JP2004139340A - Measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily write and update a program for measurement even when a processor for measurement is not started, or not correctly operated. <P>SOLUTION: A measuring part 21 is provided with a first switch 25, a second switch 26 and a switching control circuit 27 for separating bus connection between a processor 24 for measurement and a memory 22 and between the processor 24 for measurement and a control part 30, and for turning the control part 30 to be made directly accessible to the memory 22. The control part 30 is provided with a measurement program storing means 33a for storing a program Ps' for measurement to be updated as the program for measurement of a measuring part 21 and a program load means 35 for measurement for loading the program Ps' for measurement stored in the measurement program storing means 33a to a memory 22 of the measuring part 21 when the control part is set to be made directly accessible to the memory 22 of the measuring part 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can easily update a measurement program of a measurement unit in a measurement device having a measurement unit that executes measurement by executing a measurement program stored in a memory and a control unit that controls the measurement unit. So as to relate to the technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Among various measuring instruments, for example, a measuring instrument that performs a network test or the like generates a test data signal by reading and executing a measurement program stored in a memory by a measurement processor such as a CPU. The data signal is output to the network, or the data signal to be tested is selectively extracted from the data signal on the network for analysis.
[0003]
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of this type of measuring instrument 10.
The measuring device 10 includes a measuring unit 11 and a control unit 15.
[0004]
The measurement unit 11 is a nonvolatile memory 12 that stores a measurement program (including a boot program and an application program) in advance, and is connected to the memory 12 via a bus 13a. It has a measurement processor 14 such as a CPU that performs a measurement process by reading and executing it.
[0005]
The control unit 15 includes a CPU and a memory. The control unit 15 is connected to the measurement processor 14 via the bus 13b, and executes a control program stored in an internal memory to connect the measurement processor 14 with the measurement processor 14. Data is exchanged between the two, and control of the measuring unit 11 and output processing of the measurement result obtained by the measuring unit 11 are performed.
[0006]
In the measuring device 10 configured as described above, for example, when the control unit 15 designates a measurement item or the like and instructs the measurement unit 11 to start measurement, the measurement unit 11 performs measurement for the designated measurement item. The program is executed according to the measurement program, and the measurement result is notified to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 displays, for example, a measurement result notified from the measurement unit 11 on a display (not shown), performs an analysis process on the measurement result, and displays the analysis result.
[0007]
The measuring unit 11 may be of a single configuration, a so-called multi-channel type corresponding to a plurality of measurement targets of the same type, or a different type such as when analyzing data signals having different transmission rates and protocols. In response to this, the inside of the measuring unit 11 can be arbitrarily replaced or expanded with a measuring unit having a memory storing a measuring program and a processor. The number of components is increasing.
[0008]
As described above, in the measuring device 10 in which the measurement unit 11 performs the measurement by executing the measurement program stored in the memory 12, the measurement unit 11 stores the measurement program in the memory 12 due to an upgrade of the measurement program or destruction of the program data. It is necessary to update the measurement program.
[0009]
When the memory 12 is a read-only ROM, the updating of the measurement program is performed by replacing the memory 12 mounted on the measurement unit 11 with a memory storing a new measurement program.
[0010]
However, in recent years, a non-volatile, readable and writable FROM (flash ROM) has been used in many cases. When such a memory is used, the control unit 15 sends a new message to the measurement processor 14. A method is adopted in which the measurement processor 14 rewrites the contents of the memory 12 (normally, an application program) by loading a suitable measurement program.
[0011]
However, when the measurement program including the boot program is not written in the memory 12 as in the case of the manufacture of the measuring instrument 10 or the like, the measurement processor 14 does not boot (start). Cannot be loaded.
For this reason, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the measurement unit 11 is provided with a terminal 11a for directly transmitting and receiving data to and from the measurement processor 14, and as described above, Is not activated, the terminal 11a is connected to the external writing device 18, the external writing device 18 activates the measurement processor 14, and the measurement processor 14 is loaded with the measurement program. Then, the measurement program is written into the memory 12 by the measurement processor 14.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, the method of writing the measurement program using the external writing device 18 requires much time and effort. In particular, as described above, when the measurement unit 11 is configured by a large number of measurement units, the operation becomes very complicated.
[0013]
Even if the measurement processor 14 is activated, if a program for communicating with the control unit or the like is broken and the measurement processor 14 is not operating properly, an instruction from the control unit 15 may be used. The measurement program cannot be updated, and a complicated operation by the external writing device 18 is required.
[0014]
An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring instrument which solves this problem and can easily update the measuring program of the measuring section even when the measuring processor is not operating correctly. I have.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the measuring instrument of the present invention is:
A measurement unit having a readable / writable memory (22) storing a measurement program, and a measurement processor (24) connected to the memory via a bus and reading and executing the measurement program stored in the memory. (21)
A control unit (30) connected to the measurement processor of the measurement unit via a bus and controlling the measurement unit;
In the measuring unit,
Bus switching means (25, 26, 27) for disconnecting a bus connection between the measurement processor and the memory and between the measurement processor and the control unit and for enabling the control unit to directly access the memory. ) Is provided,
In the control unit,
Measurement program storage means (33a) for storing a measurement program to be updated as a measurement program of the measurement unit;
A measuring program for loading the measuring program to be updated stored in the measuring program storage means into the memory of the measuring section when the bus switching means allows direct access to the memory of the measuring section; A load means (35) is provided.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a measuring device 20 to which the present invention is applied.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring device 20 includes a measuring unit 21 and a control unit 30.
[0018]
The measurement unit 21 reads out the measurement program Ps from the memory 22 and a non-volatile rewritable memory (for example, a flash ROM) 22 in which a measurement program Ps (including a boot program and an application program) is stored in advance. It has a measurement processor 24 such as a CPU that executes processing necessary for measurement by executing the measurement.
[0019]
The measurement performed by the measurement unit 21 is optional. For example, in the case of a measurement device that performs a network test or the like as described above, the measurement unit 21 generates a test data signal and outputs the data signal to the network. In addition, a data signal to be tested is extracted from the data signal on the network, and the data signal is analyzed.
[0020]
The bus 23 a of the measurement processor 24 is connected to the bus 23 b of the memory 22 via the first switch 25. Further, a bus 23c of a main control device 31 of the control unit 30 described later is connected to a bus 23d of the measurement processor 24 via a second switch 26.
[0021]
The first switch 25 sets one of the buses 23a and 23b or the bus 23b or 23c to a connected state. Further, the second switch 26 operates in conjunction with the first switch. When the first switch 25 connects the buses 23a and 23b, the second switch 26 connects the buses 23c and 23d to each other. When the switch 25 connects between the buses 23b and 23c, the connection between the buses 23c and 23d is released.
[0022]
Here, a state where the buses 23a and 23b are connected via the first switch 25 and a connection between the buses 23c and 23d via the second switch 26 is referred to as a first state. A state where the buses 23b and 23c are connected via the first switch 25 and the bus 23c and 23d are opened by the second switch 26 is referred to as a second state.
[0023]
The states of the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 are controlled by a switching control circuit 27.
[0024]
The switching control circuit 27 constitutes a bus switching means together with the first switch 25 and the second switch 26, and is connected to the bus 23c of the main control device 31 of the control unit 30. When a specific code requesting direct access is received from the main controller 31, the measurement processor 24 is reset, and the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 are reset. In the second state, when a specific code for releasing the direct access request is received, the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 are returned to the first state, and the reset of the measurement processor 24 is released.
[0025]
On the other hand, the control unit 30 includes a main control device 31 including a CPU, a memory, and the like, a display device 32, an external storage device 33 such as a hard disk or a memory card, and an operation unit 34 such as a keyboard.
[0026]
The predetermined area 33a of the external storage device 33 constitutes a measurement program storage means. The predetermined area 33a stores a measurement program Ps' to be loaded into the measurement unit 21.
[0027]
The main control device 31 is connected to the measurement unit 21 via the bus 23c, executes a control program stored in an internal memory, exchanges data with the measurement processor 24, and performs measurement. It performs a measurement instruction to the unit 21, a process of outputting the measurement result to the display 32, a process of storing the measurement result in the external storage device 33, and the like.
[0028]
In addition, the control program includes a load program for loading the measurement program into the memory 22 of the measurement unit 21. In FIG. 1, the function of the load program is blocked to load the measurement program. It is shown as means 35.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the measurement program loading means 35.
[0030]
Hereinafter, the operation of the measuring device 20 of the embodiment will be described with reference to this flowchart.
[0031]
For example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 34, a specific code for a direct access request is output to the measurement unit 21 (S1, S2).
[0032]
Upon receiving this code, the switching control circuit 27 of the measurement unit 21 resets the measurement processor 24, and switches the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 from the first state shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. The state is switched to the second state shown, the measurement processor 24 is disconnected from the bus 23b of the memory 22 and the bus 23c of the main controller 31, and the bus 23b of the memory 22 is connected to the bus 23c of the main controller 31.
[0033]
By this switching of the bus, the memory 22 of the measuring section 21 is in a state where it can be directly accessed from the main controller 31.
[0034]
Then, the control unit 30 reads out the measurement program Ps ′ stored in the predetermined area 33a of the external storage device 33 and loads it into the memory 22 of the measurement unit 21 (S3, S4).
[0035]
Then, after the loading process is completed, a specific code for releasing the direct access request is output (S5).
[0036]
Upon receiving this code, the switching control circuit 27 of the measuring unit 21 changes the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 from the second state shown in FIG. 3 to the first state shown in FIG. Then, the reset of the measurement processor 24 is released.
[0037]
As a result, the measurement processor 24 executes the measurement program Ps newly loaded in the memory 22.
[0038]
As described above, in the measuring device 20 of the embodiment, the bus line connecting the memory 22 of the measuring unit 21 and the measuring processor 24 is disconnected, and the control unit 30 can directly access the memory 22, A measurement program to be updated, which is stored in advance in the unit 30, is loaded into the memory 22 of the measurement unit 21.
[0039]
For this reason, even when the measurement program including the boot program is not written in the memory 22 as in the case of manufacturing the measuring instrument 20 and the measurement processor 24 is not activated, the external writing device The measurement program of the measurement unit 21 can be easily loaded without using the program.
[0040]
Further, even when the measurement processor 24 is activated, an abnormal state (runaway or the like) occurs in which communication with the control unit 30 cannot be performed due to destruction of the measurement program (application program or the like). However, since the measurement processor 24 is disconnected from the bus line, the measurement program can be correctly loaded into the memory 22 and the operation of the measurement unit 21 can be returned to a normal state.
[0041]
In the above description, the measurement program is loaded when the operation unit 34 is operated by a predetermined operation. However, the control unit 30 constantly monitors the operation of the measurement unit 21 and the operation of the measurement unit 21 is abnormal. , The processing of S2 to S5 in FIG. 2 described above may be performed.
[0042]
In addition, here, the case where the number of the measurement units 21 is one has been described. However, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of measurement units 21 (1) to 21 (n) are connected to the control unit 30 by a measuring device 20 ′ which is bus-connected. By providing the first switch 25, the second switch 26, and the switching control circuit 27 in each of the measuring units 21 (1) to 21 (n), the The measurement program can be loaded. However, in this case, the predetermined area 33a of the external storage device 33 of the control unit 30 stores a measurement program necessary for each of the measurement units 21 (1) to 21 (n), and also stores a direct access request and A specific code for the cancellation is allocated to each measuring unit, and the same processing as described above is performed for each measuring unit that needs to load the measurement program.
[0043]
As described above, when the present invention is applied to the measuring device 20 'having a plurality of measuring units 21, the version of the measuring program of each measuring unit 21 can be extremely easily updated.
[0044]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bus switching means (25 to 27) of the measuring unit 21 is controlled by the control unit 30. However, as shown in a measuring device 20 ″ shown in FIG. A switch 28 may be provided, and the switching control circuit 27 may switch between the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 according to the operation of the switch 28.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the measuring instrument of the present invention disconnects the bus line connecting the memory of the measuring section and the processor for measurement, sets the control section to directly access the memory, A measurement program stored in advance is loaded into the memory of the measurement unit.
[0046]
Therefore, even when the measurement processor is not activated, the measurement program of the measurement unit can be easily loaded without using an external writing device.
[0047]
Further, even if the operation of the measurement processor is abnormal (runaway or the like), the measurement processor can be correctly loaded into the memory from the control unit because the measurement processor is disconnected from the bus line.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a main part of the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a conventional device.
20, 20 ', 20 "... measuring instrument, 21 ... measuring unit, 22 ... memory, 23a to 23d ... bus, 24 ... measuring processor, 25 ... first switch, 26 ... second Switch 27, a switching control circuit 28, a switch 30, a control unit 31, a main control device 32, a display device 33, an external storage device 33a, a predetermined area (measurement program Storage means), 34 operation unit, 35 measurement program loading means

Claims (1)

A measurement unit having a readable / writable memory (22) storing a measurement program, and a measurement processor (24) connected to the memory via a bus and reading and executing the measurement program stored in the memory. (21)
A control unit (30) connected to the measurement processor of the measurement unit via a bus and controlling the measurement unit;
In the measuring unit,
Bus switching means (25, 26, 27) for disconnecting a bus connection between the measurement processor and the memory and between the measurement processor and the control unit and for enabling the control unit to directly access the memory. ) Is provided,
In the control unit,
Measurement program storage means (33a) for storing a measurement program to be updated as a measurement program of the measurement unit;
A measuring program for loading the measuring program to be updated stored in the measuring program storage means into the memory of the measuring section when the bus switching means allows direct access to the memory of the measuring section; A measuring instrument comprising a load means (35).

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