This window is where all the action is visually represented, displaying incoming signal traces along with other information. The Profile Analyzer display is the primary tool to view and analyze signal traces and, like the rest of the system, offers great flexibility with outstanding functionality that will help you get to the heart of your data.

Given the wide range of functionality for this area of the software, we have provided an interactive image below to introduce you to some of the fundamentals. Below the interactive image, we present more information and links to examples.

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Cursors
Two pairs of movable cursors are provided that include a primary and secondary cursor for each axis. As any cursor is repositioned, the legend area displays the exact value for each trace at the cursor's position. By positioning a vertical cursor at the precise moment a digital signal goes active, for instance, you can determine the values of signals in precise relationship to a specific event or condition. There is no need to try "eyeballing" your data.

Another extremely useful feature of cursors that you will find in virtually no other system is the ability to use cursor positions in Computations. This allows you to create automated calculations (SPC data) for a region of the process that may not have easily defined start and end characteristics.

Measure
Using the primary and secondary vertical cursors to define a range, the Measure function allows you to perform measurements on the selected trace within the defined range. Measurement choices include minimum, maximum, average, range, and the popularly requested area under the curve.

Since all of the functions of Measure are available in Computations, Measure can be used to help develop new computations. This can critical in prototyping applications where you may be developing the statistical analysis calculations as you discover the important stages in a new process.

Zoom
Often the first tool used to begin analyzing traces on the screen, zoom enables you to click-and-drag to select an area of the screen to expand both vertically and horizontally. Zoom enables a closer examination of the fine details and relationships within the process and will allow you to get close enough to examine individual sample points.

X-scale Stretch
By using the X-scale adjustment buttons, you may expand the profile data on the x-axis while keeping the vertical scale the same. This presents a way to keep all traces on the screen while still expanding the data for a closer look.

Plotting Modes
The Profile Analyzer display also offers two modes of drawing profiles on the screen. When either actively recording or recalling data, you may choose to display each shot individually, referred to as erase mode, or drawn on top of each other, referred to as overlay mode. Overlay mode offers a view of data that very quickly illustrates inconsistency in the process by clearly displaying the differences from shot to shot.

View Options
The Profile Analyzer display offers effective view options that help you get to the bottom of your data. View options include:

• Cursors - all four cursors may be individually set to display or cursor functions may be set overall.
• Grid lines may be on or off.
• The x-axis may be set to time, default, or to a channel. This allows the analysis of profiles against a key signal. For instance, you may want to display pressure curves relative to a position.
• Profiles may be drawn for each shot individually or set to overlay to check consistency.
• Annotations may be turned on or off.
• Active delta measurements may be set.
• Full screen or split screen viewing may be selected.

Data Acquisition & Recall
The first step in analyzing profile data is bringing the data to the Profile Analyzer display. This is done automatically during active data acquisition, with each new shot of profiles being immediately drawn on the display. As each new shot is recorded to the database, it is data/time stamped and numbered for reference and later recall.

The Recall button is used to retrieve data from the database for analysis. When recalling data, you may select any combination of shots and channels from the currently opened experiment. Selections may be non-contiguous as well.

Direct Access to Other Tools
Since the Profile Analyzer display is often the most used tool, it provides a way to jump directly to other analysis tools, such as the Computations and Attributes data array or the integrated SPC charting window. You may also jump right to the export data function.

For more on these tools, continue the tour or jump to the area of interest using the links in the outline at left.