STABLE32 AUTOMATION
FUNCTIONS
W.J. Riley, Hamilton Technical
Services
INTRODUCTION
The Stable32 program includes three Auto# functions (Auto1, Auto2 or Auto3) that may be used to automate a frequency stability analysis. All of the major analysis functions are supported, and may be selected by simply checking a dialog box control. Any of the three resulting automation scripts may be invoked manually or from the Stable32 commamd line.
DESCRIPTION
The Auto# functions execute automation scripts that describe the steps of a frequency stability analysis. These steps are arranged in a standard order, and can be individually selected or skipped by their respective checkboxes. Plots and tables can be drawn and printed to show the results. The available analysis options are as follows:
| Stable32 Automation Analysis Options | ||||
| # | Step | Description | Options | Plot/Print |
| 1 | Open File | Open data file | Phase or freq data Browse for file |
Original data |
| 2 | Convert | Convert data | To other analysis type | Converted data |
| 3 | Remove Outliers | Remove bad data | Frequency only Set sigma factor |
Corrected data |
| 4 | Part | Use part of data | Set start/end points End=0=last point |
Selected data |
| 5 | Average | Combine data for longer t | Set averaging factor | Averaged data |
| 6 | Remove Drift | Remove fit | Choose fit type | Residual data |
| 7 | Run | Stability analysis | Choose variance type | Stability plot Stability table |
| 8 | Close | Close last screen | Leave open for manual analysis | Add delay to observe steps |
The following choices are available for removing drift from phase and frequency data:
| Stable32 Automation Drift Models | |
| Data Type | Drift Models |
| Phase | Quadratic, Avg of 2nd Diff, 3-Point, Linear, Avg of 1st Diff, or Endpoints |
| Frequency | Linear, Log, Bisection, or Diffusion |
The following types of data may be analyzed:
| Stable32 Automation Data Types | |
| Data Type | Description |
| Original | Original phase or frequency data file |
| Converted | After phase/frequency conversion |
| Corrected | After frequency outliers removed |
| Selected | Selected portion of data |
| Averaged | After averaging to longer t |
| Residual | After drift removed |
Any of the original, converted, corrected, selected, averaged or residual data types may be plotted and printed as applicable.
The following variance types are available for the stability analysis of phase and frequency data:
| Stable32 Automation Variance Types | |
| Data Type | Variance Types |
| Phase | Normal, Overlapping, Modified, Time, Hadamard, Total, Mod Total,
Time Total, Hadamard Total, TIE rms, or MTIE |
| Frequency | Normal, Overlapping, Modified, Time, Hadamard, Total, Mod Total, Time Total, or Hadamard Total |
AUTO# DIALOG BOXES
The three Stable32 Auto# dialog boxes have the following layout:
CONTROLS
The Auto# dialog boxes contain the following controls:
| Stable32 Auto# Function Dialog Box Controls | ||
| Control | Type | Description |
| Open File | Checkbox | Open data file for analysis (otherwise use existing data) |
| Browse | Pushbutton | Browse for data file with standard Windows file open dialog |
| Phase | Radiobutton | Choose phase data |
| Freq | Radiobutton | Choose frequency data |
| Filename | Edit | Enter name of data file (or filename selected with Browse) |
| Convert | Checkbox | Convert to other data type for analysis |
| Rem Outliers | Checkbox | Remove bad frequency data points |
| Sigma Factor | Edit | Enter outlier criterion (# of absolute median deviations) |
| Part | Checkbox | Use selected part of data |
| Start | Edit | Enter starting point (1=1st point) |
| End | Edit | Enter endinf point (0=last point) |
| Average | Checkbox | Combine data points for longer t |
| Avg Factor | Edit | Enter (integer) averaging factor |
| Rem Drift | Checkbox | Remove drift |
| Type | Listbox | Select drift model type |
| Data Plot | Checkbox | Plot analysis data on screen |
| Type | Listbox | Select data plot type(s) |
| Print Plot | Checkbox | Print analysis data plot |
| Run | Checkbox | Run stability analysis |
| Variance | Combobox | Select variance type |
| Stability Plot | Checkbox | Plot stability results on screen |
| Print Plot | Checkbox | Print stability plot |
| Print Table | Checkbox | Print stability table |
| Close | Checkbox | Close Auto# dialog at end of script |
| Add Delay | Checkbox | Add delay between steps (to observe intermediate results) |
| msec | Edit | Enter delay in msec |
| Script Name | Edit | Enter name of auto script |
| Go | Pushbutton | Execute automation script |
| OK | Pushbutton | Save automation script |
| Cancel | Pushbutton | Abort Auto# function |
| Help | Pushbutton | Invoke Auto# help topic |
MANUAL USE
The Stable32 Auto# functions may be used manually by setting the desired analysis steps and either saving them by pressing OK, or executing them by pressing Go. Pressing Cancel aborts any changes made. The analysis functions are the same as those provided for a non-automated Stable32 analysis. The automation script options are interlocked so as to simplify their selection. All reasonable combinations are allowed, but their order may not be changed. Default timetag and data columns are used for multicolumn data. The Close checkbox determines whether the last result remains on the screen. Extra delay may be added with the Add Delay and msec controls to allow viewing of the intermediate results.
COMMAND LINE USE
The Auto# functions may be invoked from the Stable32 command line with the -o auto1, -o auto2 or -o auto3 options. When invoked in this way, the automation script is executed immediately without requiring that it be started with the Go button.
AUTOMATION SCRIPTS
Three separate automation scripts are stored in the Stable32.ini configuration file under the [Auto#] sections. Each of these sections has the same items that define the analysis steps for each automated analysis. While it is possible to edit these configuration file scripts directly, it is recommended that the corresponding Auto# dialog box be used to avoid errors. An example of a Stable32 automation script is shown below:
[Auto3]
Script=Script_3
FileOpen=1
Convert=1
Outliers=1
Average=1
Drift=1
DataPlot=1
PhaseDataPlot=0
FreqDataPlot=0
Run=1
StabPlot=0
StabTable=0
Close=1
Variance=Normal
Filename=C:\Stable32\PHASE.DAT
DriftType=Quadratic
AvgFactor=2
SigmaFactor=5.000
DataType=0
AnalysisType=1
RunPlot=1
PhaseVariance=Normal
FreqVariance=Overlapping
PhaseDriftType=Quadratic
FreqDriftType=Linear
DelayTime=1000
Start=1
End=500
Part=1
Delay=1
PrintOriginal=1
PrintConverted=1
PrintCorrected=1
PrintSelected=1
PrintAveraged=1
PrintResidual=1
ANALYSIS METHODS
The Stable32 automation script feature is intended as a convenient way to quickly produce basic stability analysis information. It is not intended to replace either manual analysis or complete batch files. The former has the advantage of close user integration and insight, while the latter can harness the full capabilities of the program (including plot customization and annotation).
Rev. 07/07/01