ANY-maze Help > The ANY-maze reference > The Protocol page > The elements of a protocol > Behaviour > Virtual switches > Setting up a virtual switch > Specifying what will cause a virtual switch to turn on

Specifying what will cause a virtual switch to turn on

In brief

You should use the drop-down list on the virtual switch's settings page to specify what will cause the switch to turn on. There are 5 options available to you - three are used to threshold an instantaneous value, and two are used to group other on/off items.

Details

The options available are:

When the measure selected below is greater than a certain value

Use this option to threshold the instantaneous value of a measure, such that the switch is on when the value of the measure is greater than (or equal to) a certain value. You will have to specify the value in the upper limit field. You will also be able to optionally enter a lower limit, so as to add hysteresis to the switch.

When the measure selected below is less than a certain value

Use this option to threshold the instantaneous value of a measure, such that the switch is on when the value of the measure is less than a certain value. You will have to specify the value in the lower limit field. You will also be able to optionally enter an upper limit, so as to add hysteresis to the switch.

When the measure selected below is between certain values

Use this option to threshold the instantaneous value of a measure, such that the switch is on when the value of the measure is between two values. You will have to specify the lower limit (which the value must be greater than or equal to) in the lower limit field and the upper limit (which the value must be less than) in the upper limit field.

When all of the items selected below are active

Use this option to create a virtual switch which will be on when a group of other on/off type items are active. In this case, ALL the items will need to be active simultaneously for the virtual switch to be 'on'.

When any of the items selected below are active

Use this option to create a virtual switch which will be on when a group of other on/off type items are active. In this case, if ANY of the items is active, the virtual switch will be 'on' and will remain 'on' until all the items are inactive.

As well as being used in results analysis, virtual switches are generally available for use during the test itself, so you can see information about the virtual switch such as when it is activated, how long it was active for, etc. You can also use it as an event within a procedure.

However, there are some selections which mean that the virtual switch will only be available after the test has finished - i.e. during results analysis - and you can find out more information about this under Why some virtual switches are only available after the test has finished.