RD Controls Software Release Note 58.0<P> <b> User Interface to the Cryo PLOT Program</b>

RD Controls Software Release Note 58.0

User Interface to the Cryo PLOT Program

Brian J. Kramper

Fri Mar 29 10:21:39 CST 1996

Introduction

This document is intended as an introduction to the use of the PLOT program on the Epicure Control System. The program is divided into three major areas, each of which has a workstation window associated with it: graphics, parameters and help. When the program is selected from the menu, only the graphics and parameters windows appear on the workstation display; the help window must be requested with the mouse. Input to the program is made with either the mouse alone, or with the mouse in conjunction with the keyboard. The mouse position indicator on a workstation is normally the pointer; for the PLOT program, this pointer is replaced by a cross-hair within a square. For purposes of this document the ``cross-hair within a square" will be known as the ``pick." Mouse input is called picking and is accomplished by moving the pick to a detectable segment on the display and depressing the leftmost button on the mouse. Segments are known to be detectable if, when moving the pick through a segment, the extent rectangle of that segment is marked by a broken line. Picking a detectable segment will result in either an immediate action or the appearance of a dialog box for keyboard input, depending on the segment picked. All keyboard is terminated by depressing the RETURN key.

Any problems or bugs should be reported to Brian Kramper together with as much information as possible about what was being done with the plot. This would include the device names and their limits, the interval, and any informational messages displayed on the screen. The best method is to use the MAIL facility and send the information to WARNER::KRAMPER.

Graphics Display Window

Detectable Segments

START

This segment is always detectable. If there is no data acquisition taking place, selecting this segment causes data acquisition and plotting to begin. If data acquisition is already underway and there has been a change to any of the input parameters in the parameters window, the appropriate changes will be made, the graphics grid will be cleared and plotting will begin anew. If data acquisition is already underway but there has been no change to any of the input parameters in the parameters window, plotting will continue uninterrupted.

STOP

This segment is detectable only when data acquisition and plotting are taking place. Selecting this segment causes data acquisition to cease. The graphics window remains "as is" until the plot is restarted.

QUIT

This segment is always detectable. Selecting this segment exits the program.

HELP

This segment is detectable whenever it appears on the display. Selecting this segment causes the help window to be opened on the workstation display. See the section on the Help Display Window for further information.

PARAMS

This segment is detectable whenever it appears on the display. Selecting this segment causes the parameters window to be opened on the workstation display. See the section on the Parameters Display Window for further information.

Other Segments

Graphics Grid

This is a simple four square by four square area where the data is plotted. All data is clipped to this grid, i.e., data that are less than the x- and y-minima or greater than the x- and y-maxima are not plotted.

Device Names

Up to four device names may appear at the top of the graphics window. Each device name is associated with one of four symbols: plus, asterisk, diagonal cross or circle. This association is made via the parameters window. The data for each device is plotted using the appropriate symbol.

X-axis Coordinates

The coordinates for the x-axis are in seconds. For single plot mode (see Modes under the Parameters Display Window) the coordinates extend from 0.0 to 100 times the specified interval for taking data. For chart recorder mode the coordinates are initially as stated above; but each time a data point extends beyond the x-maximum, the plot `slides' to the left one square, the new data is plotted in the rightmost part of the grid, and the coordinates are modified such that the x-minimum and x-maximum are equal to the old values plus 25% of the difference between them.

Y-axis Coordinates

The coordinates for the y-axis are the scaled engineering units for each device. Note that each minima and maxima is preceded by the symbol for the appropriate device.

Date and Time

The date and time are printed immediately above the grid each time a plot is started or re-started. This means that, e.g., for chart recorder mode the date and time are NOT updated each time the plot `slides,' but only at the beginning of a chart recorder session.

Parameters Display Window

Detectable Segments

Device Names

Device names are limited to 12 characters. To change a device name, move the mouse cursor until the dotted rectangle appears around the name you wish to change. Depress the leftmost button on the mouse and a small window will appear. Type the name of the new device and terminate with the return key. The new name will appear in the parameter window; however, data acquisition for this new device will NOT begin until another START of plotting is initiated.

Minima And Maxima

The minima and maxima (or limits) for the devices may have up to 10 characters including a sign and decimal point if they are used.

Modes

Modes presently available are single pass and chart recorder. In single pass mode, up to four devices will be plotted for a time equal to 100 times the interval of data acquisition (100 points per device), at which time the plot stops. In chart recorder mode, up to four devices will be plotted for a time equal to 100 times the interval of data acquisition (100 points per device). When the next set of data points is received, the right three sections of the plot 'slide' one section to the left, the x-minimum and x-maximum are modified to reflect the change in the time scale, and the new data points are plotted in the fourth section of the grid. This process continues until the plot is re-started or stopped, or the program is exited.

Interval

At present the interval between data points must be at least 1.00. If a value less than 1.00 is attempted to be input, the value is forced to 1.00.

Help Display Window

This window is supplied as a short informational summary for the user. All the topics are detectable segments and contain information on the use of the PLOT program.

DEVICES

A device name may contain up to 12 alphanumeric characters.

EDITING

Move the mouse cursor to the device name or limt in the parameter window which is to be changed, click the leftmost button, type the new information in the new window followed by a carriage return. The change will appear in red.

LIMITS

These are floating point numbers which may conatin up to 10 characters including the sign and decimal point.

MODES

SNGL = single pass, CHRT = chart recorder.

PARAMS

Bring up the parameter window (5 minute timeout).

QUIT

Exit the program.

RATE

Variable floating point seconds.

START

Begin data acquisition and plotting.

STOP

Stop data acquisition and plotting but do not exit.

BUGS

Send bug report information to WARNER::KRAMPER.

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