TBG Application Manager (TAM)
The TBG Solutions Application Manager (TAM) provides a plug and play wrapper for the main system software such as test interfaces and configuration utilities.
A single interface is provided allowing access to all system software components enabling the operator to access them simultaneously or individually if desired.
The TAM architecture supports plug and play of externally developed “VI plugins” allowing addition or removal of software components at anytime without the need to recompile the component or the TAM. This is a key feature for extensible and maintainable software.
Access to TAM and individual software components is secured by strict user authentication and access group policies. Thus restricting access to software components for some users whilst empowering others is not only possible but in built default behavior of the user manager.
This architecture has been achieved by utilising Graphical Object Oriented Programming (GOOP) techniques and many advanced software design patterns including the state machine and notifier pattern.
An understanding of the menus and how to navigate around TAM can be obtained from Figure 1.
Figure 1 Illustration of TAM software structure.
Main Screen
Upon opening TAM, the user will be presented with a clean and clear interface similar to the one shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 TAM Initial Screen
A standard login dialog is displayed opon the user clicking the ‘Login’ button. The user can select his/her username from the drop down menu or type it in.
Figure 3 Login Screen
Once authenticated, should the user have administrator privileges, the screen in Figure
4 shall appear.
Figure 4 Administrator Screen
This screen offers the user the ability to edit users or navigate to the test page. Should the user not have administrator privileges he/she will be directed straight to the test page shown in Figure
8.
Editing and creating users and user groups is done via the user manager shown in Figure
5.
Figure 5 Editing Users
Maximum effort has gone into making this simple to use and various Microsoft .Net controls such as the checked list box (Figure
6) and validation techniques (Figure 7) have been used to ensure correct creation and modification of user accounts.
Figure 6 Modifying User Groups
Figure 7 Creating A New User
The Test Screen (Figure 9) is where individual software components or ‘VI plugins’ can be accessed. The tree structure used to navigate and secure the software modules matches the folder structure that contains the actual plugins on the PC hard drive. Thus for the tree shown below in my “Applications” directory on my computer I would have sub folders called “Administrator”, “Calibration”, “Debug” and “Diagnostics”. This enables the customer to setup their own structure as they wish as seen in Figure 10.
Figure 8 Test Screen
TAM is bundled with an ever increasing number of applications designed to
increase overall user productivity and efficiency. The bundled applications are
shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9 Test Screen Displaying Bundled Applications
The ‘Hardware Calibration’ application (Figure 10) allows a user (with required access level) to set the date the system requires calibration. This date controls the “Calibration Status” LED indicators shown on every screen of the TAM. If Green the system is calibrated, if amber the system is due calibration in two months, if red the system is out of calibration. Many customers require their custom test software to disallow testing if the system is out of calibration. TAM has this as a built in option and also includes an operator override password entry screen.
Figure 10 Hardware Calibration application
The ‘System Warmup Time’ application (Figure 11) allows an authorised user to state a period of time the test machine has to have been turned on before testing can commence. This is intended to allow various hardware to reach their optimum temperature before testing for greater accuracy. Should this feature not be required a time of 0 (default) can be set.
Figure 11 System Warmup Time application
The ‘Event Viewer’ application (Figure 12) is based upon the Microsoft Windows XP Event Log. This enables an authorized user to view historical usage of TAM, including who logged in when and when TAM was opened/closed.
Figure 12 Event Viewer application
The ‘Network Adapter Configuration’ application (Figure 13) offers the ability to change network settings including IP address, DHCP and DNS server. This tool also has a connectivity tester giving the user the ability to debug any potential network or database connection faults.
Figure 13 Network Adapter Configuration application
The ‘Report Viewer’ application (Figure 14) offers a quick and easy way to open and print an archived test report.
Figure 14 Report Viewer application
The ‘System Uptime’ application (Figure 15) shows how long the system has been running since its last reboot. This is in conjunction with the ‘System Warmup Time’ application (Figure 11) to determine when testing can commence.
Figure 15 System Up Time application
Customer VI Plugins
Below is a selection of custom VI plugins developed for a range of customers. The examples range from simple instruction dialogues to complex manual instrument control applications.
Figure 16 Operator Instruction Dialogue
Figure 17 Automated Test Execution
Figure
18 Select Test Menu
Figure 19 Operator Instruction Dialogue
Figure 20 Manual Control GUI (MCG)
Figure 21 Turbocharger Test Monitor Screen