The Driver Module

An ATEasy Driver is a plug-in, reusable module that can export any of its submodules to any other module (Programs, System, and other Drivers) in the project. The Driver is generally used to communicate with the "outside world" such as instruments or other devices. In a project, a driver resides under the System Drivers folder.

When defining a driver, you select the interfaces (for example, GPIB or VXI) the driver supports and their default configuration (such as time-out, terminator and more). Once the driver is inserted in the system, the system creates a driver shortcut . You can then set the current user interface and set other configuration attributes such as address.

Unlike a program, the Driver variables retain their values during the life of the application even after a program has finished. For example, if a program invoked a Driver's virtual DMM panel, the virtual panel would still be available after the Program is finished.

Driver commands are high-level statements similar to the statements commonly found in Test Requirement Documents (TRDs). The Driver commands, typically the code used by programs tests, are independent of the actual instrument or the method used to communicate with the instrument (for example, GPIB). A major advantage of this architecture allows ATEasy users to replace instruments and drivers without the need to modify any of the test program code. This holds true for any instrument or Driver, as long as the Driver commands are designed in the same way for all instruments of the same type.

Like any module, the Driver also contains the Forms submodule. Forms may be used interactively to create virtual panels of the instruments, allowing you to control the instrument interactively without programming.

An ATEasy Driver is a reusable module. Any libraries or programming elements declared as public and used within the Driver are available to all other modules within the project by merely referencing them. The advantage is that code duplication is avoided and code reuse is encouraged.