When you install the MxSuite, the MxTransIt editor is installed along with MxVDev. This editor allows you to construct a Custom Virtual Wiring Harness. A variety of sample projects are installed with the MxSuite. To create a simple MxTransIt model, see Getting Started with MxTransIt.

MxTransIt Editor.  Click to expand.

MxTransIt Editor.  Click to expand.

hmtoggle_plus1Editor Overview

The MxTransIt editor allows you to construct a Virtual Wiring Harness for testing the SUT. First we will review the basic features of MxTransIt Editor:

•It is used to create and edit test model files.  We recommend the files be stored in the Transforms subfolder of the project folder. The model files have the file name extension .mxform

•When you select a Transform in the Toolbox, a description is displayed at the bottom of the Toolbox.

•When you select a Transform in the Harness window (the center window), its properties are displayed in a panel at the right of your screen.

•Transforms can have zero or more input ports and zero or more output ports.

•Ports have types.  The types are the same as the Signal Types available in MxVDev.

•Output Ports can be connected to Input Ports.  To connect two ports, click the left mouse-button on the on one of the ports, hold it, move the mouse to the other port, and release the button. For alternate methods, see Working with a Large Harness.

•Select a port by moving the mouse cursor over it. When a port is selected, the name of the port is displayed in a bubble as shown here:

selectPort

•If you have trouble selecting a port, it may be helpful to zoom in on it.

•There are limitations on what types of ports can be connected.  If an implicit conversion exists, then ports can be connected.

•Output Ports of one Transform can be connected to Input Ports of the next Transform.

•If exported, unconnected ports on the left hand side of Transforms become Stimulus Signals available for use in TestCases.  Likewise, unconnected ports on the right hand side of Transforms become Response Signals available for use in TestCases if exported.

•If an inport is exported, you cannot connect it to another Transform. There can only be one signal source for the port.

•An outport can be both exported and connected to other transforms. The signal may have multiple destinations.

Note: If you cannot connect to an inport, it may be because it has been exported. There is a list of exported ports in the Properties box.
hmtoggle_plus1Editing the Harness (.mxform file)

The preferred method of launching MxTransIt to edit the Harness, is to click the Edit Harness icon (EditHarness-btn) in MxVDev. This ensures that MxVDev and MxTransIt are using the same Harness.

If necessary to use MxTransIt stand-alone, launch it from the Windows Start menu. Select File->Open from the MxTransIt main menu. Browse to the .mxform file that corresponds to the project to which it is to be connected. Normally, the .mxform file is in the Transforms subfolder of the project folder.

If more than one person is editing the Harness, see Multiple Users.
hmtoggle_plus1Connecting Your SUT to MxVDev

Once the ports have been defined in MxTransIt, they need to be connected to MxVDev. To make use of a Harness in MxVDev, do the following in MxTransIt:

1.Save your model.

2.Select each Transform in turn that has either Stimulus Ports or Response Ports that you want to use in your TestCases.

3.When the Transform is selected, click Transform‑>Export Ports from the main menu.

4.Select the Ports that you want to export, and click OK.

5.Save your model once more.

6.Return to MxVDev and use the Connecting Signals dialog.

The model is now ready for use in MxVDev.

For details, see Exporting Ports and Connecting Signals.
hmtoggle_plus1Working with a Large Harness

The Transforms tab in the Properties box at the right of the Harness window has several features designed to make it easier to work with a large harness that may not be entirely visible in the Harness window. If the Transforms tab is not visible, select View->Transforms from the main menu. You can also use the zoom buttons Zoom_btns in the main menu bar to adjust the size of the harness.

Editor-Transforms

Select a transform from the list in the Transforms tab and right-click to display the context menu.

•Scroll Window to Transform - Select this command to scroll the Harness window so that the selected transform is in the visible area.

•Move Transform Here - Select this command to move the transform to the center of the visible area of the Harness window.

Editor-Ports

You can use the ports listed in the Transforms tab to connect to other ports. There are two methods:

•Drag and drop:
 
Select a port and drag to the target port. The target port can be either in the Harness window or another port in the Transforms tab.

•Connect button:

a.In the Transforms tab, select a port.

b.Press the Connect button in the MxTransIt toolbar.

c.Select another port in the Transforms tab.

d.Press the Connect button again to connect the ports.

1.To search for a port in the Harness, press Ctrl-F or select Edit->Find.

FindPort

2.Select the port to find from the drop-down list.

3.Select the Transform to search or leave blank to search all Transforms.

4.Click Find Next or Find All:

•Find Next: If the port is found, it is highlighted in the Transforms tab. Click again to search for additional ports.

•Find All: Search results are listed in the Notifications box. Double-click on the list item to highlight the port in the Transforms tab.

Menu: To Auto Connect ports using the menu, select two Transforms, then right-click on the destination Transform to display the context menu. Select Auto Connect Ports by Name or Auto Connect Ports by Index.

Keyboard: To Auto Connect ports using the keyboard, select the source Transform, then Alt+Click on the destination Transform to connect by index or Alt+Shift+Click to connect by name.

AutoConnect-name

AutoConnect-index

Notes:

•To select multiple Transforms, use the mouse to draw a rectangle around the Transforms.

•Connections are drawn from the outports of the source Transform to the inports of the destination Transform. Right-click on the destination Transform to display the menu.

•The ports must be compatible types.

•If the destination Transform automatically adds a port when a connection is made (for example, the Delay and Pass-Thru Transforms), you can use the Auto Connect by Index command to create the destination ports.
hmtoggle_plus1Multiple Users Editing One Harness

If more than one user is working on a Harness (.mxform file), best practice is to use Subsystems to avoid conflicting changes (see Subsystem Transform). For example, if one person is working on audio Signals and another is working on video Signals, those parts of the Harness can be split into two subsystems. The subsystems can be copied into a combined project.

 

Video Demonstration: Connecting Transforms

Related Topics:

Toolbox

Editing Ports

Exporting Ports

Viewing Demonstrations