How to implement S/W countdown timer in TestStand

[skoni]

I would like to implement several timers that will be started at different point of TestStand sequence execution. These are to be long timeouts - so resolution of 1 sec will be enough. One timeout will be set to say 5 sec, another 20 sec, yet another 5 hrs, etc.

And while the timers are counting down I want to perform usual other tasks in TestStand - talking to serial port etc, so a solution with timer pauses TestStand execution while counting down is NOT an option I would be able to use.

I have browsed the web pages and managed to find VI timers. When I tried 2 of them - it did not work. This is probably because I do not know anything about VIs (when I want to call some VI I use TestStand function wrappers, written by o
ther people, which in turn call VIs).

I am sure there must be a way to do that - I'd appreciate a solution with working, simple TestStand EXAMPLE, say for one timer (*.seq file(s) + ready to use VIs, if needed).

So that I can reuse the example for more timers when needed.

Thanks

[RayFarmer]

Hi skoni,

I have provided an example as a solution to your question.
The timer sequence is just a simple setup just to show the implementation. You can substitue what ever VI's you have for the timer.
I have modified the Computer Mother Board Test example by calling the timer which is set for 10 secs.
The sequence call has been setup to call in a new execution. You can check this with the Specify Module..
In the Cleanup I have a Wait For step.
Once the sequences starts the Timer seq will execute but is allowed to return to the caller. This allows the MainSequence to carry on with the rest of the sequence. When the Wait For is reach. The sequence will wait for the Timer sequence to complete before it continuous to completion.
If you are using TestSta
nd 3.0, then you can launch your VI step into a new execution without having to use a SequenceCall Adapter.

Hope this helps
Ray Farmer