Use the pin and the channel map editor to view pin and channel map files. You can also create, modify, and save these files using the editor.

Pin and channel map files link the following in a test system:

  • Pins
  • Sites
  • Channels
  • Digital pattern instruments

If you change the pin and channel map file, you must manually update any other references to pins in levels, time sets, and patterns.

Using the Pin and Channel Map Editor

  1. To create a new pin and channel map file, select File » New or select Add Add Item on the toolbar of the Project Explorer window.
  2. To launch the pin and channel map editor, double-click the .pinmap file in the Project Explorer window. You can also right-click the file and select Open.
  3. To display the instrument and channel that correspond to each pin, use the System View or the Pin selector in the Pin View pane.
    Note The Digital Pattern Editor auto connects and resets instrument sessions when opening or editing a project with an active pin and channel map. The editor disconnects all instrument sessions when you close the project or delete, exclude, or deactivate the active pin and channel map in the project.
  4. To save your changes, select OK. The instrument sessions close and re-open as needed to reflect the changes to the pin and channel map file.
  5. To discard your changes, select Cancel. The editor prompts you to discard changes or return to the editor.

Viewing Errors and Warnings

The Errors and Warnings window displays the following errors and warnings:

  • Red error icon: Indicates the file format or schema is wrong.
  • Orange warning text: The file follows the pin and the channel map schema, yet it may still produce an error.

Select the error icon or double-click the error message to highlight the error on the XML tab.

Note Errors or warnings may occur if the pin map file includes unsupported elements from newer versions of NI TestStand Semiconductor Module™ (TSM) or Digital Pattern Editor. However, usually the editor is still be able to use the pin map as the active pin map. The editor functions correctly with the pin map by ignoring unknown elements and attributes. Use the Pin Map Editor in the latest TSM or Digital Pattern Editor to edit pin maps with specific elements or specific attributes.

Pin and Channel Map Configuration Options

The pin and the channel map editor includes the following options and tabs:

  • Pin Map File: Displays the pin and channel map file path.
  • Undo: Removes the last edit made.
  • Redo: Reinstates the last edit removed.
  • Pin Map tab: Displays an editable, hierarchical view of the instruments, pins, pin groups, relays, relay groups, relay configurations, sites, and connections in the pin map file. For each item, you can edit the attributes of the item, insert new items, or insert comments in the file. Refer to the Pin Map Tab for more information.
  • XML tab: Displays the pin and the channel map file in a text format that you can edit.
  • Errors and Warnings window : Displays issues to resolve. Click the Goto Error in XML error icon to highlight the error on the XML tab.