User manual
Windows Server Program
ComTec GmbH 5-1
5. Windows Server Program
The window of the MPA-3 server program MPA3.EXE is shown here. It enables the full control of
the MPA-3 to perform measurements and save data. This program has no own graphic
capabilities, but it provides - via a DLL ("dynamic link library“) - access to all functions,
parameters and data. The server can be completely controlled from the MPANT software that
provides all necessary graphic displays.
5.1. Server functions
To start the software, just double click a shortcut icon linking to the server program. The server
program performs a test whether DMA mode works well on this computer, then starts MPANT
and gets iconized. Usually you will control everything from MPANT, but it is possible to work with
the server alone and independently from MPANT.
NOTE:
To go sure that no events are lost due to a full FIFO when working with MPANT and other
applications, we strongly recommend that the MPA-3 server program runs in high priority. This
can be achieved either by starting the software via LaunchMP.EXE or by using the Windows task
manager (use the “Processes” tab and right click the entry for MPA3.EXE).
5.1.1. Initialisation files
At program start the configuration files MPA3.INI (contains - for example - the ADC port
handshake signal polarities; see Figure 5.2) and MPA3.CNF are loaded. Instead of this
MPA3.CNF file any other setup file can be used if its name - excluding the appendix ‘.CNF’ - is
passed as a command line parameter (e.g. MPA3 TEST to load TEST.CNF) .
In the MPA3.INI file the hardware configuration and some settings are defined, that can be
changed only by editing this file explicitly using a text editor. The number of ADC interfaces must
be specified. If the number of interfaces defined is different from the number of interfaces found,
the software terminates immediately and opens the notepad editor with the MPA3.INI loaded.
Change then the line adcnum= , enter the correct number and save the file. If you have the
REPLAY option set replver=1 if it is enabled in the MPA- base module, or replver=2 if you have a
hardlock that allows REPLAY on a remote computer not connected with MPA-3 hardware. If you
have the Timestamp Real time clock option, set rtc=1.
Figure 5.1: MPA-3 Server