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 Year 2000
Readiness Disclosure |
| ISaGRAPH Programming Suite |
| For local control and data manipulation, the Director and
APEX are loaded with the IEC-1131-3 software-programming suite. It has five different
types of control logic programs that provide the means for local control of the I/O and
data points. With this program, the Director and APEX have the functionality of a PLC/RTU
and even send write commands to other devices based on their data requirements locally
without waiting for a control sent from the Host. As cost is an important criterion in any
system, this is a simple and cost effective means to fit requirements and changes within a
network. The programming suite has the following modules: IEC61131-3 Applications Editor
The applications editor is a comprehensive Computer Aided Software Engineering
(CASE) environment that may be used with any of the APEX platforms. It uses the global
standard IEC61131-3 industrial PLC programming methodologies for designing powerful
applications without the need for high level computer languages or expertise in computer
hardware.
Applications programming begin with the preparation of a
detailed project specification. This step is typically the result of a thorough analysis
of the project requirements by the process designer and programmer.
Project Manager
The project manager allows the definition of the application to be performed in
terms of smaller functional modules. The project manager within the applications language
environment enables the user to exactly define the operation required within each module
and the interaction between modules to form the complete operation.
Functional Module Programming
The next step is the actual programming of the various functional modules. This can
be done in any of the five supported languages. In most cases, the choice of the language
is totally up to the user and depends on the type of operation that is to be performed.
The IEC61131-3 languages
After eight years of work, responding to the need for standards to reduce training
costs and guarantee portability, the IEC issued the IEC61131-3 standard: a specification
of five PLC programming languages that can be freely mixed to completely define automation
and control features. The IEC61131-3 languages are Sequential Function Chart (SFC);
Function Block Diagram (FBD); Ladder Diagram (LD); Structured Text (ST) and Instruction
List (IL). The applications editor supports all of the languages specified in the
IEC61131-3 standard. In addition, a further language based upon standard flow charting
symbology is included. |
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Sequential Function Chart
Graphical Editor
The SFC divides the process cycle into a number of well-defined steps, separated by
transitions. SFC is the core language of the IEC61131-3 standard. The other languages are
used to describe the actions performed within the steps and the logical conditions for the
transitions. |
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Flow Chart
Flow chart allows programs to be developed using conventional flow chart notation.
The language supports both do-until and repeats while constructs. Flow chart is not one of
the languages of the IEC61131-3 specification, but is included as a further option within
the APEX kernel. |
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Function Block Diagram and
Ladder Diagram Graphical Editor
The FBD is a graphical language which allows the user to build complex procedures
by taking existing function blocks from the library, and wiring them together on the
screen. The LD is one of the most familiar methods of representing logical equations and
simple actions. A full graphic ladder logic editor is supported which allows LD and FBD
programming to be mixed on the same screen. |
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Structured Text
and Instruction List Editor
The ST is a high level structured language with a syntax similar to Pascal but more
intuitive to the automation engineer. This language is mainly used to implement complex
procedures that cannot be easily expressed with graphical languages. The IL is a low-level
language, similar to that found within simple PLCs. It is highly effective for smaller
applications or for optimizing parts of an application. |
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ANSI C Editor
Additionally, an optional extension to the package allows procedures to be written
in C and called from any of the five languages supported. The procedures effectively
become an extension of the application editor language. |
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Simulator and Graphical
Debugger
Using the powerful simulator, the user can perform structural and functional tests of each
module. The debugger makes it easy to trace the program execution and see the status of
any internal variable. If needed, the user may force internal status and variables. |
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dynamic mimics tied to the application code to provide a window onto the process Integration Tests
After each functional module is operating, the next step is to ensure that all the
elements are working together in the complete application. All the debug and simulation
tools that are used to test the functional modules can be used to examine and debug the
global application. While it is possible to do this using hardware simulation, the real
benefit comes from the ability to verify the systems performance, in real time, using the
target device hardware.
Document Generator
The applications editor features a self documentation capability that can
automatically generate the projects most current dictionaries, cross reference lists,
instruction lists, structured text, C source files, sequential function charts, function
block and ladder diagrams. The document generator enables a user to build and print
complete written documentation that groups all project items in a coherent document. The
table of contents, page titles and logos can be customized. This tool is fully integrated
with Windows interfaces (cut, paste, print etc.)
Click here
for information on the Director
Click here for information on the APEX
Click here for application notes |
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