SoftPLC Runtime Software Functionality & Features

1. SoftPLC Runtime Software Functionality & Features

2. SoftPLC Architecture Overview Block Diagram of SoftPLC’s Internal, Modular Architecture

3. 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)

4. 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

5. Performance • Speed based on hardware selections, number of active ports & application programming Program scan times in msec

6. 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

7. 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

8. TOPDOC Loadable Modules (TLM’s) • Loadable functions • Created using SoftPLC Programmer’s Toolkit • Written in C++/Java • API of “helper functions” (similar to those on an RTOS) • TLM’s can be instructions or drivers • I/O drivers are TLM’s • SoftPLC provides a number of instruction TLM’s

9. Example SoftPLC Provided TLM’s • COMGENIE - ASCII instructions (up to 36 COM ports) • LOG DATA - Selected data to file • .001 TIMERS - Very fast/high resolution timing

10. Other Example TLM’s • 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

11. “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

12. 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 TLM’s • I/O forcing supported • A-B RIO driver supports block transfer

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Java Virtual Machine • SoftPLC has embedded deterministic JVM • Users can write Java TLM’s • eg: SQL Interface • SoftPLC can run Java applications • Java applications based in other systems can access SoftPLC realtime data • Endless possibilities for e-Automation . . .

20. 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)

21. TOPDOC NexGen

22. 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)

23. Unique TOPDOC Features • Automatically recognizes & displays TLI’s, adds them to menu • Program CLIP’s for easy reuse of logic blocks

24. 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

25. SoftPLC Redefining Automation Technology