System Structure and introduction of Configuration Software

 

In the configuration software, a target application project generated by the configuration occupies a unique physical space (Logical space) in the computer hard disk and can be identified by a unique name, it is called an application. Multiple applications can be stored in the same computer. The configuration software accesses the configuration content through the Application name, open its configuration content and modify it or load its application into computer memory for real-time operation.

The structure of the configuration software is divided into multiple standards. Here we discuss the architecture of the Software Based on the working phase of the software and the composition of the software system members.

I. structure division of Configuration Software

(1) Division by stages of use of software

It can also be said that the configuration software is divided according to the system environment. In general, the configuration software consists of two parts:

1. System Development Environment

It is the work environment that the Automation Engineering engineer must rely on to implement its control scheme and generate the System of the application with the support of the configuration software. Create a series of user data files to generate the final graphic target application system for running in the system runtime environment. The system development environment consists of several configuration programs, such as the interface configuration program and real-time database configuration program.

2. system running environment

In the system running environment, the target application is loaded into the computer memory and put into real-time operation. The system running environment consists of several running programs, such as the interface running programs and real-time database running programs. The configuration software supports online configuration technology, that is, you can directly enter the configuration environment and modify the configuration without exiting the system running environment, so that the modified configuration takes effect directly.

The system development environment must be the first contact of Automation Engineering Design Engineers. Through system configuration and debugging with a certain amount of work, the target application will be put into real-time operation in the system running environment to complete a project.

(2) Division by member composition

The configuration software has powerful functions, and each function is relatively independent. Therefore, its composition form is an integrated software platform, which consists of several program components.

The following typical components are required:

1. Application Manager

Application Manager is a dedicated management tool that provides functions such as application search, backup, decompression, and creation of applications. When the Automation Engineering Design Engineer applies the configuration software for engineering design, the following troubles often occur: the configuration data is often backed up; it is often necessary to reference some of the previous successful application project configuration results (such as the screen); it is often necessary to quickly understand which application projects are saved in the computer. Although these requirements can be implemented manually, they are inefficient and prone to errors. With the support of the Application Manager, these operations will become very simple.

2. Graphic Interface Development Program

Graphic interface development is the development environment on which the graphic system generation works with the support of graphic editing tools. Create a series of user data files to generate the final graphic target application system for running in the graphic runtime environment.

3. Run the program on the GUI

In the system running environment, the graphic target application system is loaded into the computer memory by the graphic interface running program and put into real-time operation.

4. Real-Time Database System Configuration program

Some configuration software only adds simple data management functions in the graphic development environment, so it does not have a complete real-time database system. Currently, advanced configuration software (such as force control) has independent real-time database components to improve the system's real-time performance and improve processing capabilities. The real-time database system configuration program is a configuration tool for creating real-time databases. It can define the structure, data source, data connection, data type, and related parameters of real-time databases.

5. Real-time database system running programs

In the system running environment, the target real-time database and its application system are loaded into the computer memory by running programs of the real-time database system, and various predefined data computing and data processing tasks are executed. Historical data query, retrieval, and alarm management are all completed in the real-time database system running program.

6. I/O Driver

The I/O driver is an essential component of the configuration software. It is used to communicate with I/O devices and exchange data with each other, DDE and OPC client are two common standard I/O drivers used to communicate with I/O devices supporting DDE and OPC. The DDE drivers of most configuration software are integrated into real-time database systems or graphics systems, while the OPC client exists independently.

Optional extension components include:

(1) General Database Interface (ODBC interface) configuration program

The common database interface component is used to interconnect the real-time database of the Configuration Software with common databases (such as Oracle, Sybase, Foxpro, DB2, infomix, and SQL Server) to achieve bidirectional data exchange, A general database can read both real-time data and historical data. A real-time database can also read data from a general database in real time. Common Database Interface (ODBC interface) the configuration environment is used to specify the database structure, field name and attribute, time segment, sampling period, and correspondence between fields and real-time database data of the universal database to be exchanged.

(2) general database interface (ODBC interface) Running Program

The configured universal database connection is loaded into the computer memory, and the data connection between the universal database and the real-time database is established for the specified time segment according to the configured database structure according to the pre-specified sampling cycle.

(3) Policy (Control Scheme) EDIT configuration program

The policy editing/generation component is a PC-centered Core software that implements low-cost monitoring. It has strong logic, arithmetic operation capability, and rich control algorithms. Policy editing/generation components provide users with a standard programming environment based on IEC-1131-3 standards, there are four programming methods: ladder chart, structured programming language, command mnemonic, modular functional blocks. Users are generally accustomed to using modular functional blocks. After configuration is completed, the system will save the configuration content and perform syntax check and compilation on the configuration content.

The compiled target policy code can be run on the same computer as the graphic interface, or downloaded to the target device (such as PC/104, Windows CE, and other PC-based devices).

(4) policy running program

The target system of the configured policy is loaded into the computer memory, and various predefined data computing and data processing tasks are executed. Data exchange with real-time databases is also completed.

(5) Utility communication program components

The utility communication program greatly enhances the functions of the configuration software and can exchange data with third-party programs, which is one of the main manifestations of the value of the configuration software. The communication utility provides the following functions:

① Dual-host redundancy hot backup of the operating station can be realized;

② Implement remote access and transmission of data;

③ The communication utility can use Ethernet, RS485, RS232, PSTN, and other communication media or networks to implement its functions. The utility components can be divided into two types: server and client. server is the data provider and client is the data access provider. Once the server and client establish a connection, data can be transmitted in two ways.

II,Force Control 2.0Architecture

Force Control 2.0 is an integrated software package, where all components can run independently and distributed and exchange data with other components through network service programs. Force Control 2.0 can run on a computer with over 133 Pentium (16 M memory and 1g hard drive.

Force Control 2.0 includes the following parts:

(1)DrawPowerful Man-Machine Interface Configuration Tool

Draw is an integrated development environment that uses an object-oriented graphic object to create an animated display window. The data and graphic display content in these windows can come from process I/O or Microsoft Windows third-party applications.

View provides a highly reliable and fast GUI for running the system. View is used to run the graphic window created by draw. The number of images supported is unlimited, and the data refresh speed is faster than 5 milliseconds.

(2) dBAdvanced Distributed Real-Time Database

DB is the core of the entire application system and the basis for building a distributed application system. It is responsible for real-time data processing, historical data storage, statistical data processing, alarm information processing, and data service request processing of the entire force control application system. Completes two-way data communication with the process. DB and draw constitute the server/customer computing mode. DB on each network node can be built into a complex distributed network application system through network service programs. The data processing capability of a single machine is over 10 thousand points, and historical data can be stored for more than 10 years; the network processing capability can exceed 0.1 million points.

(3) netclientAnd NETServer, High-performance network communication service program

NETServer and netclient adopt the TCP/IP communication protocol internally, which ensures that users can make full use of the Intranet/Internet network resources, ensure that the data refresh speed is faster than 5 milliseconds, and the network data processing capability exceeds 0.1 million points.

(4) I/O ServerThat is, I/ODriver

The I/O Server communicates with various detection and control devices and reads real-time data from process I/O devices, write control commands from graphical interfaces and real-time databases to the I/O device. DB and I/O Server constitute the server/customer computing mode. I/O server is composed of many monolithic programs, each of which can complete the communication functions of specific devices. Currently, 2.0 of the I/O Server family has many members, supports the hardware provided by most mainstream control equipment manufacturers.

In addition, force control 2.0 also contains other optional program components: policy editing generation and Operation Program strategybuilder, the new generation of Automatic Control Software Based on PC-based and embedded systems, in line with IEC1131-3 standards, it provides more powerful and flexible functions than PLC. Force Control web server, application software running on Web server. You can monitor the on-site production process in real time for remote users around the world using standard browsers on desktops or hosts.

Telclient/telserver, which is a simple remote communication program. Anywhere, you can use this component to monitor the remote production process in real time. The only requirement is Modem and telephone line.

Scomclient/scomserver, a low-cost serial communication program. The rs232c/422/485 interface can be used between two computers to implement one-to-one (1:1 mode) communication. If RS485 bus is used, one-to-multiple computers can be implemented (1: N mode) communication.

 

Ref: http://ecaa.gongso.com/automation/lilun/88203.asp