Software
FineTest Software is available on the following platforms:
Agilent VEE
National Instruments LabWindows/CVI
National Instruments LabView
National Instruments TestStand
Use the links to the left for more information on each platform...
How FineTest Software (FineSoft) developed
into what it is today:
The Old Software Environment
In the past, programming languages used to be difficult, the
computers were limited, and the users were not very familiar with
computers/programming in general.
The old solution was to create a subset of a language to
simplify its use, or to create a "program generator". This approach
was by its nature very limiting. However, the power supplies were also not as
functional and complicated as they are today.
The New Software Environment
The programming languages for control and test applications have become very user-friendly. They have also become much more powerful. LabWindows/CVI offers full ANSI C programming and VEE offers the same functions in a graphical programming language.
The FineTest Software Philosophy
Our philosophy is to give the user a field proven,
off-the-shelf, standard programming language with all of its capabilities.
This way the user is not tied to any so called "test executive" or
"program generator".
Benefits of our Philosophy
Our users enjoy the freedom to use the software language to
its full extent, without cumbersome (and sometimes impossible) changes to an
"in-house" proprietary software.
Our users can write new custom tests since they have all the tools of the language at their disposal.
Our users enjoy any language upgrades as they come.
Our users can get more training from the language supplier directly.
We give the user a Software Application Package for Power Supply Testing to ease the writing of
a power supply test program.
All the Test Programs are written in a standard language!
A brief overview of the different platforms
Agilent VEE Platform
Offers a graphical user interface style of programming.
Using icons and 'fill in the blank' boxes complete programs can be written.
No language experience is necessary.
All of the instrument drivers and test programs are displayed in graphical format.
National Instruments - Lab Windows/CVI
Offers ANSI C programming language.
Only a basic knowledge of 'C' is required.
There are test libraries and instrument drivers to aid in
writing a test program quickly.
National Instruments - LabView
Offers a graphical user interface style of programming.
Using icons and 'fill in the blank' boxes complete programs can be written.
No language experience is necessary.
All of the instrument drivers and test programs are displayed in graphical format.
National Instruments - TestStand
A commercial off-the-shelf Test Sequencer/Executive from National Instruments.
Very flexible with many options to customize the operator Graphical User Interface.
Can be used with all of our platforms - Agilent VEE, LabWindows/CVI, and LabView.