Debugging Support Apparatus for Sequence Program Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional debugging methods for sequence programs in industrial machinery control apparatuses are inefficient due to the lack of recording data from devices not directly related to input and output devices, making it difficult to identify and fix abnormalities.
Innovation Solution
A debugging support apparatus that records and presents the execution order and operation data of all components in a sequence program, including internal devices, to facilitate efficient debugging by displaying the relationship between step numbers and operation data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If only data of input devices and output devices is recorded, then the recording system remains simple, but debugging efficiency deteriorates due to inability to identify bugs caused by internal device data changes
Solution Approach 1:
The recording system is segmented into multiple independent recording units, each responsible for recording data from specific devices (input devices, output devices, and internal devices). This segmentation allows the system to expand recording scope without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as each segment can be managed independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The recording unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle different types of devices (input, output, and internal devices) through a unified recording mechanism. This universal approach allows the system to record diverse data types without requiring separate specialized systems for each device type, thereby improving debugging efficiency while controlling complexity.
2Reliability
If data from all devices including internal devices is recorded, then debugging capability is improved, but the amount of recorded data and processing burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and records only the essential data elements from internal devices that are relevant to debugging, rather than recording all possible data. The recording unit selectively captures data that can actually help identify bugs, thereby improving debugging capability while avoiding the burden of processing excessive data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial recording by focusing on specific internal devices and data points that are most likely to contain debugging information. Rather than comprehensively recording all device data, the system applies partial action by selecting and recording only the necessary subset, balancing debugging reliability with data management efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A debugging support apparatus supports debugging of a sequence program executed by a control apparatus. The debugging support apparatus includes a recording unit and a graph display processing unit which is a presentation processing unit. The recording unit records step numbers which are order information indicating the execution order of arithmetic processing for components constituting the sequence program, and operation data handled in step-by-step arithmetic processing. The graph display processing unit presents a relationship between the order information and the operation data.