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The measurement control & evaluation software
runs under Windows® 9x, ME, NT4, 2K and XP operating systems. It
requires a PC with a processor clock rate higher than 400 MHz having substantial free disk space. Using a 17" monitor at 1024x768
pixel resolution all subwindows of the program can be placed on
the screen simultaneously having a reasonable size.
The program supports using all available interface options of the T3Ster® Main System Unit, including USB, real (not emulated)
LPT port or MicReD's high speed parallel interface card (to be installed
into an ISA slot of a desktop computer).
The T3Ster® Measurement Control & Evaluation Tool is
part of any standard T3Ster® configuration.
Any new configuration is shipped with the
latest version of the T3Ster®Software.
Contact us
for further details, including quotation and actual terms &
conditions of delivery. For general information, see our software
EULA-templates.
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| Introduction to the T3Ster® Software |
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| Basics |
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Having started the T3Ster® software first the existence the T3Ster®
hardware is checked. If the software does not find the measuring
equipment (e.g. not connected or switched off or there was a device
driver installation problem) a warning window is displayed. If the
hardware is not present, all the "off-line" functions (such as post-processing
previously measured results) will be still available if you have
a valid license key file.
If the hardware is detected at startup, the T3Ster® logo is shown.
Clicking anywhere in the T3Ster® software window this splash screen
disappears and the program is ready for use. |
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The T3Ster® software window
in its initial state |
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In the recent version of the standard T3Ster® software the so called
multi-document graphical user interface style is used that is usual
in many Windows® applications. The main visual elements of the user
interface are as follows: |
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The visual elements in
the GUI of the T3Ster software |
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The list of the open projects is in the project bar. Any number
of T3Ster® projects can be open at the same time. By clicking
on the name of project one can browse among the different views of
a project. Each view corresponds to a disk file. By clicking on
a view name the contents of the corresponding file are displayed
in the appropriate format (e.g. as a function plot) in a separate
window within the desktop of the T3Ster® software. In case
of a recently saved measurement there are only two such views:
the measurement parameters and the raw, unprocessed record of the
measured data. The other views (files) are generated as a result
of evaluation.
Hardware test, measurement control, processing and evaluation the
raw measurement data as well as the interactive display of all measured
and calculated results take place in one single tool. |
| Hardware test |
A thorough test of the T3Ster® equipment
is performed: after the communications with the main hardware components
is performed, the test of the autonomous on-card memory modules is
also carried out. A question mark in the Hardware test window (see
below) indicates which part of the T3Ster® main system unit is being
tested. If the test of the given module passed, a green checkmark
appears at the corresponding location in the window. In case of failure
a red X is displayed. |
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| Measurements |
All measurement parameters - global ones and parameters specific
to individual measurement channels - can be easily set in different
windows. For selecting measurement configurations graphical help is
provided: |
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The different measurement
setup windows |
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| Once all settings are properly done, the actual measurement can
be started. The measured transient of the channel defined as "main
channel" is displayed on the fly: |
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The measurement window
with an on-line display of the the transient being measured
on the "main" channel |
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| Display of measurement results, evaluation of results |
Due to the excellent signal-to-noise ratio (high figure of merit)
of the T3Ster® equipment the measured
raw thermal impedance curves are highly accurate. This is a prerequisite
of the advanced evaluation techniques that are implemented in the
T3Ster software. |
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Thermal transient response
function measured by the T3Ster® equipment - shown in the T3Ster® software |
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| An enlarged detail of the above measured function illustrates the
accuracy of the T3Ster® measurements: |
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An enlarged detail of
the measured thermal transient response shown above |
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Evaluation of the results takes place within a couple of seconds.
The calculated results include:
- the time constant spectrum,
- the pulse thermal resistance diagrams,
- the complex loci of the measured responses,
- the integral structure function and
- the differential structure function.
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An enlarged detail of
the measured thermal transient response shown above |
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Differential structure
function derived from the driving point thermal impedance
curve. |
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A built in materials browser can be used to facilitate
the identification of geometrical data (cross-sectional area of
the the heatflow-path) from the structure function, see above.
Different options can be set for the display of
the actual function plots (scaling of the axes, display of legend
keys and background grid, zooming, scrolling the viewport). |
Structure functions |
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The structure functions derived
from the measured thermal transient responses are the ultimate results
of evaluation of the measurements. These functions can be used to
compare properties of different heat-removing structures (packages,
cooling assemblies, etc.). These functions can also be used to detect
defects such as die attach
voids or other thermal discrepancies of electronic enclosures.
Generic thermal properties such as Rthja
can be immediately read from a structure function. If material properties
are known, geometrical dimensions of a certain section of the heat-conduction
path can be identified (see the figure above).
If you would like to learn more about structure functions, click
here for an introduction to the topic. |
| Utility options |
| The T3Ster® software handles the Windows® clipboard as well
as provides printing using any printer installed on your Windows® system. In this way any function plot can be easily copied into any
other Windows® application or printed directly on your printer. |
