Difference between revisions of "Advices for working in ECR Mode"
m |
m |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Category:TranAX]] | [[Category:TranAX]] | ||
| − | ''Tricks and Advices for working in ECR Mode with large number of events'' | + | ''Tricks and Advices for working in [https://elsys-instruments.com/en/products/tranax_data_acquisition_software_ecr.php ECR] Mode with large number of events'' |
| − | == Single versus Multi Channel ECR == | + | == Single versus Multi Channel [https://elsys-instruments.com/en/products/tranax_data_acquisition_software_ecr.php ECR]== |
| − | ECR single channel mode has the power-full functionality that every channel can produce his independent trigger event. On high channel count systems this functionality can bring the system to their knees when trigger condition occurs on many channels almost simultaneously and in short intervals. In such condition multi-channel ECR gives better system stability and supports higher trigger intervals. | + | [https://elsys-instruments.com/en/products/tranax_data_acquisition_software_ecr.php ECR]single channel mode has the power-full functionality that every channel can produce his independent trigger event. On high channel count systems this functionality can bring the system to their knees when trigger condition occurs on many channels almost simultaneously and in short intervals. In such condition multi-channel [https://elsys-instruments.com/en/products/tranax_data_acquisition_software_ecr.php ECR]gives better system stability and supports higher trigger intervals. |
== Use the Hold-Off parameter reasonable == | == Use the Hold-Off parameter reasonable == | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
== Working with BDF Files == | == Working with BDF Files == | ||
| − | During ECR or continuous measurements the data are stored in so called heap files. They have the extension .bdf for binary data file. BDF files are fully supported in TranAX and allow the same treatment in TranAX as [[TPC5_File_Format| TPC5]] files. The advantage from TPC5 is his open format (can be opened in Matlab) and some performance gain during visualization with larger files. | + | During ECR or continuous measurements the data are stored in so called heap files. They have the extension .bdf for binary data file. BDF files are fully supported in TranAX and allow the same treatment in [https://www.elsys-instruments.com/en/products/tranax4_data_acquisition_software.php TranAX] as [[TPC5_File_Format| TPC5]] files. The advantage from TPC5 is his open format (can be opened in Matlab) and some performance gain during visualization with larger files. |
At measurements with a large number of events, it became apparent that [[TPC5_File_Format| TPC5]] has a much bigger overhead due his internal structure than BDF files which makes BDF the more power-full format. The overhead of [[TPC5_File_Format| TPC5]] files is also a reason why saving measurements with a large number of events takes a while. | At measurements with a large number of events, it became apparent that [[TPC5_File_Format| TPC5]] has a much bigger overhead due his internal structure than BDF files which makes BDF the more power-full format. The overhead of [[TPC5_File_Format| TPC5]] files is also a reason why saving measurements with a large number of events takes a while. | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
== Splitting up the measurement in several BDF files == | == Splitting up the measurement in several BDF files == | ||
| − | For limiting the maximum file size and so the maximum number of events per file the autosequence in TranAX can be used. The condition is that a short interruption of the measurement is acceptable. The procedure is as follows: | + | For limiting the maximum file size and so the maximum number of events per file the autosequence in [https://www.elsys-instruments.com/en/products/tranax4_data_acquisition_software.php TranAX]can be used. The condition is that a short interruption of the measurement is acceptable. The procedure is as follows: |
* Configure the measurement that it stops after a number of blocks, e.g. 10000 | * Configure the measurement that it stops after a number of blocks, e.g. 10000 | ||
* Configure “Nr. of BDF Files” to a high number e.g. 10000. | * Configure “Nr. of BDF Files” to a high number e.g. 10000. | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
== Do not visualize all channels during the measurement == | == Do not visualize all channels during the measurement == | ||
| − | The measurement is running independently from the visualization in TranAX, it even continuous when TranAX is closed. | + | The measurement is running independently from the visualization in TranAX, it even continuous when [https://www.elsys-instruments.com/en/products/tranax4_data_acquisition_software.php TranAX]is closed. |
Visualizing many channels in TranAX during the measurement puts significant load to the system, especially when there are many recorded blocks. Information for each block must be read from the hard drive while the drive is fully occupied with writing new blocks on it. As the writing process is favored, the visualization and navigation in TranAX can stock or even hangs. | Visualizing many channels in TranAX during the measurement puts significant load to the system, especially when there are many recorded blocks. Information for each block must be read from the hard drive while the drive is fully occupied with writing new blocks on it. As the writing process is favored, the visualization and navigation in TranAX can stock or even hangs. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:59, 26 September 2017
Tricks and Advices for working in ECR Mode with large number of events
Contents
Single versus Multi Channel ECR
ECRsingle channel mode has the power-full functionality that every channel can produce his independent trigger event. On high channel count systems this functionality can bring the system to their knees when trigger condition occurs on many channels almost simultaneously and in short intervals. In such condition multi-channel ECRgives better system stability and supports higher trigger intervals.
Use the Hold-Off parameter reasonable
The Hold-Off parameter defines the time after the trigger condition until a new trigger condition will be detected again. This parameter is especially useful in measurement on which the same impulse is seen on several channels but time shifted (e.g. AE measurements). For preventing the system to trigger several times on the same impulse on different channel, the hold-off parameter must be used and set to a time accordantly that all "echos" from the same impulse are inside this time interval. Since TpcServer Version 1.3.2 from 09/2011 the hold-off parameter is implemented fully in hardware and produces now much lower system load on high trigger rates.
ECR Retrigger
ECR Retrigger is a powerful option if you expect block length with different sizes. Each trigger event in a specific period after the initial trigger will make the measurement block longer. When the maximum block length is reached a new block will be generated. In high channel count systems, it is recommended to activate the "Enable Hardware ECR Retrigger" on the configuration website for having high system performance.
Working with BDF Files
During ECR or continuous measurements the data are stored in so called heap files. They have the extension .bdf for binary data file. BDF files are fully supported in TranAX and allow the same treatment in TranAX as TPC5 files. The advantage from TPC5 is his open format (can be opened in Matlab) and some performance gain during visualization with larger files.
At measurements with a large number of events, it became apparent that TPC5 has a much bigger overhead due his internal structure than BDF files which makes BDF the more power-full format. The overhead of TPC5 files is also a reason why saving measurements with a large number of events takes a while.
BDF files are available for post processing just after the measurement is stopped. No save procedure is needed. The BDF files are located in the path specified with the TraNETConfig tool or over the configuration website.
The line "Nr. of BDF Files" specifies how many files are kept in the BDF file folder. Once this number of files is reached, the oldest file gets deleted at the next measurement start.
Splitting up the measurement in several BDF files
For limiting the maximum file size and so the maximum number of events per file the autosequence in TranAXcan be used. The condition is that a short interruption of the measurement is acceptable. The procedure is as follows:
- Configure the measurement that it stops after a number of blocks, e.g. 10000
- Configure “Nr. of BDF Files” to a high number e.g. 10000.
- Setup an autosequence as follow:
- Repeat FOREVER
- Start Recording
- Wait on EOR
- Next
Do not visualize all channels during the measurement
The measurement is running independently from the visualization in TranAX, it even continuous when TranAXis closed.
Visualizing many channels in TranAX during the measurement puts significant load to the system, especially when there are many recorded blocks. Information for each block must be read from the hard drive while the drive is fully occupied with writing new blocks on it. As the writing process is favored, the visualization and navigation in TranAX can stock or even hangs.
