CAAPE User's Manual - ALSTOM Signaling Inc.

Using the Graphical Simulator10.1.2. Why Perform Simulation?Simulation is primarily a way to verify that your application logic works as intended byexercising the logic equations in a simulated operating environment. You can find andcorrect logic errors at an early stage of development, saving money and time on theproject.The Graphical Simulator has the added advantage of letting you set up a track plan thatrepresents your interlocking and running the simulator to illustrate its operation. Thiscan provide a more efficient and easy-to-understand way of viewing applicationbehavior. Track plans could also be used to train personnel on the interlocking’soperation, or to demonstrate to a customer that the interlocking operates as expected.10.1.3. Text-Based vs. Graphical SimulatorsThe Graphical Simulator is available in CAAPE 005A and later. It uses data provided ina special file produced by the Vital or non-vital compiler. Compilers that were releasedwith CAAPE versions earlier than 005A are not capable of creating this file.Earlier CAA versions provided a text-based simulator which was used to simulateoperation of a single application at a time. The interface for this simulator involvesentering text commands and viewing text responses, and is fully described in online andprinted reference manuals.10.2. PREPARING FOR SIMULATIONPrior to compiling an application, select the application in the File View and go toOptions | Run Controls in the main menu to get the Run Controls dialog. Select theGenerate GraphSim Information option. When the application is compiled, a simulatordata file (extension .SMV for Vital applications, .SMN for non-vital applications) isgenerated. This file contains information on the variables, messages, hardware, andlogic equations in the application and is required to be able to simulate the applicationusing the Graphical Simulator.P2512A, Rev. Oct/09 10–2 Alstom Signaling Inc.