ETAS MDA V8 User manual

ETAS MDA V8
Measure Data Analyzer
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 stipulated in the contract.
Under no circumstances may any part of this document be copied, reproduced,
transmitted, stored in a retrieval system or translated into another language
without the express written permission of ETAS GmbH.
© Copyright 2023 ETAS GmbH, Stuttgart
The names and designations used in this document are trademarks or brands
belonging to the respective owners.
MATLAB and Simulink are registered trademarks of The MathWorks, Inc. See math-
works.com/trademarks for a list of additional trademarks.
MDA V8 | User Guide R06 EN | 06.2023

Contents
1 Safety and Privacy Information 7
1.1 Intended Use 7
1.2 Target Group 7
1.3 Privacy Notice 7
2 Installation 9
2.1 System Requirements 9
2.2 Installing the Software 9
2.3 Licensing 9
3 Basics 10
3.1 Getting to Know the Basic Workflow 11
3.2 Getting to Know the Windows 12
3.3 Undoing or Redoing Actions 14
3.4 Operating MDA via Keyboard 14
3.5 User Settings 16
3.5.1 Setting the Language of the User Interface 17
3.5.2 Customizing the Window Layout 18
3.6 Supported File Formats by MDA V8 20
3.7 MDA V8 Add-Ons 22
3.7.1 Command Line Tools 22
3.7.2 Supporting Bus Trace Files (BLF) 23
3.7.3 Video Instrument 23
3.7.4 Connecting to an ODS Server 23
3.8 Interoperability with ETAS Products 23
3.8.1 Launching MDA fromINCA 23
3.8.2 Connecting MDA to EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR 24
3.9 Finding Out More 25
4 Configuration Creation 27
4.1 Maintaining Configurations 27
4.1.1 Creating, Saving, and Closing Configurations 27
4.1.2 Searching within the Configuration 29
4.1.3 Exporting a Configuration 30
4.1.4 Importing an XDX Configuration 30
4.1.5 Importing an XDAConfiguration 31
4.1.6 Importing a ZDX Configuration 32
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4.1.7 Importing Calculated Signals via XCS Export File 32
4.1.8 Adding Configuration Comments 33
4.2 Maintaining Measure Files 33
4.2.1 Adding, Replacing, and Removing Measure Files 33
4.2.2 Defining a Time Offset for a Measure File 37
4.2.3 Measure File Comment and Other Meta Information 38
4.2.4 Indication of File Index Status 39
4.3 Exporting and Converting Measure Data 39
4.4 Defining Variable Name Display 42
4.5 Handling of Special Files 44
4.5.1 Using Label Files (LAB) 44
4.5.2 Loading a Bus Trace File (BLF) 45
4.5.3 Extracting Measure File Attachments 45
4.5.4 Using Calibration Data Exchange Files (CDF) 46
5 Layers and Instruments 47
5.1 Layers 47
5.1.1 Using Layers 47
5.1.2 Displaying Previews 49
5.2 Instruments 50
5.2.1 Maintaining Instruments 52
5.2.2 Oscilloscope 53
5.2.2.1 Oscilloscope's Toolbar 54
5.2.2.2 Adjusting the Signal List 55
5.2.2.3 Zooming 56
5.2.2.4 Using Strips 57
5.2.2.5 Using Axes 60
5.2.2.6 Basic Navigation 64
5.2.2.7 Using Cursors 64
5.2.2.8 Adjusting Signals 68
5.2.2.9 Creating a Bound in a Strip 70
5.2.3 Scatter Plot 70
5.2.3.1 Adjusting Signals 71
5.2.3.2 Zooming 71
5.2.3.3 Using Strips 72
5.2.3.4 Using Axes 72
5.2.3.5 Using Cursors 73
5.2.3.6 Using Bounds 74
5.2.4 Table 76
5.2.5 Statistical Data 79
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5.2.6 Event List 80
5.2.7 GPS Map 83
5.2.8 Video 85
5.2.9 Battery Imbalance Table 86
5.2.10 Time Navigation and Synchronization 87
5.2.10.1 Synchronizing Instruments 88
5.2.10.2 Navigating with the Time Slider 90
5.2.10.3 Zooming with the Time Slider 91
6 Signal Selection 93
6.1 Defining Display Name in the Application 93
6.2 Defining the View in the Variable Explorer 93
6.3 Sorting and Filtering 94
6.4 Extracting Bits from a Signal 98
6.5 Assigning Signals to Instruments 99
6.6 Displaying Signal Information 101
6.7 Reusing the Signal Name in Other Applications 102
7 Calculations 104
7.1 Functions 104
7.1.1 Managing Instances 105
7.2 Calculated Signals 106
7.2.1 Defining Calculated Signals 108
7.2.2 Managing Calculated Signals 110
7.2.3 Examples for Calculated Signals 111
7.2.3.1 Extracting Bits or Bit Fields from an Integer 111
7.2.3.2 Calculating RMS 112
7.2.3.3 Using Enumeration Signals 113
7.2.3.4 Applying Calculations to Specific Samples 113
7.2.4 Calculated Signals Details 118
7.2.4.1 Data Types 118
7.2.4.2 Formula Syntax 119
7.2.4.3 Reduction 122
8 Troubleshooting 128
8.1 Access to the Online Help 128
8.2 Support Function in Case of System Errors 128
MDA V8 | User Guide
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9 Contact Information 130
10 Appendix 131
10.1 Import Calculated Signals from XDA Files:Differences between MDA V7 and MDA V8131
10.1.1 Constants 132
10.1.2 Standard Operations 132
10.1.3 Operations of type "Single Bit" 133
10.1.4 Operations of type "Bitmask" 133
10.1.5 Operations of type "Limit Monitoring" 134
10.2 Behavior of Calculated Signals Depending on the Status Flag 134
10.3 Custom Operations 136
10.4 Using Command Line Arguments 142
11 Glossary 144
Index 152
MDA V8 | User Guide
Contents | 6

1 Safety and Privacy Information | 7
1 Safety and Privacy Information
1.1 Intended Use
The ETAS Measure Data Analyzer (MDA) software allows you to evaluate ECU
and vehicle measurement data in MDF (Measurement Data Format) format. MDA
V8 enables quick processing even with large files and data volumes as regards
the number of signals, measured values per signal, and channel groups.
The MDA V8 data analysis tool can be used for a variety of applications:
Visualization and evaluation of ECU and vehicle measurement data
Evaluation of extensive measurements
Data extraction from measure files
Conversion of MDF formats
Adjustment of measurement grids
Working with MDA V8 offers many advantages:
Intuitive use
Fast processing with numerous signals and large measure files
Fast zooming and scrolling in long measurement series with the oscil-
loscope
Easy calculation of derived signals
Consistent data management when applying a time offset to a measure
file
Simple comparison of relevant findings using cross-instrument syn-
chronization
Easier interpretation of the measurement data thanks to the direct con-
nection to EHANDBOOK and its ability to clearly display the ECU software
documentation
1.2 Target Group
This manual addresses personnel who wants to evaluate measure data, espe-
cially when working in the fields of automobile control unit development and cal-
ibration. To operate MDA, general knowledge of computer operation procedure is
sufficient. For a reasonable interpretation of the data, understanding of the recor-
ded signals and their meaning is required.
1.3 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
MDA V8 | User Guide

1 Safety and Privacy Information | 8
accordance with Art. 4 No. 7 of the General Data Protection Regulation
(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 iden-
tification 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 clas-
sic anti-theft and access protection on the measurement hardware. Personal
data in log files can be deleted by tools in the operating system.
Data Categories
When 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
When 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
delete it manually from the logfiles.
When using the GPS Map instrument, GPS data points are not sent to the
external data provider, but processed and visualized internally within the tool. Par-
ticularly the following personal data and/or data categories which can be traced
to a specific individual is used for the purpose of visualization:
Measurement Data: GPS data points
When using the GPS Map instrument, particularly the following personal data
and/or data categories, that can be traced to a specific 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
attacks on their infrastructure:
Communication Data: IP address
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2 Installation | 9
2 Installation
2.1 System Requirements
For the latest information on the needed system requirements, see the Release
Notes in the Service Pack Installer located at Installation File\Docu-
mentation\ReleaseNotes or, after the MDA installation, at %Pro-
gramFiles%\ETAS\MDA8.6\Documentation\Readme.
2.2 Installing the Software
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:
How to install MDA as an administrator
How to install the software using the INCA Service Pack Installer
How to customize the network installation
How to customize the support information
2.3 Licensing
A valid license is required for using V8.6. You can obtain the license file required
for licensing either from your tool coordinator or through a self service 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.
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3 Basics | 10
3 Basics
In MDA V8 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 content for the different views. MDA
provides many useful functions such as zooming, scrolling, or synchronizing dif-
ferent views.
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.
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3 Basics | 11
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34.
Import XDA
Imports an existing configuration in XDA format. For more information,
see "Importing an XDAConfiguration" on page31.
Recently Used
Contains a list with the recently used configurations.
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128.
The following section provides you an overview of the basic steps and windows in
V8.6.
3.1 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 use case:
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3 Basics | 12
Stage 1:
Add Files
To add measure files, select the desired target configuration. For
more information, see "To add a measure file" on page34
Stage 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 sig-
nals) to an instrument. For more information, see "To assign signals
to a new instrument" on page99.
Stage 3:
Prepare
Analysis
You can enhance and optimize the configuration, for example, defin-
ing a time offset (see "Defining a Time Offset for a Measure File" on
page37), creating calculated signals (see "Defining Calculated Sig-
nals" on page108), and adding additional signals, instruments, or lay-
ers. For more information about the usage of instruments, see
"Instruments" on page50, and about the layers, see "Using Layers"
on page47.
Stage 4:
Perform
Analysis
To analyze the data in a configuration, for example, by creating cal-
culated signals, or by synchronizing instruments. For more inform-
ation, see "Calculated Signals" on page106, respective "To
synchronize instruments" on page90. You can use the zoom func-
tion to navigate to a specific time segment and get the best rep-
resentation of the data. Using cursors allows you to get more precise
values at timestamps and synchronizing several instruments enables
you to monitor them in parallel and identify correlations. For more
information, see "Using Cursors" on page64, respective "To syn-
chronize instruments" on page90.
Stage 5:
Report
Results
Document your findings, for example by printing the oscilloscope's
view or by exporting only relevant measure data into a new file. For
more information, see "Exporting and Converting Measure Data" on
page39.
3.2 Getting to Know the Windows
Configuration
The configuration is the working area in which you can analyze the meas-
ure files. Signals can be visualized in the instruments and analyzed. Addi-
tionally, multiple layers and multiple instruments can be invoked inside a
single configuration file. This allows you to carry out multiple analysis sim-
ultaneously.
The following docking windows provide specific functionality for different
aspects of the analysis.
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3 Basics | 13
Calculations
In this window, calculated signals and function instances can be created.
The resulting signals can be used like ordinary signals for further analysis.
For more information, see "Calculated Signals" on page106 and "Functions"
on page104.
Configuration Manager
The Configuration Manager is a schematic representation of the working
area which allows you to find and display efficiently all items of your con-
figuration. The content of each configuration with its related layers, instru-
ments, and signals is displayed in a tree view.
Display 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 Variable
Name Display" on page42.
File Explorer
The File Explorer displays the list of all configuration files that are opened in
the present session of MDA. Additionally, details of the measure files asso-
ciated with the configuration are also displayed. The active configuration is
highlighted in bold.
Information Window
The Information window provides additional information about the selected
object, like a configuration description, the measure file comment, or meta
information for signals.
Instrument Box
The Instrument Box displays the list of instruments that can be used to
visualize and analyze signals.
Notifications
In this window, you can find all warning and error messages. The newest
message is always at the top. You can open the Notifications window by
clicking on the message in the status bar.
Properties
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.
Time Offset
In this window, you can align data from different measure files with regard
to time.
Variable Explorer
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The Variable Explorer displays the list of variables available for analysis in
the active configuration. For more information, see "Signal Selection" on
page93.
You can select and arrange all windows according to your needs. For more inform-
ation, see "Customizing the Window Layout" on page18.
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.
3.3 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:
saving or closing a configuration
creating and exporting a measure file
undocking and docking windows
You can perform the following actions:
"To undo an action" below
"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.
3.4 Operating MDA via Keyboard
The concept for operating MDA V8 via keyboard has three aspects:
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3 Basics | 15
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:
"To display the hotkey list" below
"To open and close a docking window" below
"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 window. For
more information, see "Customizing the Window Layout" on page18.
2. To jump to another docking window, press the hotkey of the desired win-
dow.
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.
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3 Basics | 16
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.
3.5 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 cre-
ating 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 explicitly. For
more information, see "To adjust the axis range manually" on page62.
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 settings_
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 version are
loaded.
You can copy and paste this file into the user folder of another colleague.
To deploy default settings to new users of V8.6 the settings.user file can be
added to the following folder:
%programdata%\ETAS\MDA\DefaultSettings
When a user starts 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 closing MDA V8.
The following table shows all settings that are persisted in the settings.user
file.
Category Setting
Event List Number of decimals for time column
"Show/hide" setting for columns of unit, device, and raster
Width of time column
Folder Folders for configurations, measure files, exported measure
files, and xda import
Format Formats for measure files to be added or exported
Instruments "Show/auto-hide" setting for the instrument header
"Show/hide/auto-hide" setting for the time slider
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Category Setting
Language Language of the user interface
Oscilloscope Background color
Cursor modes (anchored/not anchored or sample-wise/-
time-based, or show/hide sample values as cursor tooltips)
"Show/hide" setting for the cursor tooltips, toolbar, grid lines
and signal list
Signal list columns and their order
Position Position of the quick access toolbar, docking windows, and
the MDAmain window (incl. size)
Scatter Plot Background color
"Show/hide" setting for the toolbar
Signal Decimals for value representation
Favorite axis range
Sample connection (oscilloscope)
Signal line color (oscilloscope) resp. sample color (scatter
plot)
Signal line width (oscilloscope)
Sample markers (oscilloscope)
Data representation
Treat as Boolean (oscilloscope)
Statistical
Data
Order and Width of columns
"Show/hide" setting for columns
Status "Show/hide" setting for the ribbon
"Show/hide/auto-hide" setting for windows
Table Filling option for empty cells
Number of decimals for time column
"Show/hide" setting for rows of unit, device, and raster
Width of time column
Variable
Explorer
Column settings ("show/hide" setting, order, width)
3.5.1 Setting the Language of the User Interface
You can choose for V8.6 one of five possible languages. Once the language is set
in the tool, then V8.6 is independent from the language set in the registry entry
(Lang.exe).
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3 Basics | 18
To change the language
1. On the Ribbon, select the View tab.
2. In the Language drop-down menu, select the language.
3. To display V8.6 in the selected language, restart the program.
3.5.2 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-
culations, the Configuration Manager, and the Display Name Rules are docked on
the right side, and the Information Window is located at the bottom. You can
change the default position and behavior of any of these windows. 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.
You can perform the following actions:
"To show and hide a window" below
"To autohide a window" below
"To undock a window" below
"To dock a window" on the next page
"To restore the default window layout" on the next page
"To hide and unhide the ribbon" on the next page
"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 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 V8.6 windows, do one of the fol-
lowing:
1. Click on the title bar of the window.
2. While keeping the mouse button pressed, move the window to another pos-
ition.
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3 Basics | 19
or
1. Right-click the title bar of the window.
2. In the context menu, click Float.
To dock a window
1. Drag the title bar of a floating window to a new position.
2. Do one of the following:
lMove the cursor to one of the graphical elements.
The future position of the window is displayed in light gray.
lMove 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:
lClick the arrow on the right side of the Ribbon.
lDouble-click one of the ribbon labels, i.e. File,Configuration,View, or
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3 Basics | 20
Help.
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.
3.6 Supported File Formats by MDA V8
For measure files, the following file formats are supported:
"Binary file formats" below
"ASCII-based textual formats" below
Binary file formats
MDA V8 can read and write all versions of the MDF (Measurement Data Format)
file format:
MDF format V3.x *.dat
ASAMMDF V4 format (*.mdf,*.mf4)
These formats offer efficient and high performance storage of huge amounts of
measurement data. Especially ASAM MDF V4 supports the indexation (see "Indic-
ation of File Index Status" on page39) and compression of measure data in line
with the ASAM (Association for Standardization of Automation and Measuring
Systems) standard. The file format allows storage of raw measurement values
and all necessary meta information for its interpretation (see "Measure File Com-
ment and Other Meta Information" on page38).
MDA V8 additionally supports only specific format dialects of MATLAB®.
ASCII-based textual formats
ASCII-based file formats are usable when exchanging signal data between tools
which have no other common file format. Such files contain for the signals only
physical data, and are not defined to include as much meta information as MDF
files. Moreover, when using textual file formats the tool performance is not as
high as with MDF files.
MDA V8 supports a variety of textual measure file formats. There are basically
two different format variants for handling multiple rates also known as data
groups.
MDA V8 | User Guide