E-Sharp Helpcenter
E-Sharp Helpcenter
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Chart Viewer

Data Visualization & Charts

Overview

The Chart view provides real-time plotting and historical data visualization for numeric channels. This is essential for monitoring trends, analyzing signal behavior, and debugging time-dependent issues.

Accessing Charts

  1. Click Chart in the navigation panel

  2. Or open chart from channel context menu (right-click numeric channel → "Add to Chart")

  3. Chart view displays with plotting area

Chart Interface

Chart Area

Main Components:

  • Plot Area: Graphical display of channel values over time

  • X-Axis: Time axis (relative or absolute time)

  • Y-Axis: Value axis (auto-scaling or manual range)

  • Legend: Shows which series corresponds to which channel

  • Toolbar: Chart controls and configuration

Adding Channels to Chart

Method 1: From Channels View

  1. Navigate to Channels page

  2. Right-click numeric channel

  3. Select "Add to Chart"

  4. Channel appears as new series in Chart view

Method 2: From Chart View

  1. Navigate to Chart page

  2. Click "Add Channel" button

  3. Select channel from list

  4. Channel added to chart

Multiple Channels:

  • Add multiple channels to same chart

  • Each channel shown as separate series/line

  • Different colors for each series

  • Scalable to reasonable number of channels (5-10 recommended)

Removing Channels from Chart

  1. Click on series in legend

  2. Right-click → "Remove Series"

  3. Or use "Clear All" to remove all series

Chart Configuration

Lookback Points

Configure data history:

Ribbon → Chart → Lookback Points

Set number of data points to retain:

  • Enter value (e.g., 1000, 5000, 10000)

  • More points = longer history

  • More points = more memory usage

Calculation:

  • If polling every 500ms, 1000 points = 500 seconds (~8 minutes)

  • If polling every 100ms, 1000 points = 100 seconds (~2 minutes)

Example:

Polling Interval: 200ms
Lookback Points: 5000
History Duration: 5000 × 0.2s = 1000s = ~17 minutes

Y-Axis Scaling

Auto-Scaling (Default):

  • Y-axis automatically adjusts to fit data

  • Min/max values determined by data range

  • Updates dynamically as data changes

Manual Scaling:

  1. Right-click Y-axis

  2. Select "Set Range"

  3. Enter min and max values

  4. Click OK

Use Cases:

  • Auto: General monitoring, unknown value range

  • Manual: Zoom into specific range, consistent scaling

Time Axis

Relative Time:

  • X-axis shows time relative to now

  • "0" is current time, negative values are past

  • Example: -60s, -30s, -10s, 0s

Absolute Time:

  • X-axis shows actual time of day

  • Example: 14:30:00, 14:30:30, 14:31:00

Configure:
Right-click X-axis → Set Time Mode

Update Interval

Chart updates based on channel polling interval:

  • Same as main polling interval (Ribbon → Appearance → Polling Interval)

  • Faster polling = more frequent updates

  • Slower polling = less network traffic

Clear History

Remove all historical data:

Ribbon → Chart → Clear History

  • Clears all data points from all series

  • Chart starts fresh

  • New data begins accumulating

Use Cases:

  • Reset after configuration change

  • Clear old data before new test

  • Free memory

Chart Types and Views

Line Chart (Default)

  • Each channel shown as continuous line

  • Time on X-axis, value on Y-axis

  • Color-coded per channel

Multiple Y-Axes

For channels with different units/scales:

  1. Right-click series in legend

  2. Select "Use Secondary Y-Axis"

  3. Secondary axis appears on right side

Example:

  • Left Y-axis: Voltage (0-5V)

  • Right Y-axis: Current (0-2A)

  • Both plotted against time

Markers and Annotations

Add markers:

  • Click on chart at specific time

  • Right-click → "Add Marker"

  • Label the marker

  • Markers persist until removed

Use Cases:

  • Mark test start/end

  • Note significant events

  • Reference points for analysis

Data Export

Export Chart Data

Save data to file:

  1. Right-click chart area

  2. Select "Export Data"

  3. Choose format:

    • CSV (Comma-Separated Values)

    • Excel (if supported)

    • Text

  4. Select filename and location

  5. Click Save

Exported Data Includes:

  • Timestamp

  • Channel name

  • Value

  • All visible series

CSV Format Example:

Timestamp,CHANNEL_1,CHANNEL_2
2024-01-15 14:30:00,3.3,1.5
2024-01-15 14:30:01,3.31,1.52
2024-01-15 14:30:02,3.29,1.48

Export Chart Image

Save chart as image:

  1. Right-click chart area

  2. Select "Save as Image"

  3. Choose format (PNG, JPEG, BMP)

  4. Select filename

  5. Click Save

Use Cases:

  • Include in reports

  • Share with team

  • Documentation

Analysis Features

Cursor and Measurements

Value Reading:

  • Hover mouse over chart

  • Tooltip shows:

    • Time

    • Channel name

    • Exact value at that point

Crosshair:

  • Enable crosshair mode (button or shortcut)

  • Vertical line follows mouse

  • Shows values for all series at that time

Zoom and Pan

Zoom In/Out:

  • Mouse wheel: Zoom in/out

  • Click and drag: Zoom to rectangle

  • Double-click: Reset zoom

Pan:

  • Click and drag (when not in zoom mode)

  • Shift + drag: Pan horizontally

  • Ctrl + drag: Pan vertically

Statistics

Calculate statistics for visible data:

  1. Select series in legend

  2. Right-click → "Statistics"

  3. Dialog shows:

    • Minimum: Lowest value

    • Maximum: Highest value

    • Mean: Average value

    • Std Dev: Standard deviation

    • Sample Count: Number of points

Common Chart Workflows

Monitor Power Supply Voltage 

1. Add voltage channel to chart:
   Right-click VOUT_1 → Add to Chart
   
2. Set reasonable lookback:
   Ribbon → Lookback Points → 1000
   
3. Enable polling:
   500ms interval
   
4. Set Y-axis range:
   Min: 3.0V, Max: 3.6V (for 3.3V rail)
   
5. Watch for voltage variations over time

Compare Multiple Signals 

1. Add multiple channels:
   - SIGNAL_A
   - SIGNAL_B
   - SIGNAL_C
   
2. Different colors assigned automatically

3. Use markers to note test conditions

4. Zoom into region of interest

5. Export data for detailed analysis

Capture Transient Event 

1. Configure large lookback:
   10000 points
   
2. Fast polling:
   100ms
   
3. Add relevant channels

4. Wait for event to occur

5. Event captured in chart history

6. Zoom into event time

7. Analyze behavior

8. Export data/image for documentation

Long-Term Trend Analysis 

1. Configure lookback for desired duration:
   Example: 1 hour = 3600s / 0.5s = 7200 points
   
2. Enable polling at moderate rate:
   500ms - 1000ms
   
3. Add temperature/voltage/current channels

4. Monitor over time

5. Look for drift, cycles, anomalies

6. Export data for statistical analysis

Performance Considerations

Chart Performance

Factors Affecting Performance:

  • Number of series (channels)

  • Number of data points (lookback)

  • Update frequency (polling interval)

  • Chart complexity (multiple axes, annotations)

Optimization:

  • Limit to 5-10 channels per chart

  • Use reasonable lookback (1000-5000 points)

  • Slower polling if real-time not critical

  • Close chart view when not needed

Memory Usage

Data Storage:

  • Each data point consumes memory

  • Example: 10 channels × 10000 points × 16 bytes = 1.6 MB

  • Large lookback + many channels = significant memory

Best Practices:

  • Clear history periodically

  • Don't keep excessive lookback

  • Remove unused series

Advanced Features

Multiple Charts

Create separate chart windows:

Some configurations may support multiple chart windows:

  • Separate charts for different channel groups

  • Different time ranges

  • Different scaling

Benefit:

  • Organized view of different subsystems

  • Compare different time scales

Trigger and Capture

Advanced trigger modes (if supported):

  • Rising Edge: Capture when value crosses threshold rising

  • Falling Edge: Capture when value crosses threshold falling

  • Level: Capture when value in specific range

Similar to oscilloscope triggering.

Troubleshooting

Chart Not Updating

Problem: Values don't update in chart

Solutions:

  1. Verify polling enabled

  2. Check channel still in chart series list

  3. Verify network connection

  4. Check lookback not full (shouldn't be issue)

  5. Try removing and re-adding channel

Performance Issues

Problem: Chart sluggish or slow

Solutions:

  1. Reduce number of series

  2. Decrease lookback points

  3. Increase polling interval

  4. Clear chart history

  5. Close other views/applications

Data Export Empty

Problem: Exported file has no data

Solutions:

  1. Verify chart has data (not just started)

  2. Check enough data points accumulated

  3. Verify correct series selected

  4. Try different export format

Best Practices

  1. Appropriate Lookback: Balance history vs. performance

  2. Clear Before Tests: Start with clean slate

  3. Label Channels: Use aliases for clarity in legend

  4. Export Important Data: Save before clearing

  5. Zoom for Details: Use zoom to analyze specific regions

  6. Multiple Channels Wisely: Don't overcrowd chart

  7. Document Settings: Record lookback and interval used