PlatSim_Genova/LAUNCHER_GUIDE.md

GRIFO_M_PBIT Simulation Mode - Launcher Guide

Overview

This document describes the launcher scripts for executing GRIFO_M_PBIT test in simulation mode without physical hardware.

Available Launchers

1. run_simulate_simple.bat (RECOMMENDED)

Best for: Quick testing with any Python installation

How it works:

• Uses the Python wrapper script to configure environment
• Works with system Python (3.7+) or embedded Python
• Automatically configures paths to use local test environment packages
• Bypasses uPlatSim.exe complexity

Usage:

cd C:\src\____GitProjects\SXXXXXXX_PyBusMonitor1553\__OLD\__TEST_GENOVA\GrifoAutomaticTestEnv
run_simulate_simple.bat

Requirements:

• Python 3.7 or higher available in PATH
• Or: Run with explicit Python interpreter (see alternative usage below)

Pros:

• ✅ Simple and straightforward
• ✅ Works with any Python 3.7+
• ✅ Easy to debug
• ✅ No dependency on uPlatSim.exe

Cons:

• ⚠️ May have minor package version differences if using system Python

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2. run_simulate.bat (PRODUCTION-LIKE)

Best for: Testing with exact production environment

How it works:

• Uses embedded Python from PlatformSimulator/bin/
• Executes via uPlatSim.exe in batch mode
• Creates temporary INI configuration for simulation mode
• Mimics production execution environment

Usage:

cd C:\src\____GitProjects\SXXXXXXX_PyBusMonitor1553\__OLD\__TEST_GENOVA\GrifoAutomaticTestEnv
run_simulate.bat

Requirements:

• uPlatSim.exe must be present in PlatformSimulator/bin/
• Embedded Python environment (python37.dll)

Pros:

• ✅ Uses exact production Python version (3.7)
• ✅ Identical package versions as production
• ✅ Closest to real test environment

Cons:

• ⚠️ Depends on uPlatSim.exe supporting batch mode without hardware
• ⚠️ More complex execution path

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3. python_simulate_wrapper.py (MANUAL)

Best for: Advanced users, debugging, custom Python interpreters

How it works:

• Python script that configures environment paths
• Can be executed with any Python interpreter
• Provides detailed environment configuration output
• Verifies all required packages before test execution

Usage:

# Using system Python
python python_simulate_wrapper.py

# Using specific Python version
py -3.7 python_simulate_wrapper.py

# Using embedded Python (if available as standalone)
PlatformSimulator\bin\python.exe python_simulate_wrapper.py

# Direct execution (if Python associated with .py)
python_simulate_wrapper.py

Requirements:

• Python 3.7 or higher
• fpdf2, defusedxml, PIL, pyserial, pyvisa packages (available in env/site-packages/)

Pros:

• ✅ Maximum flexibility
• ✅ Detailed diagnostic output
• ✅ Easy to modify for custom scenarios
• ✅ Cross-platform compatible

Cons:

• ⚠️ Requires manual Python invocation

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Execution Flow

All launchers follow this pattern:

Launcher Script
    ↓
Configure Environment Paths
    ↓
Verify Dependencies
    ↓
Execute GRIFO_M_PBIT.py --simulate
    ↓
Simulation Mode Detection
    ↓
Import GRIFO_M_PBIT_mock.py
    ↓
setup_simulation()
    ↓
Run Test with Mock Objects
    ↓
Generate PDF Report

Which Launcher Should I Use?

Decision Tree:

1. Do you want the simplest option?

   • YES → Use run_simulate_simple.bat
   • NO → Continue

2. Do you need exact production environment?

   • YES → Use run_simulate.bat
   • NO → Continue

3. Do you want maximum control and diagnostics?

   • YES → Use python_simulate_wrapper.py manually
   • NO → Use run_simulate_simple.bat

Recommendations by Use Case:

• First-time testing: run_simulate_simple.bat
• Development/debugging: python_simulate_wrapper.py
• Production validation: run_simulate.bat
• CI/CD integration: python_simulate_wrapper.py (scriptable)
• Quick test execution: run_simulate_simple.bat

---

Troubleshooting

Error: "No Python interpreter found in PATH"

Solution:

# Option 1: Add Python to PATH temporarily
set PATH=C:\Path\To\Python;%PATH%
run_simulate_simple.bat

# Option 2: Use wrapper directly with full path
C:\Path\To\Python\python.exe python_simulate_wrapper.py

# Option 3: Use py launcher (if available)
py python_simulate_wrapper.py

---

Error: "ImportError: cannot import name 'FontFace'"

Cause: Using system Python with incompatible fpdf2 version

Solution:

# The wrapper script should handle this automatically by prioritizing
# local site-packages. If it persists:

# Check Python path priority
python python_simulate_wrapper.py

# Look for this output:
#   Configuring environment paths:
#     [+] ...\TestEnvironment\env\site-packages

# If site-packages is not first, check sys.path modification in wrapper

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Error: "uPlatSim.exe not found"

Cause: Using run_simulate.bat without embedded environment

Solution:

# Use the simple launcher instead
run_simulate_simple.bat

# Or verify uPlatSim.exe location
dir PlatformSimulator\bin\uPlatSim.exe

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Test Runs but No PDF Report Generated

Check:

1. Console output for errors
2. Log file: TestEnvironment\LOG\GRIFO_M_PBIT.log
3. PDF reports folder: TestEnvironment\pdf_reports\

Common causes:

• fpdf2 package issues
• File permission problems
• Disk space

---

Output Files

After successful execution, find results in:

Log File:

TestEnvironment\LOG\GRIFO_M_PBIT.log

PDF Report:

TestEnvironment\pdf_reports\GRIFO_M_PBIT_<timestamp>.pdf

Report includes:

• Executive summary
• Per-run detailed results with serial statistics
• Aggregate statistics (pass/fail rates, timing)
• Serial communication analysis (Errors, Fatal, Recycles)
• Dedicated recycle events section
• Test configuration and environment info

---

Advanced Usage

Custom Python Environment

# Create virtual environment with specific Python version
python -m venv grifo_test_env
grifo_test_env\Scripts\activate

# Install required packages from test environment
pip install fpdf2==2.7.8 defusedxml pillow pyserial pyvisa

# Run wrapper
python python_simulate_wrapper.py

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Modifying Simulation Parameters

Edit TestEnvironment\scripts\GRIFO_M_PBIT_mock.py:

# Adjust PBIT duration (default: 15-25 seconds)
PBIT_TIME_MIN = 10.0  # Faster for testing
PBIT_TIME_MAX = 15.0

# Change scenario
SIMULATION_SCENARIO = 'pedestal_fail'  # Or 'random_failures'

# Enable/disable serial message simulation
SIMULATE_SERIAL_ERRORS = True
SIMULATE_SERIAL_FATAL = True
SIMULATE_SERIAL_RECYCLE_EVENTS = True

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Running from Different Directory

# Using absolute paths
cd C:\any\directory
python C:\src\...\GrifoAutomaticTestEnv\python_simulate_wrapper.py

# Or use batch file with full path
C:\src\...\GrifoAutomaticTestEnv\run_simulate_simple.bat

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Continuous Integration Example

# GitHub Actions / GitLab CI example
test_simulation:
  script:
    - cd __OLD/__TEST_GENOVA/GrifoAutomaticTestEnv
    - python python_simulate_wrapper.py
  artifacts:
    paths:
      - TestEnvironment/pdf_reports/*.pdf
      - TestEnvironment/LOG/*.log
    when: always

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Summary

Launcher	Simplicity	Production-Like	Flexibility	Recommended
run_simulate_simple.bat	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	✅ Yes
run_simulate.bat	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	For production
python_simulate_wrapper.py	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	For debugging

Quick Start: Use run_simulate_simple.bat for immediate testing.

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Questions?

For issues or questions:

1. Check TestEnvironment\LOG\GRIFO_M_PBIT.log for detailed error messages
2. Review the Troubleshooting section above
3. Verify Python version: python --version (must be 3.7+)
4. Check package availability: python -c "import fpdf; print(fpdf.__version__)"

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Related Documentation

• README_SIMULATION.md - Simulation mode overview and features
• GRIFO_Test_Environment_Analysis.md - Complete environment analysis
• IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md - Technical implementation details