Week 10 : Acquisition speed improvement and Pacific Power Source

• Due to the time consuming on exporting the required data to the excel file for 3 instruments,we are asked to make improvement on it.We came out with an idea of storing all the data into local variables, so that every time we run the program,the data will store in the local variable as standby mode until we call it out by pressing the ACQUIRE button.By doing so, it is efficient as the data will export directly to the excel file.

• First, we created a local variable on the data we need to export e.g. VOLTAGE (V3) in the above diagram. This step goes to all the data that required to export.

 

• What we need to do next is to change the local variable we created which looked like a home icon in the above diagram to READ.

  

• Diagram of how we connect the local variables in POWER METER (Short-circuit test) .

• Diagram of how we connect the local variables in POWER METER (Open-Circuit test). 

 

• Diagram of how we connect the local variables in OSCILLOSCOPE.

 

• Diagram of how we connect the local variables in MEASURE UNIT.

• For all the 3 instruments,we have improved them by creating a event structure and put the ACQUIRE and EXCEL program part into it which shown in the diagrams above.The way of connecting the local variables for each of them are similar,just they will be exported to different roll & column.

 

• For both Short-circuit and Open-circuit test,it is absolutely necessary for us to put in the time duration to alert the operator to prevent the ATU unit from overheating.The maximum time for it is 4 minutes.Once it reaches 4 minutes, the program will alert the operator by turning the icon RED. 

 

• This is how the front panel looks like for the OSCILLOSCOPE page in tab control. In the diagram above, the LIGHT GREEN colour icons show the readings are passed and in phase.They will turn RED if the readings are out of range.

• At first,we decided to put the left portion in the diagram above( POWER SOURCE) in one page and put the right portion (POWER METER)into another page,but to make it user friendly and convenient for the operator,we decided to put both of them in one page, so that the operator can directly observe and key in the data they want.

•  For the RED bubbles above,they are used to determine whether the readings are in range or out of range.RED is failed and GREEN is passed.

• The PHASE 1 for our project is considered done, what we need to do is to continue collect feedback from the operator and improve on it .According to the Gantt chart, it is necessary for us to start with PHASE 2 - Control of Power Source.

 

• This is how the front panel of POWER SOURCE looks like. On the right tab, we fixed the parameters for 6 programs with different settings required by the operator.

• Every time the operator run the program,he need to choose a program on the left side of the diagram based on which test they are going to use, for example : short circuit or open circuit.

• The middle tab is use to control the output voltage according to the POWER METER to ensure the output voltage of 3 phases are in range.

 

• Since we have 4 while loops, this QUEUE function is use to communicate between each loops.It is necessary for us to control these loops using single button.