NVGate Ribbons: Home Tab
The "home" tab
This first tab features 2 mains services, which are proposed when entering the software (first time and regularly)
- Entering directly in the different modes of the software (start group)
- Set up the general options of the instrument (other groups).
Start Group
This group gathers the entry points for setup selection or building tools as well as the access to the different software modes (measurements editor, post analyze, model load).
Start… Open the NVGate Start dialog which is dedicated to make the first steps in the software. The start dialog is also displayed at each NVGate Start until the user deactivated the option in the bottom left of the dialog.
Generate dataset
Being a native environment the Dataset management operations are fully integrated in the NVGate interface. These new features have been inserted in the existing data selection dialogs.
Note that users' ownership of projects and measurements has been suppressed in NVGate V10. Data can be protected against copy or delete by archiving or filtering the Project manager.
Entering in a project
While launching NVGate, operator is invited to select or create a project. This step allows reloading or defining the context.
This dialog is also available from the ribbon Home/Start/Start…
Selecting Open Project opens the Open Project dialog which behaves as the single Item selection.
Select your project and click Open button.
Selecting New project opens the following dialog:
Fulfill the necessary properties and comment to describe the context of this project and click on Ok button.
Select a setup
In both above open project cases, the project is opened, no setup is loaded. The Setup is loaded further this first action. There are few ways to load a setup prior being ready for acquisition and analyses.
Check the Load setup box in the open project dialog in order to select the setup while exiting the Open project one.
Use the Home/Setup/Load ribbon button.
The load setup dialog behaves as a single Item selection. It allows loading setups from Models Measurements and Projects or creating setups for on-line or post-analysis:
While in Model or Measurement load, the details section (right bottom side) shows which results are saved by the selected setup.
Load a Model: Loaded Models offer additional features;
- Model properties will inherit to the measurements
- Loaded Model name reminded in the Ribbon; Home/Setup with the
icon. This Model will remain active until a reset setup
is applied or another setup is loaded.
- When the measurement are shared out of NVGate or collated to NVGate the associated model will be transferred with the measurement.
- Loaded Model can be modified to adjust to current situation. The modified setup is saved in the Measurement, but the original Model remains unmodified. This allows providing predefined setups which are not modified by specific usage (adjustments, operator's error, etc.) ensuring reproducibility.
- You can modify and save the setup with the Home/Setup/save as model button
. Associated model properties will be propsoed in teh savec as model dialog. This allows updating an exitsing Model keeping its properties. Load a Measurement's setup: The setup used to generate the results of the selected Measurement will be reloaded.
This feature allows reproducing faithfully exiting measurements for prototyping fine tuning or trend analyses. OROS recommend saving all repeated measurements in the same project.
Create a setup from scratch: This sis available for on-line or post-analysis. Both options will reset the current setup to default values before building the new setup.
- On-line opens the Channel selection dialog as usual.
- Post-analysis will first require selecting a file to be analyzed with the Select signal dialog. Similarly to select model one the right side of the dialog shows the Measurement properties. This information allows rapidly finding the searched signal.
Make a measurement
When the project is opened and the setup ready, measurement take place when data are ready the Measurement is saved.
At this step most of the properties and comments are already fulfilled, only the measurement ones without suggestion have to be informed.
The process can continue with other measurements:
- Same type or different ones loaded from a model/measurement
- On the same NVGate or on another ones with the same shared Project and Models
Quick Tab
The quick tab load predefined setups of the instrument for either post-processing or on-line analysis.
The first column (1) is for the channel count selection. Selecting more channels than the actual configuration will not activate non-existing channels.
The second column (2) allows choosing a typical application. Activating the Waterfall check box will enable the gather results in the waterfall.
The third one select on-line acquisition (that run also in the office mode, simulating the inputs signals) or post-processing (a sample signal is provided)
Click on the Go button to load the predefine setup. This setup contains customized items:
- Layouts
- ASB setup
- Control panel
- Macros (called from the control panel)
The mapped directory is the quick directory in the workbook library which is defined in the NVGate Environment paths. Default is: C:\OROS\NVGate data\Workbook Library\Quick\.
Setups name should match one of the user selection combinations:
AAA_M_W_N
- AAA is the analysis mode (FFT, REC, ORD, etc..)
- M is the mode: O=On-line, P=Post-analysis
- W is present for the waterfall check box
- N is the number of channels
If the setup corresponding to the user selection does not exist, the "Go" button is disabled
Advanced Tab
This tab works like the quick one except that it shows user defined models. Actually the list maps a directory on the current computer which contains models.
The mapped directory is the advanced directory in the workbook library which is defined in the NVGate Environment paths. Default is: C:\OROS\NVGate data\Workbook Library\advanced\.
After saving a model the model directory can be copied at this location it will be proposed in the advanced tab. A text box is displayed while the mouse passes over the model. The content of this text box (flyover) are entered as the workbook comments prior to save it as a model.
Projects Tab
This tab allows recalling project from the project manager database with a selection of recent projects by selecting "load" and choosing one project in the list
In addition it allows starting the creation of a new setup for either post-analysis or on-line acquisition/analysis.
Select the Create new radio and choose on-line or post-analysis, the press "Go" to start the setup sequence.
Connect inputs: allows connecting the front-end signals to the different plug-ins. This is dedicated to on-lien acquisition and analysis. The inputs signals are connected (i.e: to be processed by.) to the plug-in according to the following table:
Type |
Tab | Compatible analysis plug-ins |
| Dynamic | Inputs, universal inputs (from Inputs tab), torsional, Virtual inputs | Recorder, Monitor, Virtual inputs, FFTx, SOAx, TDA, OCT, OVA, |
| Parametric | DC, CAN, universal inputs (from DC tab), Virtual DC | Recorder, Waterfall (Reference), Virtual DC |
| High resolution pulses | Ext sync | Recorder |
Connect Track: allows connecting the player tracks to the different plug-ins. This button replaces the Connect inputs one in the post analysis mode.
See Post-analyze command for operation
Post-analyze: allows connecting the recorded (or imported) signals as tracks to the different plug-ins for post-processing. The post analysis button indicates the software mode status:
(Enabled) indicate NVGate is in the post-processing mode
Clicking on the post-analysis button when it is enabled will switch to the on-line mode. Warning all existing tracks connection will be disabled without possible cancelation. It is recommended to save the current workbook prior to switch to post analysis.
(Disabled) indicates NVGate is in the on-line mode
Clicking on the post-analysis button when it is disabled will switch to the post-processing mode. Warning all existing front-end connection will be disabled without possible cancelation. It is recommended to save the current workbook prior to switch to post analysis.
Click on next to see the signal file selection dialog.
This dialog box shows all available signal files from the project manager data base. Once a signal file is selected, 4 different actions are possible:
Preview: Display the signal envelope (overview) in a new windows in the current layout. No analyses neither zoom are possible. Multiple files can be previewed at a time.
- Load in player: This will set the Player/Selected record/signal file with the current signal file. If the Player file or zoomed signal windows are already displayed with another signal file, the content of these windows is updated
- Load & Preview: Operate the Load in Player and display the signal in the Player file window. If a Player file or Zoomed file window is already present in the current layout, the content is updated.
- Post-analyze…: Applies the Load & Preview actions and shows the Track connection Dialog
Track connection dialog
In the post processing mode, the track signals are connected (i.e: to processed by..) to the plug-in according to the following table:
| Type | Tab | Compatible analysis plug-ins |
| Dynamic | Inputs | Recorder, Monitor, Virtual inputs, FFTx, SOAx, TDA, OCT, OVA, |
| Parametric | DC, CAN | Recorder, Waterfall (Reference), Virtual DC |
| High resolution edges | Ext sync | Recorder, signal Op. |
Edit Measurement: Load/Unload an existing measurement (i.e. a set of acquired/analyzed data with the measurement setup). The loaded measurement can be modified and saved. Editing a measurement allow modifying the results presentation (layouts, markers, masks, operators) and saving it in the measurement itself. The modified measurement can then be used for further reporting or for consultation.
The Edit Measurement button indicates the software active layer:
(Enabled) indicate a measurement is being edited: the layout and windows show the measured data and the ASV (Analyzer Setting Viewer) shows actual setting values at measurement time.
(Disabled) indicates that no measurement is edited. The current layout and windows show acquisition and/or analysis data.
Load Setup: Load an existing analyzer setup (a workbook or a model)
The available setups may come from the Models or even from existing project workbook. The models are not subject to unexpected modifications (as saving a project with modified settings).
The use of Models is recommended rather than the project ones.
Reset Workbook: Reset entirely the acquisition and analysis setting to their default value.
View group
Controls for the general interface windows arrangement.
Full screen: Put the active windows in full screen mode. The NVGate frame windows will take the whole screen space. The full screen is inactivated by clicking on it or in reducing the window with the upper right button
- Environment windows: These check boxes control the visibility of windows that provide control/command area:
Workspace: show/Hide the workspace windows that contains the Analyzer Setting Browser (ASB), the Project Manager (PM) and the Control Panel (CP).
Only one panel is displayed at a time. The user may switch between panels by clicking on the title bar of the desired sheet.
Log window: This windows track all changes in the analyzer. Logs are arranged in 3 separate tabs:
- Analyzer settings: Display all users’ and dependencies related changes in the ASB.
- Warning: Displays dynamic warnings related to the current setup (ex A & C acoustic filters are no more available when the sampling frequency is lower than 25.6 kHz). Raising a warning will automatically show the log window during 3 sec.
- Macro trace: log window for macro execution and debugging.
Recommended location: Bottom, Docked
Status: Displays the current status of the plug-ins (see chapter 1 ASB for details). General statuses are displayed in the bottom status bar, the Status window is made to show advanced status for accurate control of the acquisition/analyses. To add the statuses in this window, right click in the selected plug-in and select View states
Recommended location: Bottom, Docked
Example for the FFT plug in you may display:
- Block Overload: corresponds to the instantaneous overload indication within 1 FFT trigger block, for instance during a few milliseconds overload occurred, the current trigger block indicates overload, the following trigger block may not have any overload so indication "no overload" will be seen
- Analysis Overload: corresponds to overload indication over the measurement period. It means that during the whole measurement period there was (or not) an overload.
For instance: during a measurement, a short overload occurs, Block Overload will indicate "Overload on Channel x", Analysis Overload will indicate "Overload on Channel x", after overload occurred, Block Overload will indicate "No Overload", Analysis Overload will indicate "Overload on Channel x".
When pressing run again, Block Overload and Analysis Overload status will be reset.
When using Automatic overload rejection in FFT, Analysis Overload status take into account any occurring overload despite FFT block rejecting them for FFT calculation, the user will anyhow keep a trace of occurred overload.
These windows can be docked or floating. Environment windows are to be displayed temporarily for advanced setup. It is recommended to hide these windows for standard measurement/analyses.
Preferences group
These buttons provide direct access to the user’s preferences.
The user’s preferences are gathered in one unique dialog with multiple tabs. It is possible to navigate in these tabs from any of the entry point (the described buttons). See Chapter 7 User’s Preferences for details
General: Enter the preferences setting at the 1st tab. It allows customizing the scales font size, the refreshing speed as well as default specialized modes
Units & Quantities: Open the physical quantity tabs of the user’s preferences. It allows creating, modifying and removing the units and physical quantities used by the NVGate interface. Reminder: NVGate process SI units. The selected Units with are used for display only, the data are not modified by the units changes.
Data Management: Open the measurement properties setup. This tool allows managing the default and user defined properties. These property values are saved with the measurement and used to qualify it. Later, they may be incorporated into reports and for search functions.
Disk group
PC and Mobi-Disc management tools
Active Disk: Select the active disk. The active disk is the one which is mapped by the project manager. The disk where a signal file is located must be the active one in order to load it on the player (play back, post process, exploration). The active disk can be:
The PC one. Available in office mode only.
One of the Mobi-disk connected through a USB cable. Available in office mode only.
The Analyzer disk (Mobi-Disk or fixed). Available in connected mode only.
Manage: Open the disk manager in order to manage the signal files saved on it. See "Disk management" topic from Chapter 3: "Hardware Management" for details.
Format: Format the active disc. Attention all saved data on the formatted disk will be definitely deleted. Not available when PC disk is selected. See "Disk management" topic from Chapter 3: "Hardware Management" for details.
Download: Select available signal file on the active disk that match the project present on the project manager. To recover signal files from a record session made with another PC use the manage button. See "Disk management" topic from Chapter 3: "Hardware Management" for details.
User group
NVGate operates with users’ preferences and authorizations. Personalized profiles can be memorized and recalled while starting the software.
A user profile contains:
- Default display preferences (colors, scale type, mode, units, etc..)
- Saving modes (default name, incrementing, confirmation mode, data protection and visibility)
- Waterfall (view, default reference, colors, extractions, filling and type)
- Marker (colors, limits, interpolation)
- Report colors palette
- Units for each physical quantity
- Export modes
- Floating/docked windows location and visibility
The User group allows managing NVGate users’ profiles.
User button Part 1: It allows selecting the current user. Attention changing from one user to another one will reset the current NVGate analysis configuration to the default one defined by the new user.
User button Part2: It allows creating and deleting users from the active .usr profile files.
- New: Used to create a new user
First name: First name of the user may be left empty. The first name is automatically formatted so that the first character is in upper case and the others are in lower case letters.
Last name: Last name of the user must be filled in. The last name is automatically formatted in letters.
Password: If selected, the user will have to enter his password to launch NVGate
Access level
-Full: The user is not limited within NVGate
-Restricted: The user is not authorized to access to all the functions of NVGate. The main characteristics of this type of user are:
| Authorized actions | Unauthorized actions |
|
|
Administrator: Allows Switching to a non-restricted user profile for administration of the current restricted user rights. In this case the current analyzer setup is not modified.
Password: Used to change the password. If necessary, the user must enter his current password and then enter the new password twice
Warning: Due to the GUI modifications, the restricted user profile limitations do not apply on NVGate version 7.00 and further until new notification. It is possible to run NVGate7 with the Legacy V6.00 interface to benefit from the restricted user capabilities. For such purpose runs NVGate7 with the following parameter: -legacy
By default the user is named ’Default user". User
The user profiles are saved in a file called NVGate.usr located in the NVGate.exe directory. This file is automatically created at NVGate start when it is absent. Attention: deleting the NVGate.usr file delete all users’ preferences including the default setting proposed by OROS.
It is possible to temporary change .usr file for special applications. To start NVGate with .usr different from the default one (NVGAte.usr) add the following to the command line: -usr=myfile.
D-Rec group
This group manages D-rec (Direct recording) setups. D-rec allows recording signals with the analyzer without any PC or connection.
New: Create a new recording configuration and save it in the analyzer memory. From this button, NVGate will propose a set of dialog boxes that guide the user through the necessary settings to build a D-rec setup. The displayed dialogs are the following:
1. Channels connection
2. Event connections
3. Recorder properties
4. Records setup management
Item #1 and #3 are exactly the same as the standard ASB dialogs for the channels connection and the recorder setup.
Item #2 is also the same but only a subset of the events is handled by D-rec: Recorder trigger on Edge on Ext. synch, Level and delta level on DC inputs and periodic event only.
Item #4 allows managing the setups saved in the analyzer. (See Setup below for details)
Setup: Manages the D-rec Setups through the following dialog box. The D-rec setups can be written, removed, imported and exported from this dialog box. To write an NVGate configuration in the hardware, press the "Add current setup" button. The current front-end and recorder settings will be saved in the analyzer. Note that all active channels (IN, DC, EXT and CAN) will automatically be connected to the recorder tracks.
The Delete button removes definitely the selected setup(s) from the analyzer memory".
One of the D-rec setups saved in the analyzer can be set as the default setup when starting the D-rec. Check it in the "Default" column. The default setup is loaded when the operator
Each setup can be exported in text file to be used as a reference of the D-rec settings when using it on-site to match the transducers and cables. To create a description file, use the "Export as txt" button.
It is possible to recover, control or modify an existing D-rec setup which is already saved in the analyzer. The "Import in ASB" function will overwrite the current ASB with the configuration saved in the analyzer.
Overview
Benefits
The objective of OROS Dataset management is to provide self-described data and avoid the constraints of databases organization. The data can be exchanged in any directory in the PC environment (LAN, Disk, USB, etc...).
With OROS Dataset management it is simple to:
- Share a project, a model or a measurement called File 1, without any explanation
,, - Access projects, models and measurements from any network or local directory,
- Work together with your colleagues on a common project,
- Filter your data environment (project manager, open dialogs) simplifying the data access,
- Archive and retrieve your complete dataset without reminding the files names.
- …
NVGate V10.00 provides easy and automated way to describes each dataset based on properties.
Data organization
The dataset management proposes a general purpose data organization based on 3 levels of data:
- The context, which holds the campaign or site or customer information. Located in the projects, it does not hold additional data than properties. The context is usually defined by the manager (test, service and engineering).
- The setup, which holds the acquisition and analyses description type. Located in the models, it contains the complete analyzer setup plus properties. The setup is usually defined by the experts (from your company, a services company, your local support or OROS customer care)
- The measurement, which holds the measured/analyzed data and specific measurement details. Located in the measurement, it contains data, setup (workbook) and properties. The measurement are usually generated by the operators (the one who make the measurements)
Self-description
Each item holds properties that describe what is not available from the workbook, data and additional files. Properties are fulfilled by users or automatically according to the current context.
The data are located in the NVGate data directories where any type of additional files (pictures, audio, schemes, instructions, etc…) can be associated to detail their description.
Heritage
The Data organization is used to propagate the properties to the final result; the measurement. The measurement inherits properties from the opened project and the last loaded Model. This allows getting the context and setup correctly described in the measurement.
The heritage benefit is double; first it reduces the information to be fulfilled and secondly it allows sharing the measurement without project or model.
Filtering
The properties are helpful arranging the projects and measurements in coherent sets. NVGate V10.00 proposes Excel like filtering features to hide unused Item in the project manager.
Data mining
The self-description brought by the properties allows easily mining Projects, Models and Measurements in local or shared data storage. Based on properties filters and in-depth scanning, the OROS dataset management features efficient data browsing.
Data sharing
Share/Collate functions bring simple ways to exchange Projects, Measurements and Models with your colleagues, customers and managers. Copy/Paste conflicts are silently managed; Projects merge automatically the Measurements and Measurements carry the source Model. Additional non-OROS files are also transported with the NVGate ones.
Data security is guaranteed with copy/move/delete log files and windows like conflicts management.
Data archiving
The Share/Collate allows efficiently archiving and retrieving data on your PC, on an external drive or through the network.
Browsers
NVGate V10.00 features new dialog boxes to browse the data from the project manager (local data) or external sources. Two type of browsers are proposed; Item selection and set selection
These 2 dialogs share common functions:
1.
The filter will show only the items matching with the entered keyword. The keyword match are searched in the name, the properties values and the comments
2. The dialog starts operating immediately. Nevertheless with large data set, the dialog may take a few second to scan all the properties of each Item. In such case the scan progress is displayed here. The filtering remains incomplete until the scan finished
3. Flat/Tree: This button allows switching between a tree view (like in the project manager or Windows explorer) and flat view where all Items are listed regardless the hierarchy.
4. The searched properties. Show the properties used for filter search (see §1) Unselected properties will be ignored during the search.
5. Show/Hide properties. Right click on the properties line to select which ones are visible in the columns.
Item selection browser
This browser is used to open, load or edit unique Items from the local NVGate data. It is used for the following operations;
- Open Project
- Load Signal for post-analysis
- Load Setup
- Edit Measurement
The right side summarizes the OROS user and User properties of the current Item. This helps navigating in the list of Items in order to find the searched one.
Drag & drop the right border to resize the dialog. The complete properties table appears to filter by properties as in the Set selection dialog.
Set selection browser
This browser is used to select a set of Items to apply batch, filter or transfer this set. It is used for the following operations:
- Share Projects/Measurements and Models
- Collate Projects/Measurements and Models
- Filter local NVGate data
- Batch report selection
The Set selection browser features check boxes on the left sides for Items selection. The properties table allows efficient filtering, offering fast selection of a coherent set of data.
Transfer dataset
This function transfers Projects, Measurements, Models and associated attachments from the NVGate Data to a common directory and reciprocally.
These transfers operate in both direction; Share data from the NVGate PC to a common base ; Collate the data from a common base to the PC. The target/source directory can be in the PC, on the LAN or on an external device.
Most of transfer conflicts and errors are automatically managed especially the merge of Projects, Measurements and Attachments. Most of them are solved automatically.
In case of ambiguous conflicts, operator is asked to provide the action in a Windows style (see left).
When possible, source and target directory are accessible through the hyperlinks.
Data Traceability Each transfer (share and Collate) generates a report in 2 ways:
The Datasets are shareable from the ribbon Home/Dataset:
The Share Dataset dialog behaves as multi-selection featuring the following extra settings:
1. The path of the target directory. Shared Items will be deposited at the root of this directory for the Project/Measurement hierarchy. Models will be deposited in a subfolder named "Folder".
Used targets are memorized and made available with the down arrow at the right.
2. Selection of what will be shared.
- Project/Measurements will transfer selected Projects and Measurements. The Models associated with selected Measurements will also been carried on.
Used to share measurement data with their setups. - Models: Only the selected Models will be transferred.
Used to spread Models to the measurement teams.
3. Define how to transfer:
- Copy keeps the data on the NVGate data locally while transferring a copy of selected ones
- Move, first copies the dataset and then delete the copied from the NVGate data.
- Include signals carries on the time series files when selected. Leave the time series files on the local NVGate data when unselected.
Note: In order to avoid data loss, the Include signals is forced to "select" when Move is chosen.
Note: that Share can also be used for dataset backup on the NVGate PC, an external disk or on the network.
Collate Datasets
Collate [kəˈleɪt] verb. To gather together information from different sources in order to study it carefully
Sharing data means recovering those data in local NVGate instances. The Collate function allows selecting and gathering dataset from common directories to the local NVGate data.
Collate dataset is available from the ribbon Home/Dataset:
Main difference is that the searched path is not limited at the Source level. The Collate function will take in account in depth hierarchy of the source directory among all its subdirectories.
This allows having a directory structure on the data set common base and being able to search in with the properties only for ones that do not know the directory organization.
Explore Measurement
Each NVGate Result is part of a Measurement which contains all the necessary information to:
- Qualify it with the properties, comment and Attached files
- Redo it with the workbook which hold the exact used setup (Front-end, analyses)
- Review it with the layout (windows, scales, cursors, operators) used
Edit Measurement
The Edit measurement allows reviewing the measurements for comparison, modification or report. An edited measurement comes as a foreground layer on the top of the current analysis one.
Measurement edition is available from the ribbon Home/Start/Edit Measurement.
When a Measurement is edited it is possible to update it and/or to make a report.
Measurement properties are available in the report from the ribbon: Report/References/Name (Both buttons work)
This is useful for preparing a template for a batch reporting
.
Filter working set
Even if the Share/Collate features allow reducing the number of data directly available in the working set (NDLR the NVGate environment), it is useful being able to reduce the visible Items to the current concern. The Filter Project provides such selection.
Filter project
This function selects what is visible in the working set. It is available from the ribbon: Home/Working Set/Filter Project.
Use the filter and columns sorting to select which set of Project/Measurements will be visible. Click on Filter to view only selected Items, select No Filter to view all Items.
The visibility filtering applies on all Item Selection Browsers, Set Selection Browsers and Project Manager.