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DescriptionATEasy is a test executive and a rapid application development framework for functional test, ATE, data acquisition, process control, and instrumentation systems. ATEasy provides all the necessary tools to develop, deploy and maintain software components - including instrument drivers, test programs, user interfaces, as well as a complete and customizable test executive. It is designed to support and simplify ATE system applications with long product life cycles. With ATEasy, test applications are faster to generate and easier to maintain. ATEasy’s open architecture provides easy to use access to many industry standard hardware and software interfaces including GPIB, VXI, PCI/PXI, USB, LXI/TCP-IP, Serial Communication, DLLs, ActiveX, .NET assemblies, HTML, VXI Plug&Play Function Panel drivers, IVI drivers, LabView VIs, C Header files and more. To learn more about ATEasy click on the other ATEasy tabs/pages in this section or check out the Tutorials/Videos page.  ATEasy IDE (Integrated Development Environment)ATEasy includes a complete test development suite and a test executive specifically designed for test applications. The ATEasy development environment combines the ease of Microsoft Visual Basic and the flexibility of Microsoft's Visual C++, object-oriented, Windows programming environment. Awards   
See Also- ATEasy 2.0 - ATEasy Test Executive and Development Studio for 16 Bit Applications
- ATEasy Subscription - ATEasy Subscription Renewal
- ATEasy Support - ATEasy Support (1 Year, No Upgrades)
- ATEasy Training - 3 or 5 Day Training at Customer or Geotest Facility
- ATEasy Upgrade - ATEasy Upgrade with 1 Year Subscription
- ATEasy-XX-YY - ATEasy License Type Replacement
- CONS-01 - Engineering Services and Consulting, Per Day (Excluding Expenses)
- GX5295 - Dynamic Digital I/O with Per Channel Programmable Logic Levels and PMU PXI Card
- GX5733 - 128 Channel Digital I/O Modular PXI Card
Why Use ATEasy?ATEasy provides the test engineer with a multitude of benefits, including: - Integrated Framework
ATEasy provides a streamlined, easy-to-follow framework that directs the user to create re-usable components modeled after real-world test systems. Components include a System, Drivers, Programs, Tests, Commands and more.
- Re-usability and Scalability
The ATEasy framework provides users with the ability to create re-usable software components such as instrument drivers, system components and test programs. These components can be reused from system to system reducing the overall cost of creating and maintaining an application.
- Test Executive
ATEasy provides a royalty free Test Executive. User group customization and assignments of privileges is easily done with little or no programming. All the tools to execute, create datalogs, and debug your tests are included. Additional modules are included that provide test sequencing and fault analysis.
- Short Learning Curve
ATEasy provides a familiar graphical user interface that allows Microsoft Visual Basic™ or Visual C++™ users to feel right at home. First time users can use the Application Wizard to generate applications quickly. The ATEasy application framework and modular structure offer placeholders for your code reducing the learning curve.
- Rapid Application Development (RAD)
ATEasy offers reduced program development cycles for coding, executing and debugging of your code. During debugging, ATEasy's Just-In-Time compiler compiles only the necessary code as required, supporting fast development cycles. ATEasy allows you to write several lines of code, highlight them and then click on the DoIt! button - allowing the execution of only the highlighted code without running the complete application.
- Fast and Easy Programming
Applications can be created via menu commands or by typing. Commands can be combined with ATEasy language statements such as if, repeat, etc. When typing, ATEasy's code completion tools provide suggestions for completing the unfinished statements, and an integrated code verification utility, CheckIt! provides immediate code verification for syntax errors. Application wizards help you create a framework for your test application and ATEasy's modular structure allows engineers to partition, organize, locate and re-use the test code. A built-in code browser offers immediate access to symbols such as functions or variable definitions. The ATEasy internal library includes many classes and functions providing support for your software components such as drivers, tests, forms and controls, and for basic operations such as math, string manipulation, communication, etc.
- Multi threading Support
ATEasy provides full support for the Windows multi threading model, which allows users to execute multiple code segments simultaneously. Synchronizing objects such as semaphores and events allows users to synchronize thread execution to protect your application resources from re-entrance. ATEasy’s robust multi threading model lets users use any user-interface objects and ActiveX controls from any thread without any special programming, unlike other conventional programming environments.
- Instrument Independence
Thanks to ATEasy’s exclusive Instrument Interchangeability Technology (I2T), test engineers can easily define plain language driver commands for instruments types such as a DMM, ARB, etc. The commands can be implemented differently for different instruments of the same type. Commands can be linked to DLLs, ATEasy procedures, etc. For test programs, these commands are independent of the implementation, and interface type (GPIB, VXI, etc). Consequently, when instruments need to be replaced, a new instrument driver may be used while the test programs remain unchanged.
- Test and Source Level Debugger
The ATEasy debugger provides the features found in conventional software development tools such as; Step In, Step Out, Step Over, Breakpoints, Run to Cursor, Set the Next Statement to run, and more. You can create and watch variables and expression values, execute code in a debug window, view a call stack , and view a running thread. In addition, ATEasy includes test level debugging tools allowing you to select and run tests, loop on tests, skip tests, pause on a failed test, and repeat a test.
- Self Documenting
ATEasy's user-defined commands allow users to create plain English - like statements such as:
DMM Set Function VDC
RELAY Close (1)
DMM Measure (TestResult)
The resulting test code resembles a Test Requirement Document (TRD), which is easy to understand and is instrument independent. System and Program level commands allows further abstraction of your test system and the unit under test:
Program Set Engine RPM (4000)
System Counter Measure (1, TestResult)
- Open System Architecture
ATEasy supports many hardware and software standards including: GPIB, Serial communication, VXI, USB, PCI/ISA, LXI (TCP/IP), DLL, COM/ActiveX controls, .NET assemblies, LabView VI/LLB files, VXI Plug&Play Function Panel drivers, IVI drivers, the importing of C header files, Microsoft SourceSafe and more. By supporting a wide range of standards, you can extend and enhance ATEasy's built-in functionality with spreadsheets, databases, word processors, web browsers and more..
ATEasy Test Executive.ATEasy is provided with a royalty-free test executive that can be deployed on any number of test systems. Once the test executive is inserted to your project, your application has a complete test executive user interface that allows selecting and running a test program, debugging, viewing and printing test logs. Typically ATEasy tests are written with the ATEasy language however you can extend ATEasy's functionality and execute any external code or library including .NET assemblies, DLLs, LabWindows/CVi or function panels functions, LabView VIs and more. Plug-in modules can also be added to the test executive for added functionality.  ATEasy Test ExecutiveCustomization and User InterfaceATEasy's test executive architecture is easy to customize. Using the Customize window the user can change the test executive layout, menus, toolbars, touch panel interface, options and more. Programming commands can further extend this capability. Multiple users and user groups enhance customization and provide a way for the administrator to limit the test executive's features for certain users across the network. Profile and Test SequencesA plug-in Profile module can be used by the test executive allowing the user to create, save and run test seqences. A Profile editor is provided to create the test sequence and set the actions between tests and tasks (group of tests) as required based on the test results. Fault AnalysisA plug-in Fault Analysis module can be inserted into your project providing a powerful troubleshooting tool to debug and fix the UUT. The Fault Analysis module analyzes your test results and recommends to the opeartor how to fix the UUT based on test conditions set met by the test results. A Conditions editor is provided to create the test result patterens and required repair action(s).
ATEasy FrameworkATEasy's development environment is modeled after typical ATE applications. The development environment includes modules in a hierarchical and layered structure as shown in the tree view. Engineers can use the pre-defined structure as a template to partition and develop a test program. During debugging, integration, or maintenance, this modular structure simplifies the process by isolating problems. First time users can use the Application Wizard to generate applications quickly. Application framework components are displayed in an easy-to-browse tree view that serves as a basis for the application specific components.
 ATEasy Application Wizard | ATEasy ModulesAn ATEasy application is created from a project file that lists the application modules files, which are modeled after real-life test systems. These modules allow test engineers to quickly prototype, design, and modify test systems. ATEasy provides three types of modules:
Program Module: The Program Module is UUT specific. The Program module contains the necessary tests required to test a UUT. The Program Module follows the guidelines of a Test Requirement Document (TRD) or Test Plan and is divided into Tasks and Tests sub-modules. ATEasy Workspace Block Diagram
System Module: The System Module is Test system specific. The System module contains the hardware configuration of a given test system. It reflects the currently installed instruments. For example: A GPIB instrument driver configuration includes its address, terminator, etc.
Driver Module: The Driver Module is Instrument specific;. The Driver module contains the commands and functions that are required to operate an instrument as well as the interfaces it supports (for example, GPIB, RS232, etc). |
| ATEasy Sub-ModulesEach ATEasy module contains sub-modules such as Forms (for user interface), Commands, Procedures, Variables, Types and Libraries (DLL or ActiveX)- Task/Test Sub-Module: The Program module contains the necessary tests required to test a UUT. A Task sub-module includes a group of Test sub-modules, which test a block cicuitry or logical unit of the Unit Under Test. Each Test sub-module contains code and various properties such as its Name, Type, Pin, Unit, Result, Status and More. Various test types are built in such as Min-Max, where the result must fall within a required Minimum and Maximum value. The test code is responsible of taking measurements and assigning it to a Test Result, an internal ATEasy variable. When the test code is executed, the TestResult will be used to calculate the test status: Pass or Fail and together with the test information the test log will be automatically generated.
- Commands Sub-Module: ATEasy’s "command sub-modules" are under the Driver, System, and Program modules. ATEasy’s exclusive Test Engineering Language (TEL) is the individual user-defined commands (see figure shown) in the command sub-modules. Calling attached procedures (DLLs or user-defined functions), the TEL commands appear in cascading menus in the ATEasy menu bar. The users can easily insert them into Test sub-modules instead of entering manually.
- Other Sub-Modules: System, Driver, and Program modules contain additional "sub-modules", serving as containers for objects such as Forms, Commands, Events, Procedures, Variables, Types, and Library. The test code is "partitioned" into the appropriate sub-modules depending on whether it is UUT specific (Program), system specific (System), or instrument specific (Driver).
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Graphical User Interface (GUI) ProgrammingATEasy’s Form Editor is very similar to Microsoft's Visual Basic form editor - providing a pwoerfull and feature rich GUI programming environoment for constructing interactive instrument control and test program status / control. Like Visual Basic, ATEasy provides similar sets of forms, types, menus, controls, and event programming. In addition, ATEasy’s forms can accommodate hundreds of ActiveX controls and components from third party vendors. Microsoft Source SafeTM IntegrationATEasy provides seamless integration with Microsoft's Source Safe - providing a robust configuration management environment for managing test programs. You can Check In, Check Out, or Add Files directly from ATEasy to Source Safe. You can even compare different versions of any ATEasy file to see what, when, where, and by whom files were modified.
Instrument DriversIn addition to the provided ATEasy instruments drivers, ATEasy provides IVI drivers for all the available IVI classes. ATEasy also supports thousands of VXI Plug-and-Play, Function Panel (.fp files) instrument drivers from vendors such as Agilent Technologies and National Instruments. Using the File Open Command, engineers can open a Function Panel file (.fp) and convert it to an ATEasy driver format (.drv). ATEasy generates a command tree, procedures, DLL function calls, constants and data types as defined in the function panel file and its accompanying C/C++ header file. You can also use LabView drivers since ATEasy can call VI (VI or LLB files). In addition, ATEasy provides various tools to support rapid creation and debugging of instrument drivers.  ATEasy Import Function Panel WizardRapid Driver DevelopmentIf none of the above driver formats are available, ATEasy allows engineers to rapidly modify an existing driver or develop new ones. With DLL-based drivers, engineers can easily import existing DLL functions (using C header files or manual methods). .NET or ActiveX/COM based drivers can also be imported and used to create a driver almost instantly. With message-based instrument interfaces such as GPIB, Serial (RS-232), VXI, USB and LXI (TCP/IP). ATEasy uses a simple mechanism called I/O Tables for sending and receiving instrument commands. I/O tables allow ATEasy drivers to be independent of the instrument interface and manufacturer so that one driver can be used with an instrument that supports multiple interfaces (e.g. GPIB and RS232). Instrument IndependenceThanks to ATEasy’s exclusive Instrument Interchangeability Technology (I2T), test engineers can easily define plain language driver commands. These commands seperate the driver interface used in your test program from the implementation of the driver that uses IO tables, DLLs or any other external library or software component. Within the test program, these commands are independent of the instructions, DLL procedures, and interface type. Consequently, when instruments need to be replaced, a new instrument driver may be used while the test program(s) remains unchanged.  ATEasy Agilent 34401A Driver Commands
What's New in Version 8.0Here are some of the new features included in the upcoming ATEasy 8.0: - Test Multiple UUTs in Sequential, Parallel or Mixed mode
- Support synchronize access to resources and tests for parallel execution
- Execution Speed up to x12 times
- Profile support for setting Program Parameters
- Improved Watch, Call Stack windows variables display
- Commands can be assigned to procedure variables
- User Interface and Control Enhancements
- Warning about unused variables and improved Build window
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- Crash analysis when you application perform illegal instruction or memory access
- .NET 4.0, LabView 2009 and 2010 (including .lvlibp files) Support
- New examples for TCL and PERL based tests (StdIoProcess), Multiple UUTs (parallel and sequential testing) and Process Diagnostics (detects handles, memory and thread leaks). New Drivers.
For a complete list of new features and changes, see the ATEasy 8 on-line help download. Availability: ATEasy 8.0 is available for download from the Geotest website. Subscribed users can retrieve their upgrade id license code from their magic account via the Licensing tab. What's New in Version 7.0ATEasy version 7.0 contains numerous enhancements to the test development environment, run-time and Test Executive. The following list describes the main changes in this version.  Development Environment- ATEasy DLL - ATEasy supports creating a DLL using ATEasy code. A new Library Wizard creates a Library DLL project. Export commands allows generating .vb/.h header files with prototypes of the functions exported by the DLL so they can be called from C or Visual Basic languages.
- Threads Window - A new debug window for debugging a multi-threaded applications is available. You can use the Threads window to view thread information, a call stack and local variables.
- Batch Build - A new command is available that displays the Batch Build dialog allowing you to select multiple workspace projects for build. The selected projects are saved to the workspace file.
- Back/Forward navigation commands - New View menu commands are available that use the history of windows and symbols viewed and allows you to navigate between these symbols. Similar to Internet Explorer, a drop down history lists all symbols viewed in the ATEasy session.
- New Log file format: Web Archive Single File format (.mht) is available in File Open as well as in ALog's Save and SaveAs methods for Log files.
- ATML support - New functions are available to export and import ATEasy test results and test descriptions in ATML format (.xml).
- Support for LabView v8.5, v8.6 (all versions from 7.0 to 8.6 are now supported) as well as enhanced support for .NET.
- Support for USB driver interface - provides control of USB RAW or TMC devices using IO Tables or the internal library.
- New IDE Workspace Option for default file saving - Binary and Text format saves in both file formats every time the user saves . Allows you to maintain an up to date text format that can be used by external tools such as a text editor or a source control application.
- New IDE Options: Arguments for External Tools - a set of predefined variables that are available for External Tools' arguments. The Customize Tools dialog has been modified to accept new arguments and their values, which are passed when the tools are launched.
- New IDE Option Auto Recover - this new option, when set, will cause ATEasy to save your work (modified files) every x minutes to a temporary location. When the workspace is loaded again after a system or any other failure, ATEasy will notify you of the modified files that are available for recovery.
- New IDE command : Open Containing Folder - opens a folder in Windows' Explorer which contains the selected file.
- New ATEasy Development Environment automation server (Application) - provides access to some of the IDE functionality.
Run Time Engine- New LoadLibrary/UnloadLibrary statements for dynamic loading and unloading of DLL libraries while running.
- New USB procedures provides control of USB RAW or USBTMC devices and support for USB driver interface.
- New String tokenizer functions : Split, Join, Filter, Replace.
- New Math functions - Min and Max returns the minimum or maximum value of two numbers.
- New Misc function - GetCallerName used to retrieve the current or caller procedure name or test id.
- New Time functions: Now, Date, Time, Year, Month, Day, Weekday, Hour, Minute, Second.
- New ATask/ATest properties StartTime and EndTime.
- New AApp.Info property and enumAAppInfo returns information about the application.
- New Variant constants VarEmpty and VarErrorArgMissing, supports 64 signed and unsigned bit variant integers.
- Support for converting string to DateTime/Currency data types and vice versa.
- New optional parameter added to CreateObject() : bFreeThreadingModel. Allows the user to specify the server's threading model to be Free, instead of the Apartment model.
Test Executive Enhancements- External Programs (EXE) Support - Unlike a typical project containing all programs, support for external programs allows you to create executables, each containing one (or more) programs, while still allowing all programs to be executed from the same user interface. The main benefit is support for modular test program development which allows adding programs to the test executive after the initial release of the application.
- Profile driver - create and modify test sequences or profile programmatically using commands.
- Support for Web Archive Single File (.mht) - allows the user to save HTML test log containing images into a single file.
- Ability to disable checking or un-checking of tests and tasks in the tree pane.
- New Option to show or hide the Log Summary tab (enOptionsDisplayLogSummaryTab).
- New Option to retry a failed Task automatically (enOptionsRetryFailedTask).
New Examples/Drivers- ATEasyDLL.prj - this example shows how to create an ATEasy DLL and how to use the DLL from ATEasy code or from C or a VB based application.
- Profile.prj - this example shows how to use profile commands that create a profile programmatically.
- Visa.prj - VISA driver and example - this example shows how to use VISA to control an instrument from ATEasy using the ATEasy Visa.drv driver.
- ATML.prj - this example shows how to use the new ATEasy ATML driver (ATML.drv) to export and format test description and results.
- Ki210x.prj - driver/example for USB based driver Keithley 2100 DMM.
- New Geotest drivers for GX1034, GX2002, GX2472 and GX5290.
Social Networks- Follow ATEasy on Facebook and become a fan
- Follow ATEasy on Twitter and remain up-to-date with tweets
- Join the ATEasy group on LinkedIn
User Forums- ATEasy Driver User Forum
Threads regarding drivers for all versions of ATEasy. Users can ask for or upload their drivers.
| General | - Integrated Development Environment for Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP (32/64 bit), Vista (32 bit), Windows 7 (32/64 bit)
- Generate royalty free Windows executable files (EXE) and DLLs
- Provide a framework for test application and for instrument control
- Generate Workspace, Project, Program, System, and Driver files
- Microsoft Source SafeTM integration
- Files can be saved and load in text or binary format
- Built in versioning to each file type
- Tools to compare files and versions
- Generate customizable test reports in HTML, MHT or text format
- Generate documentation automatically
- Multi-level user security
- Wizard for generating applications and libraries
- Customizable Test Executive with Test Sequencer and Fault Analysis
| | Editing | Editing Windows | - Find/replace for objects name, description, code across multiple modules
- Context menu for all objects
| - Properties window with multi tab (modeless)
- Test Log (HTML, MHT or Text)
- MDI Document windows with Tree/Object views
- Workbook user interface model
| | Code Generation/Editor | Form Editor | - Auto Parameter Information
- Auto Parameter Suggestion
- Insert Flow control menus
- Insert Commands cascading menus
| - Check duplicate mnemonics
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| Customization | Options | Help/Documentation | | | - Reference/Programming Language manual
- HTML based help with TOC, Index, Search
- Context sensitive help for dialogs and keyword
| | Compiler | Test Level Debugging | Source Safe Integration | | - Continuous/Task By Task/Test By Test
- Prompt/Pause on Task/Test Failure
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| Source Level Debugging | Debug Windows | | - Calls Stack/Locals with separate tab for module variables and change value
- Watch window with expression evaluator
- Debug window for executing intermediate code
- Monitor (communication) window, with interface source filtering
- Threads window for debugging multi-threaded application
| | Interfaces | Other | - GPIB: Computer Boards, Keithley-MetraByte/CEC, HP, National Instruments
- VXI: National Instruments - MXI
- COMM: Any Windows compatible serial and infrared port
- LXI, WinSock: Client/Server, UDP/TCP
- USB: RAW or USBTMC devices and instruments
- ISA, PCI and PXI or any PC-based instruments
| - Exception Handling (try-catch, error, OnError)
- Read C header file for DLL function and data type declaration
- Call LabView VIs, Display LLB/VI files (LabView 7.0-8.6)
- Import VXI Plug&Play/Function Panel (.fp) drivers
- IVI drivers for all available classes
- Export VB and C header files for calling ATEasy DLLs from VB or C
| | Statements | Data Types | | | | Form | COM/.NET | - MDI Frame, MDI Child and Normal Forms
- Menu Bar and Context Menus
- Third Party ActiveX controls
- Procedures, Variables, Events
- Auto size using Anchor/Align
| - Load COM/OLE Type Libraries and OCX
- Load .NET Assemblies 1.1/2.0/3.0
- Display type libraries/.NET assemblies content
- Objects can be use from any thread
- CreateObject / GetObject and new operator
| | Controls (ActiveX) | UI Classes | | | | Classes | Procedure Groups | | | |
Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Subscription, Support and Upgrade
Licensing
Training
ATEasy 2.x (16 bit for Windows 3.1/9x/NT/2K)
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ATEASY-PC
$2,195.00
ATEasy software for PC cards & RS-232 applications
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ATEASY-PC-RT
$1,195.00
RunTime version of ATEasy-PC (incl Vol I & Getting Started)
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ATEASY-GP
$3,495.00
ATEasy software for GPIB, PC cards, and RS-232 applications
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ATEASY-GP-RT
$1,495.00
RunTime version of ATEasy-GP (incl Vol I & Getting Started)
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ATEasy-GP-01
$3,795.00
ATEasy-GP including GPIB-PCII interface card
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ATEasy-GP-02
$3,895.00
ATEasy-GP including AT-GPIB Interface card
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ATEasy-GP-03
$3,895.00
ATEasy-GP including PCI-GPIB-95 Interface card for Windows 95
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ATEasy-GP-04
$3,895.00
ATEasy-GP including PCI-GPIB-NT Interface card for Windows NT
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ATEasy-VX
$4,395.00
ATEasy software for VXI, GPIB, PC cards, and RS-232 applications
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ATEasy-VX-RT
$1,795.00
RunTime version of ATEasy-VX (incl Vol 1 & Getting Started)
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GPIB Interface
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