Quick Instruments
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Quick Start Guide

Getting started guide to run Quick Instruments

This guide describes how to download, install and use Quick Instruments platform with a simple working example. Complete the steps described in this page and in about 5 minutes you will learn how to execute tests with Quick Instruments Runtime.

Before you start

Prerequisites:
- Digilent Arty Development Board is required to run this demo

Overview

This demo covers the following instruments:
  1. Frequency counter
  2. Memory Interconnect Tester
  3. DDR Margining Tester
  4. Ethernet Basic Tester
  5. Ethernet Stress Tester
  6. SPI Tester
  7. SPI Flash Programmer
  8. ADC Measurement
  9. PinTouch
  10. SVF Player
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The setup for the demo:
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Downloading QI Runtime

In order to download Quick Instruments Runtime software, please go to the "Resources" -> "Downloads" section.
Then, press "Download Runtime" button.

Installation

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After the download is complete, install the QI Runtime to your hard disk. By default, the Quick Instruments are installed to "C:/Testonica/QuickInstruments" folder.
For this demo, it is necessary to install the samples that come with the installer.

Installing drivers

In this demo, Digilent drivers are used for communication between host (PC) and QI Embedded Instruments. To install hardware drivers, go to the QI "Downloads" webpage and download "Digilent" drivers. After the download is complete, install "Digilent Adept Runtime" to your hard disk.
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Connecting the board

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  • Make sure that the '5V Select' jumper (J13) is set to USB
  • Connect the board to your PC with micro-USB cable
  • Check that the 'Power' led (LD11) is lit
  • Verify that your OS has installed Digilent drivers properly

Running a simple Demo Program

Note!
 - This guide uses Python scripting language to run QI. Basic knowledge of the Python is advantageous but not required.
 - NI Teststand, Labview or C# can be used in a similar way. The information how to use other execution platforms can be found here.
  1. Go to the Quick Instruments installation folder (by default "C:/Testonica/QuickInstruments") and open "Projects" -> "Demo" -> "ARTY-A7-demo" folder
  2. Run cmd shortcut, the Command Prompt window should open and target the current folder
    CMD
  3. Run demo program by executing the command: C:\Testonica\QuickInstruments\python311\python.exe Demo.py
    CMD
  4. That's it! You have just measured the frequency of oscillator (IC2) located on your board.
Have a problem running this code? Send us an email and we'll do our best to help you: qi@testonica.com

A brief look at the program code

While we are still in the "Python" folder, open "Demo.py" file with any text editor and take a look at the program.
driver = TestbusController("Digilent") #Set up controller
testbus = Testbus(System.Array[str](['IC1:xc7a35t_csg324']), driver) #specify test bus
testbus.IpLibrary = "../Samples/ARTY_MAIN.ipl" #specify instrumentation library for the project

if testbus.Check() : #check infra
	freq = Frequency(testbus) #Define instrument
	value = freq.Measure("IC1.IO_E3", int()) #Perform measurement

	driver.Close() #CLEAN-UP
The code of the program is pretty simple and can be divided into three main sections:
  • Define main parameters for the project (controller / devices in test bus / IP library)
  • If infrastructure is ok, then start test program
  • Close the controller in the end

Running an extended Demo Program

An extended demo program demonstrates the feasibility of Quick Instruments to test printed circuit boards.
  1. If you have closed Command Prompt, open it again in "Projects" -> "Demo" -> "Arty-A7-demo" folder
    CMD
  2. Run extended demo program by executing the command: C:\Testonica\QuickInstruments\python311\python.exe ARTY_A7.py
    CMD
  3. The program will run the instruments one by one and generate the demo report in the end of execution (see "testReport.html" in your folder)
  4. You can also run only one test at a time. Call Arty_A7.py -h to get a list of tests. Then, run Arty_A7.py -t N where N is a number of a test for execution
    CMD

Have a problem running this code? Send us an email and we'll do our best to help you: qi@testonica.com

What's next

  • Try to run demo program using C#, NI TestStand or Labview. The demos for these solutions are also provided with the QI Runtime (see Samples folder)
  • Explore the documentation center. There is plenty of interesting information about Quick Instruments platform.
  • Contact us to find out how Quick Instuments may help in your project or request a demo!