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 The MOSCAD ToolBox software is a collection of programs for a standard Windows®-based PC. This is the only tool required for programming, configuration, and all maintenance functions including testing and commissioning of MOSCAD RTUs. The MOSCAD ToolBox connects to the network of MOSCAD RTUs via any available RS-232 serial port or LAN port. From that node, the PC with its MOSCAD ToolBox software can link to any RTU over the network.
The MOSCAD ToolBox software configures the MOSCAD RTU, defines the application that will be executed, downloads the application to the MOSCAD RTU, and finally, monitors the execution of the application within the MOSCAD RTU. Utility programs are also provided to read the error logger, perform a hardware test and calibration of certain I/O modules, set the real-time clock, and more.
When configuring the MOSCAD RTU, the physical placement of each plug-in I/O module within the unit is defined, the functionality of each of the three data ports on the CPU module is assigned, and a unique identifier (its name) and communication medium identity (its address) is also assigned.
The application definition is a four step process. The data variables that will be used within the application are defined and organized into logical groupings called Tables. The organization selected is based on the needs of the system, aids data transfer among sites, and helps the system engineer later monitor key data variables. Up to 127 tables may be created and each table may contain up to 2000 variables.
The logic statements are coded using an advanced version of Ladder Logic wherein each rung may contain up to six branches and each branch may contain up to eight logic symbols. Each rung may typically be an entire logic statement; this eases any future application debugging procedure. Routines may be written in "C" and called by the Ladder Logic statements so that existing "C" code may be used within the MOSCAD RTU.
The input and output data variables are Linked to the proper I/O module(s) in the link step. The same application may easily be transported to MOSCAD RTUs having different I/O module configurations by simply changing the link definitions.
The Tables file, Ladder Logic file, and Link file are then compiled into a downloadable and usable form. The compiled format is identical with the code commonly created to program EPROMs; the download process creates a virtual EPROM within the MOSCAD RTU, and the code within that virtual EPROM is then executed by the CPU module. The download process may occur from the programming PC to whichever CPU module it is connected, or the download may occur through the communication system (may use the Store-&-Forward capability of the MDLC protocol) to remotely program any MOSCAD RTU anywhere in the system.
The same data connectivity used for the download procedure may also be used to upload data from the MOSCAD RTU into the MOSCAD Toolbox. This data may be viewed via the created tables of data variables or via the individual rungs of the Ladder Logic. The upload may retrieve the contents of the MOSCAD RTU's error logger to further help in any debug procedure.
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