Configuration software refers to some of the data acquisition and process control of the specialized software, they are in the automatic control system monitoring layer level of the software platform and the development environment, the use of flexible configuration methods. The software is a software platform and development environment at the level of automatic control system monitoring, using flexible configuration methods, to provide users with rapid construction of industrial automatic control system monitoring functions, general level of software tools. Simply put, configuration software is used to develop the production line monitoring screen software, a set of common development tools for various industries. So in the process of using the software, it is inevitable to encounter this or that problem. Therefore, the purchase of software in addition to price considerations, but also rely on the supplier's technical support service capabilities.
With the increasing level of automation, configuration software has been widely used in factories of various industries. iFIX software of GE Intelligent Platform is one of the best among them. The following is mainly about the procurement of iFIX software, some of the notes, I hope to help you
iFIX simple classification of instructions:
First of all, first look at the introduction of the product type of iFIX software, the following will be an example of the first briefly say a few words about the meaning of the term:
iFIX Standard 300-point development version
iFIX Plus 900-point runtime edition
Standard edition: Called the standalone or standalone node edition. It can run on a single computer. If there are more than one iFIX operator stations at the same time, the host computer on which the standalone version of the iFIX software is installed will not be able to communicate with other operator station computers. There is no ODBC driver for iFIX.
Plus Edition: Network Edition, corresponding to Standard Edition, enables data exchange between multiple operator station computers. Includes ODBC driver for iFIX.
300 Points, 900 Points: Here is the number of variables that allow the iFIX software to exchange data with a lower level (e.g., PLC). iFIX is divided into 150 Points, 300 Points, 900 Points, and Unlimited Points versions.
Development version: If the workstation is installed with the development version of the iFIX software, the workstation is available for online development and can run continuously.
Running version: If the running version of iFIX software is installed on the workstation, the workstation can only run continuously and cannot be developed online.
Note: The demo version of iFIX software is capable of supporting 2 hours of development and running. There is no limit to the number of points.
Chapter 1: Device Connectivity
Device connectivity is the first issue that needs to be addressed in a factory data acquisition system. iFIX provides easy connectivity to a wide range of world-renowned devices, as well as communication program development kits to enable users to connect their own non-standard devices to the iFIX monitoring system. The following are some of the areas that are described below.
1. Types of devices:
There are many types of devices that can be connected to iFIX, the main types are: DCS, PLC, controllers, remote modules, fieldbus devices, barcode readers, smart meters, weighing instruments, other computer systems or special devices.
2. Connection:
There are several ways to connect iFIX and devices: through serial port, through industrial network, through standard Ethernet, and other ways such as telephone dialing, microwave devices, radio transmission, leased line connection, etc.
3.
3. iFIX Driver:
The iFIX driver is divided into 6.x and 7.x versions depending on the development tool.
The 6.x version of the driver was developed using the driver development kit ITK and runs on WINDOWS 95/98 and WINDOWS NT. The 6.x version of the driver supports running 8 different drivers on the same PC to connect to 8 different devices. The driver has built-in redundancy, as described in the redundancy system description.
Version 7.x drivers were developed using ASDK or OSDK (OPC Toolkit) and can only run on WINDOWS NT platforms. 7.x drivers provide an OLE Automation interface that can be run independently of iFIX, and can refer to its properties and methods in VB programs. This driver adopts COM/DCOM technology and can be installed and run in C/S structure. That is to say, it can be remotely controlled over the network, such as installing the Client part on iClient, controlling the operation of the Server part over the network, configuring the remote driver, controlling the operation and diagnosing the status. 7.x drivers support unlimited device connection channel definitions, and most of the 7.x drivers are OPC Servers at the same time, which can be connected with standard OPC Clients. The 7.x drivers support unlimited device connection channel definitions.
Click here for a list of drivers
4. Use third-party drivers and OPC Servers
GE FANUC has a large number of automation partners (CAPs) who have written a large number of commercialized drivers and OPC Servers for iFIX in their projects.
5. Examples of the classification of connection methods:
Examples of iFIX drivers;
ABH: Connects to the AB DH+ network using the serial port, simple and easy to use, but the speed is limited by the serial port, and no other AB hardware or software is required. Driver version: 6.x
ABR: More commonly used nowadays, it supports AB's KT, KTC, KTX, KTXD, and Ethernet cards to communicate with PLCs, and also requires AB's RSLinx software support. Note that the RSLinx Lite version cannot be used, the required RSLinx version is RSLinx for Windows NT and 95 v2.00.97.30 or above, OEM versions are also available.
MB1: Available in two versions, 6.x and 7.x, connects to all devices that support the Modbus serial communications protocol via the serial port. Mainly Modicon PLC and other control instruments such as Honeywell UDC, UMC, Moore's control instruments. Supports both Mobus RTU and ASCII protocols. When using it to communicate with other compatible devices, be aware that the data types may differ from those of Modicon. 7.x versions support both telephone dial-up and radio connections.
MMP: Version 6.x, supports Modicon PLCs over Modbus Plus networks. supports dual SA85 NICs, supports 984 series and Quantum series PLCs. supports WIN95 and NT, supports NICs: SA85, SM85, AT-984, MC-984.
MMP: Version 6.x, supports Modicon PLCs over a Modbus Plus network. MBE: Connects Modicon Ethernet communication modules via standard Ethernet cards.
SIE: Connects to the serial communication module CP525 of Siemens S5 PLC through the serial port. 3964R protocol is supported, and other Siemens devices that support this protocol can also be connected.
Si7: Support three ways to connect Siemens S7 series PLC, namely: Profibus (L2), Industrial Ethernet (H1), Standard Ethernet (TCPIP). Three types of connection:
Required Siemens software: SIMATIC NET
OMR: 6.x version driver, connect OMRON Host Link via serial port, WIN95/98/NT platform, support C series, CV series, P series, K series, etc..
GE6: Use GE's CCM2 protocol to communicate with various GE PLCs. The supported OS platform is WIN95/98/NT, PLC types are: 9030/9070 series (through CMM711 communication processor), series 1 (connect to DCU port), series 5 (connect to CCM port), series 6 (connect to CCM or IOCCM module). 6.x version, serial port connection.
Requires Logi?master5 software to set the PLC's station number. Supports GE's Master-Slave protocol method.
G90: Uses GE's SNP protocol to communicate with GE Series 90 PLC. 6.x version, serial connection, supported by Win95/98/NT platform. The communication efficiency of this protocol is higher than that of CCM2.
GE9: Use Ethernet to connect GE 9030/9070 PLC, version 7.x driver, only support NT platform, support standard Ethernet card, but need the corresponding GE Ethernet configuration software, such as connecting to the 9070 PLC,
need GE Intelligent Platform Series 90-70 TCP/IP Ethernet software (Part No:
Requires GE Intelligent Platform Series 90-70 TCP/IP Ethernet software. For connecting 9070 PLC, the GE Intelligent Platform Series 90-70 TCP/IP Ethernet software (Part No: IC651ENS042A) is needed to configure the Ethernet communication module of PLC, and for connecting 9030 PLC, the 90-30/20s series software package (Part No: IC641SWP306L) is needed.
Chapter 2: iFIX Functional Modules
1. Classification of Functional Modules:
According to the different functions of iFIX components, there are two types of iFIX components. different functions of iFIX components, they can be categorized into the following three major groups: server software and options, client software and options, and other components and Internet products. Because of the true C/S structure of iFIX, users can select the appropriate software and options as needed. See the following figure:
2. iFIX software products:
iFIX Server Server: According to the size of the database points are divided into 150 I/O, 300 I/O, 900 I/O, unlimited points I/O, including iFIX IO communication program, process database, real-time background processing, historical data collection. There are no front-end interface tools.
iFIX Client iClient: Divided into development or runtime versions, including front-end interface generation tools, VBA, ActiveX support, security containers, historical data collection, real-time and historical trending, and more. There is no database or IO driver, all data is passed from iFIX Server on the network, including alarms, real-time and historical data.
iFIX HMI Pak: It is a combination of iFIX Server and iClient, divided into 150 I/O, 300 I/O, 900 I/O, and unlimited point I/O.
Server Option:
iFIX OPC Client connector: Enables iFIX to act as an OPC Server so that the user's OPC application can access data from the iFIX process database.
iFIX Redundancy: Required to be purchased in pairs, so that the two iFIX Servers act as Partners and in different roles, switching between master and backup as needed, while the client views the two computers as one. It can be used for network auto-detection, role determination, alarm synchronization, and so on. See the Redundancy section for a description.
Client Option:
iFIX OPC Universal connector: An OPC tool that acts as a Workspace, allowing it to exchange data with the user's OPC application.
Server or Client Related Options
iFIX Auto Alarm: Sends specific alarm point information to specific network nodes via dial-up.
iFIX Recipe: Simple recipe function to download or upload recipes.
SQL Server 7 Standard Edition and SQL Server 7 Client: Microsoft standard products.
VisiconX Enterprise Access ActiveX Controls: A set of ActiveX controls to get RDB data by OLE DB way, which can generate SQL query commands automatically. It can be used as a front-end interface tool for SQL Server and other RDBs.
Development Toolkit:
iFIX Integration Toolkit: Provides a set of API DLLs that allow users to read and write databases via VC or VB, and process alarms and historical data.
iFIX Database Dynamo Toolkit: Provides VC tools that allow you to add block types to the PDB and seamlessly integrate with the database's original 30 or so blocks.
iFIX OPC Toolkit: Provides VC tools to enable users to develop their own communication programs. This toolkit automatically generates the driver framework, so you only need to modify part of the code according to your own communication protocol.
iFIX System Extension Toolkit: Used to integrate the user database with the iFIX front-end interface, mostly for OEM users.
iGlobalcare: iFIX's global product service
4. Database Size Calculation
iFIX pricing is based on the size and functionality of the database, which in turn is based on the type and number of points used by the user.
In general, the types of TAGs involved in the calculation are all related to inputs and outputs, and can be summed up by adding all the points on the hardware that are to be transferred to the iFIX database and all the points that are to be written to the hardware from iFIX, with one switching point counting as one I/O, and other intermediate variable TAGs such as calculations, judgments, totals, timing, and so on, not being counted in the total number of I/Os.
Chapter 3: iFIX Network Architecture
1. Client/Server (C/S) Architecture
Intellution's software design has been very much focused on the network architecture from the very beginning, and the client/server architecture has been present throughout the company's earliest products. The networking capabilities are among the strongest of any product in its class. Notable features include the following:
Support for hardware, software, and protocols: All types of Ethernet connections can be connected, and the supported communication protocols are NETBEUI and TCPIP; however, it is important to note that only one protocol can be used at a time.
Component configuration freedom: the main components are iFIX Server, iFIX Client and HMI Pak, which can be installed on the network according to the specific function.
Network database: All data in iFIX has a unique identifier on the network in the format of Server.Node.Tag.Field, where Server indicates whether the data is FIX or something else, and Node is the node name of the iFIX real-time database, i.e., its unique identifier on the network, which is generally consistent with the name of the computer. The Tag at the end corresponds to the process variable, and the Field corresponds to the corresponding parameter. IFIX database is a real distributed database, users can call out the database of Server from any client through the network to perform various operations, including adding, modifying, deleting Tag definitions, etc., and the operations are online configuration, i.e., there is no need to reload the database, and the modifications will take effect. Because the database is distributed, so any client can get any server database data. In this way, the user only needs to consider the size of the server database according to the IOs in the field, for example, as follows:
On the client iClient, you can see all the IO data and alarms and other information on the HMI Pak and the iFIX Server.
Network Alarm: iFIX database can define various alarm types and support unlimited alarm zone definitions. All alarms occur on the server side, and the alarms that the client can see are all real-time network alarms transmitted from the server, and the alarm operations that the user makes on the client side also act directly on the alarm source of the server. At the same time, iFIX can support a variety of other network alarm methods, such as wireless paging calls for alarms, automatic dialing of alarm calls and other complex methods. There are readily available third-party alarm processing software that can enhance the above features.
Network Historical Data: All historical data can be stored in any Ethernet computer equipped with iFIX, and the Chart Object on the client can read the data in the historical data file on the corresponding network path. Therefore, historical data can be stored on the SCADA Server or on any client computer.
Network operation for I/O communication: Network remote operation is available only in the 7.x version of the communication program. You can install the client portion of the 7.x driver together with the iFIX Client, and then you can control the operation of the I/O Server, online configuration, troubleshooting, etc. over the network.
2. iFIX WAN Connection
Dial-up Network:
The dial-up network supported by iFIX can be through the public **** telephone network or leased line and other ways, which can realize the same function as the ordinary LAN, but the speed will be slower than the LAN, pay attention to the use of this method, use the NT Server and install the Remote Dial-up Service RAS, because only NT Server supports the remote dial-up service RAS. The reason is that only NT Server supports multiple dial-up connections.
iWebServer:
Through iWebServer, a component of iFIX, iFIX's real-time data can be distributed over the WAN, and users can see the real-time information through a standard browser.
Environmental setup: iClient+iWebServer+IIS4.0. where IIS provides standard WWW service, which is in NT Server environment, such as on Workstation, can be realized by Peer Web Service.
Principle of operation: the real-time data dissemination process is such that iClient reads real-time data from the database of iFIX Server, iWebServer converts this data, and all the iFIX standard graphics are converted into HTML format files and JDF files through the tools of iWebServer, and the JDF files in the Applet takes the data out of iWebServer and dynamically updates it in a standard browser. Dynamic data, dynamic graphs, real-time and historical trends, alarm messages, etc. can be displayed in the browser. Users can select the Play Back option, which is a standard Microsoft feature, to play back historical data and historical trends. iWebServer data can be used through proxy servers and network firewalls.
Chapter 4 Enterprise Systems Integration
The new technologies applied by iFIX play a key role in enterprise-level systems integration. its various components can tightly connect the various parts of the enterprise together to complete an integrated information system from the device all the way to the enterprise decision.
1. Relational Database Connectivity
iFIX's process database and its HMI component capture data from the field to the process monitoring computer, and connectivity to the rest of the enterprise, such as ERP or MIS, is accomplished by the other functional components of iFIX. In most MIS systems, there is a relational database, the common ones are: ACCESS, SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, DB2, etc. iFIX exchanges data with the above relational databases mainly through ODBC and OLE DB. The connection methods of these two methods are mainly described as follows:
ODBC:
There are two types of connections: using the ODBC driver of the relational database in iFIX and using the ODBC driver of iFIX in the relational database.
There are several ways to use the ODBC driver to connect in iFIX:
1.1 Using the SQL database block in the PDB:
- Adding a relational database source using the ODBC data source in the control panel
- Configuring the ODBC task for the above source in the iFIX system configuration
- Adding a relational database source using the ODBC data source in the control panel. p>- Add a table in the relational database where the data tables are stored to store the SQL commands to be executed
- Define the appropriate SQT and SQD blocks in the PDB to execute the commands in the above table and store the relevant data.
1.2 Define an ODBC data source directly in iFIX using VBA, call the corresponding methods to read the data, and then display or write the data directly to the iFIX database.
Using the ODBC driver for iFIX to get data in a relational database
You can create a table in the corresponding relational database, use a linked table or an input table, and the available data types are iFIX historical data and real-time data, and then create the required data table by querying.
OLE DB:
This method is mostly used to query relational database data in iFIX. Intellution has a ready-made component, VisiconX, that communicates with the corresponding relational database through the OLE DB driver. VisiconX is a set of enterprise-class relational database connection query tools, which actually provides query connections through the ActiveX form. VisiconX is a set of enterprise-class relational database connection query tools that actually provide query connections through ActiveX. You can display a specified table or query result from a relational database without programming, and if you have complex query conditions, you can automatically generate query commands through VisiconX's SQL wizard.
If you have strong VBA development skills, you can also use VBA commands to exchange data through the OLE DB engine.
2. ERP System Connectivity
The largest supplier of ERP systems is SAP, and Intellution has worked closely with EnvisionIT Software to complete two standard object components for connectivity with SAP R/3 systems. The two components are the FIX SCADA Object and the Visual Batch Object, which connect to the corresponding SAP object or its PP-PI module. Provides bi-directional data exchange. The data exchange with FIX is done via the EDA interface.
At the same time, Intellution works with OSI*** and provides a channel to connect to SAP R/3 via PI. Through this channel, you can connect to the PP-PI, QM, and PM modules of SAP.
Modules for all of the above connections need to be purchased from a third party.
3. Powerful Tools for COM/DCOM, ActiveX Application Connections
The iFIX software's support for COM/DCOM, ActiveX provides a standard channel for connecting applications to each other, and any third-party software or system that supports the above standards can be easily integrated with iFIX. Any third-party software or system that supports the above standards can be easily integrated with iFIX. Any software that supports COM/DCOM can be directly applied in the VBA interface of iFIX in the same way as referencing components of MS Office. controls to ensure stable system operation.
For example, AutoCAD, as long as you have installed AutoCAD, you can insert the ActiveX control it comes with into the iFIX screen to directly display AutoCAD's design drawings.
A variety of instruments and operating panels can also be inserted into the iFIX screen through ActiveX, and a simple connection to the database point can be quickly created.
4. OPC Compatibility
Intellution is one of the founders of the OPC (OLE for Process Control) Foundation, which supports direct OPC data exchange in all aspects of the iFIX product, including OPC Server and OPC Client.
Intellution's OPC Driver supports OPC Server, OPC Client, OPC Client, and OPC Client. Intellution's OPC Driver connects to Intellution's own OPC Server or any third-party OPC Server and provides browsing capabilities on the OPC Server, following the latest OPC standards.
5. Integration toolkit
iFIX provides Integration toolkit as a tool for user application integration, which provides standard interfaces to VC and VB, and allows users to connect the libraries provided by them to user programs to manipulate iFIX databases, alarms, and historical data. In this way, iFIX data can be sent out to any place in any format that the user needs, including cross-platform network data transfer.
Chapter 5 iFIX Redundancy System
Redundancy support for iFIX can be categorized into five levels of functionality, PLC-level, industrial network-level, SCADA-level, LAN, and VIEW client-level.
PLC-level redundancy support refers to dual PLC support, which is configured in the Intellution driver, where the following redundant PLC station numbers can be defined in the form of a primary and backup PLC. Industrial network level redundancy means that Intellution's driver can support dual industrial network card redundancy, which is often referred to as dual channel, and LAN redundancy means that iFIX can directly support dual Ethernet cards, i.e. redundancy between two NetBIOS sessions or redundancy between two TCPIP addresses.
SCADA-level and client-level redundancy*** work together to form the functionality of Auto FailOver, which requires the purchase of iFIX's Redundancy Component Option, purchased in pairs with the SCADA Server.
Software installed on SCADA_A and SCADA_B:
1. iFIX HMI Pak
2. iFIX Redundancy Option (installed with the iFIX installation)
Software installed on the Client:
iFIX Client
Hardware Connection: All computers work together via Ethernet. Hardware connection: all computers are connected via Ethernet. the SCADA server is connected to the hardware device.
Functional Description:
Data Acquisition: The definition of the process database on SCADA_A and SCADA_B is exactly the same. the IO communication on both machines takes place simultaneously. the SCADA_A is configured as the host machine and the SCADA_B is configured as the standby machine. The above is done in SCU.
Redundancy switching process: when setting the remote server name on the client side, the following method is used: there is only one logical name: LINE1, and the actual names are two: SCADA_A and SCADA_B, and when selecting the data source, you will only see a remote computer node name: LINE1. The server sets the Partner of SCADA_A to be SCADA_B, and SCADA_B is SCADA_B. SCADA_B, and SCADA_B's Partner is SCADA_A. Under normal circumstances, both SCADAs read hardware data at the same time, but the client only reads data from the main server, i.e., the client can only see the data coming from LINE1, alarms, and historical data collection. iFIX has an internal network variable, TAG, and SCADA_B is constantly checking the status of SCADA_A via Ethernet. SCADA_A's status, if she is found to be out of order, she will switch the role of the master and the backup and send the message that she has become the master server to the client, and the client will immediately switch the data source to the backup server, and the whole process will take about 1-2 seconds, and no loss will occur because the data collection takes place at the same time in both servers, and the iFIX redundancy option allows for synchronization of the alarms on the network to ensure the The iFIX redundancy option allows for network alarm synchronization, ensuring alarm consistency.
System Repair Process: When the host is repaired and returned to the network, the master and backup states can be manually switched back on the client side. All operations can be accomplished through the network and redundancy role operation screens that come with the iFIX installation. Once the above issues have been determined, the specifications for the software to be purchased can already be finalized. Configuration software is software used to develop the monitoring screen on the production line, a set of development tools common to all industries. So in the process of using the software, it is inevitable to encounter this or that problem. Therefore, the purchase of software in addition to price considerations, but also rely on the supplier's technical support service capabilities.