ETAS MDA V8.6 User manual

ETAS MDA V8.6
User Guide

Copyright
The data in this document may not be altered or amended without special noti-
fication from ETAS GmbH. ETAS GmbH undertakes no further obligation in
relation to this document. The software described in it can only be used if the
customer is in possession of a general license agreement or single license.
Using and copying is only allowed in concurrence with the specifications stip-
ulated in the contract.
Under no circumstances may any part of this document be copied, repro-
duced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system or translated into another lan-
guage without the express written permission of ETAS GmbH.
© Copyright 2022 ETAS GmbH, Stuttgart
The names and designations used in this document are trademarks or brands
belonging to the respective owners.
MDA V8.6 – User Guide R2 EN – 06.2022

ETAS Contents
Contents
1 Welcome to MDA V8 7
1.1 Before You Start 8
1.1.1 Target Group 8
1.1.2 System Requirements 8
1.1.3 Installation 8
1.1.4 Licensing 8
1.1.5 Privacy Notice 8
1.2 MDA V8 Basics 10
1.2.1 Getting to Know the Basic Workflow 11
1.2.2 Getting to Know the Windows 12
1.2.3 Getting More Information 13
1.2.4 Undoing or Redoing Actions 13
1.2.5 Operating MDA via Keyboard 14
1.3 User Settings 15
1.3.1 Setting the Language of the User Interface 17
1.3.2 Customizing the Window Layout 17
1.4 MDA V8 and Other ETASProducts 20
1.4.1 Launching MDA fromINCA 20
1.4.2 Connecting MDA to EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR 21
1.5 Customer-Specific Enhancements 22
1.5.1 Defining ASCIIMeasure File Formats 22
2 Configuration Creation 23
2.1 Maintaining Configurations 23
2.1.1 Creating, Saving, and Closing Configurations 23
2.1.2 Importing an XDX Configuration 25
2.1.3 Importing an XDAConfiguration 26
2.1.4 Importing Calculated Signals via XCS Export File 27
2.1.5 Adding Configuration Comments 28
2.2 Maintaining Measure Files 28
2.2.1 Adding, Replacing, and Removing Measure Files 28
2.2.2 Defining a Time Offset for a Measure File 32
2.2.3 Measure File Comment and Other Meta Information 33
2.2.4 Indication of File Index Status 34
2.3 Exporting and Converting Measure Data 34
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 3

ETAS Contents
2.4 Defining Variable Name Display 38
2.5 Handling of Special Files 41
2.5.1 Using Label Files (LAB) 41
2.5.2 Extracting Measure File Attachments 42
2.5.3 Using Calibration Data Exchange Files (CDF) 42
2.5.4 Loading and Interpreting a Bus Trace File (BLF) 43
3 Signal Selection 45
3.1 Defining Display Name in the Application 45
3.2 Defining the View in the Variable Explorer 45
3.3 Sorting and Filtering 46
3.4 Extracting Bits from a Signal 50
3.5 Assigning Signals to Instruments 51
3.6 Displaying Signal Information 53
3.7 Reusing the Signal Name in Other Applications 55
4 Calculated Signals 57
4.1 Defining Calculated Signals 58
4.2 Managing Calculated Signals 60
4.3 Examples for Calculated Signals 62
4.3.1 Extracting Bits or Bit Fields from an Integer 62
4.3.2 Calculating RMS 62
4.3.3 Using Enumeration Signals 63
4.3.4 Applying Calculations to Specific Samples 64
4.4 Calculated Signals Details 68
4.4.1 Data Types 68
4.4.1.1 Data Type Conversion 69
4.4.1.2 Data Type Deduction 69
4.4.2 Formula Syntax 70
4.4.2.1 Literals 70
4.4.2.2 Signals 72
4.4.2.3 Operators 72
4.4.3 Reduction 73
4.4.3.1 Ranges 74
4.4.3.2 Reduction Behaviors 74
4.4.3.3 Reduction Functions 77
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 4

ETAS Contents
5 Instruments 80
5.1 Maintaining Instruments 81
5.2 Oscilloscope 83
5.2.1 Oscilloscope's Toolbar 84
5.2.2 Adjusting the Signal List 84
5.2.3 Zooming 86
5.2.4 Using Strips 87
5.2.5 Using Axes 90
5.2.6 Basic Navigation 94
5.2.7 Using Cursors 95
5.2.8 Adjusting Signals 99
5.2.9 Creating a Bound in a Strip 101
5.3 Scatter Plot 101
5.3.1 Adjusting Signals 102
5.3.2 Zooming 102
5.3.3 Using Strips 103
5.3.4 Using Axes 104
5.3.5 Using Cursors 105
5.3.6 Using Bounds 106
5.4 Table 108
5.5 Statistical Data 111
5.6 Event List 112
5.7 GPS Map 114
5.8 Video 117
5.9 Time Navigation and Synchronization 118
5.9.1 Synchronizing Instruments 119
5.9.2 Scrolling with the Time Slider 120
5.9.3 Zooming with the Time Slider 122
6 Navigation and Search 124
6.1 Using Layers 124
6.2 Displaying Previews 126
6.3 Searching within the Configuration 127
7 Troubleshooting 129
7.1 Access to the Online Help 129
7.2 Support Function in Case of System Errors 129
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ETAS Contents
8 Contact Information 131
9 Appendix 132
9.1 Import Calculated Signals from XDA Files:Differences between MDA V7 and
MDA V8 132
9.1.1 Constants 133
9.1.2 Standard Operations 133
9.1.3 Operations of type "Single Bit" 134
9.1.4 Operations of type "Bitmask" 135
9.1.5 Operations of type "Limit Monitoring" 135
9.2 Behavior of Calculated Signals depending on the status flag 136
9.3 Custom Operations 137
9.4 Using Command Line Arguments 143
10 Glossary 145
Index 152
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 6

ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
1 Welcome to MDA V8
MDA V8.6 is the latest version of the new Measure Data Analyzer tool from
ETAS. The Measure Data Analyzer (MDA) is used to visualize and analyze
measurement data in different views. The central view is the configuration
which contains the layout and visualization (layers, instruments, and signals)
and a reference to each measure file. You can customize the layout and con-
tent for the different views. MDAprovides many useful functions such as
zooming, scrolling or synchronizing different views.
To get a quick overview on how to work with MDA V8 watch the videos under
Help >Videos or directly from the Home page under Videos.
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 7

ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
1.1 Before You Start
The following chapters inform you about the details you need to know before
you start working with MDA V8.6.
1.1.1 Target Group
This manual addresses qualified personnel working in the fields of automobile
control unit development and calibration. Specialized knowledge in the areas
of measurement and control unit technology is required.
1.1.2 System Requirements
For the latest information on the needed system requirements, see the
Release Notes in the Service Pack Installer located at Installation
File\Documentation\ReleaseNotes or, after the MDA installation, at
%Program Files\ETAS\MDA V8.6\Documentation\Readme.
1.1.3 Installation
You can install the MDA software from a DVD, a network drive, or using the
INCAService Pack Installer.
For more information, see the MDA Installation Guide or the INCA Installation
Guide.
In the MDA Installation Guide you can find the following topics:
lHow to install MDA as an administrator
lHow to install the software using the INCA Service Pack Installer
lHow to customize the network installation
lHow to customize the support information
1.1.4 Licensing
A valid license is required for using MDA V8.6. You can obtain the license file
required for licensing either from your tool coordinator or through a self ser-
vice portal on the ETAS Internet Site under http://www.etas.-
com/support/licensing. To request the license file you have to enter the
activation number which you received from ETAS during the ordering process.
In the Windows Start menu, select E>ETAS >ETAS License Manager.
Follow the instructions given in the dialog. For further information about, for
example, the ETAS license models and borrowing a license, press F1 in the
ETAS License Manager.
1.1.5 Privacy Notice
Personal data is processed when using MDA. As the controller, the purchaser
undertakes to ensure the legal conformity of these processing activities in
accordance with Art. 4 No. 7 of the General Data Protection Regulation
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 8

ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
(GDPR/EU). As the manufacturer, ETAS GmbH is not liable for any mishandling
of this data.
Through the use of this product measurement data that may include personal
data can be processed. This measurement data, for example, include vehicle
identification numbers (VIN) or vehicle number plates as well as GPS, video,
audio or other measuring data. The exact data recorded in each case is
determined by you when you configure your measuring system. Note that, in
such cases, you are responsible for the legally compliant handling of the data
in accordance with applicable national law.
Technical and organizational measures
This product does not itself encrypt the personal data respectively data cat-
egories that it records. Ensure that the data recorded are secured by means of
suitable technical or organizational measures in your IT system, e.g. by using
classic anti-theft and access protection on the measurement hardware. Per-
sonal data in log files can be deleted by tools in the operating system.
Data Categories
lWhen using the ETAS License Manager in combination with user-
based licenses, particularly the following personal data and/or
data categories that can be traced back to a specific individual is
recorded for the purposes of license management:
User data: User ID
Communication Data: IP address
lWhen using the ZipAndSend functionality for reporting product
defects to us, the logfiles included in the ZIP file may contain file
paths on your system, e.g. the full file path to a measure file used
in MDA. If you use personal data in your file paths (e.g. the user
ID) and you do not want this data to be sent, you will have to
remove it manually from the logfiles.
lWhen using the GPS Map instrument, GPS data points are not
sent to the external data provider, but processed and visualized
internally within the tool. Particularly the following personal data
and/or data categories which can be traced to a specific indi-
vidual is used for the purpose of visualization:
Measurement Data: GPS data points
lWhen using the GPS Map instrument, particularly the following
personal data and/or data categories, that can be traced to a spe-
cific individual, is sent to the external map data provider
(Omniscale GmbH) and used there for the purpose of providing
the request map data, and for detecting and preventing malicious
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 9

ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
attacks on their infrastructure:
Communication Data: IP address
1.2 MDA V8 Basics
When you start MDAV8, the Home page is displayed. The Home page makes it
easier for you to get started with the software and provides an overview of the
main functionalities. To go back to the Home page, click the ribbon Home.
In the middle of the Home page, the main features for fast working are avail-
able:
New Configuration
Creates a new configuration containing one default layer.
Open Configuration
Allows the selection of an existing configuration file in XDX format.
Add Measure File
Adds a measure file from your file system. For more information, see
"To add a measure file" on page29.
Import XDA
Imports an existing configuration in XDA format. For more information,
see "Importing an XDAConfiguration" on page26.
Recently Used
Contains a list with the recently used configurations.
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 10

ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
An overview lists new functions and program properties, as well as all available
PDF manuals and videos. For support, you find the direct access to the online
help and the contact information of the ETAS hotline.
To manage the license required for using MDAV8, click on ETAS License Man-
ager.
In case of issues, you can send with ZipAndSend a report of product issues.
For more information, see "To send problem reports using ZipAndSend" on
page129.
The following section provides you an overview of the basic steps and win-
dows in MDA V8.6.
1.2.1 Getting to Know the Basic Workflow
To see how you can quickly get familiar with the basic handling of MDAV8,
watch our video Just start - Get quickly familiar with MDAV8.
The following outlines the workflow of a typical MDA V8.6 use case:
lStage 1: Add Files
To add measure files, preferably the desired target configuration must
be selected. For more information, see "To add a measure file" on
page29.
lStage 2: Select Signals
In the Variable Explorer, you can use filter and search options to find the
variables (respectively signals) that you want to use in your con-
figuration. Then, you assign the selected variables (respectively signals)
to an instrument. For more information, see "To assign signals to a new
instrument" on page51.
lStage 3: Prepare Analysis
You can enhance and optimize the configuration, for example, by adding
additional signals, instruments, or layers. For more information about
the usage of instruments, see "Instruments" on page80, and about the
layers, see "Using Layers" on page124.
lStage 4: Perform Analysis
You analyze the data, for example, by creating calculated signals, or by
synchronizing instruments. For more information, see "Calculated Sig-
nals" on page57, respective "To synchronize instruments" on page120.
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ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
1.2.2 Getting to Know the Windows
lConfiguration
The configuration is the working area in which you can analyze the
measure files. Signals can be visualized in the instruments and ana-
lyzed. Additionally, multiple layers and multiple instruments can be
invoked inside a single configuration file. This allows you to carry out
multiple analysis simultaneously.
The following docking windows provide specific functionality for different
aspects of the analysis.
lCalculated Signals
In this window, calculated signals can be created and e.g. added to an
instrument for further analysis. For more information, see "Calculated
Signals" on page57.
lConfiguration Manager
The Configuration Manager is a schematic representation of the work-
ing area which allows you to find and display efficiently all items of your
configuration. The content of each configuration with its related layers,
instruments, and signals is displayed in a tree view.
lDisplay Name Rules
In this window, you can create and maintain rules to shorten long signal
names to the relevant string. For more information, see "Defining Vari-
able Name Display" on page38.
lFile Explorer
The File Explorer displays the list of all configuration files that are
opened in the present session of MDA. Additionally, details of the meas-
ure files associated with the configuration are also displayed. The active
configuration is highlighted in bold.
lInformation Window
The Information window provides additional information about the
selected object, like a configuration description, the measure file com-
ment, or meta information for signals.
lInstrument Box
The Instrument Box displays the list of instruments that can be used to
visualize and analyze signals.
lProperties
In this window, you can set and maintain the appearance and behavior
of the instrument properties.
For each instrument property, the tooltip provides a detailed description
of the behavior and the possible options.
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ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
lTime Offset
In this window, you can align data from different measure files with
regard to time.
lVariable Explorer
The Variable Explorer displays the list of variables available for analysis
in the active configuration. For more information, see "Signal Selection"
on page45.
You can select and arrange all windows according to your needs. For more
information, see "Customizing the Window Layout" on page17.
To see how you can optimize the view by defining docking windows behavior
and position, or basic instrument settings, watch our video Optimizing the
View.
1.2.3 Getting More Information
On the Home page and on the Help tab of the ribbon, you find the following
items that help to get more information about MDA V8.6:
What's new
Overview of new functions and program properties
Release Notes
Description of prerequisites and known limitations of the program
Manuals
Access to all available PDF manuals
Videos
Access to all available MDAV8 feature videos
Glossary
Description of common terms used in the program
Hotkeys
Overview of all keyboard hotkeys
Support
Contact information of the ETAS hotline and optionally customer-spe-
cific support information
Info
Version information and Safety Advice
Help
Access to the online help
1.2.4 Undoing or Redoing Actions
You can reverse all changes that are stored in the configuration file. You can
not undo some actions, like for example:
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 13

ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
lsaving or closing a configuration
lcreating and exporting a measure file
lundocking and docking windows
You can perform the following actions:
l"To undo an action" below
l"To redo an action" below
To undo an action
1. On the Quick Access Toolbar click or press CTRL+Z.
To redo an action
1. On the Quick Access Toolbar click or press CTRL+Y.
1.2.5 Operating MDA via Keyboard
The concept for operating MDA V8 via keyboard has three aspects:
Color Description
Within the central configuration area, where instruments are dis-
played, each instrument has its own set of keyboard operations
defined. Navigation between configurations, layers, and instruments
is done using CTRL+TAB.
Around the central area, docking windows for specific tasks are avail-
able. Each docking window is opened with a specific keyboard com-
bination. Within one docking window the navigation is done using
TAB, plus some dedicated keys for important operations.
On top of the application the ribbon offers to trigger global actions.
For most important global actions specific keyboard combinations
are supported.
You can perform the following actions:
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 14

ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
l"To display the hotkey list" below
l"To open and close a docking window" below
l"To navigate between instruments, configurations, and layers" below
To display the hotkey list
To display a list of all hotkeys, press CTRL+F1. The list contains the performed
action, the scope for which the key works and the keyboard combination.
By clicking on the column header, the list can be sorted accordingly. Not
shown in the list are pure navigation keys, e.g. PAGE UP, ARROW LEFT or similar.
To open and close a docking window
1. To open a docking window use the appropriate hotkey for the win-
dow. For more information, see "Customizing the Window Lay-
out" on page17.
2. To jump to another docking window, press the hotkey of the
desired window.
3. To close the active docking window, press SHIFT+ESC.
To navigate between instruments, configurations, and layers
You can use the keyboard to quickly navigate between the instruments, con-
figurations and layers.
1. Press CTRL+TAB.
The Quick Switch dialog appears with the focus on the selected
element on top of the list.
2. To navigate between the columns, press the TAB key.
To navigate backwards, press SHIFT+TAB. Alternatively, you can
use the ARROW RIGHT and ARROW LEFT keys.
3. To navigate within a column, use CTRL+TAB. Alternatively, you can
use the ARROW UPor ARROW DOWN key.
4. To select the instrument, the configuration, or the layer, press the
ENTER or the SPACE key.
The selected element is now in the focus.
1.3 User Settings
Generally, the last used setting for signals, instruments, and window positions
is stored and automatically reused when e.g. restarting the software or when
creating another item of the same type. For example, if you hide the time slider
and change the background color in an oscilloscope, all oscilloscopes that you
create later will have the same appearance. Only a few exceptions exist. For
example, the axis range needs to be set and saved as favorite axis range expli-
citly. For more information, see "To adjust the axis range manually" on
page92.
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ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
The user settings are stored per Windows user in the settings.user file
which is located in:
%LocalAppData%\ETAS\MDA\<MDA version>
When closing MDA, the application creates in the named folder a file set-
tings_8.x.x.x.user. Wherein xdefines the used MDAV8 version.
When starting MDA again, the available settings are loaded. If for the current
MDA version no user settings file exists, the latest user settings of an older ver-
sion are loaded.
You can copy and paste this file into the user folder of another colleague.
To deploy default settings to new users of MDA V8.6 the settings.user file
can be added to the following folder:
%programdata%\ETAS\MDA\DefaultSettings
When a user starts MDA V8.6 for the very first time and no user-specific user
settings files of former MDAV8 versions are available, the default settings are
loaded as initial settings. These are saved as user-specific settings when clos-
ing MDAV8.
The following table shows all settings that are persisted in the set-
tings.user file.
Category Setting
Event List lNumber of decimals for time column
l"Show/hide" setting for columns of unit, device, and raster
lWidth of time column
Folder lFolders for configurations, measure files, exported meas-
ure files, and xda import
Format lFormats for measure files to be added or exported
Instruments l"Show/auto-hide" setting for the instrument header
l"Show/hide/auto-hide" setting for the time slider
Language lLanguage of the user interface
Oscilloscope lBackground color
lCursor modes (anchored/not anchored or sample-wise/-
time-based, or show/hide sample values as cursor tooltips)
l"Show/hide" setting for the cursor tooltips, toolbar, grid
lines and signal list
lSignal list columns and their order
Position lPosition of the quick access toolbar, docking windows, and
the MDAmain window (incl. size)
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ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
Category Setting
Scatter Plot lBackground color
l"Show/hide" setting for the toolbar
Signal lDecimals for value representation
lFavorite axis range
lSample connection (oscilloscope)
lSignal line color (oscilloscope) resp. sample color (scatter
plot)
lSignal line width (oscilloscope)
lSample markers (oscilloscope)
lData representation
lTreat as Boolean (oscilloscope)
Statistical
Data
lOrder and Width of columns
l"Show/hide" setting for columns
Status l"Show/hide" setting for the ribbon
l"Show/hide/auto-hide" setting for windows
Table lFilling option for empty cells
lNumber of decimals for time column
l"Show/hide" setting for rows of unit, device, and raster
lWidth of time column
Variable
Explorer
lColumn settings ("show/hide" setting, order, width)
1.3.1 Setting the Language of the User Interface
You can choose for MDA V8.6 one of five possible languages. Once the lan-
guage is set in the tool, then MDA V8.6 is independent from the language set in
the registry entry (Lang.exe).
To change the language
1. On the Ribbon, select the View tab.
2. In the Startup Languages drop-down menu, select the language.
3. To display MDA V8.6 in the selected language, restart the pro-
gram.
1.3.2 Customizing the Window Layout
By default, the windows of the File Explorer, the Variable Explorer, and the Time
Offset are docked on the left side. The windows of the Instrument Box, the Cal-
culated Signals editor, the Configuration Manager, and the Display Name Rules
are docked on the right side, and the Information Window is located at the
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ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
bottom. You can change the default position and behavior of any of these win-
dows. To see how you can optimize the view by defining docking windows
behavior and position, or basic instrument settings, watch our video Optim-
izing the View.
You can perform the following actions:
l"To show and hide a window" below
l"To autohide a window" below
l"To undock a window" below
l"To dock a window" on the next page
l"To restore the default window layout" on the next page
l"To hide and unhide the ribbon" on the next page
l"To show the quick access toolbar below the ribbon" on page20
To show and hide a window
1. On the Ribbon, select the View tab.
2. In the Show/Hide drop-down menu, select the window that you
want to display.
3. To hide an open window, click .
To autohide a window
1. In the Toolbar of the window, click .
Depending on its previous position, the window is shown as a tab
at the left or right edge of MDA V8.6.
2. When you hover over the title, the window temporarily displays
again until you move the mouse off the window.
3. To stop autohiding the window, click .
To undock a window
To display a window floating above the other MDA V8.6 windows, do one of
the following:
1. Click on the title bar of the window.
2. While keeping the mouse button pressed, move the window to
another position.
or
1. Right-click the title bar of the window.
2. In the context menu, click Float.
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ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
To dock a window
1. Drag the title bar of a floating window to a new position.
2. Do one of the following:
Move the cursor to one of the graphical elements.
The future position of the window is displayed in light gray.
Move the cursor to the title bar of another window.
The future position of the window is displayed in light gray.
3. If the position is correct, release the mouse button.
To restore the default window layout
1. On the ribbon, select the View tab.
2. Click Restore Default Layout.
3. Restart MDA.
The default layout is restored. This includes the positions and
sizes of the of docking windows.
To hide and unhide the ribbon
1. Do one of the following:
Click the arrow on the right side of the Ribbon.
Double-click one of the ribbon labels, i.e. File,Configuration,
View, or Help.
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ETAS 1 Welcome to MDA V8
The ribbon is no longer displayed.
2. To show the hidden ribbon, redo one of the actions described
under step 1.
To show the quick access toolbar below the ribbon
1. To show the quick access toolbar below the ribbon, click the
arrow.
2. Select Show below the Ribbon.
3. To relocate the quick access toolbar again, click the arrow and
select Show above the Ribbon.
1.4 MDA V8 and Other ETASProducts
MDA V8.6 workstogether with the following ETAS products:
lINCA (V7.2.2 or higher)
lEHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR (V6.1 or higher)
1.4.1 Launching MDA fromINCA
When working in INCA, you can directly access MDA V8.6 to analyze the meas-
urement recording.
To launch MDA V8.6 fromINCA
To establish a connection, MDA V8.6 and INCA (V7.2.2 or higher) must be
installed on the same machine.
1. As a prerequisite, you have preselected MDA V8.6 as default MDA
version in INCA under User Options >General tab.
2. Launch MDA V8.6, e.g., by doing one of the following:
After having finished the measurement recording in the exper-
iment environment of INCA, click .
While the recording is still running in INCA, you can take a
snapshot, also by clicking . The recording must be in the
file format *.mdf4.
Please note that the snapshot recording requires a com-
bination of MDA V8.4.1 and INCA V7.3.0 or higher.
For further details about the settings for snapshot recording,
please see the INCA User Documentation.
In the INCA main window, click SHIFT + . Then, select the
measure files that you want to use in MDA V8.6.
MDA V8.6 – User Guide 20