PLC_DIAL. PLC Dialer. for Microsoft Windows and InTouch. Serial DDE Servers. User Manual Ver 1.x Rev 1.9 PR

Transcription

1 PLC_DIAL PLC Dialer for Microsoft Windows and InTouch Serial DDE Servers User Manual Ver 1.x Rev 1.9 PR KLINKMANN AUTOMATION P.O. Box 38 FIN Helsinki Finland tel. int fax int

2 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers 2 Table Of Contents 1. Overview Installing the PLC_DIAL program Getting Started with the PLC_DIAL Command Line Parameters Using the PLC_DIAL with DDE Using DDE for dialing Using DDE for waiting for call from PLC Using DDE to close the communication The Special "DUMMY" Topic Menu Commands File Execute Terminate Exit Port Open Close Settings Flow Control Local Echo Show Events Modem Initialize Dial HangUp Settings Remote Modem Initialize Settings Options Help... 14

3 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers 3 1. Overview The PLC_DIAL is a Windows 32-bit application program which allows to connect running on the computer Serial DDE Server and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) over the telephone line, so making available the data exchange between DDE Server and PLC. The connection between PLC_DIAL and PLC can be opened in two following ways: by calling from PLC_DIAL to PLC or by receiving a call from PLC in PLC_DIAL. In second case the modem used by PLC_DIAL must be configured to automatic answering mode. To connect the Serial DDE Server and PLC over the telephone line you need 2 modems - one at each side. At first you must configure the Remote Modem the modem used at PLC side (the configuration of Remote Modem may be not needed if also the PLC can call to PLC_DIAL, i.e. PLC_DIAL is used in a waiting for a call mode). This modem must be able to save it s configuration to it s non-volatile memory. Modem used at computer (Serial DDE Server) side (Local Modem) may not have this feature. You must configure Remote Modem only once, when it is configured it must be connected to PLC and telephone line. The next step is the configuring of the Local Modem. When Local Modem is ready then connection between PLC_DIAL and PLC can be established. This step is needed every time you want to start the Serial DDE Server. The connection can be opened by calling from PLC_DIAL to PLC or by receiving a call from PLC in PLC_DIAL. After the connection is established, you must close the communication port used by Local Modem (without hanging-up the modem) and start the DDE Server. You can start the DDE Server directly from the PLC_DIAL. When the DDE Server is started you can close the PLC_DIAL. After you close the DDE Server you must hang-up the modem. You can do it manually in PLC_DIAL, by DDE from client application or simply by switching off the modem power. The PLC_DIAL can be started with two command line parameters. One parameter is the phone number to dial when PLC_DIAL is started. Another parameter is the name of executable to be started after dialing. The modem dialing, waiting for call from PLC and hang-up can be also performed using DDE. The PLC_DIAL can also act as a DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) Server allowing other Windows application programs to send the phone number to be dialed to the PLC_DIAL, receive the dialing result, receive the state of connection and open/close the serial port used with Local Modem. When PLC_DIAL is started, it reads the settings from the PLC_DIAL.INI file. This file is stored in the same directory where PLC_DIAL.EXE. If it is not possible \WINDOWS directory is used instead. If settings are changed, PLC_DIAL saves them in the PLC_DIAL.INI for later use. There are two different PLC_DIAL versions described in this manual: 16-bit version (can be used on Microsoft Windows 3.1x and 95 (98)) and 32-bit version (can be used on Microsoft Windows NT and 95 (98)). Also two different PLC_DIAL installation packages are supplied. All further information in this manual is same both for 16-bit and 32-bit versions with the exception of chapter Installing the PLC_DIAL program.

4 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers 4 2. Installing the PLC_DIAL program The PLC_DIAL 32-bit version installation package can be supplied: 1. As a self-extracting archive P025xxx.EXE if downloaded from Klinkmann s web site (the xxx is the current (latest) version of the PLC_DIAL). 2. From installation on CD. 3. On two or three distribution disks (floppies). To install the PLC_DIAL from the self-extracting archive, run the P025xxx.EXE and proceed as directed by the PLC_DIAL Setup program. To install the PLC_DIAL from CD or distribution disks, on MS Windows (NT, 2000, XP or 95 (98)): 1. Insert the PLC_DIAL Disk 1 into a floppy drive A: or B:. 2. Select the Run command under the Start menu. 3. Run STARTUP.EXE if installing from CD or SETUP.EXE if installing from distribution disks (floppies). 4. If installing from CD: select Protocol Servers (DDE, SuiteLink, OPC), find PLC DIAL and click on Setup. 5. Proceed as directed by the PLC_DIAL Setup program. When installation is finished, the subdirectory specified as a folder where to install the PLC_DIAL files will contain the following files: PLC_DIAL.EXE PLC_DIAL.HLP LICENSE.TXT The PLC_DIAL Program. This is a Microsoft Windows 32-bit application program. The PLC_DIAL Help file. Klinkmann Automation software license file. To uninstall the PLC_DIAL, start Control Panel, select Add/Remove Programs and select the PLC_Dial from the list of available software products. Click on Add/Remove and proceed as directed by the UnInstallShield program. Note: The HASP key is needed for full time running of PLC_DIAL. The HASP Driver setup is performed during the Server setup. Without HASP Driver installed the PLC_DIAL will run only 1 hour (with all features enabled).

5 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers 5 3. Getting Started with the PLC_DIAL To connect Serial DDE Server and PLC over the telephone line you need 2 modems - one at each side and the following steps must be performed: 1. Configure the Remote Modem (modem used at PLC side). This modem must be able to save it s configuration to it s non-volatile memory. Modem used at computer (Serial DDE Server) side (Local Modem) may not have this feature. To configure Remote Modem you must do following: 1. Connect modem you will use as a Remote Modem to computer. 2. Set Initialization String and Save Setup String for Remote Modem with "Remote Modem/Settings" command. If you do not know exactly what strings you need you can use default strings. 3. Initialize modem by sending Initialization String and Save Setup String to modem with "Remote Modem/Initialize" command. 4. Now Remote Modem is configured and you must disconnect it from computer and connect to the PLC and telephone line. You must configure Remote Modem only once, but you can change Remote Modem's configuration when you need. The Remote Modem can not be re-configured over the telephone line. Note! The Remote Modem configuration may be not needed if also the PLC can call to PLC_DIAL (PLC_DIAL is used in a waiting for a call mode) - in this case it is possible that Remote Modem configuration is done by PLC program. 2. Configure the Local Modem. To configure Local Modem you must do following: 1. Connect modem you will use as a Local Modem to computer. 2. Check from your modem manual and set Initialization String, HangUp String, Dial Prefix and Suffix, Connect and Fail Strings for Local Modem with "Modem/Settings" command. If you do not know exactly what strings you need you can use default strings. Configure the Local Modem to automatic answering mode if also PLC can call to PLC_DIAL. You must configure Local Modem only once, but you can change Local Modem's configuration when you need. 3. Initialize the Local Modem and dial to the PLC or wait for a call from PLC. To do this you must do the following: 1. Initialize modem by sending Initialization String to modem with "Modem/Initialize" command. 2. Dial to the PLC with "Modem/Dial" command or wait for a call from PLC in automatic answering mode. 4. When connection is established you must close the communication port used by Local Modem (without hanging-up the modem) and start the

6 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers 6 DDE Server. You can start the DDE Server directly from the PLC_DIAL with "File/Execute" command. 5. When the DDE Server is started you can close the PLC_DIAL with "File/Exit" command or can leave it running for future use. To disconnect Serial DDE Server and PLC over the telephone line must do following steps: 1. Close the DDE Server (if the DDE Server is started from PLC_DIAL with "File/Execute" command and left it running after connection you can do it with "File/Terminate" command) or change to "dummy" topic and do not close the DDE Server (see 6.3. The Special "DUMMY" Topic ). 2. Hang-up the modem. You can do it by PLC_DIAL's "Modem/Hang Up"command, by DDE items NUMBER or CONNECT or simply by switching off the modem's power. 3. To be ready receive calls from PLC, open the serial port used by Local Modem by changing DDE item PORT_OPEN value to Command Line Parameters The command line of PLC_DIAL can contain 2 parameters. The syntax of command line is: PLC_DIAL [-Dphone_number [-S[drive:][\directory\]filename.exe] ] Command line parameters starts with "-" or "/", then follows switch character and parameter. Switch character can be either in lowercase or uppercase. Parameter must follow the switch character without separating space. 1. "D" parameter. If the command line contains "D" switch then PLC_DIAL dials the phone number following the switch. Communication port number and settings, modem settings are taken from the initialization file PLC_DIAL.INI in \WINDOWS directory if present, or default settings are used. 2. "S" parameter. If the command line contains "S" switch then PLC_DIAL starts the executable file following the switch after successful dialing. This parameter can be used only with "D" parameter. If the command line contains invalid parameters then PLC_DIAL displays message box with error message and starts without any parameters. Examples: PLC_DIAL PLC_DIAL /d PLC_DIAL -D Sc:\intouch\aab.exe

7 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers 7 5. Using the PLC_DIAL with DDE The modem dialing and hang-up with PLC_DIAL can be also performed using DDE. The PLC_DIAL then acts as a DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) Server allowing other Windows application programs to send the phone number to be dialed to the PLC_DIAL and receive the dialing result. The PLC_DIAL is primarily intended for use with Wonderware InTouch, but it may be used by any Microsoft Windows program that is capable to act as a DDE Client. The DDE protocol identifies an element of data by using a three-part address, including: Application, Topic and Item. Application refers to the name of the Windows program (server) with which the Client wants to exchange with data. In the case of PLC_DIAL the application portion of the DDE address is "PLC_DIAL". Topic is an application-specific sub-group of data. There are two topics for the PLC_DIAL: "PHONE" and "DUMMY". The "PHONE" topic is used for dialing and hanging-up the modem and the "DUMMY" topic has a special usage. Item indicates a specific data within the specified topic. There are following items available for the "PHONE" topic: "NUMBER", "RESULT", "CONNECT" and "PORT_OPEN". These DDE items have the following meaning: "NUMBER" "RESULT" "CONNECT" "PORT_OPEN" Writing the phone number to this item starts the dialing to that number. Writing the empty string closes the connection (hang-up). Dialing or hang-up Result code can be read from this item. This item value is 1 when connection established and 0 when disconnected. Writing 0 to this item closes the connection (hang-up). This item value is 1 when port is opened and 0 when port is closed. Writing 1 to this item opens the port and writing 0 closes the port.

8 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers Using DDE for dialing To perform dialing the Client (e.g. InTouch) must establish DDE link with the PLC_DIAL using topic "PHONE", then put the phone number in the DDE item "NUMBER" and then read the DDE item "RESULT" to get result of dialing. The "RESULT" item is initially "0" and can contain following values: 1 - The dialing is successful; 0 - The dialing is still in progress; -1 - The dialing failed because the PLC_DIAL could not open the communication port. Probably other program uses the same port or port settings are incorrect; -2 - The dialing failed because the PLC_DIAL could not initialize modem; -3 - The dialing failed because the line is busy, the phone number is incorrect, modem could not detect carrier or something else Using DDE for waiting for call from PLC To receive a call from PLC, the Local Modem must be configured to automatic answering mode by adding S0=1 to Local Modem s initialization string. The DDE items CONNECT, PORT_OPEN and RESULT are used to control the sequence of connecting/disconnecting between PLC and client application. The sequence can be the following (it is assumed the Local Modem is already initialized): 1. Start the PLC_DIAL and client application programs. Set the initial value 0 for DDE items CONNECT, PORT_OPEN and RESULT. 2. Open the serial port (used by Local Modem) by changing DDE item PORT_OPEN value to Wait until DDE item CONNECT value changes to 1 - this informs that PLC has called to Local Modem and connection is succesfully established. 4. Close the serial port (used by Local Modem) by changing DDE item PORT_OPEN value to Start (if not already started) the Serial DDE Server and activate the necessary DDE links (the special DUMMY" topic can be useful for this, see The Special "DUMMY" Topic section bellow). The communication between DDE Server and PLC must start Using DDE to close the communication The connection can be closed from both (Local Modem and Remote Modem) sides. If connection is closed from Remote Modem side, then only way to detect it is to monitor the value of DDE item STATUS for some of Serial DDE Server active topics - if the value of STATUS becomes and remains 0 (no communication) then it is quite probable the Remote Modem has closed the connection. The following steps are needed to be done in the client application to close the connection (by Local Modem) or if connection is closed by Remote Modem: 1. Deactivate the DDE links with Serial DDE Server in the client application (the DUMMY" topic can be useful for this) and activate the topic "PHONE".

9 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers 9 2. Hang-up the modem by putting empty string in the DDE item NUMBER" or by changing the DDE item CONNECT value to 0. Hanging-up the modem automatically closes the port used by Local Modem. 3. To be ready receive calls from PLC, open the serial port (used by Local Modem) by changing DDE item PORT_OPEN value to 1. The DDE item "RESULT" can be used to get result of hang-up. The "RESULT" item is initially "0" and can contain following error value: -4 - The PLC_DIAL could not open the communication port. Probably other program uses the same port or port settings are incorrect. To hang-up the modem you can switch off it's power. To ensure the hang-up of the modem is performed properly, sometimes it can be necessary to configure the time delay required before and after the escape characters (+++) are sent to modem. To configure this time delay, the following line can be added to Plc_dial.ini file: HangUpGuardTime=n where n is a time delay in milliseconds (the default value used in PLC_DIAL is 1000 milliseconds). For example, by adding line HangUpGuardTime=1500 there will be 1.5 seconds time delay before and after the escape characters (+++) are sent to the modem The Special "DUMMY" Topic The special DUMMY" topic can be useful when the PLC_DIAL is used with the Wonderware InTouch. The other programs must not use communication port used for dialing or hang-up before dialing and hang-up, but the Serial DDE Servers does it when the InTouch has established DDE link with them. This link must be closed and it can be done redirecting it to another topic with the "SetDdeAppTopic" command in InTouch script. The "DUMMY" topic can be useful in this case. The "DUMMY" item accepts DDE requests for any data item, but never sends data and also does not accept data.

10 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers Menu Commands The following is the description of top-level menu items and corresponding pop-up menus and dialog boxes File To access the "File" menu commands, click on "File" menu item and pop-up menu with "File" menu commands will appear. There are following commands: Execute The "Execute" command is used for starting other program, for example DDE Server. To access the "Execute" dialog box, click on "Execute" menu item or press [Ctrl+X] on the keyboard and Execute" dialog box will appear. In this dialog you can type the name of program to be executed, working directory and parameters Terminate The "Terminate" command is used for terminating previously started program, for example DDE Server. To access the "Terminate" command, click on "Terminate" menu item or press [Ctrl+T] on the keyboard. Then PLC_DIAL will try to terminate previously started program. If no program is started with "Execute" command then this menu command is grayed Exit This command will cause the PLC_DIAL to close. To access the "Exit" command, click on "Exit" menu item or press [Alt+F4] on the keyboard Port The "Port" menu is used for opening, closing and setting parameters for communication port. To access the "Port" menu commands, click on "Port" menu item and pop-up menu with "Port" menu commands will appear. There are following commands: Open This command will cause the PLC_DIAL to open the communication port. To access the Port/Open command, click on "Open" menu item or press [Ctrl+O] on the keyboard and the PLC_DIAL will open the communication port. If there are problems the error message box will appear. If it happens you may need to change the communication port settings. This menu command is grayed if communication port is already opened.

11 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers Close This command will cause the PLC_DIAL to close the communication port. To access the Port/Close command, click on "Close" menu item or press [Ctrl+C] on the keyboard and the PLC_DIAL will close the communication port. This menu command is grayed if the communication port is closed Settings The "Settings" command is used for invoking "Communication Settings" dialog box. To access the "Communication Settings" dialog box, click on "Communication Settings" menu item or press [Ctrl+P] on the keyboard and "Communication Settings" dialog box will appear. There are following radiobutton groups in this dialog box: "Port", "Baud Rate", "Data Bits, "Baud Rate", "Stop bits", "Parity". With these radiobuttons you can set the communication port parameters Flow Control The "Flow Control" command is used for setting of the incoming and outgoing flow control for the communication port. This command invokes the Flow Control" dialog box. To access the "Flow Control" dialog box, click on "Flow Control" menu item or press [Ctrl+F] on the keyboard and "Flow Control" dialog box will appear. This dialog box contains radiobuttons for setting the incoming and outgoing flow control Local Echo This command enables or disables the displaying of characters sent to the communication port (Local Echo). As default the Local Echo is enabled and check mark at "Local Echo" menu item shows it Show Events This command enables or disables the showing of communication events (break, framing error, overrun, etc.). As default the Show Events is disabled and "Show Events" menu item is not marked with the check mark. By clicking on this field the check mark appears. By clicking on this field again the check mark disappears, showing that events will not be shown. If the communication event happens and Show Events is enabled then message box with event appears Modem The "Modem" menu is used for the setting of modem parameters, initializing, dialing and hanging-up the modem. This menu command is grayed if communication port is not opened. To access the "Modem" menu commands, click on "Modem" menu item and pop-up menu with "Modem" menu commands will appear. There are following commands:

12 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers Initialize This command is used for modem initializing. To access the Modem/Initialize command, click on "Initialize" menu item or press [Ctrl+I] on the keyboard and the PLC_DIAL will send initialization string to the modem Dial The "Dial" command is used for the dialing with the modem. The "Dial" command invokes the "Dialing Directory" dialog box. To access the "Dialing Directory" dialog box, click on the "Dial" menu item or press [Ctrl+D] on the keyboard and "Dialing Directory" dialog box will appear. This dialog box contains the list of names, phone numbers and communication parameters. You can edit this list and dial to each of numbers with "Dial" button HangUp The "HangUp" commands are used for the hanging-up the modem. The "HangUp" sends hang-up string to the modem or hangs-up modem by dropping the DTR signal depending on "Hang Up Mode" setting in the "Options" dialog box. Hardware hang-up is faster but it does not work with some modems. To access this command click on the "HangUp" menu item or press [Ctrl+H] on the keyboard Settings The "Settings" command is used for invoking "Modem Settings" dialog box. To access the "Modem Settings" dialog box, click on the "Settings" menu item or press [Ctrl+M] on the keyboard and "Modem Settings" dialog box will appear. This dialog box contains the input fields for setting of the modem initialization, dial and hang-up strings and for setting of the modem result codes Remote Modem The "Remote Modem" menu is used for the setting of parameters for Remote Modem and for Remote Modem initialization. This menu command is grayed if communication port is not opened. To access the "Remote Modem" menu commands, click on "Remote Modem" menu item and pop-up menu with "Remote Modem" menu commands will appear. There are following commands: Initialize This command is used for the initialization of Remote Modem. To access the Remote Modem/Initialize command, click on "Initialize" menu item or press [Ctrl+N] on the keyboard and the PLC_DIAL will send the initialization string to the modem. Then the save setup string is sent to modem forcing the modem to save settings in it s non-volatile memory.

13 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers Settings The "Settings" command is used for invoking the "Remote Modem Settings" dialog box. To access "Remote Modem Settings" dialog box, click on "Settings" menu item or press [Ctrl+R] on the keyboard and "Remote Modem Settings" dialog box will appear. This dialog box contains the input fields for setting the modem initialization string and for setting the modem save setup string for saving settings in the modem s non-volatile memory Options The "Options" command is used for invoking the "Options" dialog box. To access "Options" dialog box, click on "Options" menu item and "Options" dialog box will appear. This dialog box contains the checkbuttons for the setting of PLC_DIAL options. There are following checkbutton fields in this dialog box: "On Startup", "On Exit", "On Execute", "On Terminate", "After port settings", "Hang Up Mode". With these checkbuttons you can enable or disable the PLC_DIAL to do some commands when PLC_DIAL starts, exits, executes other program, terminates other program or when communication port settings are changed. There are following checkbuttons in the "On Startup" field: "Open Port" If the PLC_DIAL starts and this checkbutton is checked then PLC_DIAL tries to open communication port. If open fails then error message is displayed. "Initialize modem" If the PLC_DIAL starts and this checkbutton is checked and communication port is opened then PLC_DIAL tries to initialize the modem. If initialization fails then error message is displayed. There are following checkbuttons in the "On Exit" field: "Hang Up" "Command" "Hardware" "Close Port" If this checkbutton is checked then PLC_DIAL tries to hang-up the modem before exit. If this radiobutton is checked then the software hang-up is performed by sending the hang-up string to the modem. If this radiobutton is checked then the hardware hang-up is performed by dropping the DTR signal. If this checkbutton is checked then PLC_DIAL closes the communication port before exit. There are following checkbuttons in the "On Execute" field: "Close Port" "Minimize" If this checkbutton is checked then PLC_DIAL closes the communication port before executing other program (e.g. DDE Server). If this checkbutton is checked then PLC_DIAL minimizes itself after starting other program.

14 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers 14 "Exit" If this checkbutton is checked then PLC_DIAL closes itself after starting other program. "Terminate Previous" If this checkbutton is checked then PLC_DIAL tries to close previously started program (if any) before executing the new one. If this checkbutton is checked then checkbuttons in the "On Terminate" field is ignored when "Terminate" command is performed as the part of "Execute" command, but stays in effect when "Terminate" command is performed. There are following checkbuttons in the "On Terminate" field: "Open Port" "Hang Up" If this checkbutton is checked then PLC_DIAL tries to open the communication port after it terminates the program started from PLC_DIAL. If this checkbutton is checked and port is opened then PLC_DIAL tries to hang-up the modem after it terminates the program started from PLC_DIAL. There is following checkbutton in the "After port settings" field: "Open Port" If this checkbutton is checked then PLC_DIAL tries to open the communication port after user has changed the port settings and port was not opened before "Port Settings" command. If port was opened before "Port Settings" command then PLC_DIAL reopens it with new settings even this checkbutton is unchecked. There are two radiobuttons in the "Hang Up Mode" field which defines "Hang Up" mode: "Command" "Hardware" If this radiobutton is checked then the software hang-up is performed by sending the hang-up string to the modem. If this radiobutton is checked then the hardware hang-up is performed by dropping the DTR signal. Hardware hang-up is faster but it does not work with some modems Help The "Help" menu is used for getting on-line help. To access the "Help" menu commands click on "Help" menu item and pop-up menu with "Help" menu commands will appear.

15 Klinkmann Automation PLC Dialer for Serial DDE Servers 15 KLINKMANN AUTOMATION PLC DIALER Revision History December 94 Rev 1.0 First Release January 95 Rev 1.1 Command line parameters added DDE items added February 95 Rev 1.2 Grammatical errors corrected October 96 Rev 1.3 Installation program added March 97 Rev 1.4 Windows NT version added August 97 Rev 1.5 Minor changes. Manual file name changed. April 99 Rev 1.6 "CONNECT" and "PORT_OPEN" DDE items added. Waiting for call from PLC added. May 99 Rev 1.7 Minor changes in the Installing the PLC_DIAL program section. Sep 2000 Rev 1.8 PLC_DIAL.INI setting HangUpGuardTime added to Using the PLC_DIAL with DDE section. Mar 2002 Rev 1.9 Installation from CD information added.