The dialog “Data source” divides into three parts: File source, File loading and Live.

File source

With “File extension”, you can choose the file type that shall be loaded.

Furthermore, you can configure a mode stating which file shall be loaded next. Available for selection are:

    • Monitor single file Select a file via the browser button. The selected file will be loaded every time the content changes.

    • Monitor directory Select a directory via the browser button. The most recently closed file from this folder will be loaded. If subfolders should also be monitored, enable the option “Include subdirectories”.

    • Monitor text signalPlease enter a defined text signal or choose a text signal from the drop-down menu which includes the file path information. Every time the text signal changes, a new file is loaded.

      If the file name contains a text signal and follows a specific pattern, you can define this pattern in the “Pattern” field. A pattern must contain a placeholder “{0}” and may contain wildcards*. Example: "C:\dat\pda_{0}.dat". In the “Placeholder {0}” field, select the text signal that fills the placeholder.

With the button <Load sample file>, it is possible to directly select a file. With this, the desired signal display can be configured via drag & drop from the signal tree.

If a text file (*.txt) is chosen, a dialog opens to define how the text file is read in.

In file viewer, the first 1000 lines with line numbers (red) will be displayed in the preview.

Delimiter

Choose a delimiter or enter a delimiter in the field “Other”. If you select “Treat consecutive delimiters as one”, consecutive delimiters will be treated as one.

Data Description

In the range “Data Description” you define in which row are the signal names, signal units and information fields and in which row the data begins.

With the option “Mode”, you can select whether the file contains time-based or length-based data. When using time-based files, you can set a time column. For the time column, two types are available: relative time (in seconds) and absolute time (in the same format as ibaAnalyzer-export: day/month/year hour:minute:second:millisecond). Without time column, the timebase has to be set manually.

When using length-based files, you can choose if a column will be configured for the length. Without length column, the lengthbase has to be set manually, furthermore a unit can be specified. The text file will be loaded with the buttons <OK> or <Apply>.

File loading

After the data source has been defined, it has to be set in the range “File Loading” when and how the new found file has to be displayed. The time between 2 files has to be at least 1 s in order to avoid an overload of the computer. With “Load New File”, you can choose if a new file will be loaded immediately, or only with rising edge of a selected digital trigger signal.

“Signal Type” allows you to choose between a time-based or length-based signal. It is also possible to convert a time signal into a length-based signal if you enter an appropriate length or speed signal in the field below. To display the length signal, you can specify an accuracy (number of digits after the decimal point).

The signal files can be mirrored. With the option “Mirror signals”, you can choose if the signal shall never or always mirrored or triggered by a chosen digital signal.

Any digital signals in ibaPDA can serve as trigger signals for loading or mirroring of the file, however signals from the loaded file cannot be used as trigger signals.

Live

You choose a signal from the ibaPDA signals which should display the live position in the range “Live”. Normally, the signal shows the absolute value on the X-axis in seconds for time-based signals and for length-based signals in meters or in the length unit indicated in the file. If the checkbox below is enabled, the live position will be indicated as relative value expressed in [%] of the complete file range.

An offline trend graph acts as a normal trend graph. In the signal tree, all information fields, signals, groups and vectors contained are displayed. The signals can be displayed in the trend graph by double click or drag & drop. The red marker indicates the live position. The signal selection is valid for all displayed files which follow.