APPENDIXA
APPENDIXA
APPENDIX 1
List of Figures
Page
This appendix describes how to install and operate the Test & Diagnostic Software (TDS) for the
PW240X and PW260X XRF spectrometers. The TDS package provides access to the service functions
implemented in the spectrometer's firmware. It is designed to enable service engineers to operate and
test a spectrometer, independently from the analytical software.
NOTE: TDS is NOT designed to be run by spectrometer users. As such, it is not capable of
performing analytical operations on any data collected during testing.
The TDS software uses a special key (Dongle) connected to the PC printer port to allow use of the
software (from versions 1.2 (PW2404), 2.2 (PW2400) and 2.0 (PW2600)
Remote Diagnostics (RD) software for the PW240X is described in Chapters 2 and 9 of this manual.
Using TDS the service engineer can test the complete spectrometer, any of the sub-systems or P.C.B.'s
and some of the connected peripherals, e.g. PW2510/xx Sample Changer, PW2540 vrc Sample
Changer. It also provides facilities for:
◆ Tailoring communications between the PC and the spectrometer.
◆ Updating the spectrometer's firmware.
TDS actively prevents the engineer from performing operations that could damage the spectrometer. To
override this protection the engineer must first access the "Special Test Mode", which is password
protected.
The user interacts with the system by selecting options from menus and entering parameters into the
input forms. The function keys, F1 - F10, are used for special functions. Help information is provided for
some screens.
Parameter Bank
Up/Download
Location of files
Vacuum leakage
test
Ethernet server
mode
Transparant mode
Change password
Parameter Bank
Up/Download
Location of files
Vacuum leakage
Dual scaler test
Toggle
Communications
Communication
Settings
Ethernet server
mode
Transparant mode
Two types of screens are used in TDS, Menus and Input Forms, each performs a specific function. Both
types of screen have the same basic format:
A.2.3 Menus
The selection menus display the available options, an example screen is shown in Figure A.3. The
required options can be selected in three ways:
• Type the option identifying letter, displayed in front of the option.
• Highlight the option, using the up/down arrow keys, and press Enter.
• Click on the desired option with a mouse, if installed.
When an option is selected it is highlighted as shown in Figure A.3. After an option is selected, either
another menu or an input form will be displayed.
The input forms serve to display information and allow entry and selection of parameters and values.
Some input forms contain small graphical displays. A typical input form, with a graphical display, is
shown in Figure A.4.
The 'Help Facility' can be accessed from some of the menus and input forms, by pressing F10. This
causes the first page of the 'Help' for that function to be displayed. The help screens give information on
available choices and parameter values that can be entered. The help screens may, in some cases, also
contain information about the sub-system or PCB being tested.
The available help text may be divided over several pages. The pages can be scrolled through one-by-
one, forwards or backwards, by pressing the F1 and F2 keys, respectively. The user may also be able
to jump to related subjects on other help screens, by pressing the offered Function keys.
A.3 INSTALLATION
This section lists the hardware requirment and describes the software installation procedure for both
versions of TDS. It should be installed on the service engineers portable PC. If this is not available it can
be installed on and operated from the customers PC. If it is installed on a customers PC, it must be
deleted after use.
NOTE: A software key (dongle) is required to run TDS.
The minimum computer configuration required for running TDS on a PW2400 is listed below:
1. Type: AT or 100% compatible, 386DX or above is recommended
2. RAM: 640 kByte
Each TDS package is supplied on BBS (Buletin Board). Remote Diagnostics (RD) for the PW240X is
supplied on CD-ROM.
NOTE: TDS 240X, TDS 2606/30 and TDS 2606/40 are separate packages.
The installation procedure carries out a number of tasks, as follows:
1. Checks for another version of TDS.
2. If no other version is present, the installation procedure:
a. a.Creates the directory structure, as shown in Figure A.5
b. b.Copies the TDS files from floppy disk or C:\temporary directory into the "EXE" directory.
3. If another version is present:
a. a.Creates the subdirectory "OLDxx" under the "EXE" directory; where "xx" is the first free
number between 01 and 99, inclusive.
TDS260X EXE
PRG
SDT
PW240X DY000123
DY000367
DY000523
PW260X DY000217
DY000339
DY000341
UNKNOWN DY000000
The method of starting TDS depends on whether the system files have been modified: If the system files
have been modified, the directory structure has been inserted into the path. This means that the program
can be started by just entering the program name. To run TDS carry out steps 1 and 3, below.
If the system files have not been modified the full directory path must be entered to run the program. To
run TDS for the PW2400 carry out steps 1, 2 and 3, below.
1. Connect the serial port of the PC to peripheral port 2 on the spectrometer, using the null-modem
cable.
2. Enter CD\TDS\TDSXXXX\EXE - This sets the correct directory.
3. Enter TDSXXXX - This starts the program and displays the title screen, Figure A.9 shows the
title screen for the PW2400 TDS package..
Replace XXXX with the required equipment number (2400, 2404, 2600, 26063, 26064) in the above
command lines.
NOTE: 26063 relates to PW2606/30 and 26066 relates to PW2606/40.
To access the program the correct pasword must be entered. The first time the program is run, after
installation, a password must be declared. The password can consist of up to 8 alphanumeric characters
and is case sensitive (upper and lower case). To set the new password:
• Enter the password into the input field, at the bottom right of the screen.
Aftr enter is pressed the box is cleared and the user is prompted to verify the password.
• Enter the password again into the verify input field.
If the correct password is entered, the program starts and communications with the spectrometer are
intialised.
NOTE: If TDS is started off-line (i.e. not connected to a spectrometer) the C:\TDS\UNKNOWN sub-
directory is created.
The Communication Setup screen is displayed and the following selections can be made:
◆ “Direct”/”Modem
◆ Serial Port - selected from COM 1 to 4
◆ Baudrate - selected from 19k2, 9600, 4800, 2400, 1200
For modem connection, a dial string can be entered.
When communications with the spectrometer are initialised TDS checks that the spectrometer is running
the latest version of the firmware. If the latest version is present the program continues running. If TDS
detects that the spectrometer is running an older version of the firmware it displays the "FIRMWARE"
status screen, see Figure A.10.
The Main Menu is the starting point for TDS. This screen gives access to the main functional groups of
the program. The required functional group can be selected in two ways:
• Type the option identifying letter, displayed in front of the option.
• Highlight the option, using the up/down arrow keys, and press Enter.
• Click on the required option, with the mouse.
When an option is selected it is highlighted until the sub-menu is displayed.
All the regular menu Function keys are active with the exception of the Esc - return to main menu key.
Each of the menu options accesses a functional group. These groups are:
If the command:
TDS240X /L or TDS26XX /L
This section describes some of the functions available from the Administration sub-menu.
This form allows the user to set the display parameters for the PC. In particular it allows easy switching
between colour schemes for colour monitors and monochrome notebook displays.
The Date Format, display and colour fields can all be toggled to select the required format. Two default
screen colour schemes provided, colour monitor and monochrome notebook, these can be selected by
pressing F1 or F2, respectively.
NOTE: The text and background colours for each field/screen type cannot be set to the same colour.
To change the password, select F3 - Change password.
The parameter bank consists of the following 3 files containing different types of data:
◆ *.ICF Spectrometer configuration data.
◆ *.CAL Calibration data; e.g. detector HV settings/gain/gain correction, dead
time, zero corrections, zero offset.
◆ *.IP Instrument parameters; e.g. vacuum warning level, standby channel
settings, etc.
◆ *.SCF PW2540 configuration file - available when a PW2540 Sample Changer
is connected.
It is sometimes necessary to change the firmware version in the PW2400 other than updating it when
first running the package. This can be done from the Firmware Maintenance screen, see Figure A.10,
accessed via the TDS Communication with instrument menu.
WARNING! THE TDS USER MUST TAKE TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
SYSTEM WHEN USING THE SPECIAL TEST MODE.
5. Return to the TDS Main Menu and select Communication with Instrument.
6. Select Firmware Maintenance, from the menu options.
7. Load the floppy disk containing the required firmware version.
8. Press F4 - Select file and enter the name of the required file, e.g. a:\FW00114B.PFW.
9. Press F1 - Load.
The Program FLASH PROMs screen is now displayed and the new firmware is loaded.
NOTE: The spectrometer is reset after loading the new firmware. The medium is switched to AIR.
This function can be used to set up and execute a batch of tests on a spectrometer. Selecting this option
from the TDS Main Menu, displaying the Input Form shown in Figure A.17.
The results of a test can be viewed by selecting the Input Form for that test and then viewing the results
as normal.
For example, to view the Stability measurement results:
1. Select Instrument tests, from the TDS Main Menu.
2. Select Stability measurement, from the menu options.
3. Press F2 - Results or F3 - Graph to view the results as a table or graph, respectively.