Signal Details Panel

WEBfactory 2010

Signal Details Panel

Abstract

Signals are the basic components of your WEBfactory 2010 Studio Project. Learn everything you need to know about the WEBfactory 2010 Signals.

The Signal Details panel, located at the bottom of the main view, displays the complete set of signal properties. The same properties are available in the signals grid. The Signals Details panel is split in two tabs: General, containing the general signal properties and VChannel, containing the virtual channels and scripts-related signal properties.

The General and VChannel tabs of the Signal Details panel

Warning

Any change applied in the Signal Details panel is applied only when the Save button is pressed.

The General tab contains the general signal properties. These properties can be found also in the signals grid.

UI Option	Description
Active	If checked, the signal is active in WEBfactory Server.
Signal name	The name of the signal in WEBfactory Studio.
Description	Optional signal description.
Connector address	The address of the signal in the OPC server.
Write group	The write group to which the signal belongs.
Discrete Value Type	The combining group of discrete values. The discrete values are used by WEBfactory 2010 Scheduler to manipulate a device depending on the hour of the day. The Discrete Value Type containing several discrete values can be attached to a process signal (in the Signal list) so that WEBfactory 2010 Scheduler can assign the value of one of the Discrete Values inside the Discrete Value Type to the process signal when needed.
OPC enabled	Works in conjunction with the WEBfactory 2010 Server acting as an OPC server (usually the WEBfactory 2010 Server acts as an OPC client). When this option is enabled, the signal value will be sent to the WEBfactory 2010 WCS OPC server, so other OPC clients can access the value from the WEBfactory 2010 Server like from an OPC server.
Log User Activity	If checked, the user activity for this signal will be logged.
Factor X1	A real value of the PLC used to transform the signal value using a mathematical formula into a SCADA readable value Y1. The transformation is based on a XOY coordinate system and needs 4 values (X1, X2, Y1, Y1) to be applied.
Factor X2	A real value of the PLC used to transform the signal value using a mathematical formula into a SCADA readable value Y2. The transformation is based on a XOY coordinate system and needs 4 values (X1, X2, Y1, Y1) to be applied.
Factor Y1	The SCADA value of the X1 PLC value. The transformation is based on a XOY coordinate system and needs 4 values (X1, X2, Y1, Y1) to be applied.
Factor Y2	The SCADA value of the X2 PLC value. The transformation is based on a XOY coordinate system and needs 4 values (X1, X2, Y1, Y1) to be applied.
Minimum	Sets the minimum signal value for writing. If a value smaller than this limit is written, the minimum value will be sent to the control unit.
Maximum	Sets the maximum signal value for writing. If a value bigger than this limit is written, the maximum value will be sent to the control unit.
Unit	Optional measurement unit for the signal's value. If present, the unit can be used further in visualizations.
Substitute value	Enables the usage of the substitute values. If checked, a substitute value is used when the minimum value is not reached or the maximum value is exceeded.
Hysteresis	Sets absolute or relative hysteresis value for signal visualization. Here, hysteresis refers to the difference between consecutive signal values of a signal. Only field-level signal values are taken into account.
Log Hysteresis	Sets absolute or relative hysteresis value for logs. Here, hysteresis refers to the difference between consecutive signal values of a signal. Only field-level signal values are taken into account.
Alarm Hysteresis	Sets absolute or relative hysteresis value for alarms. Here, hysteresis refers to the difference between consecutive signal values of a signal. Only field-level signal values are taken into account.
Assigned to log(s)...	Notifies the user if the selected signal is assigned to any logs. Clicking on the link will open the logging panel.
Assigned to alarm(s)...	Notifies the user if the selected signal is assigned to any alarms. Clicking on the link will open the alarming panel.

The VChannel tab allows the user to generate virtual signals in WEBfactory 2010Studio. The virtual signals can be used to create scripts for various tasks using different signal values or to generate collective alarms.

Learn more about WEBfactory 2010 Virtual Channels and Scripting from the article here.

The virtual signals are created using VChannels (virtual channel). The VChannel's input parameters are the signal values. Several VChannels can be linked one to another.

The VChannel tab

The VChannel can be activated or deactivated using the Activate VChannel checkbox. The Calculation base of the VChannel can be either Script or Collective Alarm.

The Script calculation base allows the user to define a VB script in the script editor using signal variables as input signals.

UI Option	Description
Initialization value	Sets a constant (named MyInitValue). When the system starts, the MyInitValue constant will be made available.
Data type	Set the data type for the WriteSignal () function. Can be: Default: Float, Integer or Boolean String
	Input signal's index number. Input signals are referenced in the script by index numbers.
	Move the input signal up in the list. The signal's index number changes.
	Move the input signal down in the list. The signal's index number changes.
Add	Opens the Select Parameter window that allows the user to add signal as input signals.
Remove	Remove the selected input signal.
Signal value	Sets the starting signal value for the MySignalValue variable. The MySignalValue variable is used to query the value of the virtual signal variable.
Result	The resulted value is calculated by testing the script and corresponds with the value of the VChannel at run time.
Execute	Runs the script.
	Open the VChannel Library functions window and allows the user to add functions from the library to the script editor.

The script editor contextual menu gives the user quick access to Input Signals and Library Functions.

The Collective Alarms calculation base allow the user to integrate several alarms in a VChannel as a collective alarm. The value of the virtual signal at run time will be the number of active alarms from the Collective Alarms.

Collective alarms

UI Option	Description
Signal Name	The name of the signal attached to the alarm.
Alarm Name	The name of the alarm.
Add	Opens the Collective Alarms window and allows the user to add alarms to the VChannel.
Remove	Removes the selected alarms.

Select Parameters Window

Abstract

Check out this article and learn how to select parameters for the WEBfactory 2010 Studio Signals.

The Select Parameters window allows the user to add signal variables as input parameters in the VChannel scripts. The signals grid lists the available signals, displaying the Signal Name, Connector address and the OPC Enabled parameters of every available signal.

The user can select multiple signals to be added as input variables to the script calculation base of the VChannel by holding the Ctrl key and selecting the signals or toggle selections by using the Select All and Invert Selection buttons.

The Select parameters window

The Select Parameters dialog supports filtering and the usage of wildcards.

Collective Alarms Window

Abstract

Check out this article and learn more details about the Collective Alarms window in the WEBfactory 2010 Studio application.

The Collective Alarms window allows the user to select alarms and add them to the VChannel as collective alarms. The alarms are listed along with their Alarm Name and the name of the associated signal in the alarm grid.

Adding collective alarms

The tree view allows the user to select different connectors and different alarms for adding them as collective alarms.

Tip

Multiple items can be selected by clicking on them while holding down the Ctrl key.

The user has the possibility to filter the alarms based on the columns form the main view and their values.

Virtual Channels and Scripting

Abstract

This article describes the WEBfactory 2010 Studio Virtual Channel Signals and how to use the scripting function.

WEBfactory 2010 allows the creation of virtual signals (VChannels) which are not loaded using any connector. Virtual signals can be used for different purposes – e.g. sum calculation of various entry signals, collective alarms generation

Scripts make possible the merging of different process variables, via simple calculation specifications, as well as complex processing of script functions.
Scripts are always carried out on WEBfactory 2010 server-side.
Library functions make the use of recurring script blocs easy and maintainable.
Using the ReadSignal and WriteSignal functions, scripts may access process variables.

VChannels are created and compiled in the WEBfactory 2010Studio. The procedure of adding VChannels is analogue to the adding of regular signals.

VChannels are color-coded differently (blue), unlike regular signals.
In order to handle a signal as VChannel, the Activate VChannel check box must be set.

The image below explains the configuration of VChannels:

Entry parameters (entry signals). Each time an parameter value changes, the script of the VChannel will be triggered.
VChannel calculation script (VBScript).
The script can be test run directly after the configuration.

The VChannels calculation basis can be one of the following:

Script
Collective alarm

When using a script as a base of calculation, generally all possibilities of the WindowsScriptingHost can be used. Using VBScript script language both simple functions (e.g. reading and writing process variables and database access) as well as complex operations at the operative system level (e.g. WMI, FSO) are possible.

Note

The maximum size of the script is 5000 characters.

A collective alarm allows various alarms to be summarized. The virtual signal value will show at run time the amount of selected activated alarms.

Examples

Summing of two process values and subsequent output

Script:

Sub GetResult()
	Result = X("Setpoint 1") + X("Setpoint 2")
End Sub

The process signals Setpoint 1 and Setpoint 2 are defined as entry signals for this VChannel:

Entry parameters can be accessed by different syntaxes in the script: X(„SIGNAL NAME“) or X(INDEX NUMBER OF ENTRY ITEM) – e.g. X(1).

Writing to other process signals depending on the entry signal

Script:

Sub GetResult() 
If (X(1) > 0) Then
            WriteSignal "Setpoint 1", 1,"",""
            WriteSignal "Setpoint 2", 1,"",""
            WriteSignal "Setpoint 3", 1,"",""
            Result = 1
        Else
            WriteSignal "Setpoint 1", 0,"",""
            WriteSignal "Setpoint 2", 0,"",""
            WriteSignal "Setpoint 3", 0,"",""
            Result = 0
        End If
End Sub

ReadSignal and AckAlarm are other WEBfactory 2010 standard functions.

Database query and result output in the VChannel script

In the following example, the number of rows in the Signals table is returned.

Script:

Sub GetResult() 
    Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
    Set rs = CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset")
    cn.Open("Provider=SQLOLEDB.1;Persist Security Info=False; Data Source=(local)\WEBfactory2010;Initial Catalog=DemoProject;User Id=sa;Password=webfactory")
    rs.Open "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Signals", cn
    Result = rs.Fields(0).value
    cn.Close()
End Sub

Use of script libraries

Especially in the case of recurring functions (e.g. conversions) it is advisable to store them in a VChannel library.

In the following example the temperature value is converted from Celsius to Fahrenheit:

The call-up of this function in the VChannel:

Sub GetResult() 
    Result = ConvertTemp(X(1))
End Sub

VChannel Library Functions Window

Abstract

Before using the VChannel Library function please read this article and learn more about it.

The VChannel Library Functions window allows the user to add functions from the library to the script editor. The functions are listed in the grid along with their Name, Description and Code properties.

Scripts Library

Functions can be defined and stored in the library using the Function Builder.

The Function builder

UI Option	Description
Name	Displays the name of the function.
Description	The function's description.
Code	The code editor can define functions or subs. Functions: Subs:
Add	Adds the function to the library.
Delete	Deletes the selected function from the library.
Save	Saves the changes.
Close	Closes the function library.

In this section:

WEBfactory 2010

Signal Details Panel

Warning

Select Parameters Window

Collective Alarms Window

Tip

Virtual Channels and Scripting

Note

Examples

Summing of two process values and subsequent output

Writing to other process signals depending on the entry signal

Database query and result output in the VChannel script

Use of script libraries

VChannel Library Functions Window

Search results