Simulation

The Simulation Device is used to simulate features of Strip Chart. The Simulation inspector editor is shown below.

The Simulation device can be useful to test methodology for data storage and analysis without having hardware.

The following details the Simulation parameters.

Simulation Parameters

Number Of Signals : Varies from one to sixteen. Choose a number similar to what you will use in practice.

Noise

Noise: Defines the amount of noise relative to the signal. This is very valuable for determining average and fit parameters in the Derived processing. Once you start using derivatives and feedback loops then noise plays an important role in determining algorithm selections.

Amplitude : Sets the amplitude of the noise.

Sine

Defines the sine function component defined by A sin(t (P + i * O)) where A is the amplitude, P is the period, O is the period offset, t is time and i is the channel index.

Amplitude : Amplitude and is set between 0 and 10 and equals the maximum of the sine function.

Period : P is the period and is set to one second per cycle when the slider is to the right and infinite (flat) when the slider is to the left.

Period Offset : The Period offset slider offsets the period on a per channel basis so that the period can vary per channel.

Harmonic

Defined by A (cos(t P) + sin(2 t P) + cos(3 t P) + sin(4 t P))/4.

Amplitude : The amplitude (A) and is set between 0 and 10

Period : The period (P) is set to one second per cycle when the slider is to the right and infinite (flat) when the slider is to the left.

Period Offset : The Period offset slider offsets the period on a per channel basis so that the period can vary per channel.

Step Function

Step Function Parameters: Defined by A when t is an even second and 0 when t is an odd second (excluding fraction) when the Period slider is set to the right. The alternate values are more rapid when the slider is moved left. The Period offset slider offsets the period on a per channel basis so that the period can vary per channel.

Offsets

Channel Offset: adds 10 times channel index when the slider is to the right and less offset as the slider is moved to the left. Move the slider all the way to the right to separate the signals and move the slider all the way to the left when looking at spectra so that there is no DC bias.

Seconds Offset: adds the seconds value to each signal when the slider is to the right, and a lesser amount per channel when the slider is moved to the left.

User Defined Offset: Each signal increases when the slider is moved to the right and decreases when the slider is moved to the left.

Notice how the Simulation changes when the control is changed and not necessarily whent the Apply button is selected, unlike other Device inspector editors. That is because the parameters of the Simulation signal are orthogonal, meaning one state does not invalidate another state. That is unlike programing DAQ hardware states where the states must be consistent with each other. Because the state of the Simulation signals is applied when changed you can alter them dynamically and see the result in the plot output which also permits experimentation of the attributes in real time as they apply to more complex processing of the Derived parameters.