Most Test Instrument Module (TIM) problems are diagnosed by inspecting Calibration Data, setting breakpoints, then directly controlling the system for the suspected instrument.
- From the main window, tap System > Tester. Then select desired instrument. (Note: one or more software instruments may be contained in a single TIM)
- Instrument > Calibration > Inspect
Never edit Calibration data unless specifically Instructed by RI. You can get the test system into a state where it won’t even start up.
Set Break Points
From any open testplan without "minimize Memory" option enabled.
- Click on a Test where you want to stop the testplan
- Choose Options > Set Break Point
- Changes color at the break point
- Can only break on a test, not on defaults etc.
- Test plan will stop after setting up the hardware and taking the measurements
- Only 1 break point per test plan
- You can continue, single-step, abort, or open the control panel
Note: Do not do a system start-up while at a break point
Control Panel
- Choose Options > Control
- or
- From Breakpoint
- If reached from a breakpoint, reflects the settings at the breakpoint. Remember that the Testhead is ‘hot’ at this point.
- Manually control system instruments
Disabling Parts of Test Sections
Disable parts of tests to increase speed or decrease confusion
Programmer message window will always say ‘Fail’ if any test or test section is disabled
Choose Edit > Disable/Enable > Selected o rEdit > Disable/Enable > Disable All then re-enable selected
There are a couple of reasons you might need to disable parts of a test during debug. One is to increase the speed of a testplan. Disabling one of the many tests or test sections of the testplan will make it run faster since there are now fewer tests being run. This is particularly useful when doing a ‘rattle’ test. Another reason is to decrease confusion. If you are troubleshooting a problem, by disabling a test or test section, it will decrease the amount of data that you have to sift through while searching for a solution.
To disable a test, first click on the test you want disabled. Then, at the top of the testplan window, select ‘edit’, ‘disable/enable selected’. This will disable the slected test. If you want to disable more than one test in a section, repeat the process, then select ‘disable all’. This will disable all the tests in that section.
Aborting a Test Plan
- Validate, Verify, Diagnose can be aborted if necessary
- Press Ctrl + Break on the keyboard
- System will show a walkback error, select Abort
- From Cassini's main window, choose System > Reset menu function. Always perform a system reset after aborting a test plan.
- Cals can be aborted, but only if absolutely needed
- Cal data will be invalid
Sometimes it may be necessary to abort a testplan. The reasons can vary, from missing a step specified in a condition statement, cal standards put in the wrong port, etc. All testplans can be aborted. Cal plans should only be aborted if absolutely necessary.
To abort a testplan, do a ‘control’ ‘break’. (hold ‘control key down, then hit the’break’ key). A ‘Walkback’ error will appear. Select ‘abort’. Then, in the ‘Programmer Message Window’ select ‘System’ ‘Reset’. (always do a system reset after aborting a testplan).
Most calibration plans reset the cal data when they compile, then insert new cal data when they run. If you abort a cal plan, or compile it but don’t run it, you probably have lost the old cal data.
Normally when you run a group of cals/validates through the calibration executive, when they are finished you will see a message that says ‘saving cal data’. However, if the ‘validate’ fails, the cal data is not saved. If you want to save the cal data, it can be saved manually by doing an ‘RMBC’ on the active tester, then selecting ‘Save’.
If either of the above has occurred and the cal data has not been saved, you can still get the old cal data back by using SYSTEM button, Equip menu, Startup (takes about 30 seconds). This restarts the system, loading the lastest version of any object (including the valid calibration data) from guru, except reapplying patches.
Special "Service Plan" buttons
Reset Cal factors
Write to Cal factors
Perform special calculations for calibration
Not available through normal editor
Do not copy or modify special buttons
Special Calibration Buttons are just that “Special”. Cal factors can be written to, and reset through these buttons. They also perform certain calculations for cal. Bottom line in regards to special Service Plan buttons, DO NOT TOUCH!!