|
-A
Comfortable Project Management and
Configuration Tool for CANopen Devices and Systems
Overview
 |
CANopen
ConfigurationStudio is a powerful tool for project management and
configuration of CANopen devices and systems. Special features of
the tool include their modularity and expandability, and their underlying
database concept. Designed as a 32-bit Windows program and implemented
on the basis of a client/server structure, it is extremely flexible
and can be customized using various program modules (client modules).
The
foundation of the ConfigurationStudio is the fast database-oriented
management of all configuration and device data required by the
user. A very fast import function loads new device data from the
appropriate EDS files into the database where they are organized
for easy access. The benefit of this database-oriented design is
fast access to all configuration data which are normally stored
in separate EDS and DCF files. This means no more waiting to start
configuration tools, select existing projects, or load and save
data.
|
CANopen
devices and systems are configured using various client modules with different
functionality, depending on the Configuration-Studio version used. You
can access the CAN bus via an integrated CANopen module, which provides
additional NMT and LMT/ LSS features and enables you to scan the network.
This tool has many applications, from the very economical device configuration
tool, which allows you to comfortably manage and configure CANopen devices,
to the complex network configuration tool with automated PDO mapping and
linking functions. For entry-level users of CANopen devices and systems,
the program offers client modules, which allow network configuration directly
on the application level and hide all CANopen configuration data, such
as PDO mapping, or the assignment of CAN identifiers. In this scenario,
the user is only responsible for connecting input and output, or I/Os
with network variables. You can also integrate the PLC programming environments
of CANopen PLCs.
The
modular design and the option of integrating newer program modules with
special configuration characteristics and options, including those programmed
by the user, provides a quick and easy way to meet specific customer requirements.
Highlights
- 32-bit
software for Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
- Supports
all IXXAT interface cards (ISA, PCI, PC card, USB, PC/104, parallel
port, CAN@net, etc.)
- Fast database-oriented
management of all configuration and device data from EDS/DCF files
- Fast importing
and exporting of EDS and DCF files
- Structured
and simple access to device data
- Automated
PDO mapping and linking (with the Network-Edition)
- Allows
you to integrate IEC 61131-3 CANopen PLC programming environments
- Supports
network variables according to DS302/DS405 (NetworkEdition only)
- Supports
the Configuration Manager according to DS302 (NetworkEdition only)
- User-expandable
functionality (requires the developer kit)
Functionality
Database
and Database Server
The core of the ConfigurationStudio is a fast, object-oriented database,
which contains all CANopen device and system data normally contained in
separate EDS and DCF files. The key advantage of this solution is the
fact that all data is accessible immediately after program startup, no
more waiting to import EDS and DCF files. In addition, all project data
are contained in one folder, instead of being spread over numerous independent
EDS and DCF files. This ensures data consistency in all situations.
The client module accesses the database via a database server that processes
and coordinates each access. It ensures that all client modules simultaneously
processing (e.g. displaying) information receive updated data values.
Object-oriented database approach is not based on any particular architecture,
making it possible for customized client modules to save their own data
in the database.
EDS/DCF
Import and Export
This powerful feature enables fast importing and exporting of EDS and
DCF files, and allows you to set-up new project devices inside the database.
It is also the default interface with other CANopen tools. Even very large
EDS and DCF files can be processed quickly, there is no file size limit.
Project
Window
In the Project Window, the CANopen System (a project) is displayed
in an easy to understand tree structure, in which devices can be grouped.
The Project Window also starts the desired program module for a selected
device, device group, or network. Depending on the program module,
the module can be started any number of times, allowing you to simultaneously
display and modify the Object Dictionary of various devices. You can
also open any number of project windows simultaneously. The option
of printing project data for documentation purposes is also available.
|
 |
 |
Editing
Individual Device Records
To manually edit the configuration data for a CANopen device, the
program provides two client modules, the Object Dictionary Browser
and the Device Configurator.
The Object Dictionary Browser displays the Object Dictionary of
a selected device in an easy to understand tree structure with index,
subindex and object names. When you select an object, all associated
attributes (e.g. data type, access type, default value, etc.) are
displayed, and the current value of the object can be modified.
The change is immediately stored in the database and is available
for future module configuration via a CAN download.
The Device Configurator presents the Communication Area (1000h-1FFFh)
data in a simple input mask for safe use. The user no longer has
to know the index and subindex designations or data formats of individual
records. Instead, the desired values can be entered directly via
masks, check boxes and sliders. PDO mapping is accomplished with
the drag & drop feature.
|
Automatic
PDO Mapping and PDO Linking
When dealing with larger systems, special knowledge is required for
manual PDO mapping/linking, and the time-consuming and careful selection
of individual PDO and SDO connections becomes too extensive. This
is when the Object Linker (NetworkEdition) becomes an essential part
of the project.
It provides fully automated mapping/linking of PDOs in only a few
steps. All devices used in the project are presented in a simple matrix,
sorted by input and output data. The desired connections between input
and output devices are presented in the matrix with flags and are
automatically calculated by the Object Linker. This eliminates time-consuming
planning and optimization of PDO mapping and identifier assignment.
To document the project, you have the option of listing and printing
the calculated connections. |
 |
Network
Variables According to DS302/DS405
Another feature of the Object Linker (NetworkEdition) is the support provided
for devices implemented according to the DS405 specification. These are
primarily CANopen PLC with programming environments according to IEC61131-3.
The Object Linker allows any network variable definition according to
the Dynamic Channel descriptions contained in the EDS files. These network
variables provide the interface between the data contained in the CANopen
system and the actual program within the control. Network variables can
be created manually or by using the drag-and-drop functionality. The defined
network variables may be connected with actual input and output data in
the matrix. In this case, the Object Linker is also responsible for calculating
PDO mapping of the control.
Integration
of PLC Programming Environments According to IEC61131
You can integrate PLC programming environments in one of two ways: either
by exchanging DCF and NVX files as defined in DS405, or by directly connecting
the programming environment with the database server. The first approach
is very simple, providing the PLC programming environment is able to handle
DCF and NVX files. The second solution requires some changes to the programming
environment, but has the advantage that the programming tool can immediately
and quickly read and write the necessary data from and into the database.
In addition, the tool can save its own data, such as source code, binary
code or project information, in the database. As a result, all project
data is available in a single folder.
Configuration
Manager Support
DS302 defines how the Configuration Manager functions. This is a key feature
within a CANopen system and allows for independent system configuration
by the master during program startup. The ConfigurationStudio is able
to generate all necessary data from a particular device or system configuration
and loads this data into the Configuration Manager in a defined concised
format.
Bus
Access, NMT and LMT (LSS) Features
CANopen Network Access is used to download device and system data.
This client module establishes a connection between the ConfigurationStudio
and the CAN network via an IXXAT CAN interface card. This enables
you to load data that has been edited offline into the CANopen devices
on the CAN bus. You can also load the current configuration of a device
connected to the bus into the database, or compare it with the configuration
contained in the database.
In addition to upload, download and verify functions, the CAN Access
Interface provides the functionality to perform an Object Dictionary
scan to match the EDS with the physical CANopen device. Furthermore
functions for starting/stopping a system, performing system scans
to determine existing nodes, functions for calling on the store/restore
function of a device, functions to start/stop/reset PLC programs,
and LMT/LSS functions to parameterise for the baudrate and node number
of a CANopen device. |
 |
Adding
Customized Features
The modular client/server architecture enables users to easily add new
functions to the ConfigurationStudio. A developer kit is provided for
this purpose containing interface documentation, software modules required
for programming, and program examples.
Available
versions
CANopen
DeviceEdition
This is the basic version of the ConfigurationStudio allowing the configuration
of CANopen devices. The DeviceEdition includes the Object Dictionary Browser,
the CANopen Network Access Module and the Device Configurator. It allows
to set-up the device configuration off-line by editing the Object Dictionary
entries with the Object Dictionary Browser or easy and intuitive with
the Device Configurator.
The configuration can be downloaded to the CANopen system by using the
CANopen Network Access Module in combination with an IXXAT CAN interface
(not contents of delivery). Furthermore it is possiblet o create DFC files
for each device or for all devices which can be processed extern.
CANopen
NetworkEdition
This version of ConfigurationStudio provides for very easy configuration
of CANopen Systems. This edition contains Object Linker, which allows
even inexperienced users to link input and output data from different
devices in a CANopen System. The required PDO communication and PDO mapping
parameters are configured automatically. This way, even non-professionals
can master the project management and configuration of larger CANopen
Systems. This version also supports programmable devices according to
DS302 and DS405.
Hardware
requirements
- IXXAT CAN interface card and VCI CAN driver
|
