ControlWidgets

ControlWidgets add interactive elements to the SweepMe! dashboard to allow for user interaction and more flexibility during measurements. Users can integrate sliders, buttons, and other widgets into the dashboard to modify parameters in real time.

Elements

Each element can be added via the button at the end of the module like "New slider". You can add each element multiple times. After adding an element, a widget is added to to Dashboard. You can configure each element in the UI of the module via right-click -> Configure. Sliders, Dials and some Buttons add variables to the system that can be used as Sweep value in other modules or via the parameter syntax {...}.

Slider

A Slider is an element to set a value on a linear scale between a maximum and a minimum value. The number of points influence the step width when pressing an arrow key or the page up / page down keys. Further, the user can type in the new value. All values are restricted to the range between maximum and minimum. The parameter "Initial" can be used to set an initial value that is restored at the beginning of a measurement run.

Dial

A Dial ist the same like a Slider, but with different shape.

ButtonBox

The ButtonBox allows to add four different types of buttons that have different behavior.

Trigger button

A button that can be used to trigger an action, such as run, stop, pause, but also actions provided by modules or drivers. For example a "Zero thickness" button could be used to trigger a function of QCM instrument driver to zero the thickness of a thin-film thickness monitor.

Single toggle button

A button that creates a variable in the system with two different states. The user can select a lable that is shown in the button and the value that is returned to the system. The single toggle button changes its label when presed.

Double toggle button

This button is similar to the single toggle button with the difference that two buttons are showm while one is always active and one is inactive. This kind of button shall ensure that no accidental button press is possible. Once a button is pressed, it gets inactive.

Dropdown button

This button is basically a dropdown box that allows the user to select one from many options. It is very similar to the Selection field of the Form module, but is larger and thus each option is easier to select.

MainControls

The MainControls widget comes with Run, Pause, and Stop button. The user can configure which of these buttons is visible. The widget allows to move essential controls into the Dashboard so that the main window with the Sequencer can be hidden.

SaveBar

Similar to the MainControls widget, the SaveBar widget allows to save data from inside the Dashboard. In contrast to the standard save section of the General tab of SweepMe!, this widget allows greater configurability.

Application Example

The image shows how variations of sliders and buttons that can be configured to control device parameters, start/stop the measurement, or save data directly from the dashboard.

Typical applications are:

• Using a Slider to set a temperature of a temperature controller or the voltage of a power supply.
• Using a Trigger button to call a function of an instrument driver like reset or a sequencer control function like "skip sweeps below"
• Using MainControls and SaveBar widget to move all essential parts of a measurement software into the Dashboard
• Using Toggle button to change between defined states that are handed over to other modules.