeps all recorded signals visible on the display.

Zoom In Instructions are displayed just above the timing diagram.

To Zoom In: Right-Click and drag to select Zoom Window

To select the zoom window, position the mouse cursor at the minimum time-stamped data you wish to display. Click the Right mouse button, and drag the cursor to the maximum time-stamped data you wish to display. A dash-lined rectangle is displayed, showing the area of the graph you are selecting. When you have drawn the rectangle around the data you wish to display, release the Right mouse button. The rectangle height is ignored, Y-Axis zooming is not supported. Regardless of the height of the rectangle drawn, only the X-Axis is affected.

The example screen above shows the dash-lined rectangle drawn around the raising edge of the CS_0

Sample Screen - Zoom In Tool: Time Window Selection


20


signal (at an approximate time-stamp of 4 seconds). The user in this example positioned the mouse cursor at the upper left corner of the displayed rectangle. Clicked the Right mouse button, and dragged the cursor to the lower right corner. When the mouse button is released, the zoom is processed, resulting in the following screen.

Sample Screen - Zoom In Tool: Zoom Applied

The sample screen above shows the results of the Zoom In Tool. The X-Axis scale has changed from 0 -

50 Seconds to 2 - 7 seconds. All recorded signal state lines are still visible. The separation between signal state changes is exaggerated due to the new time axis range.

Note the change in the time-stamp table displayed to the right of the timing diagram. In the sample screen on the previous page, the table contained 16 entries, ranging from 3.692 to 36.594 seconds. With the change in the X-Axis time scale following the Zoom, the table now contains six entries, ranging from 3.692

to 4.826. Only those state changes that are visible in the current timing diagram are listed in the table.

This is useful when examining data from long recording sessions, that contain multiple E84 hand-offs.

Data from multiple hand-offs will contain more state changes than will fit in a single table. This makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact time-stamp for a specific signal state change. With the Graph Zoom Tool, and the updated table, the user can enlarge the area surrounding the desired point, and have the table automatically updated with the time-stamps of the newly displayed signal state changes.


21


ZOOM FULL Button

After using the Graph Zoom Tool to focus in on a specific section of the recorded data, use the ZOOM

FULL button to re-display the entire data set on the timing diagram. The X-Axis time range is reset to the original values, and the graph is redisplayed.

The ZOOM FULL button has no affect when the entire data set is already displayed.

Playback Scroll Feature

The Playback Scroll Feature allows the user to scroll back and forth through the displayed data set.

When the user zooms in to display a small portion of the timing diagram, the area of interest may not be visible. The Scroll Feature allows the user to move the center point of the X-Axis back and forth. The data displayed in the graph will scroll along with the center point.

A scroll bar is displayed at the bottom of the Graph Window. This scroll bar provides the interface for adjusting the graphs X-Axis center-point. Moving the scroll bar tab to the right, moves the X-Axis center point to the right. Moving the scroll bar tab to the left, moves the X-Axis center point to the left.

There are three methods of scrolling through the data set. To rapidly scroll through the data, click the scroll bar tab using the Left mouse button, and drag it to the approximate location of the desired data. The location of the scroll bar tab within the scroll bar is relative to the resulting X-Axis center-point. If you wish to quickly move the window to the beginning of the data set, slide the scroll bar tab to the far left side of the scroll bar.

Alternately, for more fine adjustments, use the Left mouse button to single-click inside the dark gray area of the scroll bar. Clicking to the left of the scroll bar tab will move the X-Axis center-point to the left

(smaller time-stamp value). Clicking to the right of the scroll bar tab will move the X-Axis center-point to the right (larger time-stamp value). Single clicks inside this dark gray region move the X-Axis center-point in 1 minute increments.

For extra fine adjustments, click the Left or Right arrows of the scroll bar. Single clicking the scroll bar arrows move the X-Axis center-point in 1 second increments.

Delta Signal Measurement Tool

The Delta Signal Measurement Tool provides the user with a simple method of measuring the amount of time separating two signal state changes. To measure the amount of time separating any two signal state changes, click on the MEASURE SAMPLE button.

MEASURE SAMPLE Button

The MEASURE SAMPLE button starts the process of measuring the time separating two signal state changes. When pressed, the MEASURE SAMPLE button displays instructions asking the user for the starting data point.

Left-Click Starting data point for Delta Time Measurement

Delta Signal Measurement - Step 1: Instructions


22


The figure above shows the portion of the Graph Window where the instructions are displayed. The user then selects the starting data point using the Left mouse button. The signal state change nearest to the point selected is marked as the starting point for time measurement. The selected point is marked by a vertical, dashed line.

Delta Signal Measurement - Step 2: Starting Point Marked

In the above sample screen, the starting point selected by the user is marked with the vertical dashed line.

The nearest signal state change was the rising edge of the VALID signal. The instruction text changes, asking the user for the ending data point.

Left-Click Ending data point for Delta Time Measurement


23


Delta Signal Measurement - Step 3: Ending Point Marked

The ending point is then marked with the vertical dashed line, and the instruction text changes to display the time delta between the two points. In this example, the user has selected the rising edge of the BUSY signal. The time delta between the two points is shown as:

Time Delta between points - 2.797 seconds

If the time delta is greater than 60 seconds, the format of the display changes. For example, if there were

25 minutes, 4.134 seconds between two data points, the time delta would display as:

Time Delta between points - 25:4.134

Similarly, if there were 3 hours, 25 minutes, 4.134 seconds between two data points, the time delta would display as:

Time Delta between points - 03:25:4.134

When measuring the time between two distant data points, try first zooming in on the area around the desired starting data point. Click the MEASURE SAMPLE button and select the starting data point. Then click the ZOOM FULL button, zoom in on the area around the desired ending data point, and select it. The total delta time between the two selected points will be displayed.

If the user does not successfully mark his desired starting data point on the first attempt, he can re-click the MEASURE SAMPLE button. The first selected starting data point cursor will be cleared, and the instruction prompt will once again ask for the starting data point.


24


Transitional Search Tool

The Transitional Search Tool allows the user to search for state changes for a specific signal.

When a data set contains multiple E84 Hand-offs covering several hours, it is necessary to Zoom In on individual hand-offs for analysis. The fully Zoomed Out graph contains so much data, it is impossible to see the separation of signal state changes within a single hand-off.

When Zoomed In on a signal hand-off, the user may want to find the next location in the timing diagram where the VALID signal changed states. To accomplish this, the user first selects the VALID signal. This is done by double-clicking the signal name to the left of the timing diagram. A signal that is selected is marked by a blue rectangle. In the sample screen shown below, the VALID signal has been selected.

If a different signal is desired, simply double-click on it. The blue rectangle surrounding the last selected signal is removed, and displayed around the newly selected signal.

Once the desired signal is selected, click on the Find Next Transition or Find Previous Transition buttons to process the transitional search. When the search completes, the time-stamp of the located transition is displayed at the top of the timing diagram.

Signal Transition found at 04.543 seconds

Find Next Transition Button

The Find Next Transition button search forward through the data set for the next signal state change of the selected signal. On the first use of the Transitional Search Tool, the Find Next Transition button will locate a cursor on the first signal state change currently visible on the timing diagram. Each subsequent use of the Find Next Transition button will move the cursor to the next signal state change FORWARDS from the current cursor location. If the search results in a signal state change that is not currently visible on the timing diagram, the X-

Axis limits are automatically adjusted, and the timing diagram is redisplayed to show the located transition.

In the following sample screen, the user has selected the VALID signal, then clicked on the Find Next

Transition button. The first visible VALID signal state change is located (because this was the first use of the

Transitional Search

Tool), and marked with a vertical, dashed line cursor.

The next VALID signal state change is not visible on the currently displayed timing diagram. Therefore,


25


on the next use of the Find Next Transition button, the X-Axis limits are automatically adjusted to move the located signal state change into view.

The following sample screen shows the result of the second use of the Find Next Transition button. The located VALID signal state change is now visible, and is marked with the vertical, dashed line cursor.

Find Previous Transition Button

The Find Previous Transition button works the same way, but searches backwards through the data set for the previous signal state change of the selected signal. On the first use of the Transitional Search

Tool, the Find Previous Transition button will locate a cursor on the last signal state change currently visible on the timing diagram. Each subsequent use of the Find Previous Transition button will move the cursor to the next signal state change BACKWARDS from the current cursor location. If the search results in a signal state change that is not currently visible on the timing diagram, the X-Axis limits are automatically adjusted, and the timing diagram is redisplayed to show the located transition.

CLEAR CURSORS Button

The data point line cursors, as well as the delta time measurement text, remain on the screen until the user clicks the CLEAR CURSORS button. The user can export the graph (in either Meta or BMP file formats) and have the data point cursors and delta time measurement copied to the export file.

Clicking on the CLEAR CURSORS button clears the two data point cursors, and redisplays the Zoom In instruction text.

The CLEAR CURSORS button also clears the currently selected signal, and any cursor displayed using the Transitional Search Tool (described above)


26


ERROR ANALYSIS Button

Selecting the Error Analysis will display E84 Analysis details. If E23 signals were recorded, the analysis will be based on the E23 handoff specification.

When the user first enters Playback Analysis Mode (either automatically at the end of Data Acquisition, or after opening a saved data set for analysis) the recorded data is analyzed against timing requirements defined in the E84 Specification. Any violations of the timing requirements are added to an internal error list.

When the user presses the Error Analysis button, the standard Tabular Signal State Table at the right of the timing diagram is removed, and replaced with E84 Analysis details. If the recorded data set is not in violation of any E84 Timing requirements, a message is displayed indicating the data set is in full compliance.

All standard Playback Analysis Mode tools are still functional. Use of several Playback Analysis Mode tools will remove the E84 Analysis details, and re-display the tabular signal state table. The user can then re-display the E84 Analysis details by selecting the Error Analysis button.

When the user presses the Error Analysis button, several changes occur on the Playback Analysis

Screen. First, the Error Analysis button is replaced by a Close Analysis button. This button is used to remove the E84 Analysis details, and re-display the standard Tabular Signal State Table. Two additional buttons are also displayed, the Prev and Next buttons. These buttons are used to advance back and forth through each E84 Error condition. The first E84 Error condition is then located, and marked with a cursor.

E84 error details are then displayed.

The Prev button will move the Error Cursor to the previous E84 Error condition PRIOR to the current error.

If the error point is not visible in the timing diagram, the X-Axis is automatically updated.

The Next button moves the Error Cursor to the next E84 Error condition FOLLOWING the current error. If the error point is not visible in the timing diagram, the X-Axis is automatically updated.

In either case, the Error Message and State Table are updated with details from the new error. If no E84

Error conditions exist in the direction selected (Prev or Next), then the button press is ignored.

The Close Analysis button will remove the E84 Analysis details, and re-display the standard Tabular

Signal State Table.

The following figure shows an example screen with E84 Analysis details displayed. Note that the tabular, time stamped data table is replace by an error message, and a new state table. The error message displayed details the E84 timing error detected. In this example, the Passive Equipment (Load Port) dropped the READY signal prematurely. The E84 Specification dictates that the READY signal should remain ON until AFTER the AMHS has dropped the TR_REQ and BUSY signals, and turned ON the

COMPT signal. The error message displayed indicates that the Load Port should be waiting for the AMHS to change these three signals, and that no other signals should have changed state.

A Signal State table is displayed below the error message. This table first shows the time stamp where the E84 Error condition was detected (based on the recorded data). The table also shows all 12 E84 signals, along with the current state, and expected state (based on the current stage of the E84 handshake) of each. Those signals that are not in the correct state are displayed in bold and underlined.

In this example, the READY signal is marked because its current state is OFF, but it should be ON.


27


E84 Analysis Details

The selection of the first E84 Error condition to display is based on the data currently visible in the timing diagram. This is useful when analyzing large data sets. The user can use the Zoom tool to zoom in on a small portion of the overall data set, and then enter E84 Analysis Mode. The E84 Error condition marked will be the first error detected starting with the data displayed.

In the following figure, the data set extended over several hours. The user has zoomed in to a small section of the data. When the Error Analysis button is pressed, the first E84 Error condition is located at a time stamp of over 7½ hours. This is not the first E84 Error condition in the recorded data set, but is the first error condition starting with the visible data.

If there is no E84 Error condition within the range of the visible data, the X-Axis would automatically advance to the next occurrence.


28


E84 Analysis Mode - Noise Error

Ignoring Idle Noise Errors

Electrical noise may be present on the E84 signals due to improperly shielded cabling or faulty power supplies (among other causes).

If the recorded data set shows noise problems on one or more E84 signals, E84 Error Analysis quickly becomes tedious. Every noise hit will produce a separate error message.

In this example, the recorded data shows a momentary noise hit on the Load Ports outputs (L_REQ,

U_REQ, and READY signals all turn ON simultaneously). This noise hit occurs during an idle state, i.e. no E84 Handshake was in progress at the time of the error. In all likelihood, no AMHS vehicle was present to be affected by the error.

In this condition, it is helpful to be able to ignore Idle Noise Errors. The main goal of the E84 Analysis

Mode is to help trouble-shoot E84 Handshaking failures. When the Analysis Menu option Ignore Idle

Noise is selected, the E84 Analysis Mode adds a filter to its error search. For each E84 Error condition found, the system verifies that at least one of the Load Port Assignment Signals are ON. The E84

Specification dictates that a valid E84 Handoff begins with one of the Load Port Assignment signals turning ON. The E84 Specification also dictates that the Load Port Assignment signal must remain ON throughout the duration of the E84 Handshake.

This allows the user to advance through a large recorded data set and display E84 Error conditions that occur ONLY during an attempted E84 Handshake.

Note: Idle noise is in violation of the E84 Specification. The cause should be determined and repaired.


29


Ignoring TD0 Warnings

The E84 Specification defines TD0 as the “recommended and optional delay timer defining the timing between CS_0 or CS_1 ON and VALID ON for the active equipment.”

This delay timer is defined as being in the range of 0.1 to 0.2 seconds.

The following figure shows a recorded data set exhibiting this warning. The Error Cursor is positioned at

7:37:06.713, where the VALID signal turns ON. The error message indicates that the AMHS has delayed only 0.09 seconds between the CS_0 signal and the VALID signal.

E84 Analysis Mode - TD0 Warning

In this example, the failure of the AMHS to delay at least 0.1 seconds between CS_0 and VALID does not affect the success of the E84 Handshake. The Load Port properly responds to the beginning of the E84

Handoff by turning its L_REQ signal ON. In this case, no error has occurred. Displaying the TD0 Warning message becomes unnecessary.

Unless this option is selected, an AMHS that does not adhere to the optional delay timer will show TD0 warnings for every E84 Handoff recorded. The Ignore TD0 Warnings option from the Analysis Menu allows the user to filter out these warning messages. The default state for this option is selected. To view

TD0 Warnings, turn off this option.


30


Ignoring E23 CS Signal

When analyzing E23 recorded data, the Analysis Application will tag handoffs that do not utilize the CS signals as invalid. A typical E23 handoff begins with one or more of the CS signals (CS_0, CS_1, and

CS_2) turning ON, followed by VALID turning ON. Those E23 implementations that do not utilize the three

CS signals will show false failures.

Turn on the Ignore E23 CS Signal option. When this option is selected, the Analysis Application will treat those handoffs as valid.

Analyzing Large Recorded Data Sets

The E84 Recorder can be used to record E84 Signal data over a long time period. Some applications call for recording data over several days time. When analyzing large recorded data sets, the combination of several Playback Analysis Mode tools can be helpful.

When a large data set is first opened, the timing diagram will attempt to show the entire data set. This means the X-Axis range may be set to several hours in length. As described above, a data set recorded over several days will result in an X-Axis range well over 70 hours.

Most E84 Hand-offs occur in minutes, some in less than one minute. When viewed over a 70 hour range, these individual hand-offs will appear as single blips on the timing diagram. To get any meaningful information out of the recorded data, the user must use the Graph Zoom Tool to zoom the X-Axis to a more useable scale, typically under five minutes. At that zoom level, individual E84 Hand-offs can be analyzed.

The Transitional Search Tool can be use to locate the beginning of each individual E84 Hand-off, typically selecting the CS_0 / CS_1 or VALID signals to search on. Within each E84 Hand-off, the Delta

Signal Measurement Tool can be used to measure the time between any two signal state changes. The

E84 Analysis Mode can also be used to check for any timing violations.

Exiting Playback Analysis Mode

When the user has completed data analysis, he can load another data set for analysis, or exit Playback

Analysis Mode by pressing the EXIT PLAYBACK button. This will close the Playback Analysis Mode

Graph Window and redisplay the Record Mode Graph Window. From this point, the user can define new Record Mode parameters (using the Configuration Menu) and start a new Data Acquisition session.


31


Appendix A

Export Samples

Version 2.8


32

(This page intentionally left blank)


Exported Graph in WMF Format

10:14:25 - 07/04/2000

E84 Data Recorder

Recorded E84 Signals

Test Area : GCI Lab

Tested By : Andrew J. Giusti

Active Eq. Mfg : Get Control, Inc.

Ref Voltage : 1.8 Volts

Load Port # : 1

Passive Eq. Mfg : Get Control, Inc.

Active Eq. Model : E84 Emulator 1

TA1 - TA3 : 2, 2, 2

Passive Eq. Model : E84 Emulator 2

To Zoom In: Right-Click and drag to select Zoom Window

TP1 - TP6 : 2, 2, 60, 60, 2, 2

Time Signal St

------------ ------ --

07/04/2000

L_REQ

U_REQ

READY

CS_0

CS_1

VALID

TR_REQ

BUSY

COMPT

CONT

HO_AVBL

ES

10:14:25.000

10:14:35.000

10:14:45.000

10:14:55.000

Sample Graph exported in Windows Meta File format (WMF)

10:15:05.000

10:15:03.284 TR_REQ 0

10:15:03.416 COMPT 1

10:15:03.828 READY 0

10:15:03.984 COMPT 0

10:15:04.085 VALID 0

10:15:04.185 CS_0 0

10:15:15.000

Sample Data Set.DAT


34


Exported Graph in BMP Format

Version 2.8

Sample Graph exported in Bitmap File format (BMP)


35


Exported Tabular Text File

Version 2.8

Sample Data Set exported in Tabular Text File format (TXT)


36


•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Version History

Revision 2.80 adds Light Curtain Status Indicator option. Changes the behavior of uploaded DLD log files. Previously, the Reserved signals were enable by default when a DLD log file was uploaded. This version uses the status of the Enable Reserved Signals option instead.

Revision 2.60 adds Error Analysis for E23 recorded signals.

Revision 2.52 adds the Ignore Control Signal option to the DLD Configuration dialog box.

Revision 2.5 divides this documentation into three individual documents: E84 Recorder User

Manual, E84 Analysis Application User Manual, and E84 Data Logging Device (DLD) User

Manual.

Revision 2.3 adds support for the GCI RJ-11 Transceiver.

Revision 2.0 adds support for the GCI E84 DLD.

Revision 1.50 adds E84 Error Analysis. Recorded data sets can be analyzed against published

E84 Specification timing requirements.

Revision 1.42a corrects some typographical errors only. No other changes were made. Covers

Software Version 1.42.


37


Technical Support

If you encounter problems using the E84 Analysis application, Get Control technical support can be reached the following ways.

By email at [email protected].

Please include E84 Analysis application and E84 Recorder version numbers in your email. These can be found using the About option from the Help Menu.

By phone at 1-480-539-0478 (9 - 5, Mountain Standard Time).

Please have the same information available when calling.

Also, see our web site at www.getcontrol.com

for additional information about Get Control, Inc.

Software upgrades (when released) can also be found at: http://www.getcontrol.com/products/e84analysis.html


38

E84 Analysis Application User Manual

E84 Analysis Application

User Manual

Overview

E84 Analysis Application

Getting Started

Minimum System Requirements

Typographical Conventions

Installation

Troubleshooting WinNT, 2000, and XP Installation

Uninstalling the E84 Analysis Application

E84 Analysis Menu Bar

File Menu

Save Recorded Data

Open Data Set for Playback

Import DLD Log File

Import HHT Cycle / Manual Test Data

Export Graph as Metafile

Export Graph as Bitmap

Export Data to Text File

Exit

Configuration Menu

Set E84 Interface Inputs

Enable Reserved Inputs

Set E23 Interface Inputs

Replace RSVD_1 with Pin 6 (Light Curtain)

Set X-Axis Scale

Set Voltage Reference

Enter Test Information

E23 Test Information

Set Long Term Recording Mode

Record Using LPT (E84 Recorder)

Record Using USB (E84 Recorder)

Record Using COM (E84 DLD)

Analysis Menu

Ignore Idle Noise

Ignore TD0 Warnings

Ignore E23 CS Signal

DLD Interface Menu

Configure DLD

Upload DLD

Help Menu

Data Recoding Mode

Recorded Data File Structure

Starting and Stopping Data Recording

START Button

STOP Button

UPLOAD DLD Button

Sampling Rate

E84 Recorder FIFO Overflow

E84 DLD Power On Graph Indicator

E84 DLD Power Off Graph Indicator

Timing Diagram Graph Update Rate

Playback Analysis Mode

Playback Analysis Mode Graph Window

Playback Analysis Tools

Graph Zoom Tool

ZOOM FULL Button

Playback Scroll Feature

Delta Signal Measurement Tool

MEASURE SAMPLE Button

Transitional Search Tool

Find Next Transition Button

Find Previous Transition Button

CLEAR CURSORS Button

ERROR ANALYSIS Button

Ignoring Idle Noise Errors

Ignoring TD0 Warnings

Ignoring E23 CS Signal

Analyzing Large Recorded Data Sets

Exiting Playback Analysis Mode

Appendix A

Export Samples

Exported Graph in WMF Format

Exported Graph in BMP Format

Exported Tabular Text File

Version History

Technical Support

Related manuals

Nikon