LDA Navigator
The LDA Navigator is shown in the upper left window of the three-window interface used by both the Weibull and ALT modules. When both of these modules are in use, under Analysis type, the LDA Navigator displays analysis types for both modules: Life Data, Warranty, Degradation, ALT and Accelerated Degradation.
When only the Weibull module is in use, the LDA Navigator shows the three Weibull analysis types: Life Data, Warranty, and Degradation.
When only the ALT is in use, the LDA Navigator shows the two ALT analysis types: ALT and Accelerated Degradation.
In the Data sets area, you view and insert folders and data sets for the selected analysis type.
For the Weibull module:
When Life Data is selected under Analysis type, four top-level folders are shown under Data sets:
Life Data
Non-Parametric Life Data
Reliability Growth
Multiple Data Set Plots
When Warranty or Degradation is selected under Analysis type, a single top-level folder is shown under Data sets. This folder has the same name as the analysis type (Warranty or Degradation).
For the ALT module:
When ALT is selected under Analysis type, four top-level folders are shown under Data sets:
Life Data
Stress Profiles
Accelerated Test Plans
Multiple Data Set Plots
When Accelerated Degradation is selected under Analysis type, a single top-level folder is shown under Data sets. This folder has the same name as the analysis type (Accelerated Degradation).
In both the Weibull and ALT modules, when Life Data is selected under Analysis type, a top-level folder named Multiple Data Sets Plots is shown under Data sets. In this folder, you insert special data sets for plotting multiple data sets simultaneously. For more information, see Plotting Multiple Life Data Sets Simultaneously.
You cannot delete top-level folders or insert new top-level folders. However, under a top-level folder, you can insert and delete any number of child folders or data sets. When you delete a child folder, you delete all child items. To collapse and expand folders, you use the same method available for the system tree. For more information, see Expanding and Collapsing Branches.
Top-level folders specify the parameter values inherited by any data set or folder that you insert directly under it. If you need to insert many data sets with different parameters, using folders makes both the insertion and organization of data sets much easier. Instead of having to specify many parameter values for each data set that you insert, you need only to create a folder and specify default parameter values for it. Then, when you insert a data set under this folder, you have to enter only override parameter values and its data points. For more information, see:
The following table shows the icons representing the different types of data sets inserted beneath top-level folders when both the Weibull and ALT modules are in use. The first three analysis types are for the Weibull module. The last two analysis types are for the ALT module. Because the type of data set selected in the LDA Navigator determines the panes that are shown in the other two windows, the descriptions below reference topics where comprehensive information is found.
Analysis Type
Icon
Description
Life Data
Data sets inserted for parametric life data analysis, non-parametric life data analysis, and reliability growth analysis. For more information, see LDA (Life Data Analysis).
Data sets to simultaneously graph on the same Weibull plot. For more information, see Multiple Data Set Plots for Life Data Analysis.
Warranty
Data sets for warranty analysis. For more information, see Warranty Analysis.
Degradation
Data sets for degradation analysis. For more information, see Degradation Analysis.
ALT
Data sets for accelerated life testing. For more information, see ALT Analysis.
Data sets to simultaneously graph on the same ALT plot. For more information, see Multiple Data Set Plots for ALT Analysis.
Acceleration Degradation
Data sets for accelerated degradation analysis. For more information, see Accelerated Degradation Analysis.
When you select a folder in the LDA Navigator, one window displays the panes in which to specify the parameter values that the data sets and folders inserted under it are to inherit. In the other window, the Data Points pane displays the following message:Insert or select a data set to enable the Data Points Table.
When you select a data set in the LDA Navigator, one window displays the panes in which to specify override parameter values. The other window displays the panes for entering data points and viewing generated plots and possibly calculation results.
When you are viewing data sets in the LDA Navigator, you can cut, copy, and paste them between the child folders for a particular analysis type. For example, within the Life Data folder, you can cut a data set in one of its child folders and paste it into another of its child folders. When you paste a data set within a folder, it retains its own parameter values. It does not inherit the default parameters for its new parent folder.
Because the type of data collected in a data set varies from one top-level folder to another, you cannot paste a data set across top-level folders. For example, when using the Weibull module, you cannot cut a data set in the Life Data folder and paste it into the Reliability Growth folder.