SoftPLC Runtime Software Functionality

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SoftPLC Runtime Software Functionality Features
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SoftPLC Architecture
Overview Block Diagram of SoftPLCs Internal,
Modular Architecture
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Operation

• PC boots, then SoftPLC loads
• Scan cycle is synchronous (read inputs, scan
  logic, send outputs)
• Deterministic scan (hard realtime)
• Operating modes like PLC (Program, Run, Remote)
• Online run-mode program changes
• Troubleshooting tools like PLC (Runtime Fault
  detection/correction, I/O Forcing)

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Operation

• Multiple tasks scheduled by SoftPLC
  (communications, logic scan, I/O update, etc.)
• Configuration options allow user to optimize
  performance
• Number/type of communication channels how often
  they are scanned
• Shut-down/power loss action

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Performance

• Speed based on hardware selections, number of
  active ports application programming

Program scan times in msec
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Data Table

• PLC-5 Data Table Types/Addressing
• Binary, integer, floating point, timers/counters,
  PID, strings and others
• 10,000 Data Table Files of 10,000 elements each
• Status File for fault analysis,
  system time/date, etc.
• Output/input file size determined by
  size of runtime purchased

except for O, I, S files
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User Logic

• PLC-5 ladder logic program structure
• Up to 10,000 subroutines of 10,000 rungs each
• Instruction set combines PLC-5, SLC-500, and
  unique SoftPLC functions
• Logic documentation stored in SoftPLC

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TOPDOC Loadable Modules (TLMs)

• Loadable functions
• Created using SoftPLC Programmers Toolkit
• Written in C/Java
• API of helper functions (similar to those on an
  RTOS)
• TLMs can be instructions or drivers
• I/O drivers are TLMs
• SoftPLC provides a number of instruction TLMs

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Example SoftPLC Provided TLMs

• COMGENIE - ASCII instructions (up to 36 COM
  ports)
• LOG DATA - Selected data to file
• .001 TIMERS - Very fast/high resolution timing

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Other Example TLMs

• Computations
• Fourier transforms, load balancing, . . .
• Special non-PLC functions
• DCS process blocks, SENDMAIL
• Device interfaces
• Modbus, Motion Controllers, PC I/O boards, UPS
• Proprietary logic embedded in function

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Properties Memory Area

• Internal relational database
• 2 column, multiple tables
• Ladder instructions to read and/or
  process data
• Ideal for warehousing,
  sorting, recipe, RFID
  applications

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I/O Support

• Total digital I/O maximum 16K
• Analog I/O above and beyond digital total
• Up to 16 I/O drivers can be loaded at once
• Drivers are also TLMs
• I/O forcing supported
• A-B RIO driver supports block transfer

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Included I/O Drivers

• Tealware local remote
• Modbus TCP
• A-B RIO -1771, SLC-500 (1746), Flex, Block
  compatible devices
• Profibus, DeviceNet, Interbus
• Variety of PC I/O (ISA, PCI, PC/104 bus)
• Serial Wireless I/O (ICO-7000 Series)
• Third party drivers also available

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Communications

• Networks for HMI/SCADA, program monitoring, PLC
  peer-to-peer, etc.
• SoftPLC appears as PLC-5
• Virtually all HMI/SCADA and many other 3rd party
  devices supported
• Up to 32 networks per system
• Ethernet
• Serial (DF1 or Modbus)
• Data Highway Plus or Data Highway

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FTP Server

• FTP File Transfer Protocol, used for TCP/IP
  exchanges of files
• SoftPLC has embedded FTP Server, many FTP clients
  are free
• Example uses
• Update/backup SoftPLC configurations files
• View/retrieve SoftPLC files, documentation

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SSH Server

• Encrypted secure communications
• All capabilities of FTP Server
• Command shell access remotely
• Run programs
• Diagnostics

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Remote File Access

• SoftPLC can be a file access client to a server
  running on any of the following server software
• Microsoft Windows File Sharing
• Samba
• NFS
• Novell Netware
• This means SoftPLC can easily read or write
  production data to a remote disk

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Syslog

• SoftPLC uses syslog for user messages
• User Messages include
• operating mode
• startup status or faults
• runtime faults
• Syslog messages can be directed to any output
• ram fifo
• local file, disk or ramdisk
• remote file on a windows PC running a syslogger
• Helps users comply with FDA 21CFR11

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Java Virtual Machine

• SoftPLC has embedded deterministic JVM
• Users can write Java TLMs
• eg SQL Interface
• SoftPLC can run Java applications
• Java applications based in other systems can
  access SoftPLC realtime data
• Endless possibilities for e-Automation . . .

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Web Server Module

• Add-on software module for SoftPLC
• Allows browsers to access SoftPLC files and data
• Applets (run in browser, but reside in SoftPLC)
• Servlets (run in SoftPLC, good for remote
  applications, secure)

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TOPDOC NexGen
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TOPDOC

• TOPDOC - used for offline/online development,
  monitoring troubleshooting, program
  documentation
• Written in Java
• Multiple platform support
  (eg Windows, Linux)
• Multiple language support
  (eg native Chinese,
  Arabic character
  support)

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Unique TOPDOC Features

• Automatically recognizes
  displays TLIs, adds them
  to menu
• Program CLIPs for easy
  reuse of logic blocks

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A-B Conversions

• SLiCk Convert - web based utility to convert
  SLC-500 applications to SoftPLC
• includes Tealware I/O equivalents
• PLC-2, PLC-5 conversion services from SoftPLC for
  150 per program
• most convert 90-100
• SoftLogix, PLC-5/250 PLC-3 conversion services
  quoted per application

may be higher if manual intervention necessary
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SoftPLC

• Redefining Automation Technology