Object-oriented programming using Control Modules
For scenarios where the plant design is driven by highly repetitive units, the Control Modules are available. With Control Modules, user defined types covering a unit like a reactor can be designed and efficiently parameterized and instantiated multiple times.
Out of the box function block library
An extensive library of functions available with Control Builder, containing everything from simple AND and OR gates to readyfor-use self-tuning – adaptive – PID controllers. Also included are unique elements for direct interfacing with variable speed drives and for easy handling of all the software-related redundancy features the AC 800M controller offers.
Basic functions can be combined into user-defined functions in order to adapt or aggregated such functions. User defined functions can be grouped into libraries for simplification.
Communication variables
In order to simplify the control application design and to reduce engineering effort, communication variables are available. Once declared, those communication variables can be used in any controller in the system and communication is built up in AC 800M compiler automatically.
Test and debug
Beside the availability to execute the control application in a virtual “Soft Controller” for test and debug, Control Builder offers a set of features for on-line testing, tuning and simulation:
- Status inspection: The status of I/O signals, variables, etc.
can be inspected on line. No manual tagging is required.
- Force: I/O signals can be selected and forced to a chosen state
- Overwrite: All variables can be overwritten on a single-cycle basis, after which the program takes over again
- Tasks: Single-scan executions can be selected in the Task Properties window