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File I/O
List of Questions
1. How do I transfer data and setups between two different computers using ICS?
Answer
2. How can I automatically store measurement data to ASCII files?
Answer
3. How can I look at Metrics ICS data files stored in binary format?
Answer
4. Can Metrics ICS format measured data for importing into other software?
Answer
5. Does Metrics ICS support searching of files for setup parameters?
Answer
6. How much disk space is required to store ICS data files?
Answer
7. What is the temporary file used for?
Answer
8. How do I view only extracted parameters and not the raw data?
Answer
9. Does Metrics ICS support searching of files for setup parameters?
Answer
10. Can Metrics ICS data be formatted to IC-CAP measured data files?
Answer
Answers to Questions
1. How do I transfer data and setups between two different computers using ICS?
Metrics ICS can export project files to disk as well as import project files. This allows one to create projects on one system and transfer them to other systems. Please note that since the setups are tied to the instrumentation you are using you must verify that all drivers used in the project file are present on the system you are going to import the project onto. Also note that the version of the Metrics ICS software must be the same on both machines. If these two requirements are met, then transferring project files is merely a matter of exporting a project file and then importing it. To export a file, load it as the active file and then choose File|Export. Choose the name of the file keeping the .DAT extension and select the Export As Project Binary button. Choose OK and the file will export. To import a file choose File|Import and select the file. The imported file is not saved into the local database until the user performs a Save or Save As.
2. How can I automatically store measurement data to ASCII files?
There is a "Log File" feature in the data management dialog accessed by the clicking the "DATA" button on the toolbar. The log file is a user defined DOS ASCII file that can be used to append measured data after each measurement.
3. How can I look at Metrics ICS data files stored in binary format?
Metrics binary data files are stored in a compressed format to reduce the amount of disk space required when storing large amounts of measured data. You can select multiple project files and export them to ASCII format for viewing after completing your measurements.
4. Can Metrics ICS format measured data for importing into other software?
Metrics ICS ASCII format can be exported using a number of popular delimited formats. The delimiter (i.e. comma) can be selected from the OPTIONS/WORKSPACE dialog.
5. Does Metrics ICS support searching of files?
Full search and export capabilities were added to Metrics ICS 3.3. File attributes and comments may be searched. The file attributes can include normal name attributes, pass/fail result, and other user defined attributes. Single files can be selected and exported as binary or ASCII formats. Groups of files can be selected for export as ASCII format only.
6. How much disk space is required to store ICS data files?
An average file size for a project file containing 10 measurement setups and raw data is approximately 10 Kbytes.
7. What is the temporary file used for?
The temporary file is generated by ICS to allow the user to recover measurement setups, data, numerical transforms, and plots, should the user experience a crash in Windows while working with the software. Only the most recent measurement in progress might be lost.
8. How do I view only extracted parameters and not the raw data?
The user can customize the "Data View" window by selecting which data should be displayed. To enable this feature, you should select the "Enable Data View" option in the OPTIONS/ WORKSPACE dialog. Then select the Data View editor by clicking on the Data View button on the toolbar. You can reorder, add, or remove data vectors from the displayed list.
9. How do you use the attribute fields in the file manager to organize data?
The file manager in Metrics ICS is a hierarchical database engine that is represented as an inverted directory tree in the DOS file structure. Attribute 1 is the root of the directory tree created in the DATA directory on the hard disk. Attribute 2 files are created in a subdirectory of Attribute 1 files; Attribute 3 files are created in a subdirectory of Attribute 2, and so on. Each time the user or another application changes any attribute field name in the file manager dialog box a unique file is created to store the currently loaded setup information, raw data, and analysis. Users should select attribute fields with care when organizing their data. A common method for storing wafer level data is use ATTR 1 as the PROCESS ID., ATTR 2 as the LOT NO., ATTR 3 as the WAFER ID, ATTR 4 as the DIE LOCATION, ATTR 5 as SITE LOCATION, and ATTR 6 as a TEMPERATURE. This is only an example though because the attribute fields may be customized in any manner to fit the user's application.
10. Can Metrics ICS data be formatted to IC-CAP measured data files?
Metrics ICS versions 3.3 and greater have the capability of directly exporting IC-CAP .set file format. This allows the user to create a low cost measurement subsystem for IC-CAP. Other non-HP instruments such as the Tektronix Curve Tracer can now be used to perform measurements for parameter extraction for Power MOS devices in the IC-CAP environment.