Tim Spekler - 2012-08-24

Presentation

Chronogram Editor software helps you to quickly build chronograms thanks to its intuitive graphical interface. It is developped in Java and is compatible with any operating system implementing a Java Runtime Environnment.

Installation

Download the last jar file version. Once downloaded, double clic on it to launch it. If the software is not launching correctly, go in the terminal and type (in the correct directory):
java -jar chronoEditor_vX.X.jar
If it is still not working, make sure JRE is correctly installed on your computer. It can be checked via this command:
java -version
You should see Java "Runtime Environment".

Instructions

Create/Open a file

To create a new chronogram file, go into File -> New (or Ctrl + N). A new empty tab is created.

To open a chronogram file, go into File -> Open (or Ctrl + O). Select the correct file directory and clic on Open. A new tab with all signals from selected file is opened.

Adding signals/bus

Go into Add menu to select signal to add. You can choose between 5 types:

  • Clock: Create a signals switching between 0 and 1 at a defined frequency.

  • Synchronous Signal: Create an editable signal depending on a clock domain. Values can be changed on rising and falling edges of its clock.

  • Synchronous Bus: Create an editable bus depending on a clock domain. Values can be changed on rising and falling edges of its clock.

  • Asynchronous Signal: Create an editable and independent signal. Values can be changed at a defined frequency.

  • Asynchronous Bus: Create an editable and independent bus. Values can be changed at a defined frequency.

Editing signals/bus

Graphics interactions:

  • On waveform:

    • With signals: left click swithes value/ right click switches value and the following same values.

    • With bus: left click switches value/ right click shows name/fill options.

  • On name:

    • right click shows signal style and properties.

    • double left click brings you directly to signal properties.

    • drag and drop with left clic to move signal.

Signal can also be edited by text. right click on signal name and click on Set wave values.

To directly remove a signal, place the mouse on it in order to select it, then press "Del" key.

To enlarge signals width, just resize Chronogram Editor window.

Tools

Tools menu allows you to add properties on all elements of your chronogram.

  • Time Lapse

To create a timelapse, go into Tools -> Time Lapse -> Add. Then clic on your chronogram wherever time lapse should start. Drag and release cursor wherever time lapse should end. It is then created automatically.

You can create up to 5 time lapses.

To remove time lapses, go into Tools -> Time Lapse -> Remove All.

  • Background Lines

Show/Hide background lines for a better signal visibility (Tools -> BackGround Lines -> Show/Hide).

  • Antialiasing

Set antialiasing on or off. Antialiasing is on by default (Tools -> Antialiasing -> On/Off).

  • Assertion

To create a new assertion arrow, go into Tools -> Assertion -> Add. You should see a circle pre-positioned on selected signal around mouse cursor. Clic to position arrow start position. Then clic where the arrow should ends.

To remove an assertion arrow, position mouse cursor near from it so it gets bold. Then press "Del" (or "Suppr").

To remove all assertion arrows, go into Tools -> Assertion -> Remove All

Discrete Fourier transform

For some applications, drawing signal DFT can be really useful. This is now possible by setting signal wave as wanted, then right clicking on it and going into Trace DFT. A new window pops up as shown below.

DFT parameters can be set as followed:

  • Sampling rate: change value to set the number of samples to manage and then press Ok.

  • Remove continuous part: check this option to remove the continous part of the signal.

  • Signal area to sample: left click at the last position of the signal of the sampling.

Saving/Exporting

To save your chronogram, go into File -> Save (or Ctr + S). File extension must be ".chr".

To export your chronogram into .jpg, .png, or .gif images, go into File -> Export to (or Ctr + E) for exporting. File extension must be .jpg, .png, or .gif.
The exported image is a screenshot of the current chronogram window. You may want to resize the window before exporting your chornogram.

Version History

Update v2.3:

  • Exporting image bug generated by assertion arrows was corrected

  • Signal values can be set by text (example: "00110110110...")

  • DFT functionnality was added

  • Default directory is now JAR directory

Update v2.2:

  • Assertion arrows were added

  • Antialiasing On/Off option was added

  • Signal properties dialog box can now be validated by pressing the "Enter" key

  • Saving and exporting is now easier thanks to directory and name preselection

  • Erasing signal or data must be confirmed via a new dialog box

  • Exporting chronogram via shortcut now release all selected items

  • Version compatibility has been improved

  • Several bugs were fixed

Update v2.1:

  • Several minor bugs correction

  • Full version compatibility (for version >2.0)

  • Antialiasing

  • Signal and bus colors (black, red, green, blue and orange)

  • Bold style

  • Keyboards shortcuts

  • Saving controls

  • Background lines (tools)

  • clk to Q changed to Left shift (shifting = 1/4 clock cycle, which is more convenient)

  • Auto extension completion (for .chr extension)

  • Increased signal limit (avoid full screen problems with high frequency)

Update v2.0:

  • Tabs was added

  • Signals/Bus are more robust (single id for each)

  • Clock rate value is now visible

  • Minor edit bug corrections

  • Vertical lines can be drawn on clock rising edges

  • TimeLapses was added

  • Clock depency was added

  • Selection Menu was removed. Drag and drop, double clic and del/suppr key now replace Selection functionnality

  • Warning to avoid clock removal before signal depending on this clock was added

Warning: If you open a .chr file from a software version lower than 2.1 with latest version, your chronogram should open normally. Yet, some new features could not be available.

References

DFT java module: http://www.bearcave.com/misl/misl_tech/signal/dft1/index.html

 

Last edit: Tim Spekler 2012-08-24