Download OpenEx User`s Guide

Circuit Design Reference
Circuit Design Overview
Circuits can be modified or designed from within OpenProject by adding an instance of the
RPvdsEx application. RPvdsEx is the latest version of TDT's RP Visual Design Studio. RPvdsEx
allows the user to modify existing RPD, RPX, or RCX files and create compiled circuit files for
use with OpenWorkbench.
Note: All files created or modified in RPvdsEx are saved in the RCX format and might not be
compatible with earlier versions of RPvdsEx.
Before modifying a circuit file, be sure to work through the Getting Started with OpenEx Tutorial
found on page 9 and review Tips for Modifying Circuits found on page 339.
OpenEx Circuit Design
TDT's System 3 hardware is user programmable through the RPvdsEx circuit design applications.
Compiled circuit files (compiled circuits, either .rco or .rcx) developed in RPvdsEx can be used in
OpenWorkbench to generate stimuli, acquire signals, and control other hardware devices.
OpenEx circuits have two to three main subcomponents defined as circuit constructs:

Control constructs that determine how a circuit behaves under OpenEx.
At a minimum a control construct contains a clock and typically includes control over
timing and triggering. More complex control constructs allow for control of stimulus
generation, and data acquisition. The most reliable way to implement the necessary
control elements is to include the CoreSweepControl macro in every circuit file designed
for OpenEx. Additional sweep based controls are provided by the StandardTimeControl
macro.

Data constructs that define the type of data and the way the data is stored in the tank.
TDT has defined five data constructs. Each construct represents one of the three data
types. The most common of these have been implemented via the Data Saving macro set.

User defined constructs.
Users can add additional circuitry to customize data acquisition and stimulus
presentation.
OpenWorkbench relies on a rigid naming structure and standard circuit constructs, or groupings of
circuit components and parameter tags within the compiled circuit file to allow users to change
parameter values from the PC and visualize data in real-time. These details are handled behind the
scenes within the RPvdsEx macros. Macros simplify circuit design, allowing the user to 'drop in'
pre-debugged circuit chunks guaranteed to provide smooth integration with OpenEx. If a macro is
not available for a given task the user must use extra caution to design the circuit with all OpenEx
conventions in mind.
More details about working directly with parameter tags and non-macro constructs are available in
the Appendix A – Non Macro Circuit Construct Reference beginning on page 299.
A Brief Review of Terminology
Compiled circuit files are RP control objects, designed by users or TDT, for use with OpenEx
and other applications. May be in .rco or .rcx format.
63