Integrated Simulation Debugging for Sequence and HMI Control Programs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Sequence control programs and HMI control programs operate in different processes and OSs, making it difficult to synchronize and debug them efficiently, as breakpoints set in one simulation do not correspondingly stop the other.
Innovation Solution
A program development support device with a sequence control editing unit, HMI control editing unit, and integration simulation management unit that synchronizes simulations, exchanges variables, and uses conditional breakpoints to pause both programs at corresponding points, displaying call stack information for easier debugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sequence control program and HMI control program are debugged separately in different processes and OSs, then each program can be simulated independently, but the simulations cannot be synchronized and debugging efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the debugging processes of sequence control program and HMI control program by introducing an integration simulation management unit that coordinates both simulations. This unit manages breakpoints across both programs, allowing synchronized pausing and inspection, thereby combining previously separate debugging operations into a unified process that maintains independent simulation capabilities while improving debugging efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The integration simulation management unit acts as an intermediary between the sequence control simulator and HMI control simulator. It receives breakpoint information from one program, translates it to the corresponding location in the other program, and coordinates simultaneous pausing. This mediator enables synchronization without requiring the programs to run in the same process or OS, preserving independence while enabling coordination
2Ease of operation
If breakpoint is set in sequence control program simulation, then sequence control program simulation is stopped, but HMI control program simulation is not stopped at corresponding place
Solution Approach 1:
The integration simulation management unit implements a feedback mechanism where setting a breakpoint in one program triggers the system to identify the corresponding breakpoint location in the other program. The system then pauses both simulations at these corresponding locations, providing feedback-based synchronization that ensures both programs stop at matching points rather than independently
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the correspondence relationships between breakpoints in the sequence control program and HMI control program before debugging begins. This preliminary mapping allows the integration simulation management unit to immediately pause both simulations at corresponding locations when a breakpoint is set, without requiring real-time analysis during debugging
Data Source
AI summary
A sequence control program and an HMI control program are synchronized and simulated. A program development support unit includes a calculation unit and a storage unit. A sequence control editing program for achieving a sequence control editing unit, an HMI control editing program for achieving an HMI control editing unit, and an integration simulation management program for achieving an integration simulation management unit are stored in the storage unit. The integration simulation management unit manages the synchronization of simulation of the sequence control program and simulation of the HMI control program. The integration simulation management unit executes variable management process. In the variable management process, common variables are exchanged between the sequence control program and the HMI control program during execution of the simulation of the sequence control program and the simulation of the HMI control program.