Create a test station in PAtools for each test station in your lab.

If one PXI controls multiple test stations, configure each test station to include the unique set of runtime system slots.

Note You can duplicate a test station from the Context menu.

Complete the following steps to create a test station:

  1. In the Navigation area, click Test Station.
  2. Click New Test Station and configure the following settings:
    1. Enter a Name for the test station.
    2. Optional: Add a description of the test station in the Description field.
    3. Optional: Enable the Use same host for all slots checkbox.
  3. Click Add Runtime System Slot to add the runtime system slot for each slot in the lab test station.
    Note You can also duplicate an existing slot by clicking the Copy icon.
    1. Enter a unique name in the RTS Slot Name field.
    2. Optional: Add a description in the Description field.
    3. In the Host field, enter one of the following options:
      • Name of the PXI controller in the network
      • IP address of the PXI controller
    4. In the RTS number field, enter a number that corresponds to the ID of the assigned runtime system.
      The number you enter must be between 0 and 9.
      Note For more information about configuring test stations for battery cell, pack, and module applications, refer to Configuring Test Stations for Battery Cells and Configuring Test Stations for Battery Packs and Battery Modules in the PAtools Battery Software Suite User Manual.
  4. Click Edit to modify the capabilities of each slot.
    1. Select the compatible Application Types.
      Note The number displayed on the USAGE column indicates the assignment of an application type to multiple tests. Click on the number to access the assigned details.
    2. Click OK.
  5. Optional: Enable Default to use a global default value.
    For example, enable Default to send a test to the slot using the context menu in the explorer.
  6. Click Save.
The Test Station tab displays the newly configured test station. Expand a slot to see the compatible Application Types.

Uploading Test Stations to SystemLink

Uploading a PAtools test station to SystemLink enables you to schedule SystemLink test plans on a PAtools test station. In this case, use SystemLink test plans generated from PAtools test plan templates.

When you upload a PAtools test station, PAtools creates an association between the test station and a SystemLink system. Fixture type assets are added to the SystemLink system for each of the Runtime System Slots where the name of the fixture is RTS Slot Name. PAtools also communicates to SystemLink about which of the PAtools application types are compatible with the test station. With this information, you can schedule a test plan at a slot of a compatible system in SystemLink.

Note Only slots appended with a number can upload to SystemLink (for example, Slot_01).

You can associate PAtools test stations with physical or virtual systems in SystemLink. If you created one test station for one PXI, you can associate the test station with a physical SystemLink system. If you created multiple test stations for one PXI, you can associate each test station with a virtual system in SystemLink.

To upload the test station to SystemLink, complete the following steps:

  1. From the Test Station tab, click Upload to SystemLink.
  2. Select the SystemLink Systems that you want to associate the test station with in SystemLink.
  3. If you selected a virtual system in SystemLink Systems, select the SystemLink Physical System that corresponds to the virtual system.
    If you selected a physical system in SystemLink Systems, the SystemLink Physical System area is disabled.
  4. Click Ok.