Configure a PLC_Test connection

The PLC_Test configuration view allows you to configure the signal. There are seven configurable parameters, as described below.

1. Algorithm

   Indicates the default signal type. The options available in the list are:

   • None: If None is specified in the algorithm at the faceplate, data simulation is disabled, and no simulated data is generated regardless of the algorithm suffix specified at the tag level. You can use it to test and validate your poking values.

   • Sine Wave: The data value follows a sine wave.

   • Cosine Wave: The data value follows a cosine wave.

   • Saw Tooth: The data value follows a sawtooth wave.

   • Toggle: The data value toggles between 1 and 0.

   • Triangular: The value value follows a triangular wave.

   • String: The data value contains a string with a serial number of the syntax "TEST: { SerialNumber }".

   • Random: The data value is generated randomly.

     At run time, you can specify the data generation algorithm on a per-item basis by adding the algorithm name as a suffix to the item using '/' as the delimiter. For example, if the default algorithm is Triangular and the tagname is iTest, adding appropriate suffix will force a different set of data values to be generated:

   • iTest - Triangular wave is generated

   • iTest /sine - Sine wave is generated

   • iTest /random - Random value is generated

     If you make configuration change in the algorithm, you will need to reset the corresponding hierarchy to take effect. For more information, refer to the section "Activating/Deactivating the Communication Driver" in the Communication Drivers Pack Help.

2. Rate of Change: The rate of change of the value in milliseconds.

3. Percentage Change Per Interval: Indicates the change per interval in percentage.

4. Range/Group: The range of signal values.

5. Force Quality:Force the simulated value to a certain OPC Quality listed - Good, Bad, Bad Configure, Not Connected, Device Fail, Sensor Fail, Last known value, Commfail, Out of service, Last usable value, sensor not accurate, Engineering units, Subnormal, Uncertain, Local Override.

6. Items Per Message: The maximum number items can be composed into one message internally inside the Communication Driver.

7. Unsolicited Updates: Indicates if unsolicited updates are received. It is recommended to select this check-box.

8. Late Data Interval(msec): Use this field to generate late data. Enter the duration (in milliseconds) that the values will be buffered for. The late data values are then reported to the client after the buffer interval. For example, if you enter 10000 milliseconds as the late data interval, then 10 seconds of current data values are reported to the client, followed by 10 seconds of late data values with old timestamps and Quality=448(0x1C0). Enter 0 if you do not want late data to be generated.

   Note: For detailed to manage device groups and device items, see "Manage device groups" and "Manage device items" in the Communication Drivers Pack Help.