Test SLATE: Features: Multi-Vendor Hardware Integration
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Easy, Multi-Vendor Hardware IntegrationThis Windows®-based, highly flexible, test measurement and control software requires no proprietary hardware and works with nearly any control or measurement device or system, regardless of make or model. Test SLATE enables the user to seamlessly integrate old and new hardware – even custom legacy components – to make test control, data acquisition, and analysis simple, effective, and efficient. Test SLATE Hardware Interfaces
Hardware systems typically require an interface driver to be developed by Jacobs to connect to the Test SLATE configuration and run-time operations. However, many common hardware platforms – including those from National Instruments, VXI Technology, Pressure Systems Inc., Scanivalve, and Pacific Instruments, to name just a few – are already in the Test SLATE library. To see if an up-to-date interface driver exists for hardware you have or are interested in using, please contact Jacobs. Adding these interface drivers can take from a few days to a few weeks and are often simple enough that many customers have performed this on their own by using our templates and examples. Hardware systems show up as Subsystems on the Test SLATE Systems Explorer tree-like user interface. Attributes that are hardware specific such as chassis, slots, channels, and other related configuration items are easily accessed and configured through the Explorer tree. Many new hardware systems are provided with or are compatible with industry standard OPC communications protocol. OPC-based systems provide easy connectivity to Test SLATE with no programming involved. Often times, custom legacy software code can be encapsulated in an OPC wrapper to enable the user to retain their original software development investment while making it compatible with Test SLATE with minimal effort. Test SLATE Sensor DatabaseFor I/O subsystems that provide Test SLATE with data in the form of counts or millivolts, the Sensor Database is used to configure engineering unit conversions, units, sensor identification information, sensor calibration data, etc., for each frequency and analog input sensor. Conversion support for up to a 14th order polynomial; platinum RTD; and B, E, J, K, N, R, S, and T type thermocouples is provided. Thermocouple conversions are based on NIST Monograph 175 polynomials. An optional 14th order polynomial correction is provided for thermocouples. A common Sensor Database for all configurations ensures the latest calibration information is used regardless of which configuration is currently in use.
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The ability to simultaneously gather data from a wide range of hardware devices and manufacturers is a key strength of Test SLATE. Nearly all the standard interface protocols have been used with Test SLATE, including Ethernet, Reflective Memory, GPIB, SCSI, RS-232, RS-422, ControlNet, and many others.