Process Automation Toolkit (PAT)
Introduction
Process Automation Tool Kit (PAT) provides an innovative
method to automate test procedures for the Freedom’s
family of communications analyzers. For many years the
Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) environment has required
engineers to have two major areas of expertise: intimate
knowledge of the device under test (DUT) and software
programming skills to automate test procedures.
Over the years many control interfaces have been
developed: HPIB, GPIB, IEEE488, USB, RJ45, etc. These
interfaces have been coupled with numerous software
control packages as HP Basic, Basic, Fortran, Atlas, and C
++, just to name a few.
Instrument drivers were developed in an effort to simplify
and accelerate software development by reducing the
need for the test engineer to learn each and every
command for multiple instruments. These drivers, coupled
with such software development tools as Labwindows,
Labview, and Visa Plug&Play, have until now been the only
option for those looking to attain some level of automation.
PAT represents a major step forward. It enables the user
to develop test procedures using a highly intuitive control
interface by simply selecting from a library the function
required and inserting it into the DUT test script. No
programming skills are required.
Connection to the analyzer is RJ45 Ethernet, either directly
from a PC or over a LAN network. Test scripts are
executed from the PAT control interface and test results
can be saved to USB or a network location.
Software Installation
Software location: http://freedomcte.com/upgrades/
Download and install the software.
Analyzer Connection Options
Direct Connection to RJ45 Ethernet socket. Network
connection through RJ45 Ethernet socket.
Initial Operating Instructions
Connect the Analyzer using the RJ45 Ethernet port to the control
PC. This may be direct or on the same LAN as the control PC.
On the PC select the PAT Automation desktop shortcut.
The PAT software will now search for the connected analyzer.
(see fig. 1)
When the search is successful the IP address of the connected
Analyzer will populate the display. (see fig. 2-3)
The Programmable actions area will also populate at this time.
(see fig. 3)
Selection from the Programable Actions libraries is achieved by
clicking on the desired action
This will open up the selections available in this action section.
(see fig. 4-8)
Startup Display (fig. 1)
R8100 Analyser Found & IP Address (fig. 2)
(fig. 3)
(fig. 4)
(fig. 5)
(fig. 6)
(fig. 7)
(fig. 8)
Select a command from the library,
Add
Press Add to add to the test script
Select a line in the script, Press Remove
Remove
to remove that line from the script.
Clear Clears all line entries from the script.
Select a line in the script to send the command to the
Send CMD Selected command Analyzer for immediate execution.
After adding a command to the script, test by Send CMD.
Analyzer will return Pass/Fail in results area.
Selectable drop menu Get/Set Get reads
Get
the parameter from the Analyzer.
Selectable drop menu Get/Set.
Set
Set writes the parameter to the Analyzer.
Execute Runs the test script automatically.
(fig. 9)
Add
Remove
Clear
Send CMD
Get
Set
Execute
(fig. 10)
Results Area
(fig. 11)
Command Control and Timing
Each of the Analyzers commands control and timing is
pre-set by PAT software. This panel shows those pre-
set parameters
The Wait ms parameter may be operator modified but
could result in erratic results.
(fig. 12)
(fig. 13)
Automated Test Library
Test scripts may saved and loaded from a built in folder achieve.
(fig. 14)
(fig. 15)
(fig. 16)
Running a Test Script
1. Press Execute
2. If a PAUSE is present, respond to the requested action
Running test results are displayed.
3. At the end of the test the results are displayed in a CSV
format.
4. These results may be saved to a log file folder, and
exported to a USB drive
(fig. 17)
