Opening MDF files in Diadem generated with Vector CANape v7.0?

[Dshow]

Hi all,

I have a Vector CANape v7.0 data aquisition system that generates files in MDF format.  I found the Diadem data plugin for MDF files and installed it.  I can open the files, see the parameter names, but all the data is 0 (and it should not be).

The plugin looks up to date and the description mentions MDF version 3.0 & 3.2.  We have CANape version 7.0.  How do those numbers correspond?  How can I open this file correctly?

Plugin Description: 

This DataPlugin supports reading / importing of Bosch MDF data files, ETAS INCA® MDF data and Vector CANape® and other products from Vector. The DataPlugin supports MDF files up to version 3.2. The MDF DataPlugin also supports writing of MDF 3.0 and 3.2 files. Writing behavior is controlled by the root property 'version'; set version to "MDF 3.2" to write MDF 3.2 files.

The Measure Data Format (MDF) is well established in the automotive industry for recording, exchanging, and post-measurement analysis. MDF files are produced by eg. INCA® from ETAS, and by CANape® and other products from Vector.

Thanks- Dshow

P.S.  I have tried this on Diadem v10.1 and 11 with the same results.  Thx

Message Edited by Dshow on 07-13-2009 02:12 PM

[Otmar]

Hello Dshow,

Since I don' have any MDF files to test this with, I can't help with your immediate question. I can offer up an alternative though:

With version 11.1, DIAdem has gained the ability to load CAN files directly through the "CAN Converter" that can be found in the NAVIGATOR "File" menu. You can test this with the free evaluation version that can be found at www.ni.com/diadem/ - this might take care of the issue you are having. It also offers a number of additional features you might be interested in ...

Best regards,

[Brad_Turpin]

Hi Dshow,

Please post a sample MDF file for us to test with.  If it's too big for the forum, then post it to the ftp site and repost to the forum telling us the file name you posted to the ftp site.  Note that WINDOWS Explorer works better than Internet Explorer when posting to the ftp site.

Regards,

Brad Turpin
DIAdem Product Support Engineer
National Instruments

[Dshow]

Thanks for you replies.  We have Diadem 11.0, so version 11.1 is not an option at this point.  I will get a sample file and let you know when it's available.

Thanks!

[Dshow]

Hi all.  We created a smaller, generic MDF file that is about 1M in size.  The only issue is that file works as expected...?  The original file is 20M and it loads and I can see time stamps, so it doesn't appear file size is the issue.  I will look at some other files and see if I can see a pattern.

Thanks.

[Dshow · Accepted solution]

Hi all,

Further examination of the file that worked and the files that don't work revealed that the later had parameters that we are no longer using.  Once we removed those parameters, I can open all files, so we believe that was the issue.

Thank you for your help.

[huffmanm]

Can someone post the link to this? I think it would save time for a lot of people.

[Brad_Turpin]

Hi All,

I think what Dshow means is that they started creating MDF files with fewer channels/variables/properties, some of which were apparently triggering the issue.  I believe that's what is meant by "parameters", that is, specific content stored into the MDF files.  If my interpretation is correct, then MDF files with these parameters in them would cause trouble, while MDF files without these specific parameters would load with no problems.

It is possible to call a DataPlugin (such as the one for MDF files) with additional parameters, so there's an outside chance Dshow meant this.  In that case we should list the problematic parameters not to use when loading MDF data files into DIAdem.  But if the issue is the content of specific MDF files, then there's no link we can add to help customers with this.

Brad Turpin

DIAdem Product Support Engineer

National Instruments

[Jash1999]

Hi,
I want to verify MDF files generated with Vector CANape. I want to analyze multiple parameters.
Please guide for the same.

Thanks in advance!

[Brad_Turpin]

Hey Jash,

Are you saying that you want to read CAN bus signals stored in that MDF file?

Brad Turpin

Principal Technical Support Engineer

NI