User`s guide

233

Using the Pattern Generator

Loading ASCII Files

You can create pattern generator files and load them as ASCII files

using one of the remote communication interfaces or by loading an

ASCII disk file.

Regardless of the load method selected, the general format of the file

must conform to certain guidelines. In general, an ASCII file consists of

a block of setup information (clock specs, labels, etc.) followed by a

block of pattern generator data.

There are a few minor differences between the format required for a

communication download and that of a disk file load.

Disk files are loaded into the pattern generator using the LOAD

command on the disk menu.

Some general restrictions are:

• Data is assumed to be entirely hexadecimal base.

• No instructions are allowed in the data.

• No functions are defined or invoked in the data.

• All labels consist of adjacent bits.

A special "ASCII 000000" string is required to uniquely identify an

ASCII disk file. This string cannot be used when loading ASCII files

using one of the remote communication interfaces. This line must be

the first line of the disk file. It consists of 5 blanks and 6 zeros.