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Coming Soon … OpenEx 2.0

In the next few weeks a beta version of then new OpenEx version 2.0 will be released through the Downloads page of our Website. This beta release will offer a sneak preview of the new features that will be available in the official release expected in the next few months. OpenEx 2.0 includes a new data storage tank format, compatibility with the embedded control file (RCX) introduced in RPvds v60, standard projects with RPvds macros and a version of OpenWorkbench that streamlines project design and automatically plots data stores.

New OpenWorkbench Features

Plot Window
From the storage parameters gleaned from the control file, OpenWorkbench automatically generates plots to display your data in real-time. By default, OpenWorkbench takes a ‘best guess’ to display the data optimally. The plot settings for each store can then be adjusted to suit the user’s preferences. The plot window also features auto scale, and history buttons to adjust and pan the displays as data is being recorded.

Storage Specification
The storage specification feature of OpenWorkbench auto populates a table and displays the storage properties defined in the RCO/RCX file assigned to the currently selected processor. From this table, users can also enable/disable stores, change StoreIDs and configure Workbench plots.

RPvds Macros

OpenEx 2.0 suports the new RPvds features released in RPvds v60. The Standard Examples included with OpenEx 2.0 also include versions utilizing the new RPvds macros wherever applicable. These macros minimize parameter entry errors and greatly simplify adding timing, storage and filtering constructs to circuits. For example, using a macro to change the number of channels in a storage construct is accomplished by setting the value once in the macro properties setup. This change propagates through to all associated components to ensure that there are no channel number mismatches.

New Data Tank Format

Although the new version of OpenEx still supports the older or ‘Legacy’ tank structure, the new tank format is the preferred method for data storage and management. Data tanks and blocks are now treated as folder/file structures. A new data tank acts as a folder that contains the associated files (blocks). These block files are similar to Windows ‘Compound Files’. A compound file can be thought of as a file system within a file. This organized single file system is more manageable and easily portable. You can now browse tanks and blocks just as you would other system folders and files. Also, individual blocks can now be deleted from a tank or transferred from tank to tank.

The following figure shows a Windows Explorer view of a tank folder and its corresponding blocks. Notice the identifying tank and block icons.