CI Data File Reader
Introduction
Crystal Instruments is pleased to announce the release of CI Data File Reader, which is a set of DLL’s that allow third-party programmers to read data from CI Measurement Data files in ATFX format.
The ATFX (ASAM Transport Format XML) file format is a well-known standard specialized for storing vibration data and its common forms (time domain, spectrum, etc.)
Using the CI Data File Reader, both data and recording properties (e.g., time created, signal properties, frame information) can be extracted for any CI Measurement Data file saved or recorded during testing.
Currently, Crystal Instruments DLL’s support Windows-based programming environments are natively written in C#. Other supported environments include Python, Matlab and LabVIEW, each with their own set of demo programs showcasing how to import and extract data from CI Measurement Data files in the file system.
The CI Data File Reader package content consists of the DLL files, four different coding languages demo scripts in C#, Python, Matlab and LabVIEW, and the technical manual and class library. The CI Data File Reader package can be downloaded from the Programming Corner page and installed to a computer or is installed with EDM Testing Setup.exe as an option.
The following sections provide examples to demonstrate how sample programs extract and display data from a CI Measurement Data file. For more in depth information, such as how to import the C# DLL files and code samples, please refer to the CI Data File Reader manual provided in the package.
C# Demo
To open and use the C# demo program, the .exe file must have the 2 DLL files together in the same folder.
The following screenshot displays an example from the C# Demo showing a recording created time with accuracy down to nanoseconds.
The following screenshot displays an example of CI Measurement Data recording properties.
The following screenshot displays an example of the signal frame data points.
Python Script
In order to use the CI Data File Reader DLL file for Python, users must download Python.NET available here: https://github.com/pythonnet/pythonnet or by the pip install pythonnet command.
It is recommended to use the specified Python version listed in the github page for Python.NET, such as 3.8.
After Python.NET has been installed, the CI Data File Reader DLL files can be imported via import clr and using the clr.AddReference.
Click the following screenshots to view a print example from the provided Python script:
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Matlab Script
Matlab includes a function labeled NET.addAssembly that can import CI Data File Reader DLL files. The documentation is here: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/net.addassembly.html.
While R2009a is when the NET.addAssembly function was introduced, it is recommended to use R2021b or later for many quality of life improvements that Matlab provides.
The following screenshot displays a print example from the provided Matlab Script:
LabVIEW Example
LabVIEW includes .NET nodes where users can select a constructor node and import a specific class from the CI Data File Reader DLL files. Then users can add references from the constructor node to a property or invoke method node to extract and display data. It is recommended to use LabVIEW version 2021 and to use the provided DLL files in the LabVIEW folder under ATFX API Package\LabVIEW ATFX API Demo\Private.
The following screenshot displays an example of the block diagram:
