Project editor is the first and foremost tool needed in order to configure a project. Start Project Editor from system menu, an untitled Project Editor shall load as per below. The Project Editor is split into one hierarchy tree view and its associate tabulate content on the right. And an output window for displaying information after configuration is being validated.
Project Editor screen shot before loading any work.
To start working on a new project, click - . A pop up prompting a project name shall display as below. This project name will be treated as project ID which will be used through out the whole project. Carefully choose a short and precise name without any space. Only alphabets and numbers are allowed. Press OK to create a new project.
Saving and naming a new project.
Below showing a newly created project comes with basic default configuration which is ready to run. Click on the Run button shall launch the server right away.
Start running a new project.
All window panes can be reposition by dragging the individual window to any desired layout according to personal preference. And all columns within each Tab can be dragged around to be reposition for better visibility according to frequency of usage. Moreover, all Tabs also can be dragged around for split view for ease of comparison or references.
Project Editor layout or view can be fully customized. Picture showing Tree Menu and File Menu are closed. Then Tag Pane and Script Pane has been placed side by side for ease of reference.
- General
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A default working template will be created, all necessary entries and links shall be entered automatically. For instance, Internet Explorer shall be automatically launched with the associated file path once the project is started. Note that the project ID will also be automatically created based on the new project name entered earlier.
Start running a new project.
- Timer
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Timer configuration is the engine that triggers the whole project to run. Three of the tasks that required Timer for triggering are Data Logging for trending, Scripting Logic that need to be looped through, and Tag polling from devices. Several default entries have been made to make configuration works easy. For instance, SEC01 will be triggered in every second, SEC02 will be triggered in every two seconds and so on and so forth.
- Port
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Port folder consists of Device folder, Device folder yet consists of Tag table entry. The hierarchy totally illustrated the relationship between Port, Device and Tags. One port may have one or more Devices attached to it, and depending on project size, one Device may have several to thousands of tags attached to it. The template has been pre-configured with a COM port and ETH port.
- Device
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One Device has been pre-configured for Modbus Serial protocol. And another Device has been pre-configured for Modbus Ethernet protocol. However, engineer must ensure the port setting is completely match with device's communication setting. There will always be one Virtual Device which connect to nothing but simply allow engineer to enter non I/O tag into it.
- Tag
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The Tag System hierachy is like a tree structure, Tag is under Device, yet Device shall be under Port. As such first step is to determine how is the device(s) being connected to the SCADA server. Is it via Serial Com port or Ethernet Port? Then name a Device under the created port and choose the communication protocol (device driver). After that all that needs to be done is creating list of tags that associate with the data addresses in the device(s). For any tag that do not need link to external device, it shall be entered as virtual tag under virtual device. To enter a new tag, simply add in the tag details at the last row.
Tag entry into Project Editor.
- Database
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Database is used for logging data for alarm or event, trending or reporting. No additional work is required to setup a real time database system, a Microsoft Access database will always be added into a newly created project folder. If larger or more reliable database is needed, user could opt for any external ODBC compliant database.
- User
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The default users created shall be sufficient in common applications. These users are only needed if security system need to be implemented.
- Alarm
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Enter alarm entry as shown.
Alarm entry into Project Editor.
- Script
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The scripting language used is based on standard JavaScript. There are a lot of resources on the web to pick up this ubiquitous Internet language, as such this manual will not describe anything on JavaScript. VBScript is also supported if targeted browser is restricted to IE only.