Enabling Offline Mode (TSM)

Complete the following steps to enable Offline Mode on a computer without access to NI instruments. Offline Mode remains enabled, including after you exit and relaunch TSM, until you disable it.

Note You cannot enable Offline Mode on an STS or from a TSM Operator Interface.
  1. Install STS Software 19.0 or later or ensure you meet the requirements on the computer on which you want to use Offline Mode.
  2. Obtain an Offline Mode system configuration file and associate it with the test program you want to execute in Offline Mode. If you do not associate an Offline Mode system configuration file with the test program, TSM prompts you for an Offline Mode system configuration file when you enable Offline Mode, but the TSM Operator Interface does not.
  3. Select Semiconductor Module » Enable Offline Mode or click the Enable Offline Mode button on the TSM toolbar to enable Offline Mode. The Enable Offline Mode button icon changes to indicate the current state of Offline Mode and the main menu bar displays an Offline Mode indicator to the right of the Help menu. Additionally, the OfflineMode property of the NI_SemiconductorModule_StandardStationSettings data type indicates the current state of Offline Mode. You can also use the Get Offline Mode VI or the IsSemiconductorModuleInOfflineMode .NET method to check the current status of the Offline Mode setting.

When you enable Offline Mode, TSM creates simulated versions of all instruments defined in the Offline Mode system configuration file. The simulated instruments persist until you disable Offline Mode or execute a test program with a different Offline Mode system configuration file. TSM also renames all physical instruments that conflict with the instruments defined in the Offline Mode system configuration file with an NI_Offline_ prefix to avoid conflicts with simulated instruments and to prevent accidental damage to real instruments. Disabling Offline Mode restores the instrument configuration.

Note To avoid damage to real instruments, do not use simulated instruments and real instruments at the same time.

Enabling Offline Mode might fail when the computer on which you want to use Offline Mode does not include a required instrument driver, an instrument driver does not support simulation for an instrument, or an error exists in the Offline Mode system configuration file. Use the following techniques to resolve the issue:

  • Install any missing drivers.
  • Modify the test program to remove dependencies on unsupported instruments.
  • Fix any errors in the Offline Mode system configuration file.