Integrated Simulation Sync for Sequence and HMI Program Debugging
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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 in one simulation do not correspondingly stop the other.
Innovation Solution
A program development support device that synchronizes simulations by passing variables between sequence control and HMI control programs, using an integration simulation management unit with a feedback processing unit to detect and display stop factors, allowing for synchronized pausing and editing across both programs.
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 debugged independently, but the two programs cannot be synchronized and debugged together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a simulation variable passing mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the sequence control simulator and HMI control simulator. This mechanism enables variable exchange between the two separately running simulations, allowing synchronized debugging without requiring the programs to run in the same process or OS environment. The variable passing function bridges the gap between independent simulations while maintaining synchronization capability.
2Productivity
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 patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sequence control simulator monitors simulation variables and automatically triggers corresponding breakpoints in the HMI control simulator when specific variable conditions are met. This feedback loop ensures that when a breakpoint is set in one program, the other program is also stopped at the corresponding logical point, enabling synchronized debugging and improving overall debugging efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sequence control simulator and HMI control simulator operate in different OSs, then system compatibility is improved, but variable passing and synchronization become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a standardized variable passing interface that acts as an intermediary layer between simulators running on different OS platforms. This interface defines standard protocols for variable declaration, passing, and reception, ensuring that data can be accurately transmitted between different operating systems without loss of information or compatibility issues.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sequence control program and an HMI control program are synchronized and simulated. A program development support unit (11) includes a calculation unit (111) and a storage unit (112). A sequence control editing program (211) for achieving a sequence control editing unit, an HMI control editing program (212) for achieving an HMI control editing unit, and an integration simulation management program (220) for achieving an integration simulation management unit are stored in the storage unit (112). 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 (221). In the variable management process (221), 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.