Application Notes

Application notes are a great way to start with automation

Check out our library of useful examples. Each one demonstrates the simple but powerful automation options of our products. From power analysis to complex fault injection scenarios, you can save a lot of time by starting here.

If you need something more, drop us an email to support@quarch.com and we’ll try to help.

AN-001 – Customizing Glitch & Drive Sequences

This application note provides guidance on customizing power and sideband sequencing using Quarch test automation tools. A customer had a specific timing sequence between PERST, REFCLK and 12V supply on a PCIe storage device that they needed to recreate. This example makes use of the ‘Breaker’ range of products from Quarch, which allows individual control …

AN-002 – Simulating Physical Layer Faults

This application note demonstrates the use of a Quarch breaker module to inject standard forms of physical layer faults onto a high-speed data bus such as SAS, SATA, or PCIe. The example is also relevant for other interfaces like USB, CAN, and RJ-45. It will work with any Quarch breaker module, but you may need …

AN-003 – Plugfest Hotswap Testing

This application note provides guidance on performing hotswap testing for U.2 NVMe drives, following the UNH-IOL Plugfest test methodology. It utilizes Quarch modules in combination with the QuarchPy and QuarchQCS Python packages to automate the process. This procedure ensures compliance with Plugfest requirements, validates hot-plug performance, and helps identify potential drive or host issues. ⬇ …

AN-006 – Python Control of Quarch Modules

This application note demonstrates how to automate control of Quarch Modules using the quarchpy Python package. It provides an example script showing scanning for modules, connecting to a module, sending commands, and using responses. All Quarch modules are compatible with at least one of the tests within this script. So regardless of what quarch module …

AN-011 – Driving Signal on PCIe Modules

This application note demonstrates how to drive signals on Quarch PCIe modules using the quarchpy Python package. It provides an example script showing how to scan for modules, connect to a module, set up driving functions, and combine them with other features. This script is specifically targeted at a GEN5 U.2 breaker module (QTL2651) but …

AN-012 – Python Control of Power Modules via QIS

This application note demonstrates the control of Quarch Power Modules via QIS using the quarchpy Python package. Automating via QIS provides a lower overhead compared to running QPS (Quarch Power Studio) in full, but still offers easy access to data for custom processing. This example script streams data from a Quarch power module and dumps …

AN-014 – Hardware Triggering and Examples

This application note demonstrates the hardware triggering feature of Quarch modules. It provides example scripts for setting up and using hardware triggers on Quarch modules. These scripts include scanning for modules, connecting to a module, and configuring the modules for specific triggering scenarios. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-015 – Automating with QPS

This application note demonstrates automated control over Quarch Power Studio (QPS) using Python scripts. It provides example scripts for adding annotations and data points to a QPS stream, setting up the power output, and more. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-016 – QPS Performance Test with Iometer

This application note demonstrates using Iometer and Quarch Power Studio (QPS) to run performance tests on a drive, with power and performance data displayed. The example script allows users to select an Iometer target, configure test parameters, and visualize the results. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-017 – QPS Performance Test with FIO

This application note demonstrates using FIO and Quarch Power Studio (QPS) to run performance tests on a drive, with power and performance data displayed. The example script allows users to configure test parameters, run FIO workloads, and visualize the results. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-018 – SATA Hotswap Testing (LEGACY)

This application note demonstrates using a Quarch module to perform SATA hotswap testing. The example script allows users to configure test parameters, run hotswap cycles, and verify the results. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-019 – HD-PPM Calibration

This application note provides detailed steps for calibrating HD Programmable Power Modules (PPM). It includes the necessary requirements, hardware setup, software installation, and a step-by-step guide to perform calibration. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-020 – Module Control with Config Files

This application note demonstrates how to control Quarch modules using configuration files. The provided script shows how to use configuration file data to determine the capabilities of a Quarch module, connect to the module, and print various sections of the configuration to the terminal. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-021 – QPS Automation and Post Processing

This application note demonstrates basic automation with Quarch Power Studio (QPS) and post-processing of raw data after recording. The example script records data at a high rate and post-processes it to lower rates, ending with 100uS and 500uS sample rates. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-022 – QIS Automation and Post Processing

This application note demonstrates basic automation with Quarch Instrument Server (QIS) and post-processing of raw data after recording. The example script records data at a high rate and post-processes it to lower rates, ending with 100uS and 500uS sample rates. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-023 – Python HD Streaming Example (no QIS)

This application note demonstrates basic automation with Quarch Power Modules using Python without the Quarch Instrument Server (QIS). The example scripts show how to record data at a high rate and post-process it to lower rates, ending with 100uS and 500uS sample rates. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-026 – QIS Interaction Example

This application note demonstrates how to interact with Quarch Instrument Server (QIS) using Python. The example script shows how to stream data from a Quarch Power Module and save it to a CSV file. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-027 – GPU Power and Load Example

This application note demonstrates automated control over Quarch Power Studio (QPS) for capturing GPU power and load metrics. The example script shows how to add annotations and datapoints to a QPS stream. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-029 – QIS Capture In-Memory Example

This application note demonstrates control of power modules via Quarch Instrument Server (QIS) and saving the outputted QIS data in-memory. Automating via QIS provides a lower overhead than running Quarch Power Studio (QPS) in full but still provides easy access to data for custom processing. This example uses quarchpy functions to stream data from a …

AN-030 – Merging Custom Data into QPS Trace

This application note demonstrates the merging of custom data into a Quarch Power Studio (QPS) trace. The example script pulls in custom user data from another source (a water meter in this case) and creates new channels in QPS. It then imports the data into those channels. Note that the files supplied here will import …

AN-031 – QIS AC PAM Example

This application note demonstrates control of AC power modules via Quarch Instrument Server (QIS) and saving the outputted QIS data to a CSV file. Automating via QIS provides a lower overhead than running Quarch Power Studio (QPS) in full but still provides easy access to data for custom processing. This example uses Quarchpy functions to …

AN-033 – Multi Device QPS Streaming

This application note demonstrates a multi-device setup, where 2 Quarch modules can be connected at once in QPS with the data combined in a single analysis. Multi-device setup allows for measurement of a wider range of channels, or (for example) to view both AC and DC sides of a power supply ⬇ Download Zip Example …

AN-032 – Multi Device Power Streaming

This application note demonstrates capturing power data from multiple devices simultaneously using the Quarch Instrument Server (QIS) and the quarchpy Python package. The automated capture allows data from multiple instruments to be gathered at the same time, and with lower overhead than running QPS. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-028 – QIS Capture with FIO

This application note demonstrates how to capture data using Quarch Instrument Server (QIS) and Flexible I/O Tester (FIO). The example script shows how to run an FIO test and merge the output with the QIS stream data into a single CSV file. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-025 – QPS Window Averaging Example

This application note demonstrates post-processing of Quarch Power Studio (QPS) output to calculate the worst-case active power consumption using a user-specified averaging window. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

AN-024 – HD-PPM Pattern Example

Here we show how to create a complex pattern using a simple python script. In this case we will create a ‘chirp’ on the rail. This can be increased in magnitude until a drive failure is detected. ⬇ Download Zip Example Source

QPS Example Data

Example recorded data trace for viewing in QPS

Programmable Power Module Vs Scope

A simple comparison between the Quarch Programmable Power Module and an alternative power measurement option using an oscilloscope and current probes

AN-008 – Excel PPM Data Visualiser

This application note includes a simple Excel worksheet that can take streamed Power Module data and allow post processing and graphing. It can re-average data (for instance allowing data to be converted to a 1 second sampling rate) and display a subset of the recorded file.

AN-007 – Java Stream App for Power Modules

The Java based Stream! application allows cross platform USB streaming of data from a PPM, at up to 15k Samples/second. This example app allows both viewing and saving to CSV file. The source code is available on request. This may require Firmware updates of your module. QTL1824 (XLC Modules), must be hardware revision -03 or …

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