CSE-Semaphore TWinSoft Manual - ioSelect

Revision: USA 8.32 

TWinSoft 8.32 

- 

Getting started

Table of Contents 

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 5 

2. STARTING TWINSOFT .................................................................................................................... 6 

2.1. System requirements............................................................................................................6 

2.2. Starting the CD-ROM of TWinSoft......................................................................................7 

2.3. Programs of ‘TWinSoft Suite’ .............................................................................................8 

3. TWINSOFT PROTECTION ............................................................................................................... 9 

3.1. The Evaluation mode...........................................................................................................9 

3.2. The Dongle ..........................................................................................................................9 

3.3. The Code (License)..............................................................................................................9 

3.4. The TWinSoft LITE ..............................................................................................................9 

4. WIZARD......................................................................................................................................... 10 

5. PRESENTATION ............................................................................................................................. 13 

6. COMMUNICATION (PC SET UP) .................................................................................................... 14 

6.1. Sending a program ............................................................................................................15 

Compile + test of available memory. .................................................................................................15 

Upload................................................................................................................................................15 

6.2. Saving the source...............................................................................................................15 

6.3. Working modes of TBox....................................................................................................16 

Mode 1a: the program is running.......................................................................................................16 

Mode 1b: the program is running and in alarm mode ........................................................................16 

Mode 2: the program is stopped (Global Reset) ................................................................................16 

Mode 3: The Operating System is stopped ........................................................................................17 

7. RTU PROPERTIES ......................................................................................................................... 18 

7.1. General ..............................................................................................................................18 

7.2. Communication ports ........................................................................................................19 

8. CREATING TAGS ........................................................................................................................... 20 

9. THE RESOURCES........................................................................................................................... 21 

9.1. Creating a block of I/O......................................................................................................22 

Creating a Remote block of I/O: ........................................................................................................22 

Creating Remote modules RM-xx .....................................................................................................23 

9.2. Creating a card..................................................................................................................23 

9.3. Creating a Tag from a list of I/Os .....................................................................................23 

10. PROGRAMS.................................................................................................................................. 24 

10.1. Ladder – Principle...........................................................................................................24 

Inputs..................................................................................................................................................24 

Outputs...............................................................................................................................................24 

Cycle time ..........................................................................................................................................25 

10.2. Ladder - Modes................................................................................................................25 

Display mode .....................................................................................................................................25 

Edit mode ...........................................................................................................................................26 

10.3. Ladder - Toolbar .............................................................................................................27 

Display mode .....................................................................................................................................27 

Edit mode ...........................................................................................................................................28 

10.4. Variables..........................................................................................................................29 

Local Tags..........................................................................................................................................29 

Global Tags........................................................................................................................................29 

The colors of the Tags........................................................................................................................29 

10.5. Create Ladder Diagram ..................................................................................................30 

Inserting items....................................................................................................................................31 

The colors of the Tags........................................................................................................................31 

The Keys ............................................................................................................................................31 

TWinSoft: 8.32 – Getting Started 2

10.6. Step by step creating of Ladder .......................................................................................32 

10.7. Mathematical Block.........................................................................................................36 

Introduction........................................................................................................................................36 

Assignments .......................................................................................................................................36 

Arithmetic operations.........................................................................................................................37 

Comparisons.......................................................................................................................................37 

Bit manipulations ...............................................................................................................................38 

Boolean operations.............................................................................................................................39 

Conversion + Indirect addressing.......................................................................................................39 

PID regulation ....................................................................................................................................41 

Miscellaneous.....................................................................................................................................42 

Floating point functions .....................................................................................................................43 

10.8. POU (Program Organization Units)...............................................................................44 

10.8. POU (Program Organization Units)...............................................................................44 

10.9. POU – Program...............................................................................................................45 

The 'main'. ..........................................................................................................................................45 

Creating a POU Program ...................................................................................................................45 

Calling a POU Program in another Program......................................................................................46 

10.10. POU – Function.............................................................................................................47 

Creating a POU Function...................................................................................................................47 

Example of a Function .......................................................................................................................49 

Calling a POU Function in a POU Program ......................................................................................50 

10.11. POU - Function block....................................................................................................51 

Creating a POU Function Block ........................................................................................................51 

Example of a Function Block.............................................................................................................53 

Calling a POU Function Block in a POU Program............................................................................54 

Debugging of a Function block..........................................................................................................55 

11. LIBRARY MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................. 56 

11.1. Import of POUs (saving POUs in a Library) ..................................................................56 

11.2. Export of POUs (retrieval of POUs from a library) .......................................................57 

11.3. Use of a Library in a TWinSoft document .......................................................................57 

12. ALARMS ...................................................................................................................................... 58 

12.1. Introduction .....................................................................................................................58 

12.2. Digital Tag Condition......................................................................................................59 

12.3. Analog Tag Condition .....................................................................................................60 

12.4. Recipients.........................................................................................................................61 

12.5. Examples of recipients.....................................................................................................62 

To a GSM...........................................................................................................................................62 

To an e-mail address ..........................................................................................................................62 

13. DATALOGGING............................................................................................................................ 65 

13.1. Introduction .....................................................................................................................65 

13.2. The Chronologies ............................................................................................................66 

13.3. Sampling tables ...............................................................................................................67 

14. REMOTE TAG.............................................................................................................................. 68 

14.1. Introduction .....................................................................................................................68 

14.2. Block communication ......................................................................................................69 

14.3. Description of fields.........................................................................................................71 

15. WEB & REPORT FILES................................................................................................................ 77 

15.1. Procedure to work with TBox as a Web Server...............................................................77 

15.2. Report Studio ...................................................................................................................78 

Different ways to use a report ............................................................................................................78 

16. TBOX ACCESS SECURITY............................................................................................................ 79 

16.1. TBox configuration..........................................................................................................79 

16.2. Password utility ...............................................................................................................80 


16.3. Login/Logout ...................................................................................................................81 

16.4. Deactivating protection ...................................................................................................81 

17. COPY/PASTE - DRAG'N'DROP .................................................................................................... 82 

17.1. General rules ...................................................................................................................82 

17.2. Examples..........................................................................................................................82 

Create Tags in the list of Tags (Copy/Paste)......................................................................................82 

Copy a POU in the same document (Copy/Paste)..............................................................................83 

Move or copy Ladder from one POU to another POU (Drag’n’Drop or Copy/Paste).......................83 

Copy Ladder from one document to another document (Drag’n’Drop) ............................................83 

Copy entries of any list (Recipient, Alarm condition, Remote Tags, ...) from one document to 

another document (Copy/Paste) .........................................................................................................83 

Modifying the sequence of the elements in all lists (Drag'n'Drop). ...................................................83 

18. IMPORT / EXPORT....................................................................................................................... 84 

18.1. Export ..............................................................................................................................85 

Example files......................................................................................................................................86 

Export - Tags......................................................................................................................................87 

Export - Alarm conditions..................................................................................................................89 

Export - Alarm message.....................................................................................................................91 

Export - Chronologies........................................................................................................................92 

Export - Sampling tables....................................................................................................................93 

Terminal Tags ....................................................................................................................................94 

Analog Units ......................................................................................................................................95 

Digital States ......................................................................................................................................96 

18.2. Import ..............................................................................................................................97 

Working with an Empty Document ...................................................................................................97 

Exact replace ......................................................................................................................................98 

Replace...............................................................................................................................................98 

Append...............................................................................................................................................98 

19. PACK & GO................................................................................................................................. 99 

19.1. Presentation.....................................................................................................................99 

19.2. Pack .................................................................................................................................99 

19.3. Unpack...........................................................................................................................100 

Disclaimer 

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this guide. However, Techno Trade 

S.A. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. Product information is subject to change 

without notice. 

AB is a registered trademark of Axeda. 

MODBUS is a registered trademark of Gould Modicon. 

TSOFT , TVIEW , TWinSoft, WebForm Studio and A are registered trademarks of Techno Trade s.a. 

Windows ’95, ’98, NT, 2000, XP are trademarks of Microsoft Corp. 

Internet Explorer is a trademark of Microsoft Corp. 

Copyright 

© 1999-2004 by Techno Trade s.a. All rights reserved. 

Edition: November 2, 2004 (original 8.32) 


1. Introduction 

TWinSoft is the software necessary to create running application for A RTU and Low 

Power RTU. It also allows communicating with your RTU to visualize its process. 

This manual helps you to understand the concept of A and to create basic configurations as: 

Tags (the variable of the A). 

Programs (the automation programs in Ladder programming). 

Alarms. 

Data logging criteria. 

Remote Tags. 

A Access Security. 

Concerning Low Power RTU a specific manual is available. 

A is presented as the “6 in 1” Tele-control system. It means A can be configured for 

all those features without needing supplementary software or hardware. What are those six 

features? 

1. A is a Web Server: TCP/IP has been implemented as standard protocol. A can 

be called by a Browser to display HTML images, saved in the A. It is also able to 

send e-mail through a provider and send a file to a FTP site. This feature is available 

from versions TWinSoft 7.00 and OS 5400. 

2. A is a multi-port system: A is equipped with different communication ports 

that allow local communication with other equipment. A also allows remote 

communication through different types of modems (ISDN, PSTN, GSM, Cellular, 

Radio…). A supports as standard, ModBus RTU protocol, TCP/IP protocol and 

Minitel protocol on all ports. A is able to handle concurrent communications on 

different ports in multi-tasking and at different speeds. 

An Ethernet card is also available (10 Base/T). 

3. A is a PLC: with the help of the IEC1131-3 standard Ladder programming, 

automation programs can be developed; including mathematical functions, PID loops and 

user definable function blocks. 

4. A is an alarming system: on alarm conditions (digital and/or analog), A is able 

to send messages to printer(s), to pager(s), GSM and other cellular systems, to call a 

supervisor, to send email, etc… 

5. A is a Data logger: in order to memorize events of your process, you can define 

criteria of recording values of Tags. Those values can be stored “on event” and/or 

periodically. Recording can be FIFO (circular buffer – continuous) and event driven. 

6. A is protocol converter: with the help of external “C” drivers that you can write, 

A can be used to translate a proprietary protocol to ModBus protocol for a 

connection to a standard supervisor package or translate between devices of different 

manufacture. 


2. Starting TWinSoft 

2.1. System requirements 

Hardware: Pentium or higher. 

Memory: 16-MB minimum. We recommend 32 MB. 

Hard Disk: 10 MB required plus the application files. 

Display: VGA, SVGA with a minimum resolution of 640 x 480. We recommend 800 x 600. 

Mouse: any Windows compatible mouse. 

Parallel port: required in case of dongle protection. (A software license is also available) 

Serial port: required for a local connection to Aor for an external modem. 

Modem: any PCMCIA or external modem properly configured in Windows. 

Operating system: Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT (service pack 3 or higher), 

Windows 2000, Windows XP. 

• To Browse A: 

Internet Browser: as ActiveX is used, Internet Explorer only can be used. Version 5.00 or higher 

is recommended to take benefit of the dialer. 

The CD-ROM of TWinSoft includes MSIE version 5.00. 


2.2. Starting the CD-ROM of TWinSoft 

When inserting the CD-ROM of ‘TWinSoft Suite’ into the PC, the following software’s are 

available from the Setup: 

• TWinSoft 8.32 

TWinSoft is the software required for developing an application for the A RTU. The 

basis for configuring a A application is explained in this manual. 

Installation of TWinSoft includes ‘WebForm Studio’: HTML editor dedicated to RTU), 

‘Report studio’: Report editor dedicated to RTU and ‘WebForm Viewer’: Internet Explorer 

‘TBox Dialer’ and ActiveX (see next). 

• WebForm Viewer 

This software contains the tool TBox Dial It ! used to dial a A with Internet Explorer. 

It also contains the ‘ActiveX’ used to display RTU dedicated objects. 

It needs to be installed on the PC used by a operator to dial A with Internet Explorer, 

when TWinSoft is not required. 

• TBox Mail 

This software is used to display a Chart view from datalogging attached to an e-mail. 

• DreamWeaver Trial version 

• Report Studio for DreamWeaver 

Dreamweaver is a standard HTML editor. It can be used with the plug-in ‘Report Studio for 

Dreamweaver’ to develop standard HTML pages that do not use the ActiveX. 

• Acrobat Reader 

Software needed to read our documentation. 


• Internet Explorer 5 

Minimum version required to dial A and display properly the ActiveX. 

• Explore this CD-ROM 

You will find on the CD-ROM many information related to A and accessories: 

datasheets, manuals, … 

2.3. Programs of ‘TWinSoft Suite’ 

During installation of TWinSoft, a group of programs is created where TWinSoft can be started. 

figure 1 

Other programs and menus: 

• TBox drivers: when 'C' custom drivers have been installed. The ‘on line’ help of the driver 

configuration is available in this folder. 

• Samples: group with TWinSoft documents installed as example. 

• Accessories: group containing the utility ‘Password generator’ and ‘Reset User preferences’: 

reset of registry information to restore the default configuration of TWinSoft. 

• Documentation: group containing the various documents associated to TWinSoft and RTU. 

• Report Studio: to create reports dedicated to A. 

• TWinSoft: to start TWinSoft. 

• WebForm Studio: to start the HTML editor, dedicated to A when it is used as a Web 

Server. 


3. TWinSoft Protection 

The software itself is not protected; it can be installed on any PC and used to develop TWinSoft 

documents Offline or to monitor/control a running program locally or remotely. 

The only protected operation is the insertion of an application in the A. 

In order to find the best way for you we offer different possibilities: 

3.1. The Evaluation mode 

You don't need any software or hardware dongle. You are able to develop a complete TWinSoft 

document without any restriction, but when you send the application to the A, it will stop 

after 2 hours. This is a good solution for testing programs or creating a demo. 

3.2. The Dongle 

It is a hardware device placed on the parallel port of your PC. TWinSoft regularly checks the 

presence of it. It allows you to send applications to as many A’s as you want, with any PC. 

3.3. The Code (License) 

Available from the menu ‘Help’ ‘License Register.’ 

Using information of the PC (the Company name, the User name, the Serial Number), we create a 

code that you enter in the 'License' field. Once entered, you can send any application as if you had 

a dongle (see previous). The only restriction is that it must always be on the same PC. 

If you wish to use another PC, you have the possibility to remove registration on the first PC and 

register back on the second. 

3.4. The TWinSoft LITE 

Available from the menu ‘Help’ ‘TWinSoft LITE configuration.’ 

This protection mode is ideal for users having one or two A units. The A dongle or a 

code might be too expensive. TWinSoft LITE code is linked to one A; it allows you to send 

an application to the A for which you have the code. 


4. Wizard 

When starting TWinSoft the first time or when creating a new document, the Wizard helps you to 

define the basic configuration: 

figure 2 

This configuration can be modified using the RTU properties dialog boxes. 

figure 3 

According to the hardware 

you want to program, select 

the proper type of RTU. 

Warning : you cannot 

change later from one type 

to another type : 

LP100 to LP200 for 

instance. 

Telephone information 

the location where the 

A will be placed. 

According to this data 

TwinSoft will dial 

country, area code or 

prefix when calling the 

A. 


In case you have selected a modem (see previous page), the Wizard offers to define a connection 

to an ISP, in order to send e-mail. 

figure 4 

figure 5 

Available ‘dial up entries’ to 

ISP existing on your PC. 

OR 

Select ‘New connection…’ 

You type these data 

according to the information 

received from the ISP. 

Part of the data appear 

automatically according to 

the ‘dial up entry’. 

You type the other data 

according to the information 

received from the ISP. 


The Wizard then asks you whether you use an Ethernet card and offers to configure it. 

figure 6 


5. Presentation 

Using TWinSoft, you can easily create all needed items such as Tags, alarm recipients, alarm conditions, 

data logging criteria, and more using lists. 

figure 7 

To open a list of items, simply select the type of item you want to see in the project workspace (the tree in 

the left panel of the main window). TWinSoft opens a view (new window) showing these items. 

You can open several views to see more than one list at a time: In the Window menu, choose New. 

The window in the bottom can be selected to display utility information. It can be opened (or closed) by 

pressing the accelerator keys: 

: Open / Close the Project Workspace. 

: Build results (results of the compilation and use of the memory of the A). 

: Watch (to display a custom design list of values of Tags). 

: Cross-reference (gives complete information of 1 Tag). 

The status line indicates the type and status of the communication. 


6. Communication (PC set up) 

Communicating with your A is necessary to send a program or to visualize the process. The 

development of a document can be done “off line”. 

A communication can be carried out locally or remotely. It is defined in the PC set up 

configuration. 

• The Off line option is selected to avoid sampling a A that is not connected. 

• In case of a local connection, select the port of the PC that is used to communicate with the 

A. The Baudrate must fit with the speed of the port of the A to which your PC is 

connected. If you don’t know the Baudrate of A, you can set it to a default 

configuration (see chapter 6.3: Working modes of A) 

figure 8 

• To communicate with your A in TCP/IP (typically with a A equipped with an 

Ethernet card), you select the option ‘TCP/IP (Ethernet…). TWinSoft will then establish a 

communication with the IP address specified in the tab ‘TCP/IP – LAN’ (see chapter 7: ‘RTU 

Properties’). 

• Communicating with your A using a modem is easier than ever since TWinSoft takes 

full advantage of Windows' built-in modem support: Simply install your modem in the control 

panel's Modems applet and you are ready to call your A. 

After having selected the communication mode, you can check the communication doing a ‘RTU 

identification’ from the ‘Communication’ menu. 

For more information, click ‘Help’. 


6.1. Sending a program 

Compile + test of available memory. 

Compile the program before sending to A. This can be done to test the integrity of a 

TWinSoft document or to check the memory available in the A 

To compile without sending the TWinSoft document use the icon from the Main Toolbar, or 

from the main menu bar: 'File' -> 'Compile' or directly the key . 

The result of compilation is available in the 'Results' window. This window is automatically 

opened if the compilation fails, otherwise you can open it with the accelerator keys , or 

from the main menu bar 'View' -> 'Build Results': 

Information: Indicated in black 

Warning: Indicated in bold dark green. 

Error: Indicated in bold red 

Available information: 

OS Version: TWinSoft reads the OS version of the A, to test if the TWinSoft 

document fits with the material. 

Program + Chrono: RAM memory available for Program, chronologies and Sampling 

Tables. 

Sampling Tables: RAM memory available for Sampling Tables. 

ROM: EEPROM memory for the program sent by TWinSoft. When the A starts, a 

part of program is copied in (battery-backed) RAM. 

Upload 

Upload means transferring information from the PC to the A, locally or remotely. 

To access Upload features, click 'Communication' -> 'Upload' from the main menu bar. 

Upload of the program. 

The PC sends the current TWinSoft document (program) to the A. The document is first 

compiled then sent to the A. It is carried out by the icon on the main Toolbar or by 

pressing the keys . 

It must be executed every time a modification is implemented within your document, in order to 

apply it to the A. 

6.2. Saving the source 

The source is the TWinSoft document. It can be sent at the same time as the compiled program: 

check the box ‘Also upload Program source’ in the dialog box when sending a program (see 

previous). You can therefore have a back-up of the application saved inside the A. 

To copy it back to the PC, click from the main menu Bar: ‘Communication’ ‘Download’ 

‘Program source’. 


6.3. Working modes of TBox 

A has three working modes: 

The program is running. 

The program is running and in alarm mode. 

The program is stopped (via a global reset). 

The Operating System is stopped. 

If you don’t know the communication parameters of the A you are connected to, you will 

not be able to communicate with it. 

In order to set the A to a known configuration, you need to do a global reset of the 

A(see mode 2 below). 

Mode 1a: the program is running 

USR LED blinks twice per second 

If you wish to restart the program: 

• Press the RST button, and then release it. 

Restarting the program has the following effects: 

Current alarms are stopped and the stack is erased 

Data logging is maintained 

Values of counters are maintained 

Timers are reset 

Reset (to 0) of the DIR, AIR, STO, according to the start up conditions (see the ‘RTU 

properties’ dialog box ‘Advanced’ tab) 

Reset (to 0) or do not reset the physical digital outputs, according to the start up 

conditions 

The 3 digital outputs of the CPU are always reset (hardware reset) 

Mode 1b: the program is running and in alarm mode 

USR LED blinks 8 times / sec. 

There is currently one (or more) alarm(s) in A. Typically the sending of SMS, e-mail, call to 

a Supervisor, … 

Mode 2: the program is stopped (Global Reset) 

USR LED blinks once every 2 seconds 

A global reset is used to stop, but not erase, the program in the A. Pressing RST 

again restarts the program (see previous). 

Procedure to stop the program: 

• Hold the PGM button pressed 

• Then press and release the RST button 

• Wait for TxD and RxD to blink once, then release PGM 

A is configured as follows: 

COM1, COM2, COM3: 9600 baud + even parity + ModBus protocol (unprotected). 

COM4: V22, PSTN (protected if it was programmed). 

station address number: 1 (ModBus address). 


Mode 3: The Operating System is stopped 

Lighted USR LED and blinking ERR LED 

The OS of the A contains all the features. In very rare situations it might be stopped. 

Procedure to stop the OS: 

• Hold the PGM button pressed. 

• Then press and release the RST button. 

• Wait for TxD and RxD to blink four times, then release PGM. 

The A is in 'loader' mode. 

A is configured as follows: 

COM1, COM2, COM3: 9600 baud + even parity + ModBus protocol. 

COM4: V22, PSTN (non protected). 

station address number: 1 (ModBus address). 


7. RTU properties 

Setting the parameters of the A to specific values has never been so easy thanks to a new set 

of comprehensive dialog boxes. To open the RTU Properties dialog boxes, use the icon of the 

Main Toolbar: 

figure 9 

7.1. General 

If the Wizard was used, the information entered is displayed. Information can be updated. 

figure 10 



7.2. Communication ports 

Each communication port can be configured independently. 

figure 11 

• COM1 and COM2 are RS232 communication ports for any local connection to a supervisory PC, 

printer, ModBus equipment, or to an external modem (PSTN, ISDN, GSM, RADIO, HF,). The 

maximum distance is 12 m. 

• COM3 is an RS485 communication port for network connection to other A (maximum 32) to 

RM modules (maximum 255) or to any other ModBus equipment having an RS 485 port. The 

maximum distance, depending on line quality, can be up to 10 km. 

• COM4 is an option. An internal modem can be used on PSTN lines (in modes V21, V22, V22b or 

V23) or on leased lines (in mode V22). 

• COM5 is an option that can be equipped with a PCMCIA modem (PSTN, ISDN or GSM) or with a 

network modem for network connection of A (maximum 10). The maximum distance, 

depending on the number of A and the line quality, can be up to 50 km. 

• COM6 is an Ethernet interface. It allows to connect A to a Hub, Router, … in order to establish 

a local connection (LAN) or a remote connection (WAN). Click ‘Parameters’ to configure the Ethernet 

card. 

TWinSoft can use any port for the visualization or sending of a document. 



8. Creating Tags 

Configuration is carried out using Tags. Tags are of all variables that the A program 

recognizes : digital inputs to the CPU, analog outputs of an extension rack, a register, … 

To declare a Tag, open the list of ‘Tags’ and click ‘Add a Tag’, and then choose Digital or Analog: 

figure 12 

• Type: for physical input/output select I/O. Other types are internal registers of the CPU. 

• Select: opens from ‘Resources’, the list of variables associated to the current type. It allows 

you to check easily which I/O or Registers are still free. 

• Address: it is the location of the physical I/O (rack number, card number and channel 

number). For registers, it is the number of a specific register. 

• Format: According to the address selected, different formats are available. 

• Export: allows export of the Tag definition in external, ASCII files, either in AB format or 

in ‘text’ format. This option is available while being in the ‘Tags’ folder, click in the main bar 

‘File’ ‘Export’. You can choose between: 

All list: all the Tags. 

Selection: only the Tags that have the option ‘export’ checked (not implemented yet). 

From the TAG definition box, any configuration requiring the Tag can be accessed, i.e. alarms, 

data logging, etc. 



9. The Resources 

The resources represent the list of all variables that are available for your application. It relates to 

the I/O of your A and any extension racks or external equipment. 

When starting a new document, the default startup only shows the variables of the CPU that are 

available. Click ‘Resources’ then ‘CPU’ to list the variables. 

Project workspace Physical I/O Registers 

8 DIGITAL INPUTS. • 2048 digital registers. 

figure 13 

• 3 digital outputs. 

• 2 analog inputs (8 bits). 

• 1 external battery check 

• 1 internal lithium battery 

check 

The different groups of 

I/O of the CPU appear as 

cards. Click the card to see 

the list of I/Os. 

Clicking an I/O opens the 

box of ‘Creating a Tag’. 

• 256 analog registers. 

• 4096 storage digital registers. 

• 6144 storage analog registers 

(16 bits). 

• 64 Floating point registers. 

• 256 timers. 

• 256 counters. 

• Digital special registers. 

• Analog special registers. 

• 64 totalizers 


9.1. Creating a block of I/O 

Under the folder ‘I/O’ you see the CPU as the default block of I/O. Double click ‘I/O’ to add 

additional blocks of I/O – as per your hardware configuration: 

List of I/O Blocks Blocks of I/O 

• Rack4 and Rack8 are extension racks of the CPU 

(local). 

• Multi I/O card is a custom design card within the 

CPU (local). 

• RM-10 and RM-21 are remote modules (remote). 

• Remote TBox is a distant A (remote). 

• ModBus device is any ModBus equipment (remote). 

figure 14 

Creating a Remote block of I/O: 

Remote blocks of I/O are equipment connected to A through a communication port (RS485, 

RS232, modem, …). 

From the moment a A needs to communicate with other equipment, the latter become part 

of its Resources. The A being Master and the Remote equipment Slave(s). 

The A communicates to Remote equipment with the help of ‘Remote Tags’ (see chapter 14: 

‘Remote Tags’). 

When creating such equipment you must specify the following parameters: 

Example for a ‘Remote TBox’: 

figure 15 

• Name: you type any name. It will be available in a list of available equipment when creating 

‘Remote Tags’. 

• Address: it is the ModBus address of the Remote equipment. It must be different from the 

Master A and possible other equipment on the same network. 

• RTU Port: the communication port used by the Master to communicate with the equipment. 

• IP address: in case the communication port of the Master is COM6 (Ethernet card), the IP 

address of the Remote equipment must be specified here. 

Available for Remote A only. 


Creating Remote modules RM-xx 

The different groups of I/O of the RM modules appear as cards. Click the card to see the I/O list. 

Double-clicking an I/O opens the ‘Creating a Tag’ box. 

9.2. Creating a card 

After having created an extension rack, click on it to create cards. 

List of cards Cards description 

• 4 Analog inputs (8 bits full isolated). 

• 2 Analog output card (8 bits full isolated) 

• 8 Analog inputs (12 bits). 

• 16 Digital inputs. 

• 16 Digital outputs - (transistor/PNP) 

• 16 Digital outputs (old) (transistor/NPN) No 

longer available. 

• 8 Digital output (Relays 250 VAC). 

Figure 16 

9.3. Creating a Tag from a list of I/Os 

Example of I/O of an 8 Analog Input card: 

figure 17 

For each channel 2 variables are available: 

• The I/O (analog). 

• Test the I/O (digital). 

Double-clicking an I/O opens the box of 

‘Creating a Tag’. 


10. Programs 

10.1. Ladder – Principle 

Introduction 

The principle of the Ladder diagram is based on an electrical description of the process or 

machine, using relay logic. To the left of the screen are the inputs (they are conditions for which 

an action will be undertaken) and to the right are the outputs (which result from these actions). 

Inputs 

All inputs, whether digital or analog, can be combined to create logical equations (two inputs 

follow on the same line for an , and one above the other and linked by a vertical bar for an 

). All analog comparison functions and/or digital inputs on the same program line will 

represent true or false. The result defines the actions of the output (will or will not be performed). 

The different types of Input conditions are accessible in the LD Toolbar. 

Outputs 

Digital output functions are engagements (SET relay) or disengagement (RESET relay), they can 

be the image or the opposite of the result of the tested input conditions (OUTPUT relay and 

NEGATIVE relay). Other functions have been introduced proper to telemetry like transmission of 

alarms, data logging or sending of DTMF tone. To process analog outputs, many mathematical 

functions and POU (Program Organization Units) functions have been implemented. 

The selection of different types of outputs is accessible in the LD Toolbar. 

figure 18 


Cycle time 

Ladder Logic is executed on a fixed basis; contacts, relays, functions; math calculations, etc are 

executed while they are scanned (read). 

Lines are scanned from left to right and from top to bottom. When bottom is reached, it starts 

again from top. 

The cycle time is displayed when doing a A Identification from the main Toolbar menu 

'Communication'. 

The cycle can never be greater than 1 second. If this occurs, an internal watchdog timer resets the 

A automatically. 

10.2. Ladder - Modes 

Introduction 

The Ladder programming operates in two different modes. 

The first is display mode, which allows you to see the entire program, one page at a time. It is in 

this mode that you can see the state or the value of variables in real time. 

The second mode is edit mode, which allows inserting a new line anywhere in the Ladder, at the 

beginning, at the end or between two existing lines. This mode also allows modifying an existing 

line. 

To see an example, load the TWinSoft document 'Ladder.tbox' that you find in the 'Samples' 

directory of TWinSoft. 

Display mode 

To access the Ladder in Display mode, click in the Project Workspace on the 'Programs' folder. 

The last Ladder that was opened is displayed. The white tab underneath indicates the active 

program. The 'MAIN' tab is the main program, that is automatically executed by A; the 

other POUs having to be called from the ‘MAIN’. 

The Ladder diagram appears in red lines with the Tags associated at each input contact, output 

relay or IN/OUT of functions. 

The Comment lines appear as gray blocks. 

When a jump (JUMP) is programmed, the jump’s mnemonic appears at the right side of a double 

arrow. The mnemonic is a LABEL that appears in black text. 

A call to another program appears in a red block with one IN/OUT line. 

The state of the digital input contacts is displayed as a green overlay if the condition represented 

by the contact is true (in the case of a trigger contact, the result represents the last level attained). 

Similarly, if the result of an analog comparison is true, a green overlay on the function is used. 

Moreover, for digital outputs, the green overlay represents the status of the associated Tag. 

When moving the cursor on analog Tags in Functions or Math blocks, the current value is 

displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen. For digital gates the display indicates or 

according to the current value. 


Edit mode 

The Edit mode is used when inserting a new line or modifying an existing line. 

To insert a line, use the LD Toolbar. Three types of lines can be inserted using the following 

buttons: 

to insert a line of Ladder 

to insert a line of Comment 

to insert a Label that will be called by a JUMP 

The Ladder diagram is made of several lines that are numbered starting at 1. Only one line at a 

time can be edited with only one rung (a rung is a set of Input conditions connected to only one 

set of Outputs). When editing is finished, the line must be compiled to proceed with the next one: 

To save and compile a line. If an error occurs, a dialog box informs you on the 

error. The key can also be used to save and compile a line. 

If you were editing an existing line, you return to display mode. 

If you were inserting a new line, you stay in edit mode. 

To quit editing and discard changes. The key can also be used. 

To select any item (line, contact, relays or Functions) of a Ladder line. Once 

selected it can be edited by a double click to replace Tags. You can also erase the 

selected item by pressing the key or insert a new contact, relay or Function 

by selecting the proper icon in the LD Toolbar. 

Inserting a new line as last line 

To insert a new line as last line, place the cursor at the end of the last line and click the icon 

corresponding to the type of line you wish to insert. 

Inserting a new line between 2 existing lines 

To insert a line between 2 existing lines, place the cursor on the existing line that the new line will 

correspond to. The new line will move the existing line to next position after it is inserted. When 

a line is selected, it is surrounded. Then click the icon corresponding to the type of line you wish 

to insert. The line you placed the cursor on will be moved downwards. Using the keyboard UP 

and DOWN arrows moves the selected line. 

Modifying an existing line 

To modify an existing line, place the cursor on the line you wish to modify. Then double-click it. 

The arrow icon of the LD Toolbar is automatically selected. 


10.3. Ladder - Toolbar 

The LD Toolbar is the panel of tools necessary to edit Ladder. Different icons are active 

according to the current mode of Ladder: 

Display mode 

Clicking one of the following icons lets you enter in the edit mode: 

To insert a line of Ladder. 

To insert a line of Comment. 

To insert a Label that will be called by a JUMP. 


Edit mode 

To Select any item (line, contact, relays or Functions) of a Ladder line. Once 

selected it can be edited by a double click to replace Tags. You can also erase the 

selected item by pressing the key or insert a new contact, relay or Function 

by selecting the proper icon in the LD Toolbar. 

To Save and Compile a line. If an error occurs, a dialog box informs you of the 

error. The key can also be used to save and compile a line. 

To Quit editing and discard changes. The key can also be used. 

To insert a Normal input contact for digital input. The condition will be true if the 

input is active. 

To insert an Invert input contact for digital input. The condition will be true if the 

input is inactive. 

To insert a Positive input trigger for digital input. The condition will be true only 

once when the input passes from an inactive level to an active level. 

To insert a Negative input trigger for digital input. The condition will be true only 

once when the input passes from an active level to an inactive level. 

To insert a Digital output normal. Output is activated if the results of the input 

condition(s) are true. 

To insert a Digital output inverted. Output is activated if the results of the input 

condition(s) are false. 

To insert a Digital output set. Output is set and memorized if the result of the input 

condition(s) are true; this type of output is typically used with a 'trigger' input 

To insert a Digital output reset. Output is reset and memorized if the result of the 

input condition(s) are true; this type of output is typically used with a 'trigger' input 

To draw continuous horizontal or vertical lines. To join inputs conditions together 

to create logical equations and to possibly connect to many outputs. 

WARNING: a set of inputs can only lead through one horizontal line to only one set 

of outputs. It is called a rung. 

To insert a Function or Function Block. A list opens with the standard Functions 

(under the folder 'Standard') and with the user defined Functions (under the folder 

'This file') 

To insert a Mathematical block. In this block, mathematical functions can be 

inserted by clicking on 'New Math Function' . See chapter 10.7 for a list of available 

functions. 

Initiates a Jump to the line whose label corresponds to the one that is entered here 

(to enter a label, see above in the list of icons of 'Display mode'). 


10.4. Variables 

Introduction 

Variables can be physical I/O or internal registers: Analog registers (AIR, STO, and ASPE...) 

Digital registers (DIR, DSPE...). Any variable is available, but only when it is declared, we 

consider it as a Tag. According to the use we make of the variables in Ladder programming, there 

are two families of Tags: 

Local Tags 

Global Tags 

Local Tags 

A Local Tag is a non-specific register used as temporary value in a calculation. When compiling 

the TWinSoft document a free register (DIR, AIR or STO) is assigned to it according to the 

registers that are already used. 

Local Tags are only used in the POU where they have been created. 

They appear in the list of Local Tags, above the Ladder diagram of the POU (see next). 

Global Tags 

A Global Tag can be of two types: 

A specific register (DIR, AIR, and SPE...) that you wish to use. 

A physical I/O of the CPU created in the List of Tags. 

Global Tag-Names can be used in POU Program and in POU Function Block (see next). 

The colors of the Tags 

The color used to display the Tag in Ladder programming informs you of its type: 

Black: Global Tag. 

Blue: Local Tag. 

Brown: Special register (analog or digital) it is always considered as Global 

Tag 


10.5. Create Ladder Diagram 

Introduction 

Creating Ladder diagram consists of 'drawing' program lines with input contacts or functions and 

output relays or functions placed between 2 vertical Power Rails. The two rails can be considered 

as electrical wires between which items are placed. The lines as a whole represent your local 

automation. 

In the LD Toolbar click - - to insert a new Ladder Line. In the window of Ladder 

programming, a rectangle appears with a line number. Only one line at a time can be edited with 

only one rung (a rung is a set of Input conditions connected to only one set of Outputs). The grid 

shows you the places where you can place contacts, relays and functions. 

The Ladder is executed from left to right and from top to bottom. Every contact, functions and 

relay is treated when it is read. Be careful when using an output at different places of the 

Ladder, unless you do SET and RESET. To help you, check the Cross reference of the Tags. 

figure 19 

According to the item you wish to use, select the proper icon in the Toolbar. 


Inserting items 

When inserting an item, you must declare the variable(s) associated to it: Digital Tag for a contact 

and a relay, Digital or Analog Tags for Functions. You have to work with Tags; it is not possible 

to select the number of a register in the list of registers. 

A Tag (local or global) can be created while inserting an item. 

There are two possibilities to select a Tag: 

The Tag exists 

The Tag does not exist 

- You know the name of the Tag: you type its name. TWinSoft is not case 

sensitive, so you can type it in capital or small letters. 

- You don’t know the name of the Tag: you click the button to open the list 

of Tags. You have the choice between Global Tag, Local Tag and Special 

registers (see previous chapter ‘Variables’). 

You type its name and press to create it. The Tag can be either 

Local Tag or Global Tag (see previous chapter ‘Variables’). 

According to the field you are in, you can select a Tag or type a constant. A constant 

is a 16-bit variable that will be considered as Signed (-32768 -> 32767) or Unsigned (0 and 

65535) according to the Function where it is used. 

The colors of the Tags 

The color used to display the Tag in Ladder programming informs you of its type: 

Black: Global Tag. 

Blue: Local Tag. 

Brown: Special register (analog or digital) it is always considered as Global 

Tag 

The Keys 

To compile a line. Use also the icon 

 

- When a line is selected: to quit edit mode. Use also the icon . 

- When an item is selected: to release the item and return to selection mode (arrow). 

- When Tag box is opened: to carry on without specifying a Tag. '???' will be inserted 

instead. To enter a Tag afterwards, double click '??? ' 

To delete the selected item. 


10.6. Step by step creating of Ladder 

We assume that Tags already exist and that we work with global Tags. 

Suppose we are controlling a Reservoir LEVEL. When it reaches the value 150, we start the 

PUMP to remove water. At the same time, we start an INTEGRAL timer that memorizes the 

number of minutes the pump has been working. 

The PUMP can also be started manually. 

When 6000 minutes are reached, the timer - status TIMER - is at 1 and activates the output 

MAINTENANCE. 

We will create the following lines: 

figure 20 

We use the following Tags (see chapter 8 ‘Creating Tags’): 

LEVEL analog input. 

MANUAL digital input. 

PUMP digital output. 

TIMER digital state of the timer (DTI.10) 

MAINTENANCE digital output. 

RESET digital input. 


1 st line of Ladder: 

1. In the program ‘MAIN’, click the icon to insert a line of comment. Type you text and 

click ‘OK’. 

2 nd line of Ladder: 

2. Click the icon to insert a new line. The edit block is ready to create the second line. The 

grid shows the position where you can place the items. 

3. Click the icon to insert the function A>B then click close to the left Rail. 

figure 21 

4. Enter the Tag name LEVEL or select it from the list of Tags and then enter the constant 150. 

5. Click the icon to insert a digital contact, then click the comparison Function and close to 

the left rail. 

6. Enter the Tag name MANUAL or select it from the list of Tags. 

7. Click the icon and draw a horizontal and vertical line to join the output of the comparison 

Function. 

8. Click the icon to insert an output relay, then click on the output of the comparison 

Function. A horizontal line is automatically drawn to the right rail. 

9. Enter the Tag name PUMP or select it from the list of Tags. 


10. Click the icon to insert the timer Integral with a basis time in minutes (TI_min) then click 

under the relay PUMP. 

figure 22 

11. Enter an ID number (between 0 and 255); in our example: 10, then the preset (number of 

minutes), in our example 6000. 

12. Click the icon and draw a horizontal and vertical line to join the timer Function to the 

right rail and to the output of the comparison Function. 

13. Press the key , or click the icon to compile the line. Doing this, the edition block is 

ready to create the third line. 

3 rd line of Ladder: 

14. Click the icon to insert a Positive edge trigger contact, then click close to the left rail.. 

15. Enter the Tag name TIMER. 

16. Click the icon to insert a SET output relay, then click close to the left side of the contact 

TIMER. A horizontal line is automatically drawn to the right rails. 

17. Enter the Tag name MAINTENANCE or select it from the list of Tags. 


ready to create the fourth line. 

4 th line of Ladder: 

19. Click the icon to insert a Positive edge trigger contact, then click close to the left rail. 

20. Enter the Tag name RESET or select it from the list of Tags. 

21. Click the icon to insert the reset timer Function, then click close to the contact RESET. 

22. Enter 10, the ID of the timer to reset (in our example: 10). 


23. Click the icon to select and move the reset timer function, then click the reset timer 

Function and drag it on step to the right. 

24. Click the icon and draw a horizontal between the RESET contact and the reset timer 

Function. 

25. Click the icon to insert a MAINTENANCE output relay then click under the reset timer 

Function. A horizontal line is automatically drawn to the right rail. 

26. Enter the Tag name MAINTENANCE or select it from the list of Tags. 

27. Click the icon and draw a horizontal and vertical line to join the input contact to the 

output relay MAINTENANCE. 


ready to create the next line. 

29. Press to come back in Display mode. 


10.7. Mathematical Block 

A mathematical Block allows to carry out analog output operations like addition, subtraction, 

multiplication, division, bit manipulation, indirect addressing... 

To insert a Math block, in the edit mode of Ladder Programming, click the icon of the LD 

Toolbar. 

Introduction 

There are 8 categories of mathematical functions available (to use in math blocks): 

• Assignment functions. 

• Arithmetic operations. 

• Comparisons. 

• Bit manipulations. 

• Boolean operations. 

• Conversion (PID, BCD, etc.), and indirect addressing. 

• Text and miscellaneous functions. 

• Floating point. 

In the functions, the Arguments to replace by Tags (or constant) are represented as follows: 

- A, B, C, and D: Analog Tags. 

- Ptr: Pointer in indirect addressing; analog Tag. 

- BOOL, Bit: Digital Tag. 

- Tot1, Tot2: Analog double word. 

- Flt: Floating point 

The equality operations are always executed from the right to the left. In other words, we have: 

result = operation 

or: output = input (means the value of Input variable is copied in the Output 

variable). 

16 bit analog numbers on are always worked out as signed values in TBox, even if they have 

been defined as 'Unsigned' Tags. 

If used in 'Indirect addressing' functions, an analog variable of the pointer is considered as 

'Unsigned', even if it appears 'Signed'. 

In edit mode, to insert a 'Math function' between 2 functions in a Math block, place the 

cursor at the position you want to insert the function, and press the key 'Insert' of keyboard. 

Assignments 

A = B 'A' contains a copy of the value of 'B' 

A = -B 'A' contains the invert value of 'B' 

A = Low(B) 'A' contains a copy of the 8 lowest bits of 'B' 

A = High(B) 'A' contains a copy of the 8 highest bits of 'B' 

A = Abs (B) 'A' contains a copy of the absolute value of 'B' 

A = Swap(B) 'A' contains the inversion of the 8 highest bits and the 8 lowest bits of 'B' 

inc (A) increase the value of Tag 'A' by 1 bit 

dec (A) decrease the value of Tag 'A' by 1 bit 


Arithmetic operations 

A = B + C 'A' is the addition of 'B' and 'C' 

A = B - C 'A' is the subtraction of 'B' and 'C' 

A = B * C 'A' is the multiplication of 'B' and 'C' 

A = B / C 'A' is the division of 'B' and 'C' 

A = B AND C 'A' is the result of the logical AND between 'B' and 'C' 

Example: 0001000011111111 

AND 0001100000001111 

0001000000001111 

A = B OR C 'A' is the result of the logical OR between 'B' and 'C' 

Example: 0000000011111111 

OR 1111000000001111 

1111000011111111 

A = B XOR C 'A' is the result of the logical XOR between 'B' and 'C' 

Example: 0000000011111111 

XOR 1111000000001111 

1111000011110000 

A = B MOD C 'A' contains the rest after the division of 'B' and ‘C’. 

Example: 2 = 17 MOD 3 

Comparisons 

BOOL = B == C 'BOOL' is TRUE if 'B' equal 'C', otherwise it is FALSE 

BOOL = B < C 'BOOL' is TRUE if 'B' is smaller than 'C', otherwise it is FALSE 

BOOL = B > C 'BOOL' is TRUE if 'B' is greater than 'C', otherwise it is FALSE 

BOOL = B = C 'BOOL' is TRUE if 'B' is greater than or equal to 'C', otherwise it is 

FALSE 

BOOL = B C 'BOOL' is TRUE if 'B' and 'C' are different, otherwise it is FALSE 

BOOL = odd B 'BOOL' is TRUE if the value of 'B' is odd, otherwise it is FALSE 

A= conv 0/20 4/20 (B) 'A' is the conversion from 0..20mA to 4..20mA of 'B'. It is a 

scaling in order to start binary counting at 4 mA instead of 0 mA 


Bit manipulations 

Wraparound means that the bits scrolling from one side of a byte (8 bits) or word (16 bits) are 

replaced at the other side of the byte or word. 

bit (A,BitNb) = Bit The status of digital 'Bit' will be copied in the analog 'A' at the 

position indicated by 'BitNb', starting with ' 0 ' for Lsb. 

Example: Bit: 1 

BitNb: 3 

A: 0011010011001001 

Bit = bit( A,BitNb) The status of the bit of the analog 'A' indicated by 'BitNb' will 

be copied in the digital 'Bit', starting with ' 0 ' for Lsb. 

Example: A: 1100101000010010 

BitNb: 5 

Bit: 0 

A = shl(B,shift) 'A' has the number of Bits indicated by 'shift' shift to the left 

(max. 15) of the word 'B' 

(without wraparound). 

Example: B: 0000000011111111 

Shift: 4 

A: 0000111111110000 

A = shr(B,shift) 'A' has the number of Bits indicated by 'shift' shift to the right 


(without wraparound). 

Example: B: 0000000011111111 

Shift: 4 

A: 0000000000001111 

A = rol byte(B,shift) 'A' has the number of Bits indicated by 'shift' shift to the left 

(max. 7) of the byte 'B' 

(with wraparound). 

A = ror byte(B,shift) 'A' has the number of Bits indicated by 'shift' shift to the right 

(max. 7) of the byte 'B' 


A = rol word(B,shift) 'A' has the number of Bits indicated by 'shift' shift to the left 



Example: B: 0000000011111111 

Shift: 4 

A: 0000111111110000 

A = ror word(B,shift) 'A' has the number of Bits indicated by 'shift' shift to the right 



Example: B: 0000000011111111 

Shift: 4 

A: 1111000000001111 


Boolean operations 

Bit = not(Bit) the inverse of the digital Tag of the right is assigned to the digital 

Tag of the left 

Bit = bit AND Bit the result of the logical AND between the two digital Tags of the 

right is assigned to the digital Tag of the left 

Bit = Bit OR Bit the result of the logical OR between the two digital Tags of the right 

is assigned to the digital Tag of the left 

Bit = Bit XOR Bit the result of the logical XOR between the two digital Tags of the 

right is assigned to the digital Tag of the left 

A = B * C / D 

(Unsigned) 

'A' is the result of the 32 bits multiplication of Words 'B' and 'C' 

then divided by 'D' 

A = B * C / D (Signed) A' is the result of the 32 bits multiplication of Integers 'B' and 'C' 

then divided by 'D' 

put Bit in dig chrono Writing of the digital Tag 'Bit' in the Digital Chronology. 

put A in ana chrono Writing of the analog Tag 'A' in the Analog Chronology. 

Conversion + Indirect addressing 

A = bcd(B) transforms the word 'B' to a BCD format and transfers the result to 

the word 'A'. 'B' must be less than 10000 to prevent an overflow 

condition. 

A = 16 x (Bit) places the 16 digital variables of successive addresses, starting with 

the digital Tag 'Bit' in the word' A'. 

Example: 

to copy 16 digital inputs of an extension card in a word. 

This function cannot be used with the 8 digital inputs of the CPU, 

because there is not 16 successive addresses, but 8. If it is needed, 

first copy the 8 inputs in successive registers that have 8 free registers 

after those used for the copy of the inputs 

16 x (Bit) = A places the 16 bits of the word 'A' in the 16 digital variables of 

successive addresses, starting with the digital Tag 'Bit'. 

Example: 

to SET or RESET 16 DO of an extension card using an analog 

variable. 

Bit = indirect (Ptr) the Tag or Constant 'Ptr' contains the absolute ModBus address of 

the digital variable that will have its status assigned to the digital Tag 

'Bit'. 

Example: 

to read the status of the output 'Q0' of the CPU (ModBus address 32): 

dir0 = indirect (32). 


Indirect (Ptr) = Bit the status of the digital Tag 'Bit' will be copied in the digital 

variable whose ModBus address is defined in the Tag or 

Constant 'Ptr'. 

Example: 

to write the status of dir0 in the output 'Q2' of the CPU (ModBus 

address 34): 

Indirect (34): dir0. 

A = indirect (Ptr) the Tag or Constant 'Ptr' contains the absolute ModBus address 

of the analog variable that will have its value assigned to the 

analog Tag 'A' 

Example: 

to read the value of the input 'ana1' of the CPU (ModBus address 

65): 

air0 = indirect (65). 

indirect (Ptr) = A the value of the analog Tag 'A' will be copied in the analog 

variable whose ModBus address is defined in the Tag or 

Constant 'Ptr'. 

Example: 

to write the value of ana0 of the CPU in the analog output: Rack 

1, Card 1, Channel 0 (ModBus address 288): 

Indirect (288) = ana0. 


PID regulation 

Function available in the group ‘Conversion + Indirect addressing’ 

Out = PID(Input, AIR,..) 

Out: Tag associated to the output of PID function. 

Input: Tag associated to the input of PID function. 

AIR: index number of the AIR associated to the 'Set-point'. 

This function performs a PID regulation according to the formula: 

y = R * (x-w) + 1/TI (x-w) + TD * d(x-w) / dt 

where: 

y: value of output. 

x: value of the measurement. 

w: value of set point. 

R: proportional coefficient. 

TI: integral coefficient. 

TD: derivative coefficient. 

NOTES: 

1. PIDs require knowledge of this type of regulation. 

2. An example is available on web site: www.tbox.biz -> Support -> Examples 

Application of the PID to the TBox 

The maximum number of PIDs per TBox is 64, but this number can be limited due to the size of 

the memory A and the availability of analog registers. A PID in a mathematical formula 

occupies 5 supplementary bytes for calculation. A PID is computed in less than one millisecond. 

Values and coefficients are placed in variables and registers: 

'Output' = y: output value, between -2047 and 2047. 

'Input' = x: input value, between -2047 and 2047. 

'AIR' = w: set point value, between -2047 and 2047. 

'AIR+ 1' = R x 32: proportional coefficient, between 0 and 2047. 

'AIR+ 2' = 1 / (1024 x TI): integral coefficient, between 0 and 2047. 

'AIR+ 3' = TD x 8: derivative coefficient, between 0 and 2047. 

Those 3 last calculations must be implemented in the Ladder diagram. 

For example: 

R=20 'AIR+ 1'=640 

TI=0,0001 'AIR+ 2'=10 

TD=100 'AIR+ 3'=800 

'AIR', 'AIR+ 1', 'AIR+ 2', 'AIR+ 3' represent 4 analog internal registers of successive addresses. It 

is therefore only necessary to enter the first of these registers in the mathematical function. 

The PID is calculated every cycle for as long as the condition that precedes the mathematical block 

in the Ladder diagram is true. It is therefore necessary to link the PID calculation to a timer to 

obtain a time cycle different from that of the Ladder diagram. The PID can also be stopped or 

single stepped. The fact that the proportional coefficients, integral, and derivative are stored in 

internal registers allows dynamic modification following some conditional changes specified in the 

Ladder diagram. Calculations have 24-bit precision, the intermediate results of each group 

(proportional group, integral group and derivative group) are limited to the range -2047.+2047. 

The global result has the same range limits. 


Miscellaneous 

Send Text: Text Sending of the text indicated in the field 'Text' to a 

communication port. The Latter must be specified with a 

mathematical function 'Select Port # Port' (see next function). The 

text is sent in ASCII protocol. 

Maximum: 30 characters 

It is possible to ,insert a control character into the string, for 

instance a LF or a CR. 

^M = CR 

^J = LF 

Select Port # Port Selection of a communication port for sending text (see previous 

function). The available ports are: 

1: COM1 

2: COM2 

3: COM3 

Call Driver With (A) call of the custom driver loaded in the TBox by passing it the 

ModBus address of the variable defined in ''A' as an argument. It 

allows to use 'A' as an input and/or an output. 

Clear Totalizer (Tot) sets to 0 the totalizer 'Tot'. 

You must, before calling this function, write in the Special Analog 

register the unique ID number of the driver. 

Inc Totalizer (Tot, A) increments the totalizer 'Tot' with the value contained in the 

analog Tag 'A' 

Tot1 = Tot2 copy of the value of totalizer 'Tot2' in the Totalizer 'Tot1' 

NOTE: 

With Totalizer registers, supplementary mathematical functions, like arithmetic operation and 

comparison, can be executed using the 'C' driver Fcthmath2. 

See the web site: www.tbox.biz -> Support -> Drivers 


Floating point functions 

A = FloatToInt (Flt * 10 E Const) conversion from the Float 'Flt' to the Integer 'A' 

, with a possible scaling from 10E-4 to 10E+4. 

The exponent must be a constant:'Const'. 

Flt = IntToFloat (A) * 10 E Const) conversion from the Integer 'A' to the Float 

'Flt', with a possible scaling from 10E-4 to 

10E+4. The exponent must be a constant:'Const'. 

Flt A = Flt B + Flt C Float 'A' is the addition of Float 'B' and Float 'C'. 

Flt A = Flt B - Flt C Float 'A' is the subtraction of Float 'B' and Float 'C'. 

Flt A = Flt B * Flt C Float 'A' is the multiplication of Float 'B' and Float 'C'. 

Flt A = Flt B / Flt C Float 'A' is the division of Float 'B' and Float 'C'. 


10.8. POU (Program Organization Units) 

IEC1131-3 Ladder programming is organized not only with contacts and relays, but also with 

different POUs and functions. Three types of POU are available, all of which use the same Ladder 

programming tools: 

List of POU Equivalence in TSoft (DOS Editor) 

POU program: sub-program that is called in the ‘Main’ Modules 

program or any other POU program. 

POU function: standard functions (comparison, math. 

Functions, timers,...) or user defined functions. 

POU function block: user defined small 'applet' that 

performs a function (start of a pump, regulating 

temperature...) 

No equivalence 

Macros 

For users accustomed to work with TSoft (the DOS editor), we have kept mathematical functions 

in order to execute analog operations. 


10.9. POU – Program 

Introduction 

POU programs allow you to structure your Ladder program into several sub-programs. 

In practice, you have a main Ladder program, which calls sub-programs. These sub-programs 

contained within a Ladder diagram precisely define an action such as; start pump, intrusion 

control, alarms management...etc, and can be called from anywhere in the ‘Main’ program or any 

other POU program. 

They give you a clearer view of the whole automation program, they can be tested individually and 

allow you to make things easier for changing. 

A POU program can call another POU Program that can call another POU Program etc... 

If you use POU Programs that call other POU Programs, be careful to avoid loops: like 

Program 1 calling Program 2 calling Program 3 that calls Program 1. 

The 'main'. 

The POU program 'main' is the main Ladder program. This program must be unique and called 

‘main’, to be used to call other POU programs (sub-programs). It is the default POU program 

when starting a new TWinSoft document. 

Creating a POU Program 

To create a POU Program, click the 'Programs' folder in the Project Workspace. In the right 

window appears the list of existing POUs (all types of POU). When starting TWinSoft the first 

time, the only one is the 'main'. 

figure 23 

Double click 'Add a POU', type a Name (accents and space are not supported) and check 

'Program'. 

Click OK. 

You have created a POU Program and it appears in the 'Programs' folder. 


When you double click the name of the Program in the list, the window for Ladder programming 

appears with a new Tab for the current Program. 

figure 24 

Now you can create a Ladder Diagram for the Program you have defined. 

Calling a POU Program in another Program 

To call a POU Program, click the icon in the LD Toolbar. In the folder, 'This File' select the 

POU Program you wish to insert. All POU Programs have the following parameters: 

- EN: 

- ENO: 

Enable Input: Connection to the Ladder line. EN must be TRUE to run the 

Program. If it is connected directly to the left rail, it will be executed at each 

cycle of the Ladder, otherwise it can be connected to an input condition. 

Enable Output: it is the image of EN. If EN is TRUE, ENO is TRUE. It is 

usually connected to the right rail but can be also connected to a contact or a 

relay, a Mathematical block or a Function. 

Calling a POU Program is like calling a sub-routine. The program associated to it is executed at 

the position where it is called. 


10.10. POU – Function 

Introduction 

A POU Function is a user-defined piece of Ladder that executes a calculation ending in one 

result. It is useful when a calculation you regularly need to execute does not exist in the list of 

Standard Functions. You use it in POU Programs every time you need to execute the calculation. 

It has one or many inputs and only one output. When a Function is used many times in a POU 

Program, the same code is always executed. 

Example: 

You need regularly to execute the calculation: y= [(a+b) * (c+d)] /2. 

You will not find this formula in the Standard Functions or in the Mathematical Function block. 

You will then create your own Function that will execute your calculation every time you call 

it. 

According to the type of the output, there are 4 types of Functions: 

BOOL: digital output. 

WORD: analog output 16 bits unsigned. 

LONG: analog output 16 bits signed. 

FLOAT: floating point output. 

An example of user defined Function is available in the TWinSoft document ‘Ladder.tbox’, in the 

'Samples' directory of TWinSoft. The Function executes the scaling of an 8-bit analog input. 

Creating a POU Function 

To create a POU Function, click the 'Programs' folder in the Project Workspace. In the right 


time, the only one is the 'main' POU Program. 

figure 25 


'Function'. 

Select the type of the output (result of the calculation): BOOL , WORD, LONG or FLOAT. 

Click OK. 

You have created a POU Function and it appears in the 'Programs' folder. 


When you double click the name of the Function in the list, the window for Ladder programming 

appears with a new Tab for the current Function. 

figure 26 

By default, the name of the Output is the name of the Function. You can rename the output 

by using the context menu on its name (mouse right clicking on the name). 

POU Functions can be exported in a Library to be used in other TWinSoft documents, using 

the Library manager menu. 

Now you can create Ladder Diagram for the Program you have defined. 


Example of a Function 

The following Function is an analog Function (it means the output is analog). It performs a 

scaling of an 8-bit analog input. 

figure 26A 

The Tags : 

Inputs and the Output of a Function are the arguments to be replaced when calling the Function. 

The way a POU Function works, involves that one can define only local Tags in a POU 

Function. 

Scaled: the output of the Function. It is unique and is the result of the calculation. 

IN, MIN,MAX: are the Inputs of the Function. 

Delta, tmp0: local analog Tags used as temporary variables necessary to calculate the 

scaling. 

The Ladder : 

A math block using 3 functions is used. 


Calling a POU Function in a POU Program 

To call a Function, click the icon in the LD Toolbar. The folder, 'This File' contains Functions 

and Function Blocks created in the current document. If the Function owns to a Library, the latter 

appears as a Folder. Select the Function you wish to insert. All Functions have the following 

parameters: 

- EN: 

- ENO: 

Enable Input: Connection to the Ladder line. EN must be TRUE to perform the Function. If 

it is connected directly to the left rail, it will execute at each cycle of the Ladder, otherwise it 

can be connected to an input condition. 

Enable Output: 

if the Function is Analog: it is the image of EN. If EN is TRUE, ENO is TRUE. It is 

usually connected to the right rail but can be also connected to a contact or a relay, a 

Mathematical block or another Function. 

if the Function is Digital: ENO and the Output of the Function are linked inside the 

Function. It is TRUE if the result of the calculation AND EN are TRUE. It must then be 

connected to contact or a relay, a Mathematical block or another Function. 

figure 26B 

When calling the Function in a POU Program, you must assign to the (unique) Output a Tag and 

for each Input a Tag or constant. All inputs are at the left side of the Function Block; the output at 

the right side. 

In this example, we wish to have an 8-bit analog input 'ANA0' scaled between MIN '0' and MAX 

'1000'. The result is copied into the Internal Analog register 'AIR0'. 


10.11. POU - Function block 

Introduction 

POU function Blocks are user defined small 'applets' that performs a function (start of a pump, 

regulating temperature...). If this function is repetitive in your program & you don't wish to define 

it every time you need it, then you create it once, with Input and Output arguments and it is then 

a POU Function Block. You use it in POU Programs every time you need to execute the function 

and you assign Tags of the POU Program to it. 

We advise you against using POU Functions in a POU Function Block. In fact, a POU Function 

exists only once and always has the same variables that are used when inserting the POU Function. 

A POU Function Block has new Tags (local and global) assigned every time it is called in a POU 

Program. 

Creating a POU Function Block 

To create a POU Function Block, click the 'Programs' folder in the Project Workspace. In the right 


time, the only one is the 'main' POU Program. 

figure 27 


'Function Block'. 

Click OK. 

You have created a POU Function Block and it appears in the 'Programs' folder. 


When you double click the name of the Function Block in the list, the window for Ladder 

programming appears with a new Tab for the current Function Block. 

figure 28 

POU Function Blocks can be exported in a Library to be used in other TWinSoft documents, 

using the Library manager menu. 

Now you can create Ladder Diagram for the Program you have defined. 


Example of a Function Block 

The following Function Block performs the start of a digital output with a programmable delay. 

figure 28A 

The Tags: 

Inputs and Outputs of a Function Block are the arguments to be replaced when calling the 

Function Block. 

INPUT is a digital input that will start the OUTPUT after the DELAY. 

OUTPUT 

DELAY 

is a digital output. It will be connected to a motor, for instance when calling the Function 

Block. 

is an analog input containing the number of seconds of the delay. It must be associated 

to the timer used in the Function Block. 

preset is a Local analog Tag of the type 'Timer Preset'. 

timer is a Local digital Tag of the type 'Timer Status'. 

The Ladder : 

The DELAY is copied in the preset of the timer. 

When INPUT changes to 1, it starts the timer Single Shot with a base time in seconds 

(SS_sec). (Note: when working with an external Preset (the local variable 'preset'), the Preset 

of the timer can be set to any value; here 0). 

When the timer has finished counting AND the INPUT is still active, the output is set to 1. 

A negative edge on INPUT resets the OUTPUT. 


Calling a POU Function Block in a POU Program 

To call a Function Block, click the icon on the LD Toolbar. The folder, 'This File' contains 

Function Blocks and Functions created in the current document. If the Function Block owns to a 

Library, the latter appears as a Folder. Select the Function Block you wish to insert. All Function 

Blocks have the following parameters: 

- EN: 

- ENO: 

Enable Input: Connection to the Ladder line. EN must be TRUE to perform the Function 

Block. If it is connected directly to the left rail, it will execute at each cycle of the Ladder, 

otherwise it can be connected to an input condition. 

Enable Output: it is the image of EN. If EN is TRUE, ENO is TRUE. It is usually connected 

to the right rail but can be also connected to a contact or a relay, a Mathematical block or 

another Function. 

figure 28 B 

When Calling the Function Block in a POU Program, you are asked to enter an 'FB Instance 

name'. This name allows TWinSoft to distinguish between Function Blocks, when multiple calls of 

similar Function Blocks are defined. 

Afterwards you must assign to the Output(s) and Input(s) Tags or constant. All inputs are at the 

left side of the Function Block, all outputs at the right side. 

In this example, the FB is called ‘Motor1’, the input ‘D0’ activate the output ‘Q2’ with a delay of 

5 seconds. 

Each call of Function Block is unique and different from each other; local Tags of the Function 

Block as well as timer ID and counter ID, will be assigned to free registers, timers and 

counters when compiling. 

When a Function Block is called many times in POU Program, its code is inserted every time 

it is called. It makes development easier but it increases the code size. 

Execute compilation regularly to test A memory. 

A maximum of 16 timers and counters can be used in a POU function. 


Debugging of a Function block 

As explained above, the same piece of Ladder of the POU FB can be called several times (several 

instances). 

In order to debug a function block, to check values and status of the local Tags, it is not sufficient 

to enter the code of the FB, because TWinSoft needs to know which instance concerned is. 

IMPORTANT: 

1. The document must have been sent to TBox.with the last changes 

2. If TWinSoft is opened after the document has been sent, the document must be compiled, to 

allow TWinSoft assigning registers to the local Tags. 

3. The complete path from the Program 'main' must be followed to access the FB. Example: 'Main' 

-> 'Motors' -> FB 'Motor1'. 

To debug the FB, while in 'Vizualization mode', double click the call of the FB from the POU 

program it is used: 

The source code (Ladder) of the FB is then opened and dynamized according to its instance. 

In the list of POU Tags, the column 'Value' displays values of each local Tag. 


11. Library management 

TWinSoft offers the possibility to save POU Functions and POU Function Blocks in external files 

called ‘Libraries’ in order to use those POU in other TWinSoft documents. A library can contain 

several POUs. It corresponds for instance to a customer or to a category of functions. 

It is a file with the extension .LIB saved by default in the directory of TWinSoft. 

POU programs cannot be saved in a Library. 

11.1. Import of POUs (saving POUs in a Library) 

To access the Import menu, click 'Tools' on the main menu bar and select 'Library manager' 

figure 29 

Only POU Functions and Function Blocks can be saved in a library. 

1. You select an existing library ('File' -> 'Open'), or you create a new library ('File' -> 'New'). 

2. You open the list of available POUs of the current document ('Edit' ->'Import POU...'). 

3. You select the POUs you wish to save in the Library; you repeat operations 2 and 3 for 

each POU. 

4. You save the Library ('File' -> 'Save'). 

Libraries can be protected by a password, so that it is impossible to ‘Export’ it into a 

TWinSoft document, to see the internal code. 


11.2. Export of POUs (retrieval of POUs from a library) 

To access the Export menu, click 'Tools' on the main menu bar and select 'Library manager' (see 

import of POUs here above) 

Export is necessary if you wish to edit a POU in the current document that has been saved in a 

Library. 

1. You open a library ('File' -> 'Open'); the POUs appear in the top window. 

2. You select the POU and export it ('Edit' -> 'Export'); you repeat this operation for each 

POU. 

3. The POUs are then available in the list of 'Programs', in the Project Workspace. 

11.3. Use of a Library in a TWinSoft document 

To access the 'Libraries' menu, click 'File' on the main menu bar and select 'Libraries...' 

figure 30 

The ‘Available Libraries’ are the Libraries present in the directory of the current TWinSoft 

document or in the directory of TWinSoft. When a library appears in the list, all its POU 

Functions, and POU Function Blocks are available to be used in Ladder programming: in the list 

of Functions, the Libraries appear as Folders, each containing their own POUs. 

To add a Library to the current TWinSoft document, select it from the list of ‘Available Libraries’ 

and click 'Add'. 

The button 'Manager' jumps to the creation of Library menu. 

To remove a Library from the current TWinSoft document, select the Library and click 'Remove'. 

This operation is available only if you don’t use POU of the concerned library in the current 

document. 


12. Alarms 

12.1. Introduction 

Alarm module of A is the gate to the outside world, through the different communication 

ports. Via alarms, you are able to send messages to pagers, to print events, to call a SCADA... 

With the alarm module, your process is 'under control' ! 

The initiation of alarms in the A relies on the variation of digital or analog Tags, or on a 

combination of conditions defined in the Ladder diagram. For example, an intrusion contact or an 

alarm level at a reservoir will send a message to the world beyond A. It is also possible to 

remotely call a PC utilizing SCADA software, the latter can then monitor the A. 

Alarms can be sent to a printer (local or remote) in order to print current events, or even a 

complete report of activity, e.g. every day at midnight. 

Alarms can be sent to different recipients depending on the day or hour (this is called time slice 

management). 

Recipients can be linked or chained. 

There are two means of activating an alarm: 

By a condition: an edge on a digital Tag or the value of an analog Tag that exceeds a 

minimum or maximum threshold, with adjustable hysteresis. 

By the Ladder diagram: a complex Ladder sequence generates an alarm through a 

specific function. 

The first option affords a simple and quick way to create alarms (a state change of a digital Tag or 

the variation of an analog Tag value to activate the alarm). 

The Ladder diagram allows you to create a complex automated alarm condition by using (for 

example) priorities or a set of analog or Boolean conditions. 

Each new alarm is immediately entered into a 48-alarm queue (maximum) and processed 

according to its type (printer, pager etc...) and the communication port it uses. The order in which 

these alarms will be processed will not necessarily be the order of their arrival. For example, if an 

alarm requires the internal modem, it will need to wait until the modem is available before it can 

be transmitted. If the alarm is time stamped, this data accompanies the alarm message. 


12.2. Digital Tag Condition 

To access the definition of Conditions, click the folder 'Alarms' in the Project workspace and select 

'Conditions'. 

256 digital alarm conditions can be created. 

• The Tag. 

figure 31 

• The type on which the alarm is going to be started (rising, falling or both). 

• The recipient (printer, pager, e-mail, supervisor,…see below). 

• The message or report. 

• The filter (the time in minutes and seconds, before the alarm is started, once the alarm 

condition is present). 

• The inhibition (the alarm will always be started or disabled according to certain conditions). 

• SMS acknowledgment : from TWinSoft 7.10, alarms of type ‘e-mail’ and ‘Pager/SMS’, may 

be configured to be acknowledged from a SMS sent to A. This feature is handled by a 

‘C’ driver (see RTU Properties → ‘Modules’). 

This type of acknowledgment is only possible with a A equipped with a GSM data 

modem ! 


12.3. Analog Tag Condition 

256 analog alarm conditions can be created. 

• The Tag. 

figure 32 

• Type: The maximum or minimum threshold for which the alarm will be started (if the value of 

the analog Tag passes under or over this threshold, the alarm is started). If an alarm must be 

generated for both a maximum and a minimum threshold, 2 alarms must be declared with the 

same Tag. 

• Hysteresis: the amount that the value must fall or rise below or above the Max. or Min. set 

point before an alarm can be re-started 

• Recipient: printer, pager, e-mail, supervisor,…see below 

• Message: the value of a Tag can be sent within the message (see Message below) 

• Filter: the time in minutes and seconds, before the alarm is started, once the alarm condition is 

present 

It is always possible to choose a FILTER equal to '0 min. - 0 sec.', which means that the alarm will 

be activated immediately. 

• Inhibition: the alarm will be transmitted or inhibited according to certain conditions 

• Notify of the end of alarm: An alarm is automatically sent when the condition is over 

• SMS acknowledgment : from TWinSoft 7.10, alarms of type ‘e-mail’ and ‘Pager/SMS’, may 

be configured to be acknowledged from a SMS sent to A. This feature is handled by a 

‘C’ driver (see RTU Properties → ‘Modules’). 

This type of acknowledgment is only possible with a A equipped with a GSM data 

modem ! 



12.4. Recipients 

To access the definition of Recipients, click the folder 'Alarms' in the Project workspace and select 

'Recipients'. 

64 recipients can be declared, to different pager or GSM addresses, printer, SCADA, remote 

A, with the help of any of the available communication ports (see Chapter 7 ‘RTU 

Properties’). 

According to the type of recipient, local or remote ports are available: 

Internal: the alarm is saved in the alarm stack and not sent anywhere. 

ModBus: it can be slave or master. The ports available are modems ports. 

Pager/SMS: sending of a message to a pager or a GSM. The ports available are modems 

ports. 

Printer: sending of message(s) or report to a printer. The ports available are modems and 

local ports. 

Minitel: for France only. Calling of a Minitel. The ports available are modems ports. 

E-mail: sending of e-mail. The only information needed is (are) the e-mail address(es); the 

data of the ISP account are declared in the ‘RTU Properties’ → ‘TCP/IP’). 

FTP: refreshing of a Portal (Web Site) with HTML pages, report, … 

Custom: sending of an alarm with the help of a custom driver. 


12.5. Examples of recipients 

To a GSM 

figure 33 

To an e-mail address 

figure 34 


12.6. Messages 

To access the definition of Alarm messages, click the folder 'Alarms' in the Project workspace and 

select 'Messages'. 256 different messages can be created. 

figure 36 

• Message number : indicates the index of message (between 1 and 255). Type a message of 

maximum 30 characters. This message is user specific. 

If it is for a Digital Pager, it will consist only of numbers. 

If it is for a Text Pager or for a GSM, it will not contain accent (ü, é, à, ...) 

In all cases, a message can contain the value of a Tag. The syntax is the following: 

~Xyyyyy ~ 

~ : The first character indicates that what follows is the value of a ModBus address. The 

value sent is the value from the moment of the call. 

X : represents the type of the variable: 

Type Description 

I Integer (-32768.. 32768) 

W Word (0.. 65535) 

C Choice (for example edges: POS, NEG or DEL) 

S Text (comments, TEL number, scaled value of Terminal/.Minitel 

Tags,…) 

R Real (only Factor an Offset of Terminal/Minitel Tags) 

B Byte (0.. 255, represented as 3 ASCII characters) 

t Time (represented as 2 ASCII characters) 

j Day of the week 

m month 

0 (zero) Byte represented in binary format 

f Floating point 

D Double word 

- Character string 

d Digital state (represented as 0/1) 

o (small letter) Digital state (represented as ON/OFF) 

# Digital state (represented as --------/########) 

1.. 9, a.. f Digital state (according to the definition of digital states, only valid 

from 1 to 15) 

h Time: hh:mm 


yyyyy: represents the ModBus address of the variable. 

Examples of message Messages sent 

ANA0=~B64~too high ANA0=234 too high 

Register AIR0=~W20480~ Register AIR0=24563 

Motor is ~o32~ Motor is OFF 

• Next : Allows sending several successive messages (to a printer only). Specify the index 

number of the message coming next. This feature allows you to define a number of lines to be 

printed followed by an empty line (the last message of the chain) ; to separate each printing. 



13. Datalogging 


Datalogging relies on the database in the A, it allows you to memorize events of your 

process, in order to visualize historical data. 

A contains 128 Kbytes of memory for its program and for recording events; the latter is 

what we call the database of A. 

A supplement of 512 Kbytes RAM is available in A as September 2002 and running OS 

5512. This extended memory is only available for Sampling tables. 

There are two categories of databases: 

The Chronologies 

Chronologies are 'On event' recordings, by mean of changes in variables. Each event is recorded 

with the time, date, Tag and its status or value. 

Two tables are available, one for the digital events, one for analog events with a maximum of 256 

Tags in each table. 

The minimum interval between two recordings is 1 second. 

The Sampling Tables 

Recording in Sampling tables happens at regular intervals and does not depend on signal 

variations. Only the date and time of the last recording are stored, and they therefore require less 

memory than do chronologies. 

Up to 64 sampling tables can be created with one Tag for each table. 

The minimum period between two recordings is 1 second. 

The database information recorded in the A can be retrieved with the use of SCADA 

software such as TView or other HMI\Scada package with A specific driver or generic 

RS-485 driver. 

(please call your distributor) 


13.2. The Chronologies 

Example of one Digital definition in the Digital chronology table. 

figure 37 

• Edges: recording on positive and (or) negative edge. 

• Inhibition: 

Enabled: always recorded. 

Disabled: never recorded. 

Power failure: disabled if the supply voltage (230VAC or 8 56VDC) is broken 

down. 

DisCRD: disabled if the Special register ‘DisCRD’ is at 1. 

Example of one Analog definition in the Analog chronology table. 

figure 38 

• Variation: Recording in case of variation (higher or lower) in comparison with the previous 

recording. The unit is expressed according to the binary format of the analog input, 

independent of a possible scaling in the Ladder programming. 

• Inhibition: 

Enabled : always recorded. 

Disabled : never recorded. 

Power failure : disabled if the supply voltage (230VAC or 8 56VDC) is broken 

down. 

DisCRA : disabled if the Special register ‘DisCRA’ is at 1. 



13.3. Sampling tables 

figure 39 

• Type: A is able to execute calculations on a minimum time-base of 1 second. The result 

of the calculation is written in the table according to the period. This value can be: 

Minimum : minimum value during the period. 

Maximum : maximum value during the period. 

Average : average value calculated during the period. For each period a new 

average is calculated 

Instantaneous : value at the moment of the recording. 

• Period: Period between 2 recordings. You may choose between 1sec; 2sec; 4sec; 5sec; 10sec; 

15sec; 30sec; 1min; 2min; 4min; 5min; 10min; 15min; 30min; 1h; 2h; 4h; 6h; 12h. The 

recording happens at 'birthday' time of the period selected. 

Example: if you select as period 30 seconds, the recording will be done every minute 

and minute 30 seconds: 9:25:00; 9:25:30; 9:26:00; 9:26:30... 

• Size: The size can be expressed on two ways: 

Size: the number of records of the table. The recording works on the FIFO 

principle. According to the size, the duration is updated (see next). It can be of 

maximum 32768 records. 

Duration : you may prefer to enter a number of days and hours, in this case the size 

is automatically updated 

To adjust the sizes check the available memory with the compile option (see chapter 6.1 

‘Sending a program’. 



14. Remote Tag 


The A-Master network allows the exchange of analog and digital information between two 

or more ModBus stations via communication ports. It can be a A to A’s or any other 

ModBus equipment. 

Remote Tags allow to define the information to be exchanged between equipment. 

It is called 'Master Network' because it is a Master/Slave communication: the Master executes 

reading and writing in slave(s). The A defined as the master reads and writes the 

variables of all other devices using the ModBus protocol (RTU). 

Any communication port can be used to establish a Master/Slave communication as long as there 

is only one master for each communication port. 

Examples: 

1. A or RM modules can be connected to a master in RS485 communication (via COM3 of 

the A). This can be a multi-point network. 

2. If A are distant to each other, the COM5 (modem Network) is used to establish 

communication between a Master and Slaves. This can be a multi-point communication. 

3. A can be connected to other ModBus equipment via RS232 port (COM1 or COM2). 

This is a point-to-point network. 

4. The communication can be established via the public telephone network with another A; 

in this case, the A Master will wait until an alarm of the type 'ModBus -Master' is 

activated to start the exchange with the slave. Stopping the communication is then handled by 

the Ladder diagram using the special digital variable [HltM-x], or the call can be disconnected 

automatically after a defined time delay (modifiable) in the field 'Auto Hang up' (located in the 

A Master advanced parameters). 


14.2. Block communication 

Block communication means the reading (or writing) of multiple variables at a time. It is advised 

whenever it is possible. 

This will speed up communication between Master and Slave(s). For a block communication you 

specify the first address you wish to read (or write) in the Slave and the first Tag of the Master 

where you save the read value (or that you write in the Slave). 

The addresses of the Slaves as well as the Tags of the Master must be successive ModBus 

addresses. It is important to keep it in mind when you determine the cabling of the I/Os. 

Example of differences between Block and Single communication: 

Number of Tags Speed Time for Query/Response 

1 Tag analog (Single) 19200, N 8 msec. 

100 Tags analog (Single) 19200,N 800 msec. 

100 Tags analog (Block) 19200, N 245 msec. 

1 Tag digital (Single) 9600, E 17 msec. 

1000 Tags digital (Single) 9600, E 17000 msec. 

1000 Tags digital (Block) 9600, E 158 msec. 


The variables to Read/write in the external equipment are declared using the Remote Tags 

definition: 

figure 40 

Important points : 

1. Remote Tags are Tags that you wish to write to the Slave(s), or that contain a status or a value 

that you read from the Slave(s). 

2. The Slave(s) do not need specific configuration, only of course the configuration of the port 

used to communicate that must fit with the one of the Master. 

3. Each creation of a Remote Tag definition represents a transaction with a slave (Query + 

Response). The whole list of Remote Tags represents the table of TBox-master Network. 

4. The table is permanently examined and transactions are carried out according to their 'Trigger' 

configuration (if defined). 

5. The transactions with slaves are asynchronous in regard to Ladder cycle. 

6. Block communication is possible and advised whenever it is possible. This will speed up 

communication between Master and Slave(s). 


14.3. Description of fields 

• Local Tag: Select an existing Tag by clicking on the button. If the Tag does not exist, 

you can create it after having clicked the button. It is the Tag of the Master; it contains the 

value you want to write in a Slave or it is a register that contains the value that Master reads in 

a Slave. 

In case of block communication (with a quantity > 1), this Tag is the one corresponding to the 

first ModBus address. 

• Operation : 

OPERATIONS MASTER (Tag) SLAVE (Address) 

READ 

WRITE 

Read : the Master executes a reading in the Slave. 

Write : the Master executes writing in the Slave. 

Quantity : number of variables of successive addresses that are read (or written) in the 

Slave. 

The maximum are: 

DESCRIPTION TYPE MAXIMUM QUANTITY 

Digital I/O IOD, Test4ma 16 

Analog I/O IOB, IOW, I4M 8 

Digital registers DIR, STD 1600 (multiple of 8 for quantity, Tag 

address and Remote address) 

Analog registers (8 bits) STB 8 

Analog registers (16 bits) AIR, STO 100 

Analog registers (32 bits) TOT, FLT 8 

Timers ATP, ATV, DTI 16 

Counters ACP, ACV, DCN 16 

Special registers DSPE, ASPE 16 

Register 'sampling table' ECH 16 

• External Source : all the following parameters concern the Slave station: 

Device: select an existing external device from the ‘Resources’. You can create one 

with the button 

Type: select the type of the external variable: Analog or Digital. See next: 

If it is a Remote A: the choice is Analog or Digital. According to the operation, TWinSoft 

selects automatically the proper ModBus function according to the operation. 

If it is a RM module: the type is not available. TWinSoft selects automatically the proper ModBus 

function according to the address. 


If it is a ModBus Device: the types correspond to the following ModBus functions: 

Operations Types ModBus Functions 

Read Digital Digital Input 2 

Read Digital Coil 1 

Read Analog Analog Input 4 

Read Analog Holding Register 3 

Write Single Digital Coil 5 

Write Single Analog Holding Register 6 

Write Multiple Digital Coil 15 

Write Multiple Analog Holding Register 16 

Address : There are different possibilities according to the type of device: 

- Remote A. 

1. The address can be typed with its ModBus address (see the list of ModBus addresses in the 

‘Help’ menu). 

Examples: 

22016: seconds. 

7: digital input 7 of the CPU. 

32: digital output 0 of the CPU 

20480: digital or analog register (according to the type). 

2. The address can be typed according to a standard. 

If it is a physical I/O: 

TTT.r.b.c.S 

TTT: is the type of variable. 

r: is the rack number.. 

b: is the card number. 

c: is the channel number. 

S: supplementary type information. 

TTT r b c S Description. 

DI x x x Digital input. 

DI x x x 4m Test of an analog input. 

DO x x x Digital output. 

AIB x x x Analog input 8-bit resolution. 

AIB x x x 4m Input 0 20mA converted to 4 20mA. 

AIW x x x Analog input 12-bit resolution. 

AOB x x x Analog output 8-bit resolution. 

AOB x x x 4m Output 0 20mA converted to 4 20mA. 


Examples: 

DI.0.0.7: Digital input 7 of the CPU. 

DO.0.1.0: Digital output 0 of the CPU. 

AIB.0.2.1: Analog input (8 bits) 1 of the CPU. 

AIW.1.5.4: Analog input (16 bits) rack 1, card 5, channel 4. 

DI.1.5.4.4m: Test of the analog input rack 1, card 5, channel 4. 

If it is a register: 

TTT.nnnn 


nnnn: register number. 

TTT Description. 

DIR Digital register. 

AIR Analog register. 

STO Storage 16 bits register. 

STB Storage 8 bits register. 

STD Storage digital register. 

FLT Floating point register. 

TOT Totalizer (32 bits). 

ATP Timer preset. 

ATV Time value. 

DTI Timer status. 

ACP Counter preset. 

ACV Counter value. 

DCN Counter status. 

DSPE Digital Special register. 

ASPE Analog Special register. 

Leading Zeros can be omitted. 

Examples: 

DIR.1000: Digital register 1000. 

AIR.128: Analog register 128. 

DTI.20: Digital state of timer 20. 

DSPE.2: Digital special variable 2. 


- RM 10. 

1. Click the button to browse the list of available variables of the RM10. 

2. The address can be typed according to a standard: 

TTT.b.c.S 


b: is the number of the block of I/O 



TTT b c S Description. 

DI 0 x Digital input (instantaneous). 

DI 0 x S+ DI Latched on positive edge and reset by the 

communication. 

DI 0 x SM+ DI Latched on positive edge and reset by writing '0'. 

DI 0 x S- DI Latched on negative edge and reset by the 


DI 0 x SM- DI Latched on negative edge and reset by writing '0'. 

DI 0 x V Test of the digital output. 

DO 0 x Digital output. 

AIW 0 x C 16-bit Totalizer of pulse on a DI. 

AIW 1 x Analog input 16-bit resolution. 

DI 1 x 4m Test of an analog input. 

Addressing the Digital Special registers 

DSPE TTT b c Description 

TmpError DI 2 0 Temporary error on an output. 

Shortcut DI 2 1 Outputs disconnected. 

RstShortcut DO 2 2 Re-initialize the outputs after a short circuit 

Examples: 

DI.0.0: Digital input 0. 

DO.0.1: Digital output 1. 

DI.0.1.V: Test of the Digital output 1. 

AIW.0.3.C: Totalizer of the pulse on DI 3. 

AIW.1.0: Analog input (16 bits) 0. 

Auto-acknowledge: this feature concerns only the registers latched and reset by writing '0' 

(with the switch 'SM'). You must check this option for A to execute automatically the 

writing '0' to the RM. 


- RM21. 

1. Click the button to browse the list of available variables of the RM21. 

2. The address can be typed according to a standard: 

TTT.b.c.S 


b: is the number of I/O . 



TTT b c S Description. 

DI x x Digital input (instantaneous). 

DI x x S+ DI Latched on positive edge and reset by the 


DI x x SM+ DI Latched on positive edge and reset by writing '0'. 

DI x x S- DI Latched on negative edge and reset by the 


DI x x SM- DI Latched on negative edge and reset by writing '0'. 

DO 1 x Digital output. 

DI 1 x Test of a Digital output. 

AIW 0 x C 16-bit Totalizer of pulse on the 8 first DI. 

AIW 2 x Analog input 16-bit resolution. 

DI 3 x 4m Test of an analog input. 

AOW 3 x Analog output. 

Addressing the Digital Analog register 

ASPE TTT B c Description 

RstCounter AOB 4 0 Counter of resets of the RM21. 

Addressing the Digital Special registers 

DSPE TTT B c Description 

TmpError DI 5 0 Temporary error on an output. 

Shortcut DI 5 1 Outputs disconnected. 

RstShortcut DO 5 2 Re-initialize the outputs after a short circuit. 

ReBoot DO 5 4 Reboot of the RM21. 

LEDs DI 5 7 Use of LEDs associated to DI: 

0 : LEDs deactivated. 

1 : LEDs used. 

Examples: 

DI.0.0: Digital input 0. 

DO.1.1: Digital output 1. 

DI.1.1.V: Test of the Digital output 1. 

AIW.0.3.C: Totalizer of the pulse on DI 3. 

AIW.2.0: Analog input (16 bits) 0. 

AOW.3.1: Analog output (16 bits) 1. 

Auto-acknowledge: this feature concerns only the registers latched and reset by writing '0' 

(with the switch 'SM'). You must check this option for A to execute automatically the 

writing '0' to the RM. 


- ModBus device. 

The address must be typed (see the manual of your ModBus equipment). 

• Trigger : Each transaction must be triggered to be executed. This operation can be done 

automatically (you don't need to declare it and leave the box cleared. In this case, the A 

will permanently execute the transaction). The triggering happens via a digital Internal register 

(DIR). When it is in the condition programmed (see below), the transaction happens. If you 

wish to select a condition yourself, check this box. 

Tag : if Trigger is checked, select a Tag of a Digital Internal register multiple of 8 

(DIR 0, DIR 8, DIR 16, ...). 

Condition : if Trigger is checked, select a condition: Positive Edge, Negative Edge or 

High State. 


15. Web & Report files 

A can be used as a Web Server, meaning it contains HTML pages that can be called from 

Internet Explorer browser. 

The ‘Web files’ contained in this folder will be sent together with the TBox application. 

Three types of file can be sent to A: 

- HTM pages with their associated WebForm, created with the WebForm studio. 

- Report files created with the Report Studio (see chapter 15.2: Report Studio) 

- Any file (.gif, .bmp, …) 

15.1. Procedure to work with TBox as a Web Server 

1. Define the TCP/IP properties of A (RTU properties TCP/IP). 

2. From the ‘Web & Report files’ folder, create the HTM images (see ‘WebForm Studio - 

Getting started’ manual). All the files contained in this folder comprise the ‘Web Module’. 

3. When sending the TWinSoft application to A, all files comprising the ‘Web Module’ are 

also sent . 

To dial-up A, use ‘TBox Dial It!’ utility (see ‘WebForm Studio - Getting started’ 

manual). 


15.2. Report Studio 

Report Studio, the report editor is available since version 7.10 of TWinSoft. Report Studio 

has been developed to make creation of reports dedicated to A easier than ever. 

Report Studio can be started directly from the group of programs where TWinSoft is started 

(by default ‘Techno Trade’) or from the folder ‘Web and Report files’ by clicking a ‘.trep’ file. 

Report Studio has the following features: 

A report is associated to a TWinSoft document. In this way, the selection of Tags is made 

very easy. 

Inside the report, fields are declared to display dynamic data (Tags, alarms, databases, …) 

The Tags can be printed as single fields or in a table. 

By a single click, a list of alarms can be inserted. 

By a single click, a list of historic data can be inserted. 

Files can be attached to a report. 

The database of A (alarm & historic) can be attached to a report (TBox mail feature). 

Different ways to use a report 

1. Local print via a RS232 port, COM1 or COM2, with protocol 'printer'. On an alarm condition, 

the report is printed (see in TWinSoft 'Alarms' Recipient). 

2. Remote print through a modem port of the A. On an alarm condition, the report is sent. 

The remote printer must be equipped with a specific modem (please call your distributor). (see 

in TWinSoft 'Alarms' Recipient). 

3. Sending a report through e-mail. On an alarm condition, the e-mail, with its associated report is 

sent (see in TWinSoft 'Alarms' Recipient). 

4. Display of the report with Microsoft Internet Explorer. This is one of the features of ' TBox 

Web Server'. When connected to A, you type the URL of the report (see in TWinSoft 

'Web & Report files'). 

Example: http://1.2.3.0/report.txt 

For more information, start Report Studio and look at the online ‘Help’. 


16. TBox Access security 

This (optional) access security of the A prevents non-authorized persons from accessing the 

A. If the Access security option is validated, each port of the A can be independently 

protected; usually COM4 (internal modem) is the default-protected port. The others will be 

protected only if it is necessary to prevent on-site access. The protection is based on a four-digit 

hexadecimal global code that is saved in the A. This allows different access codes related to 

different users having different access levels to the same A. Three authority levels are 

available: 

• Level 1: Surveillance mode or VISUALIZATION MODE. The operator can view all A 

values (local or remote), but can not execute any command. 

• Level 2: COMMAND MODE, the operator can view all the values and execute commands 

(locally or remotely). 

• Level 3: ENGINEER MODE, the operator can view all the values and execute commands and 

alter or send new TWinSoft documents (locally or remotely). 

16.1. TBox configuration 

To access the A configuration click ‘RTU Properties’ ‘Security’ tab. 

figure 41 



• Access security: Check this box if you want to use access protection to the ports of the 

A. If it is cleared, all the security features are disabled. 

• Global code: type in the code you used to generate the Access Codes with the utility 

PASSWORD.EXE (see next). Type it a second time in the Confirmation field, to be sure. 

• Protected ports: Check the box of the COM port you want access protection. By default, 

when selecting access security features, only COM4 (Internal modem) is protected. 

The access codes are generated by the utility software Password (see next). 

16.2. Password utility 

When installing TWinSoft a password-creation program named PASSWORD is installed in the 

same directory as TWinSoft. It can be started from the 'Start' button of Windows and is located in 

the group of programs “Techno Trade” → “Accessories” created while installing TWinSoft. 

This program generates a password that will be necessary to Login to the A (see next). 

This password is composed of 4 hexadecimal characters in response to information’s related to the 

user. It is based on a complex algorithm using the global code, the user’s name and the access 

level. The password is accompanied by a 5-digit number that identifies persons who have 

accessed the A station. This information can be used to trace users for example by inserting 

this number into a database, with the help of Special analog variables. 

• Global code: This hexadecimal code of 4 characters is the basis for password generation. It 

will be entered in the ‘RTU Properties’ → ‘Security’ menu of TWinSoft and sent to the 

A. When a user TWinSoft, the latter checks if the NAME and PASSWORD entered fit 

with the global code within A. This means that if different users with different access 

levels must communicate with A, the global code used to generate passwords must be 

the same. 

• User name: The name you use when logging in logs into TWinSoft. 

• Access level : Three access levels are available: 

Level 1: Surveillance mode or VISUALIZATION MODE. The operator can view all 

A values (local or remote), but can not execute any command. 

Level 2: COMMAND MODE, the operator can view all the values and execute commands 

(locally or remotely). 

Level 3: ENGINEER MODE, the operator can view all the values and execute commands 

and alter or send new TWinSoft documents (locally or remotely). 

When this information has been entered, click on the button "Get password". 

Two codes have been created: 

The PASSWORD: this password must be used toegether with the NAME when logging into 

TWinSoft. 

The USER ID: this number is available in a special analog variable when a user is 

connected to a port of A that is protected. 


16.3. Login/Logout 

The Login feature allows users to connect to a protected port of the A according to their 

own access level. If a port is unprotected, the access level is automatically 3: Engineer. 

The Login/Logout can be executed from the main menu bar in the 'Tools'. 

Login 

When being connected to a port of A that is protected, you need to do a Login to get an 

access level. 

figure 42 

You type the Name you used in the ‘Password’ utility and the Password that was created (see 

previous). According to those, you are in: 

Read only mode 

Read/write mode 

Read/write + send TWinSoft document 

It is displayed in the Status bar. 

If 'Save password' is checked and TWinSoft is connected to a protected port: when 

TWinSoft starts, it uses the access level corresponding to the password saved (see the status line). 

If it is not checked and TWinSoft is connected to a protected port: TWinSoft starts in 'Read only' 

mode. You need to do a Login to get your access level. 

Logout 

If the TWinSoft is connected to a protected port, the Logout sets TWinSoft in 'Read only' mode. 

16.4. Deactivating protection 

There are two methods of deactivating A access protection: 

Global reset (see chapter 6.3) 

The first method is by performing a global reset, which must be done on site. When the program 

has stopped, the local port is longer protected. 

If the internal modem was declared protected, it will still be protected even after a global 

reset. To deactivate protection, an unprotected TWinSoft document must be sent to A (see 

next). 

Sending an unprotected TWinSoft document 

The second method involves modifying the TWinSoft document and deactivating the Access 

Security option. The document must then be sent to the A after having done a Login as 

'Engineer'. 


17. Copy/Paste - Drag'n'Drop 

These standard functions of Windows are supported since version 7.10. 

They allow to move or copy Ladder, Tags, Definition ...inside a document or to another 

document. 

It is then possible to open several sessions of TWinSoft to access different documents at the 

same time, and to copy from one document to another document. 

17.1. General rules 

1. If the creation of a new object needs the creation of other objects, those are automatically 

created, except the creation of Resources (the I/O cards must already be declared). 

Example: you copy an alarm condition from one document to another: the recipient will be 

automatically created as well as the Tag used as condition (in case it is available in the 

Resources). 

2. The creation of a new object is based on the name of the original object. TWinSoft looks for an 

existing name of the same type (for Tags: digital or analog). In case it exists, TWinSoft uses it. 

In case it does not exist, TWinSoft offers you to create the object. 

Exceptions: 

1. In case the name must be unique, TWinSoft creates a new object and increments the name. 

Example: you copy ‘Register’ many times, TWinSoft will increment name and address 

‘Register_1’, ‘Register_2’,… 

2. In case a special register is already declared, it is used with its original name. 

Example: or if it concerns the ASPE - 0. 

17.2. Examples 

Following are examples how these features can be used in TWinSoft: 

Create Tags in the list of Tags (Copy/Paste) 

Tags can be copied with automatic increment of - addresses, -number in name, -number in 

comment . The sequence is: 

create the Tag (or select the Tag). 

Copy the Tag . 

Paste the new Tag . 

NOTES: 

1. The I/O cannot be automatically created, only registers (DIR, AIR, ....). 

2. The increment on number in a comment only applies if the number is the last character. 

3. If the name does not include a number as last character, TWinSoft automatically creates and 

increments a number. 

Example: 'register' -> 'register_1' , 'register_2' , ..... 


Copy a POU in the same document (Copy/Paste) 

The type of POU is the same and TWinSoft automatically increments the name. 

Example: 'My_Program' -> 'My_Program_1' 

Move or copy Ladder from one POU to another POU (Drag’n’Drop or 

Copy/Paste) 

NOTES: 

1. In case the types of POU are the same : The local Tags are automatically created in the list of 

'POU Tags' of the POU target. 

2. In case the types of POU are not the same, for instance from a 'Program' to a 'Function Block': 

The local Tags are automatically created in the list of the 'POU Tags', and the global Tags are 

created as they are. You have to edit the Ladder and change the type of the local Tags: Input, 

Output or local, and replace the global Tags with local Tags if needed. 

Copy Ladder from one document to another document (Drag’n’Drop) 

- If Tags already exist, with similar names and addresses, the Ladder is created with the existing 

Tags. 

- If the Tags of I/O with similar addresses exist but with other names, the Ladder is not created. 

- If the Tags of register with similar addresses exist, TWinSoft automatically creates Tags of 

similar type and increments the address. 

- If the Tags do not exist, they are automatically created. 

Copy entries of any list (Recipient, Alarm condition, Remote Tags, ...) from one 

document to another document (Copy/Paste) 

- If Tags are needed and already exist, with similar names and addresses, the entries are created 

with the existing Tags. 

- If Tags of I/O are needed and already exist with similar addresses but with other names, the 

entries are not created. 

- If Tags of register are needed and already exist with similar addresses, TWinSoft automatically 

creates Tags of similar type and increments the address. 

- If Tags are needed and do not exist, they are automatically created. 

Modifying the sequence of the elements in all lists (Drag'n'Drop). 

It allows changing the sequence of entries in a list. This can be particular useful in the List of 

Remote Tags, as they are executed in the sequence of the indexes in the list. 

NOTES: 

1. The sorting (by name, address, ...) only applies to the display of the list. 

2. Drag’n’Drop in a list is not allowed in the list of Tags. 

WARNING: do not make copy/paste between different types of POU. For instance from a 

‘Program’ to a Function block’, or from a ‘Function’ to a ‘Program’, … Even if it is possible, it is 

not allowed as the result is unpredictable. 


18. Import / Export 

TWinSoft supports since version 8.10 Import / Export of configuration file, in CSV format. 

This is very useful to edit list of configurations using an external software (Excel, Notepad, ...) or 

even to create full configuration with 'text' files (see Export following). 

The separator used in the CSV file depends on the regional settings configuration of windows. 

Typically it is ' ; ' or ' , ' according to the language. 

NOTE: Be careful when working on different PC that the regional settings (at least the separator) 

are configured on the same way. 

When working with an existing list that you wish to update with a file 

To avoid conflict between indexes of the TWinSoft document and those of the file, we advise 

you to follow the procedure: 

Export 

Modify/add 

Import 


18.1. Export 

Export menu is available from the main menu of TWinSoft: 'File' -> 'Export' 

The different possibilities are: 

• Export current view 

You export the information contained in the list opened. The available lists are: 

Tags: 

When exporting Tags and groups of Tags, From the group where you are: all the Tags, groups 

and sub-groups are exported. 

The above group(s) are not exported. 

Alarm condition 

Alarm messages 

Chronologies 

Sampling tables 

Web/Minitel/Terminal Tags 

Analog Units 

Digital States 

• Export current selection 

You export the lines you have selected (a serie of Tags, of alarm conditions, ...). 

• Export of a list 

You select the list you want to export 


Example files 

Example files are installed with TWinSoft. There are available from the sub-directory of 

TWinSoft: \Samples\CSV: 

- Tags.csv 

- AlarmConditions.csv 

- AlarmMessages.csv 

- Chronologies.csv 

- SamplingTables.csv 

- TerminalTags.csv 

- AnalogUnits.csv 

- DigitalStates.csv 

You can use them as basis for creating lists of configurations using external software (Excel, 

Notepad, ...) 


The following paragraphs give a detailed description of the syntax for creating your own file. 

Export - Tags 

You export all the Tags and groups. 

• Syntax 

If you want to modify or create your own file, with the 'separator' between each field. 

The syntax is: 

Example: 

Index Tag Address Comment Initial 

value 

Tag 

*Index,Tag,Address,Comment,Initial Value,I/O,Signed 

[\Tags] 

0,Reg-0,AIR000,Analog Reg. 0,123,INPUT,NO 

1,D0,DI.0.0.0,Digital Input 0 CPU,,INPUT, 

2,ASPE000,Second,Second of CPU,,OUTPUT,NO 

Title 

The title must be at the first line and must be Tag. 

I/O Signed 

* Line of Comment 

Any complete line starting with ' * ' can be inserting anywhere in the file as comment. It will 

not be imported. 

Path 

The path of the group where the Tags are located, starting with \Tags. The following Tags in the 

file are member of this group. 

Example: with a group 'Inputs', the path will be : [\Tags\Inputs] 

Index 

When creating a file, any index can be used. The index is re-calculated when imported in the 

TWinSoft document. 

Tag 

The name of the Tag (maximum 15 characters). If it is a Tag of a card of an extension rack, the 

card must be declared in the ‘Resources’ of the TWinSoft document. 

Address 

Refer to the allowed address types (Help of TWinSoft) 

Comment 

The comment associated to the Tag. 

WARNING: in case the comment includes the separator, it must be indicated bewteen brackets. 

Example: “This register, is my favorite” 

Initial value 

If you wish to assign a value to the Tag at start-up of A. 


I/O 

Input or Output. 

With Registers : determines the format. 

With I/O : it is not used. The format depends of the physical address. 

Signed 

Yes or No. 

With Register : determines the format. When nothing is mentionned, it is considered as a 'yes'. 

Any field not needed must be left empty. 


Export - Alarm conditions 

You export the list of Alarm conditions. 

• Syntax 



Index Tag Type Threshold 

(analog) 

Example: 

Recipient Message Filter Hysteres 

(analog) 

Inhibit AutoEnd 

AlarmCondition 

*Index,Tag,Type,Threshold,Recipient,Message,Filter,Hyst,Inhibition,End 

1,ON,POS,0,Motor,”Motor is started”,1:30:00,,0,Yes 

2,FLOW1,Max,560,Temperature,”Temperature above 55 degree”,00:2:00,25,0,-- 

Title 

The title must be at the first line and must be AlarmCondition. 




Index 

The index in the list of conditions. Maximum 256 digital and 256 analog conditions can be 

defined. 

Tag 

Maximum 15 characters. 

The Tag must exist in the TWinSoft document. Otherwise, the alarm condition cannot be 

imported. 

Type 

POS or NEG 

ANALOG : Max or Min 

Threshold 

DIGITAL : empty 

ANALOG : the value generating the alarm 

Recipient 

The Recipient must exist in the TWinSoft document. Otherwise, the alarm condition cannot be 

imported. 


Message 

The message can be: 

- an index : a number between 1..256 

- a text : a message of 30 characters. It must be typed between brackets. (Ex:“this is a text 

message”). If the message does not exist, it will be created. 

- a report: if is not a message but a report. It must be typed between brackets. 

(Ex:“ThisReport.trep”). The report must be declared in the folder ‘Web & Report files’. 

Filter 

without filter: empty 

with filter: the time in MM:SS 

Hysteresis 

DIGITAL: empty 

ANALOG: the value of hysteresis 

Inhibit 

0 Enabled (the alarm is always active) 

1 Disabled (the alarm is always inhibited) 

2 Power Failure (the alarm is inhibited when there is a main power failure) 

3 Disabled if DisAla=1 (the alarm is inhibited when DisAla=1) 

End 

Yes or No 



Export - Alarm message 

You export the Alarm messages. 

• Syntax 


The syntax is 

Example: 

Index Message Next 

AlarmMessage 

*Index,Message,Next 

1,D0 Input has been activated, 

2,This is a long message to send ,3 

3,on a printer, 

Title 

The title must be at the first line and must be AlarmMessage. 




Index 

The index in the list of messages. A maximum of 256 messages can be defined. 

Message 

The message can be of maximum 30 characters. When it is longer, it will be truncated during 

import. 

In case the message must includes the separator (',' for instance), the complete message must be 

typed between brackets. 

Example:. 

2,"This message, includes a coma",0 

Next 

The index of the next message. 

Available for message to be printed, or with some 'C' driver. 



Export - Chronologies 

You export the list of Chronologies. 

• Syntax 



Example: 

Index Tag Type Var Inhibit 

Chronologies 

*Index,Tag,Type,Var,Inhibition 

1,D0 ,DEL,,0 

2,Level ,Var,5 ,2 

Title 

The title must be at the first line and must be Chronologies. 




Index 

The index in the list of chronologies. Maximum 256 digital and 256 analog entries can be 

defined. 

Tag 


The Tag must exist in the TWinSoft document. Otherwise, the chronology cannot be imported. 

Type 

DIGITAL: POS, NEG ou DEL 

ANALOG: Var (for Variation. See next) 

Var (Variation) 

DIGITAL: empty 

ANALOG: Value of the variation 

Inhibit 

0 Enabled (the recording is always active) 

1 Disabled (the recording is always inhibited) 

2 Power Failure (the recording is inhibited when there is a main power failure) 

3 DIGITAL : Disabled if DisCRD=1 (the recording is inhibited when DisCRD=1) 

ANALOG : Disabled if DisCRA=1 (the recording is inhibited when DisCRA=1) 



Export - Sampling tables 

You export the list of Sampling tables. 

• Syntax 



Example: 

Index Tag Type Period Size Reset Tag 

SamplingTable 

*Index,Tag,Type,Period,Size,Reset Tag 

1,FLOW1,Mean,00:30:00,180,yes 

2,FLOW2,Max,00:03:00,1200, 

3,FLOW3,Min,01:00:00,60, 

Title 

The title must be at the first line and must be SamplingTable. 




Index 

The index in the list of sampling tables. Maximum 64 sampling tables can be defined. 

Tag 

Analog Tag of maximum 15 characters. 

The Tag must exist in the TWinSoft document. Otherwise, the sampling table cannot be 

imported. 

Type 

Minimum: Min 

Maximum: Max 

Average: Mean 

Instantaneous: Inst 

Period 

The period between 2 recordings. Check in the Sampling table configuration which are the 

available period. 

Size 

The number of Records you wish to save in A. 

Reset Tag 

Yes or No 

Determine whether the Tag is reset after recording (with registers only). 



Terminal Tags 

Syntax 

If you want to modify or create your own file, with the ‘separator’ between each field. 


Index Tag Comment Write 

allowed 

Example: 

State1 State0 Min Max Meas. 

Min 

Meas. 

Max 

Conv. 

Min 

Conv. 

Max 

# 

dec. 

TerminalTagname 

*Index,Tag,Comment,Read Only,State 1,State 0,Minimum,Maximum,Measured Min,Measured 

Max,Converted Min,Converted Max,# dec.,Unit 

1,ANA0,analog 0,No,,,0.000,1000.000,0,255,0.000,1000.000,3,m³ 

2,ANA1,analog 1,No,,,0.00,1000.00,0,255,0.00,1000.00,2,liters 

3,D0,Input 0,No,IN,OUT,,,,,,,,4,Q0,Pomp 0,Yes,ACTIVE,STOP,,,,,,,, 

Title 

The title must be at the first line and must be TerminalTagname. 


Any complete line starting with ' * ' can be inserting anywhere in the file as comment. It will not 

be imported. 

Index 

The index in the list of Web/Minitel/Terminal Tags. 

Maximum 256. 

Tag 


The Tag must exist in the TWinSoft document. Otherwise, the Terminal Tag cannot be imported. 

Comment 

The comment associated to the Tag 

Write allowed 

Yes: The Tag can be monitored 

No: Write not allowed 

State 1 / State 0 

The text associated to the digital Tags. 

State 1: the text when the Tag is '1' 

State 0: the text when the Tag is '0' 

If the states do not exist they are created. 

Minimum / Maximum 

When the option 'write allowed' is selected (see above), the range in which a value can be written 

(analog Tags only). 

The number of decimals depends on the quantity selected (see below). The decimals can be 

omitted. 

Unit 


Measured Min / Max 

Converted Min / Max 

To define a scaling converting a physical range (measured) to a real range (converted). 

Example: 

8bits analog input (0..255) corresponds to 0..1000 mm 

Measured: 0 ... 255 

Converted: 0 ... 1000 

# dec. 

Number of decimals (maximum 3) 

Unit 

The text associated to analog Tag. 


Analog Units 

Syntax 



Example: 

Index Unit 

TerminalAnalogUnit 

*Index,Unit 

1,m³ 

2,liters 

Title 

The title must be at the first line and must be TerminalAnalogUnit. 

* LINE OF COMMENT 


be imported. 

Index 

The index in the list of Analog units. 

Maximum 256. 

WARNING: An analog Tag Web/Minitel/Terminal refers to an index of an analog unit. If you 

change the text of an index, it will be updated in the Terminal Tags. 

Unit 

The text associated to analog Tag. 




Syntax 



Example: 

TerminalDigitalState 

*Index,State 1,State 0 

1,IN,OUT 

2,ACTIVE,STOP 

Index State 1 State 0 

Title 

The title must be at the first line and must be TerminalDigitalState. 

* LINE OF COMMENT 


be imported. 

Index 

The index in the list of digital states. 

Maximum 256. 

WARNING: A digital Tag Web/Minitel/Terminal refers to an index of a digital state. If you 

change the text of an index, it will be updated in the Terminal Tags. 

State 1 

The text associated to the digital Tags when it is at '1'. 


State 0 

The text associated to the digital Tags when it is at '0'. 


Both states fields have to be filled. 


18.2. Import 

After you have exported files for modification (see previous), or you have created your own file, 

you can Import them. 

Import menu is available from the main menu of TWinSoft: 'File' -> 'Import'. 

The lists you can import are: 

Tags 

Alarm condition 

Alarm messages 

Chronologies 

Sampling tables 

Web/Minitel/Terminal Tags 

Analog Units 


Working with an Empty Document 

• Import of Tags 

When doing an import into an empty document Tags & groups are created from the file. 

If the file contains I/O declared in extension blocks (Rack4 or Rack8), the racks and cards 

must be first created in the 'Resources'. 

• Import of Messages 

When doing an import into an empty document Messages are created from the file. 

• With Chronologies and Sampling tables 

The import is only possible when Tags exist. 

• With Alarm Condition 

The import in only possible when Tags and Recipient exist. The Message are created. 


When doing an import, if the corresponding list in TWinSoft contains already at least one 

configuration, the following options appear: 

Exact replace 

You want to erase an exiting list and replace it with the file. 

The list of the TWinSoft document is replaced by the file. The list is first erased, and then replaced 

by the file. Not with Tags (see following) 

Be careful all indexes are re-defined according to the file. 

• With Tags 

Tags within TWinSoft have an internal index, different from the one you see in the list of 

Tags. This index is used as internal reference for every configuration where the Tag is used 

(Alarm, Datalogging, Ladder, ...) 

When importing a list of Tags, if within the file, a Tag name is the same than the one present 

in the document, but with another index, the import cannot be done. A message box then 

informs you. 

That is why we advise you to always work with an Exported file. 

Replace 

You have modified some entries and/or have added some entries in the file. 

The import will keep or modify the existing configuration, and add the new one. 

Each time there is an existing configuration with the same index as the one in the file, you are 

prompt to choose the one(s) you wish to save. 

Append 

You want to add some new entries to an existing list. 

The entries are added to the existing list. 

• With Tags 

The indexes you have defined in the file have no importance. It can even be the same for each 

Tag. 

Groups of Tags are also created. 

If Tag names or addresses are already existing within the document, the import will be refused. 

• With Messages, Alarm condition, Chronologies, Sampling tables 

Check the last index in the TWinSoft document and use the next one when creating the file. 


19. Pack & Go 

19.1. Presentation 

Pack & Go is a tool that builds up one file with your complete project, including TWinSoft 

document, WebForms, Reports, OS,... 

The goal is to backup a complete project without missing files or to update a RTU with the 

complete project without requiring advanced knowledge of TWinSoft. 

All files are compressed and packed into one file with the extension .tpg (TWinSoft Pack & Go). 

Once a project is packed, it can be unpacked and/or updated to the RTU from a double click on the 

.tpg file. 

19.2. Pack 

To access Pack & Go menu, select from the 

main menu ‘File’ ‘Pack & Go…’ 

Select the button ‘Pack …’ 


All Files of the project, TWinSoft 

document, WebForm, html pages, 

OS, … are packed in one file, 

with the extension .tpg 

19.3. Unpack 

To open the Unpack window, double click a file with the extension .tpg. 

Unpack menu offers 2 features: 

1. Restore a project 

Extract a project into a directory 

of your PC. This option is very 

convenient for backing up a 

project being sure you don't miss 

any file. 

Option available from the main 

menu: ‘Tools’ Unpack. 


2. Update a RTU 

Update a RTU with a complete 

project, including the application, 

OS, WebForms, report, ...from a 

unique file. 

The button ‘PC Setup…’ gives 

you access to the configuration of 

the PC, to communicate with the 

RTU. 

The button ‘Update RTU’ 

sends the project and OS to the 

RTU. 

Languages supported are English, French and German. 

It cannot be selected from 'Unpack' menu but changed from TWinSoft main menu: 'Tools' 

'Language'

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