User`s manual

292 Chapter 8
O:\Manuals\E6380A_Progguid\Book\Ibasic.fm
IBASIC Controller
The TESTS Subsystem
The TESTS Subsystem
The Test Set makes available to the user an automated user-interface
which has been specifically designed for radio test. One of the primary
problems associated with automated radio testing is the need to rapidly
configure the software with the information needed to test a specific
type of radio. Information such as, test frequencies/channels, test
specifications, test parameters, test conditions and pass/fail limits.
Most often the test(s) and test procedure(s) used to test a class of radio
(AM, FM, AMPS, TACS, TDMA, CDMA, etc.) are defined by an industry
standard and are used to test all radio types within that class. However,
for a specific radio type, the test(s) may remain the same but the
information needed to test the radio changes. For example, a portable
hand-held may have different transmit power levels than a mobile - the
RF power test is the same but the power levels, supply voltages,
pass/fail limits etc. can be different.
There are two approaches which can be used to provide the software
with the information needed to test a radio: a) hardcode the information
directly into the software, or b) store the information outside the
program code itself and make it available to the software as needed.
Hardcoding the information into the software has several serious
drawbacks: changing the information is difficult and the software
becomes specific to that radio type. Storing the information outside the
program code and making it available to the software as needed
overcomes both of these problems, that is - the information is easy to
change and the software is not specific to a particular type of radio.
The Test Set’s automated user-interface was designed using this
approach. Agilent Technologies has developed software specifically
designed to run on the Test Set. Agilent Technologies Test Software
provides the user with a library of industry standard tests. All radio
specific information has been removed from the software. The
information needed to test a specific type of radio is available to the
user through the TESTS Subsystem. To generate, change and maintain
this radio specific information the TESTS Subsystem provides menu
driven input screens to define specifications, parameters, test
sequencing and system configuration for a particular radio type.
Writing Programs For the TESTS Subsystem
The Agilent Technologies 83224A IBASIC Developer’s Tool Kit for
Windows is required for developing programs which use the Tests
Subsystem. Contact your local Agilent Technologies sales
representative or sales office for ordering and pricing information.