Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ActivATE™ Test Platform?
How do I first log on to the ActivATE Test Platform?
How are test programs developed?
What file format are ActivATE test programs?
What is XML?
What is VBScript?
Are there different levels of users?
How do I debug test programs?
How do I develop a driver?
Do I need Visual Studio to run the ActivATE Test Platform?
Do I need Visual Studio to develop test programs?
Do I need Visual Studio to develop or modify instrument drivers or plug-in modules?
What instrument drivers are available?
What language are instrument drivers written in?
Can I add my own custom modules?
Can I integrate with existing packages?
Can I use COM DLLs in my test programs?
Can I develop drivers in other languages?
How do I configure the the ActivATE Test Platform environment for different drivers?
Why doesn’t my debugger work?
Can I develop test programs without hardware attached?
What prerequisites are required prior to installing the ActivATE Test Platform?
Can I get the source code for existing ActivATE drivers?
How do I register my copy of the ActivATE Test Platform?
What licensing options are available?
How many test programs can I run simultaneously?
What kind of test data is produced and can I create my own custom data output?
Can I use Win32 DLLs with the ActivATE Test Platform?
I just tried to register my version of ActivATE but got an error message saying "Unable to connect to registration web service." What should I do?
The ActivATE Test Platform is an ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) test software
environment. Written in the Microsoft® .NET Framework, it is a simple but yet
very powerful environment for developing and executing test programs that can be
used to test anything from a simple resistor to a complex multi-process, multi-UUT
test system.
Return to top
When the login message box comes up, enter "admin" in the User ID field
and "racal" in the password field then hit the OK button. Other users can
be created through the test environment.
Note: It is strongly strongly recommended that you change the administrator password after logging into the ActivATE Test Platform for the first time.
Return to top
Test programs are developed in the same environment as the execution environment
using Microsoft VBScript. The ActivATE Test Platform strives for a common Microsoft Windows operating
system look-and-feel. To create a new program, the user simply goes to File New
and types in the name of the new program. Typically, the test engineer will want
to organize the test program into groups of tests. Using the familiar Windows Explorer
tree view style, the test engineer creates the test flow with right-mouse-click
actions and dialog boxes. Groups and tests can be rearranged at any time using simple
drag-drop actions.
Return to top
ActivATE test programs consist of a minimum of two files, a sequence file (.SEQ)
and one or more test program files (.TPF). Additionally, a globals file (.GTF)
may be used as a common file across similar test programs. The sequence file is
an XML file consisting of the test node names, properties, and test sequence.
The sequence file defines the structure of the test program. The test program
file is a VBScript file that contains the actual code that is executed when a
test program is run. The globals file is also a VBScript file that contains
common variables, functions, and/or subroutines that may be used by different
test programs. One GTF file can be included in many test programs so that the
code does not need to be rewritten.
Return to top
XML stands for Extensible Markup Language and is mainly used as a way of
describing data. It is text-based, which means it is human readable and can
easily be edited in any text editor. XML is also platform-independent. The
ActivATE Test Platform uses XML for all of its configuration files, including
the test program sequence file (.SEQ), the driver configuration files, and the
Station.config main application configuration file. For a more detailed
explanation of XML, please visit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XML.
Return to top
The ActivATE Test Platform uses Microsoft VBScript as the language of
choice for test program development. VBScript is an Active Scripting
language interpreted via the Microsoft Windows Script Host.
The language is very similar to Microsoft’s standard Visual Basic
programming language (VBA, Visual Basic 6) and is heavily used
on Microsoft platforms for such things as running operating system
scripts and embedding code into HTML web pages. Further information
can be found at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms950396.aspx
Return to top
Yes, there are four levels of users: Administrator, Engineer, Technician and
Operator. There is one and only one administrator. However, there can be an
unlimited number of engineers, technicians and operators with their own user
ID and password. The privileges associated with each user type are detailed in
the following table:
| User Group |
Privileges |
Default Account |
| Administrator |
Full privileges, including user management. |
Admin |
| Engineer |
Full privileges, excluding user management. |
Engineer |
| Technician |
Same as operator, but can enable/disable
test nodes and run nodes individually. |
Technician |
| Operator |
Cannot create, modify, save or view test programs. |
Operator |
Return to top
The ActivATE Test Platform integrates a high-level script debugger into the IDE
using the Microsoft Script Debugger DLLs. When running in debug mode, the user can
insert breakpoints, pause code execution, examine variables, change values, and step
into and out of functions. In addition, the user has the option of using debug trace
statements to trace out code execution in real time.
Return to top
A software development kit (SDK) for the ActivATE Test Platform is
available to download from the
downloads page
. The SDK installation includes a
driver wizard with C# project templates for Visual Studio 2005 and/or Visual
Studio 2008. These project templates facilitate the development of add-in
modules and instrument drivers for the ActivATE Test Platform. Although use of
the driver wizard is not required, it is the preferred method of developing
a driver as it will pull together a set of base classes that give immediate
functionality to the module. Note that drivers may be developed in any language,
but the driver wizard uses C#.
Return to top
No. Microsoft Visual Studio is not required to run the ActivATE Test Platform.
Return to top
No. Test programs are developed in the ActivATE Integrated Development Environment
(IDE) using VBScript.
Return to top
Yes. Add-in modules and drivers are compiled DLLs and are typically developed
using Microsoft Visual Studio.
Return to top
We have a full suite of common instrument drivers for the Racal Instruments™ brand
instruments as well as for other non Racal Instruments devices. See the
software download section for a current list of instrument drivers and modules.
Return to top
Instrument drivers and modules are typically built using C# .NET. However, any language
(C# .NET, VB .NET, C++ COM, VB6, etc) may be used.
Return to top
Yes, it is possible to add custom modules to the ActivATE Test Platform.
For example, you may want to create custom forms that will be displayed to
the user during the test program, or you may want to encapsulate your business
logic in a module that is separate from the test program. Simply create your own
.NET or COM assembly, add it as a driver from the Configuration pane, and make
calls to the assembly’s public APIs from the test program. Full IntelliSense®
will be provided for you from the test program editor.
Return to top
Any .NET or COM assembly may be integrated with the
ActivATE Test Platform. This is useful for adding tools such as
Microsoft Excel or math/analysis packages. Simply add the assembly to
the ActivATE environment from the Configuration pane.
Return to top
Yes, any COM object can be instantiated in a test program using the VBScript
command “CreateObject”. Or, if the user wishes to get full IntelliSense for the
object, the COM module may be added to the ActivATE environment at design
time via the Configuration pane. In this case, the user simply gives the
object a name (much like assigning a variable) and uses that name to reference
the COM object from the test program.
Return to top
Drivers can be developed in any language but it must be compiled as a COM or
.NET assembly. The standard ActivATE drivers follow a specific format that we
recommend all custom ActivATE drivers follow, but this format is certainly not
necessary. A driver wizard is available for the ActivATE Test Platform that
facilitates driver development in C# by providing the basic template and format
of a standard ActivATE driver.
Return to top
The Configuration pane in the Outlook-style toolbar is used to add, remove,
and modify the drivers. To add a new driver, right-click in the tree view
and select “Add New”. To delete an existing driver, right-click on the driver
to be removed under the Devices portion of the tree view and select “Delete”.
To modify the properties (such as the name) of an existing driver, select the
driver in the tree view and make any changes in the properties page beneath the
tree view. For detailed instructions on using the Configuration pane, please
refer to the ActivATE help file.
Note: Any changes made to the driver configuration will not
take effect until the environment is reinitialized. You will notice the
“Reinitialize” button in the toolbar at the top of the ActivATE application
will be highlighted in yellow after any changes are made. To reinitialize,
you will need to close all test programs and drivers and click the Reinitialize button.
Return to top
The ActivATE Test Platform requires Microsoft Windows Script 5.6 and the
Script Debugger for the Windows operating system to run and debug test programs.
These are separate installations available from Microsoft that should have been
installed before the ActivATE Test Platform was installed. If not, the debugger
will not function properly. If you are experiencing problems with the debugger,
try the following steps to correct the situation:
- Open the ActivATE installation directory. (The default directory is “C:\Program Files\ActivATE\ActivATE
3.x”)
- Open the “Support” subdirectory.
- Double-click the “regsvr.reg” file. Select ‘Yes’ when prompted to add the information
to the registry.
- Go up one directory back to the home directory.
- Right-click on the “ActiveScriptHost.dll” file. Select “Unregister Com Server.”
Click on ‘Ok’ when prompted.
- Download and install
Windows Script 5.6
from Microsoft.
- Download and install
Script Debugger for Windows
from Microsoft®.
- Go back to the ActivATE™ installation directory.
- Right-click on the “ActiveScriptHost.dll” file. Select “Register Com Server.” Click
on ‘Ok’ when prompted.
- Re-launch the ActivATE Test Platform.
Return to top
The ActivATE Test Platform does not require actual physical hardware to be present
in order to develop and execute test programs. All standard ActivATE drivers support
simulation so the test engineer can develop test programs on a desktop environment.
This allows the developer to thoroughly test and debug the code logic before having to
connect to hardware and deal with instrument timeouts and errors.
Return to top
- The .NET Framework v2 is required to run the ActivATE Test Platform.
If it is not already installed, the ActivATE installation program will detect
this and prompt the user to install it. The .NET Framework redistributable
may also be downloaded from Microsoft®:
- The ActivATE software requires Windows Script 5.6 to run the test programs and the Script
Debugger for the Windows operating system to debug test programs. Almost all computers with a Windows
operating system (XP, Vista, 2000, NT) will already have the VBScript engine
installed. However, if necessary, download and install them from Microsoft:
Note: Windows Script 5.6 should be installed before the ActivATE Test Platform to
ensure that the debugger functions properly. If not, see
Why doesn’t my debugger work?
for steps on correcting this issue.
- The majority of the ActivATE drivers use the VISA (Virtual Instrument Software
Architecture) standard for communicating with the hardware devices. The VISA runtime
must be installed on the target computer in order to use these drivers. If it is
not already installed, download and install the
VISA Run-time Engine Version 3.3.1
or later
from National Instruments®.
Return to top
Yes. Source code is available for most of the standard drivers written specifically
for the ActivATE Test Platform. The source code includes the Microsoft Visual Studio
project file(s) and may be modified, built, and distributed by the user as required.
Once source code is modified, we are no longer responsible for driver’s integrity.
Return to top
A full development version of the ActivATE Test Platform is available as a 90-day
trial. Upon purchasing a copy, the software must be registered. If your computer has
Internet access, this can be done directly through the ActivATE environment. Simply
select “Register Product” from the Help menu within the ActivATE application. Complete
the information in the product registration form, including the product key that was
issued at the time of purchase, and click Submit. If the computer that the ActivATE
software is installed on does not have Internet access, you may login to the ActivATE
web site from any computer with Internet access to complete registration. From the
Manage My Account section, click on “Generate License File” and follow the instructions to
register your copy of the ActivATE software.
Return to top
Licenses are available for development and runtime versions of the ActivATE Test
Platform with individual, multiple-user, site and enterprise licensing options.
Return to top
The ActivATE Test Platform allows for a maximum of 36 test programs to be executed
simultaneously. A test program can be run through the IDE (with a full GUI) or as a
background task using the Test Program Manager. You are encouraged to use the Test
Program Manager instead of opening multiple test program GUIs if you are running more
than 4 or 5 programs to prevent performance hits.
Return to top
The ActivATE Test Platform logs test result data for each test node within the test
program in PDF, HTML, CSV, RTF, Text, Microsoft Word or CrystalReports format.
Detailed measurement data can be logged in a predefined CSV format. If additional
data logging capabilities are desired, any number of options is available to
customize the data. Using VBScript, the test program can send data directly to
text files, Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access. For even greater flexibility, a
custom module can be created that will plug directly into the ActivATE environment to
handle communication with Access, SQL Server, Oracle and many other databases.
Return to top
Win32 DLLs cannot be added directly to the ActivATE environment.
However, a .NET wrapper can easily be generated that will act as the interface between
the ActivATE Test Platform and the Win32 DLL.
Return to top
Users of ActivATE v3.5 (or earlier versions) that wish to register ActivATE using
the menu item
Help->Register Product will need to download the latest
ActivATE.EXE.Config file located in the
Help Downloads
section.
Replace the existing ActivATE.exe.config file, located under the ActivATE installation
directory (typically C:\Program Files\ActivATE\ActivATE 3.x) with this new configuration
file. The new configuration file has the correct URL for product registration.
Microsoft, Access, Excel, Windows, Internet Explorer, Visual Basic, Visual Stuido, Visual C#, IntelliSense, Outlook,
Microsoft Word, Sql Server, and Win32 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Crystal Reports is a trademark of Business Objects.
Return to top
Back to the Support Page