ibaLogic
Signal processing and automation
At a glance
·
PC-based system for signal processing,
controlling and simulation
·
Graphical programming according to IEC 61131-3
·
Client-/Server principle
·
PAC architecture
·
Different runtime platforms
·
Easy program creation and intuitive operation
·
User-specific function blocks and data types
·
Embedding of existing C(++) algorithms
·
Hierarchical design and macro technology
·
Program modifications during operation possible
·
Embedded data recording
·
Integrated ibaPDA Express for measurement value
indication
·
Event tasks
·
Tasks can be interrupted (according to their
priority)
·
Playback of measurement files
One System for
Many Applications
ibaLogic
is a system for signal processing and automation.
The
fifth generation of the ibaLogic system, which already functions reliably in
many industrial applications, has been programmed in a new way and provided
with an up-to-date interface. Based on the architecture of a Programmable
Automation Controller (PAC) ibaLogic uses both powerful PCs and special runtime
environments such as ibaPADU-S-IT2x16 to solve the problems of a classical PLC.
ibaLogic
is mainly used in measurement and control technology for fast and dynamic
processes. Short program cycle times of 1 ms and deterministic runtime enable
this. Thanks to easy handling, seamless integration of iba-products for
measurement technology and an outstanding price/performance ratio many
applications areas are available.
Significant
application areas
·
Signal manager in the measurement technology
·
Complex signal pre-processing (e. g. for
vibration monitoring and measurement systems)
·
System coupling when modernizing automated
systems
·
Full system automation
·
Process simulation
·
Energy management and facility engineering
·
Realization of process models for optimization
·
Research, training and science
The Program
Concept
To meet
constantly changing demands to automation and measurement technology, we have
developed a program concept which guarantees required flexibility for the
future development.
Among
other things it is characterized by:
·
Client/Server architecture
·
Based on a database (Microsoft SQL Server)
·
Program editor is connected to the runtime
system via TCP/IP communication
These
features allow that the application runs on an independent system (PC or
ibaPADU-S-IT) and can be programmed and monitored by a development PC or
notebook.
The
project data (e.g. programs and configurations) are stored centrally in a
database.
PAC architecture
ibaLogic
has been programmed according to architecture of Programmable Automation
Controller (PAC). A characteristic of the PAC-architecture is the combination
of PC-typical features and IT standards with the automation functions of the
PLC technology.
This
allows to combine the functions of the process and system control with
application of such standards as Windows XP/CE, HTML, SMTP, FTP and SQL as well
as Ethernet, TCP/IP, USB, CAN-Bus etc. In case of ibaLogic the PAC architecture
has been additionally extended with the measurement and data recording
functions.
Therefore,
iba AG defines the system as „Programmable Measurement and Automation
Controller“ (PMAC).
Easy program
creation and intuitive operation
Simple
graphical programming and user-friendly operation concept make it easy to start
working with ibaLogic for beginners as well as experienced programmers.
The
control, configuration and operation of the program elements can be carried out
intuitively and easily due to clear arrangement of the windows.
All
important functions are visible at a glance or can be found in the context
menus. Settings and configurations can be selected by means of dialog boxes.
The user interface is divided into two main areas.
Program designer
The
Program designer is the main window of the programming interface. In this
window the actual "programming work" is performed, i.e. here you can
place the function blocks and link them to each other.
On the basis of the background colour you can
directly determine if the program is functioning in the Edit mode or if the
process outputs are activated. If a calculation is running currently, the actual
values of all block connectors are displayed alphanumerically.
The false/true states for the binary signals are indicated using the colors
blue/red of the connection lines.
Navigation area
In
the Navigation area you will find all elements and data required for the
configuration and programming. Program elements can be either moved from the
corresponding category
to the Program designer via drag & drop or configured using context menus.
These include:
·
Project and program structure
·
Input and output resources
·
Function block library
·
Data types
Furthermore, the Navigation area offers further views with the used program
elements as regards their entities, hierarchy and calculation sequence.
These
views are helpful when debugging a program. For example it is possible to find
and display blocks in the Hierarchy view by means of a simple double-click.
Thus,
development as well as debugging can be carried out very efficiently.
Extendable
function block library
The
default library contains all standard function blocks (FBs) specified in the
IEC standard as well as helpful supplements (mean value images, PID-controller,
FFTblocks etc.).
The
user can create and add his own function blocks and/or macros to the library by
clicking once in the FB features-menu. Additionally, function blocks and
programs can be exported and imported into other ibaLogic applications.
For
the programming the blocks can be moved from the Navigation area and placed in
the Program designer simply by dragging & dropping.
User-defined
function blocks
Creation
of user-defined function blocks with textual input method on the basis of
IEEE structured text (ST) is an integral part of ibaLogic.
For
this purpose ibaLogic provides a convenient Function block editor.
In
the Function block editor you can define inputs, outputs and internal variables
as well as the processing logic of the function block.
After
generation of the function block it appears in the block library.
Integration of
the existing C(++) algorithms
The
use of available programs written in high-level programming languages is a
valuable feature of ibaLogic. Technological know-how of ibaLogic can be
protected from unauthorized access and consistency of approved technical
solutions can be guaranteed even in case of modernization.
For
this purpose ibaLogic provides programming frameworks suitable for integration
of existing code. The blocks generated in this way have the same features as
the function blocks and are displayed on the graphical interface with all
connectors and current signal values (additional license required).
Hierarchical
design and macro technology
The
clear arrangement of the entire program can be improved even more by combining
the program parts created with discrete function blocks to superordinate
function blocks, so-called macroblocks.
Furthermore,
it is possible to use these macroblocks in other ibaLogic projects. Macroblocks
can be programmed from scratch or can be created using multiple selection from
existing function blocks.
The
number of the hierarchies is not limited.
User-defined
data types
In
addition to the default data types according to the IEC standard there are also
different user-defined data types available for the user. These data types can
be defined freely by means of simple dialogs or can be derived from default or
other data types.
Enumerations
(Enum), structures (Struct) and arrays (Array) belong to the typical
userdefined data types. The data types are displayed in the Navigation area and
can be used directly in the program.
Program
modifications during operation
Modifications
of the program can be performed during operation because no separate
compilation runs and loading procedures are required.
All
changes can be accepted immediately automatically.
The
programs created and started with an ibaLogic client are run in a compiled form
as so-called runtime in the target system (e.g. ibaLogic computer). These
runtimes can always be updated automatically and shock-free (recompiled) if any
changes have been made in the ibaLogic system.
Different
runtime environments (platforms)
The
runtime can function independently from the ibaLogic programming system
(server) as long as there is a suitable environment. ibaLogic server and client
are required only during program creation or modification.
There are two platforms for ibaLogic at the moment:
·
Windows-PC (no real-time extension required)
·
ibaPADU-S-IT2x16
Process
interfaces
ibaLogic
offers the entire range of iba connectivity to process the input and output
signals.
The ibaNet fibre optic can be used to connect all devices from the ibaPADU
family, bus couplers and system interface connections.
Additionally
couplings via field bus, Ethernet and special protocols are available. Due to
these features ibaLogic is especially suitable for embedding into existing
heterogeneous automation structures for modernization.
Performance and
system dynamics
The
shortest cycle time of ibaLogic is 1 ms. When using the corresponding iba
peripheral modules fast data recording with up to 40 kHz is possible, thus,
enabling for example trouble-free vibration analysis. The number of possible
tasks is not limited.
Each
task can be assigned an individual cycle time and priority.
Measurement
value indication and data recording in ibaLogic
The
measurement data recording is an integral part of ibaLogic. Using a special
function block measurement data (*.dat) can be generated by means of an ibaPDA
system and finally evaluated using ibaAnalyzer.
For
testing and commissioning there is an integrated ibaPDA-Express available,
which can be used to display the actual values from the program in a live mode.
ibaLogic as
simulation system
ibaLogic
is also suitable for simulation of processes.
Due
to OPC connectivity it is possible to simulate process cycles using ibaLogic
and demonstrate the simulation results (e.g. movements of machine elements)
using 3D-visualization ibaAnimation-3D.
Of
course other visualization systems can also be used for this purpose.
