Skunkworks Test Mode Guide

Step 1: Import Environment Configuration

1. Launch Skunkworks

2. Navigate to Tools > Import Environment Configurations

3. A dialog will appear with several configuration flags

4. Select the appropriate flags for your testing scenario, or leave the default settings

5. Click Continue

6. Browse and select the zip file we provided

7. Wait for the import process to complete

8. Close Skunkworks completely

Step 2: Switch to the Imported Database

The import process creates a new database. You'll need to switch to it using pgAdmin.

Step 3: Restart Skunkworks

1. Close pgAdmin (optional)

2. Launch Skunkworks

3. The application will now use the imported test data

4. Continue with the steps below to enable and configure Test Mode

Step 1: Access Basic Settings

1. Launch Skunkworks

2. Navigate to Tools > Options > Basic Settings

Step 2: Enable Test Mode Flag

1. In the Basic Settings dialog, locate the Test Mode checkbox

2. Check the box to enable Test Mode

3. Once enabled, an additional setting will appear: Test Mode Speed

Step 3: Configure Test Mode Speed

• Test Mode Speed: Controls the replay speed of test runs (default: 0.6)

  • Lower values = slower replay

  • Higher values = faster replay

  • Adjust this value based on your testing requirements

4. Click OK or Apply to save your settings

Accessing the Test Mode Tab

Once Test Mode is enabled:

1. Navigate to Method > Edit Method

2. You will see a new tab labeled Test Mode

3. Click on the Test Mode tab

Selecting a Test Run

1. In the Test Mode tab, you will see a list of previously completed runs

2. Select the run you want to replay from the available options

3. The selected run will be used when you start a new run in the system

Running in Test Mode

1. After selecting a test run, start a run as you normally would

2. Skunkworks will detect that Test Mode is enabled

3. Instead of collecting live data from an instrument, the system will:

   • Replay the data from the selected previous run

   • Simulate the run at the configured speed (Test Mode Speed setting)

   • Maintain all normal system behaviors and UI updates

How Test Mode Works

When Test Mode is enabled and a run is started, Skunkworks replays the selected run data in real-time:

• Time-based Replay: Data points are extracted from the recorded run based on time intervals

• Speed Control: The TestModeSpeed parameter controls the time increment between data updates

• Signal Processing: All signals from the original run are replayed

• Run Completion: When all data points have been replayed, the run completes normally

Test Mode Speed Parameter

• Default Value: 0.06 (processes 6 seconds of recorded data per real second)

• Range: Typically 0.01 to 1.0 (adjustable based on testing needs)

• Purpose: Controls how much recorded time advances per real-time second during replay

  • Higher values (e.g., 0.1, 0.5) = faster replay, processes more data per second

  • Lower values (e.g., 0.01, 0.03) = slower replay, allows detailed observation

  • Example: 0.06 means a 60-second run replays in 10 real seconds (6x faster)

Test Mode Tab Not Appearing

• Issue: Test Mode tab does not appear in Method > Edit Method

• Solution: Ensure Test Mode is enabled in Tools > Options > Basic Settings

• Solution: Restart Skunkworks after enabling Test Mode

No Runs Available in Test Mode

• Issue: No runs appear in the Test Mode selection list

• Solution: Verify that the environment configuration was imported successfully

• Solution: Check that you renamed the imported database correctly in pgAdmin (should be named skunkworks)

• Solution: Restart Skunkworks after switching databases to ensure the new data is loaded

• Solution: Verify the imported database contains run data by checking in pgAdmin

Test Run Not Playing

• Issue: Test run starts but no data appears

• Solution: Verify the selected run data is not corrupted

• Solution: Check Test Mode Speed setting (very low values may appear to stall)

• Solution: Review system logs for error messages