The sequencer tool enables you to perform a series of ordered tasks using instrument panels and measurement plug-ins. Automating using the sequencer tool can enable you to efficiently perform multi-step measurements, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Note This feature is only available with an InstrumentStudio Professional license.

Supported Instruments

The sequencer tool supports certain instrument types and supports specific operations for each instrument type.

Instrument Panel Type Start Read Stop
Digital Multimeter ✓ ✓ ✓
Waveform Generator ✓ ✓
Oscilloscope ✓ ✓
SMU/Power Supply ✓ ✓ ✓
SCPI Instrument ✓
RF Signal Analyzer ✓ ✓
RF Signal Generator ✓ ✓
Network Analyzer ✓ ✓

Accessing the Sequencer Tool

Complete the following steps to access the sequencer tool in InstrumentStudio.

  1. Required: Make sure you have activated your InstrumentStudio Professional license to use the sequencer tool.
  2. Click the Sequencer pane at the top of the project window.

Building a Sequence

Complete the following steps to create a new sequence step.

Before you begin, make sure to save your current project.
Note You cannot use the Sequencer Tool within an unsaved project.
  1. Navigate to the panel you want to add to a sequence.
  2. Click the Add to sequence button.
    Tip You can hover over Add to sequence to see a list of all associated steps that contain the selected panel.

To ensure the correct steps have been added to the sequence, open the Sequencer pane and check the list of steps displayed within the Step list view.

Sweeps

Sweeps enable you to repeat selected steps within a sequence and increment the values of parameters across the individual measurement steps within the sweep.

Adding a Sweep Loop to a Sequence

To add a sweep loop to a sequence, click the add step button (+) for the steps you want to sweep and select Sweep loop.

Sweep Behavior

When you execute a sequence that contains a sweep within your InstrumentStudio project, the sequence executes the steps within the sweep loop based on the parameter settings you select when configuring the sweep. In general, the sweep executes once for each new parameter value specified in the sweep settings.

For example, if you wanted to run a test sequence that sends a series of three different voltages to a device using an SMU panel, and then reads data back from the device using a DMM panel, the sequence executes in the following order:

  • Sweep 1, Step 1, Parameter Value 1: SMU[Start] sends 1.15 V to device.
  • Sweep 1, Step 2: DMM reads output from device.
  • Sweep 1, Step 3: SMU[Stop]
  • Sweep 2, Step 1, Parameter Value 2: SMU sends 1.35 V to device.
  • Sweep 2, Step 2: DMM reads output from device.
  • Sweep 2, Step 3: SMU[Stop]
  • Sweep 3, Step 1, Parameter Value 3: SMU sends 1.5 V to device.
  • Sweep 3, Step 2: DMM reads output from device.
  • Sweep 3, Step 3: SMU[Stop]

Once a sweep loop has completed, the following steps of the sequence execute.

Sweep Strategies

You can configure sweep loop behavior by opening the step settings panel (). The following sweep strategies are available in the Sequencer tool:

  • Start, Stop, Step—Specify a start value and stop value, as well as the step size to use.
  • Start, Stop, Count—Specify a start value and stop value, as well as the amount of steps to use within that range.
  • Array— Manually specify a list of values to sweep through.

    • Sweep Step Settings

    The following settings are available within the parameter settings panel. A preview of values is shown for the selected settings.

  • Sweep Name—The name you want to use for the parameter to be swept.
  • Data Type—The data type of the parameter. Can be numeric, etc.
  • Strategy—Which sweep behavior you want to use. Refer to Sweep Strategies for more information on sweep types.
  • Distribution—How to distribute steps between the Start values and Stop values specified for a sweep. Can be linear or geometric.
  • Start—The initial parameter value to use when performing a sweep.
  • Stop—The final parameter value to use when performing a sweep.
  • Step—The step size to use when selecting a Start, Stop, Step sweep strategy.
  • Count—The number of steps to create when selecting a Start, Stop, Count sweep strategy.
  • Values—When using an Array sweep strategy, enter the values you want to sweep through using this table. When other strategies are selected, this table displays the values generated by the selected sweep settings.

    • Configuring Sweep Parameters for Sequence Steps

    After configuring the sweep step settings, you can configure how each step within the sweep will handle the sweep parameter. Sweep parameters for steps within a sweep are configured in the step settings. Step settings enable you to use the sweep parameter for any appropriate step inputs. You can select the same sweep parameter on multiple step inputs.

    Supported Panel Types

    Sweeps are supported for use with measurement plug-in steps and instrument steps.

    Modifying a Sequence

    Changing Sequencer Panel Configuration

    If you change the configuration of a panel that is used in multiple steps, InstrumentStudio applies the changes to all instances of that panel in the sequence.

    Note Changes made to panel configurations are applied immediately.

    Reusing a Panel

    If you want to use different configurations with the same panel, you must create a new panel. Click Duplicate Panel () to quickly make a duplicate of the selected panel.

    Reordering a Sequence

    To change the order of a step within a sequence, drag and drop the step to the desired position in the sequence.

    Viewing Steps

    Double-click a step to quickly access and edit the panel associated with it.

    Executing a Sequence

    Executing a sequence performs all the steps that are defined in the sequence. Once the sequence has executed, you can view any data measured during the sequence as well as the execution log to ensure the sequence has completed all steps successfully.

    Before executing a sequence, make sure all required devices within your system are present, connected, and powered on.
    Click Run to execute the sequence.
    The timer in the sequencer pane starts, which indicates that the sequence is actively executing.
    Note Each time InstrumentStudio executes a sequence, InstrumentStudio creates an execution report and saves the report in a folder titled Sequence Results within the project folder. Refer to Viewing a Sequence Report for information on how to view sequence reports.

    Viewing a Sequence Execution Log

    InstrumentStudio generates an execution log each time it executes a sequence. The execution log lists information about each step that is executed during a sequence. You can use the log to identify which steps executed and to check the status and the execution time of each step.

    1. Open the Sequencer pane.
    2. Click Execution log.

    Viewing a Sequence Report

    A sequence report is a PDF file detailing the results of a sequence. InstrumentStudio generates a sequence report each time you execute a sequence. Complete the following steps to access a sequence report.

    1. Execute a sequence and wait for the sequence to execute.
      When the sequence completes, InstrumentStudio generates a report about the sequence.

      InstrumentStudio adds sequence execution report files to the Project Files pane under the Sequence Results folder.

    2. Click the View Report button.
    The generated report opens in the default PDF viewer on your system.