e_factory manual

e_factory is a program to help make RF measurements using various RF/DC equipment and with a standard, familiar interface. Device parameter setting is programmable and instruments may be configured from the main menu. Output data may be graphed, saved in a flat file or processed with user-written programs. Drivers are built in and interface with the instruments using GPIB and/or DAQ.

Main Interface Parameters:

The main interface parameters are used for general record keeping. Part is the part number or designation for the device under test, the engineer and operator are self explanatory. This information may be included in graphs and/or post processing. These fields may be programed (with simple text editor, part_name.rfa) as in the following:

[general]

tube_type=part number

engineer=John Smith

part=device under test

Main Interface Menus:

File

New: Clear parameter programming.

Open: Load parameter programming (default extension is .rfa).

Exit: Terminate program.

Edit

Device: Call text editor to edit program file.

GPIB: Call GPIB configuration editor. Must be run from root. One can define the instruments and GPIB addresses with this call.

Test

Phase Velocity: Calls phase velocity measuring program (pulls probe through DUT to determine phase velocity, used on TWTs).

Power: Processes non-linear device (mostly amplifiers) transfer curves.

S-Parameters: Uniform interface for Vector Network Analyzer measurements and processing.

Generator: Uniform interface for function/pulse generator.

Data Recorder: Uses DAQ card to record (and process) up to 8 channels of user defined analog data.