Trace Configuration for multiple files

[Markus]

Hello,

is it possible with PCAN Explorer 5 to generate multiple trace files in a row when the trace gets larger than a specified size?
In the PCAN-Parameter Documentation I've seen the "PCAN_TRACE_CONFIGURE" parameter with the value "TRACE_FILE_SEGMENTED" can I make use of this feature from within PCAN-Explorer or do I have to write my own application to store a segmented Trace file?

Thanks,
Markus

[M.Maidhof]

Hello,

I think you mixed up PCANBasic API parameters with PCAN-Explorer 5 commands. To build segmented PCAN-Trace files with PCAN-Explorer 5 you can use a VBmacro. You will find a sample macro called LossLessTrace in the PCAN-Explorer 5 macro list, which will do a segmented trace. You can also modify it to your needs.

regards

Michael Maidhof

[Markus]

Hi Michael,

thanks for the quick reply. I thought I could configure a tracer directly with API parameters but the macro also fits my needs


Regards,
Markus

[Markus]

Hello,

an additional question on the LossLessTrace: Is it possible to get continuous timestamps for the segmented traces?

Markus

[K.Wolf]

Hello,

no, that is not possible. The timestamps are offsets related to the start of an individual trace file.

[Markus]

When parsing the trace file with a custom script later on, which starttime in the trace file's header should I take as reference?
While I do understand the human readable version in line 5, I don't get the meaning of $STARTTIME. I suppose it's some kine of "Seconds since..." but it does not seem to be consistent with the time from line 5 when comparing two tracefiles.

Code: Select all

;$FILEVERSION=1.3
;$STARTTIME=42199.6165978297
;
;   d:\temp\Trace3.trc
;   Start time: 14.07.2015 14:47:54.052.4
;   Generated by PCAN-Explorer v5.3.4

[M.Maidhof]

Hi,

here the details from the PEAK Trace format specification about the STARTTIME, which is the Windows Time format:

$STARTTIME keyword to store the absolute start time of the trace file:

Format: Floating point, Point as decimal separator.
Value: Integral part = Number of days that have passed since 12/30/1899.
Fractional Part = Fraction of a 24 hour day that has elapsed, resolution is 1 Millisecond.

With each trace file, you will have a new STARTTIME value, the timestamps of the CAN messages will than be the offset from that STARTTIME value.

regards

Michael