OVERVIEW - TheG2/34401test_withPlotCal GitHub Wiki
Crude but effective C# Desktop test application for characterizing the Rf-to-DC transfer characteristic of typical RF detector diodes. Two pieces of test equipment are used: an ESG Signal Generator, HP34401A or similar DVM. Communication with the DVM and Signal Generator is accomplished with VISA. IVI-COM drivers for the DMM were used for development ease. Code comments sometime include the SCPI equivalent commands to the method and properties accessible with the IVI-COM drivers. DVM external trigger is connected to ESG trigger output. Square Wave transition at each point in ESG swept initiates a DC measurement.
--THIS wiki will be updated---
CODE LAYOUT/FLOW: The code is guided common test and measurement: Connect to Device > Configure device for measurement ? Perform measurement > Get Data from device memory > Process/Condition Data > Display results.
Various controls the main form provide some feedback to indicate status of the steps described.
DataTables are used for results storage. Using DataTables makes it easy to bind to a chart object for visualizing, and SQL inserting (future feature).
BATCH TESTS/SEQUENCING: The original intended use for this app is to characterize RF detector by gathering several RF power sweeps at various frequency points, and perform Freq sweeps at several input power levels. Tests can be defined in a text with string of necessary parameters (sweep type, start, stop, step size). The batch feature will perform all tests define, unattended, and stored results.