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    Keithley MetraByte DAS-16/1600

    I/O Server

    User's Guide

    Standard Automation & Control LLC2450 South Shore Blvd., Suite 100

    League City, Texas 77573Tel: (281) 334-3293Fax: (281) 334-4324

    email: [email protected]://www.stdauto.com

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    The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Standard Automation &Control LLC. The software described in this manual is furnished under a license or nondisclosure agreement. This software may be used orcopied only in accordance with the terms of this agreement. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by anymeans, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal use without thewritten permission of Standard Automation & Control LLC.

    Copyright 2000 by Standard Automation & Control LLC

    All rights reserved.

    All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

    Document Number: SA01-020-050700

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    ContentsINTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 4

    System Requirements and Specifications............................... ........................... .......................... 5Accessing a Remote Item via the Server ....................... ........................... ........................... ........ 6

    INSTALLATION................................................................................................................................. 7

    Installing the Server............... ........................... .......................... ........................... ...................... 7

    CONFIGURING THE SERVER.......................................................................................................... 8

    CONFIGURE/DEFINE BOARD ........................... .......................... ........................... ........................... .... 9Select a Board Dialog..................... .......................... ........................... ........................... ............. 9DAS16 Interface Board Configuration Dialog .......................... ........................... .......................... 9Programmable I/O Ports.............................. ........................... ........................... ........................ 11

    CONFIGURE/DEFINE TOPIC ....................... ........................... ........................... ........................... ...... 12Select a Topic Dialog............................................ ........................... ........................... ............... 12Topic Description Dialog..................... ........................... ........................... ........................... ...... 13

    CONFIGURE/SERVER PARAMETERS.......................... .......................... ........................... .................... 14DDE Server Setting Dialog .......................... ........................... ........................... ........................ 14

    CONTROL MENU............................................................................................................................ 15

    DEBUG MENU ................................................................................................................................ 15

    USING THE SERVER WITH INTOUCH........................................................................................... 16

    ITEM (POINT) NAMING................................................................................................................... 20

    Analog Inputs ........................ ........................... .......................... ........................... .................... 20Analog Outputs ......................... ........................... ........................... ........................... ............... 20Digital I/O ......................... ........................... ........................... ........................... ........................ 21

    MONITORING THE STATUS OF A DDE CONVERSATION ........................................................... 23

    USING DDESTATUS IN INTOUCH ........................ ........................... ........................... ........................ 23USING DDESTATUS IN EXCEL ........................ .......................... ........................... ........................... .. 26

    USING EXCEL WITH THE SERVER............................................................................................... 27

    READING VALUES FROM THE SERVER INTO EXCEL ........................... ........................... ........................ 27WRITING VALUES TO THE I/O SERVER FROM EXCEL ........................ ........................... ........................ 28

    TECHNICAL SUPPORT .................................................................................................................. 30

    APPENDIX A - CONFIGURING THE DAS-16/1600 WITH THE EXP-16 MULTIPLEXERS............. 31

    INDEX.............................................................................................................................................. 32

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    Introduction

    The Standard Automation & Control LLC Keithley MetraByte DAS-16/1600 I/O Server is a MicrosoftWindowsbased application that acts as a communications server allowing other Windows based

    programs access to data from MetraByte DAS-16G and DAS-1600 Analog/Digital InterfaceBoards. Any Windows based program capable of acting as a DDE aware client may use the KeithleyMETRABYTE DAS-16/1600 I/O Server.

    DDE

    DDE is the acronym for Dynamic Data Exchange. DDE is a communication protocol designed byMicrosoft to allow applications in the Windows environment to send/receive data and instructionsto/from each other. It implements a client-server relationship between two concurrently runningapplications. The server application provides the data and accepts requests from any otherapplication interested in its data. Requesting applications are called clients. Some applications suchas InTouch and Excel can simultaneously be both a client and server.

    To obtain data from another application the client program opens a channel to the server applicationby specifying two things: the server's application name, and the topic name of interest. Once achannel is open, items in the topic can be read or written. For example, in the case of Excel, theapplication name is "Excel", the topic name is the name of the specific spreadsheet that contains thedata and the item name is the specific cell on the spreadsheet. With InTouch the application name is"View", the topic name is always the word "tagname" when reading/writing to/from a tagname in theInTouch database and the item name is a specific tagname in the InTouch Data Dictionary.

    When a client application sets up a link to another DDE program, it asks the server application toadvise the client whenever a specific item's value changes. These data links will remain active untileither the client or server terminates the link or the conversation. These links are a very efficientmeans of exchanging data because once the link has been established, no communication occursuntil the specified item changes. InTouch uses DDE to communicate with I/O device drivers and

    other DDE application programs.

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    System Requirements and Specifications

    Hardware IBM or compatible 386/486 equipped with a minimum of 4MBRAM. May require more memory to run other Windows programssimultaneously.

    Software Microsoft Windows 95/98 or Windows NT.

    Computer Interface MetraByte DAS-16G and/or DAS-1600 board installed in PC.

    Protocol The Server reads and writes directly to the board using portaddresses.

    Polling Rates Minimum polling interval of 55 milliseconds.

    Maximum Connections Number of boards that can fit into the PC (available slots).

    Devices Supported MetraByte DAS-16G1 and DAS-16G2 Interface Boards

    MetraByte DAS-1601 and DAS-1602 Interface Boards

    MetraByte multiplexer, when used with one of the above InterfaceBoards

    Accessible Data Types Without Multiplexer

    16 Analog Inputs, 2 Analog Outputs, 4 Digital Inputs, 4 DigitalOutputs, additional 24 Digital I/O on DAS-1600s.

    With Multiplexer

    Increase Analogs up to 128 Inputs, 16 per multiplexer.

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    Accessing a Remote Item via the Server

    The DDE protocol identifies an element of data by using a three-part naming convention that includesthe application name, topic name and item name. The following briefly describes each portion of theDDE Address:

    Application Name Refers to the name of the Windows program (server) that knows how toaccess the data element. In the case of data coming from or going to theboard, the application portion of the DDE address is DAS16.

    Topic Name Used by the Server to identify a specific board. The operator createsmeaningful names for the board and uses these names as the topicnames for DDE conversations; e.g., Board1.

    Note: To poll different points at different rates, multiple topic names canbe defined for the same device.

    Item Name Indicates a specific data element within the specified topic. For the DAS-16 I/O Server, an item is an individual digital or analog point.

    Note: The item/point names are defined by the DAS-16 I/O Server as described in the Item/PointNaming section of this manual. The term "point" is used interchangeably with the term "item" in thismanual.

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    Installation

    Note: The Server installation requires a reboot. It is recommended that all applications be terminatedprior to installing the Server.

    Installing the StandardAutomation security key (Dongle)

    The Server requires that Standard Automation's hardware key be connected to the parallel port inorder to operate.

    Installing the Server

    The Server is installed by running the Setup.exe program from the Standard Automation Products CD as follows:

    1. Insert the CD and navigate to the product you wish to install.

    2. Select the Full or Demo options and activate the Install button. The Welcome dialog will appears.3. Follow the directions to complete the installation.

    Aborting the Installation

    Selecting the Cancel button on any installation dialog aborts the installation and activates thefollowing dialog.

    Select the Exit Setup button to end the installation program without installing the Server. Select theResume button to continue the installation program where it was interrupted.

    Uninstalling the Application

    1. Select Start/Settings/Control Panel.2. Select the Add/Remove Program icon.

    3. Select the Server listing.

    4. Select the Add/Remove button activating the Uninstall Wizard.

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    Configuring the Server

    The DAS-16 I/O Server requires some configuration before use. The configuration consists ofdefining the MetraByte boards, and definition of the topics and server parameters.

    The Server must be running to perform the required configuration. Start the server by selecting theStart/Programs/Standard Automation Products/MetraByte DAS 16 I/O Server command.

    The Configure menu includes the following options: Define Board

    Topic Command

    Server Parameters.

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    Configure/Define Board

    The user must define a logical board in the configuration to allow the Server to communicate with theMetraByte Board in the PC. This is accomplished by selecting Configure/Define Board option. Whenselected the Select a Board dialog appears.

    Select a Board Dialog

    The Select a Board dialog allows interface boards to be added, modif ied and deleted.

    OK Activates the DAS16 Interface Board Configuration dialog for the selected board.

    Cancel Closes the dialog.

    New Activates the DAS16 Interface Board Configuration dialog allowing a new board tobe added.

    Modify Activates the DAS16 Interface Board Configuration dialog allowing a board to bemodified.

    Delete Deletes the selected board.

    DAS16 Interface Board Configuration Dialog

    The DAS16 Interface Board Configuration dialog is activated by selecting the OK, New or Modifybuttons from the Select a Board dialog. The dialog allows the interface board parameters to bedefined.

    The default board name is DAS16/1. This can be changed, if so desired, by renaming it. The dialogmay appear differently than shown above depending on the Board Type chosen. The followingdescribes each field within the Board Configuration dialog.

    Logical Board Name Name describing the logical board.

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    Board Base I/OAddress

    This corresponds to the Base Address set on the MetraByte Board. Itis entered as a hexadecimal number between the values of 200h and3F0h. This address must match the address set by the 8 position DIPswitch on the MetraByte Board. This address allows the Server tomap to the registers on the board for communication.

    Board Type Select the button for the Board Type that is being used at the addressentered as the Base Address. DAS16G includes the DAS16G1 andDAS16G2 boards. DAS1600 includes the DAS1601 and DAS1602boards. If DAS1600 is chosen, configuration boxes for the PIO portsappear.

    Analog Inputs Select the button that represents the number of analog inputs that theboard is configured to use. The analog input mode for the board canbe one of two settings: 8 Differential allowing 8 analog inputs, or 16Single-Ended allowing 16 analog inputs into the board (each inputactually represented by the difference between two physical analogsignals, hence the name). The input mode is selected by a switch onthe board. On the DAS16G, the switch is labeled SYS CONFIG. Onthe DAS1600, it is labeled CHAN. Activating the OK button verifies

    that the switch setting matches the configuration.

    Programmable GainSetting

    All boards supported by this server have software programmable AIgains. Select the desired gain setting under the heading of the boardtype being used.

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    Programmable I/O Ports

    If the Board Type chosen is the DAS1600, the PIO ports need to be configured. The dialog will nowincluded the Port information displayed on the right side of the dialog.

    There are three PIO Ports on the DAS1600 MetraByte Board located on the auxiliary PIO connector,each containing 8 digital I/O. Each Portcan be configured as either an output Port or an input Port.Port C can be divided up into two 4 digital I/O ports. Simply select the radio button that expresses thedesired configuration.

    Select OK to save and exit. To exit without saving select Cancel. If the configuration file is not foundin the directory specified in the Configure Server Parameters dialog, the Saving DAS16 Configurationdialog is displayed.

    Select the Save button to save the current configuration in the Path displayed or enter a new Path.

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    Configure/Define Topic

    The user must define the Topics that will be used in a DDE conversation to obtain data from theMetraByte Board. A separate topic is required for each Board installed on the PC.

    If multiple poll rates are desired, a separate topic for each poll rate is needed. Also, multiplexers are

    being used, a topic for each multiplexer is required. To define a Topic, select the Configure/DefineTopiccommand activating the Select a Topic dialog.

    Select a Topic Dialog

    The Select a Topic dialog is activated using the Configure/Define Topic command. This dialog allowstopics to be added, modified and deleted.

    OK Activates the Topic Description dialog for the selected topic.

    Cancel Closes the dialog.

    New Activates the Topic Description dialog allowing a new topic to be defined.

    Modify Activates the Topic Description dialog for the selected topic.

    Delete Deletes the selected topic.

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    Topic Description Dialog

    Selecting the OK, New or Modify buttons from the Select a Topic dialog activate the TopicDescription dialog. The Topic Description dialog is used to define topic parameters.

    Topic Name Specifies the Topic Name. The topic name is arbitrary but should besomething meaningful to the application. It must start with an alphabeticcharacter and cannot contain spaces. The Topic Name is referenced laterwhen configuring InTouch to communicate with the DAS-16/1600 Server.

    Select Board Activates the Select a Board dialog allowing a board to be selected. EachTopic must be associated with a MetraByte board installed on the PC sothat the server will get requested data from the correct source.

    Mux At least one topic must be defined for each board installed in your PC and

    at least one for each multiplexer attached to that board. If the topic beingdefined will be used to read data from the AIs on the boards main I/O port,select the button None.

    If defining a topic for an attached multiplexer, select the buttoncorresponding to the AI channel that the multiplexer is configured to use.

    Note:If you use an attached multiplexer, configure the MetraByte board touse 16 Single Ended Analog Inputs.

    Update Interval Specifies the scan frequency, in milliseconds, that data will be read fromthe MetraByte Board and updated in InTouch. The fastest guaranteed pollrate is 55 msec.

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    Configure/Server Parameters

    In addition to defining the communications port and creating topics, some of the internal driverparameters may be changed. The default settings for these parameters provide good performanceand normally do not need to be changed. This is accomplished using the DDE Server Settings

    dialog.

    DDE Server Setting Dialog

    The DDE Server Settings dialog is activated using the Configure/Server Parameters command. Thedialog allows server parameters to be viewed and defined.

    Protocol Timer Tick Specifies how often the server checks to poll or send data to theMetraByte Board. This time expressed in msec should be 2 to 4 timesthe desired update time.

    NetDDE being used Select if accessing this Server over the network via NetDDE. This willoptimize the internal Server parameters for this type of access.

    Configuration FileDirectory

    Specifies the location on the hard disk (path) where the DAS-16/1600configuration file will be stored.

    Once all entries have been made, select the OK button.

    If you make changes to the server parameters, the server application must be restarted in order forthe changes to take effect.

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    Control Menu

    This menu is used to Suspend or Resume the polling process of the server.

    Debug Menu

    This menu is used to select the degree of information that will be logged to the Wonderware Logger.Unless problems are occurring, the options that log to the Wonderware Logger should not beselected.

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    Using the Server with InTouch

    InTouch can access items/points in the MetraByte Board by creating tagnames in its Tagname DataDictionary and associating those tagnames with an Access Name containing the topic name defined

    in the Server for the board. To define a tagname type perform the following procedure:Start up WindowMaker and invoke the Special/Tagname Dictionary...command to access theTagname Dictionarydialog.

    Note: If this is the f irst time the database has been accessed, the definition for the internal systemtagname $AccessLevel will be displayed. Once a tagname has been defined and the Data Dictionaryis reaccessed, the data on file for the previously accessed tagname will automatically be displayedwhen the dialog appears.

    Select the New button to define a new tagname.

    Enter the name to be defined, in the tagname field, for the item in the database. Tagnames can beup to 32 characters long and the first character must be A-Zor a-zand can be followed with A-Z, a-z,0-9, !, @, -. ?, #, $, %, _and &.

    Select the Type button to select the I/O type for the tagname. The Tag Types dialog will appear:

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    Select the appropriate I/O type for the item being defined. The following describes each I/O type:

    I/O Discrete Discrete input/output tagname with a value of either 0(False, Off) or 1(True, On).

    I/O Integer A 32-bit signed integer value between -2,147,483,648 and 2,147,483,647.

    I/O Real Floating (decimal) point memory tagname. The floating point value may

    be between +3.4e38. All floating point calculations are performed with 64-bit resolution, but the result is stored in 32-bit.

    I/O Message Text string input/output tagname that can be up to 131 characters long.

    Once the I/O tag type is selected, the Choose tag type dialog will automatically be removed from thescreen and the Tagname Dictionary dialog will reappear along with the "Details" dialog for the I/Otype selected:

    Note: If the "Details" dialog does not appear, select the "Details" radio button at the top of thescreen.

    Enter all required details for defining the item. For integersandreals fill in theMin EU, Max EU, MinRaw andMax Raw fields. These fields control the range of values that will be accepted from theServer and how the values are scaled. If no scaling is desired, Min EUshould be equal to Min Rawand Max EU should be equal to Max Raw.

    Select the Access Name button to define an Access Name for the applicationand topicto/from thatthe I/O tagname will read/write its value. The Access Names dialog will appear.

    Select the Add button to define a new Access Name. The Access Name Definitiondialog willappear as shown below.

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    Once Access Names have been defined, they will appear in the Access Namesdialog. To changean existing Access Name definition select the name and activate the Modify button. The Modify

    Access Name dialog will appear:

    Access Name A shorthand nickname for an Application Name/Topic Namepair. This field in the editing dialog must contain a unique AccessName that is later referenced when creating tagname dictionaryentries.

    Node Name Computer name.

    Application Name The MetraByte Server application name, always enter DAS16.

    Topic Name The name of the Topic Name selected in the Server configuration.Note that upper and lower case letters in the Topic Name mustmatch the Topic name selected in the Server configuration.

    Which Protocol to Use Select either DDE or SuiteLink.

    When to Advise Server The Advise all itemsoption causes the Server to scan allconfigured data for this topic. The Advise only active items

    causes the MetraByte Server to only scan data in v isible windowsand points that are alarmed, logged, trended, or are referenced inscripts.

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    The final step in defining an item is entering the item namefor the item/point in the board in the Itemfield.

    Note:It is important to understand that the Tagname is the name used within InTouch to refer to adata value. The Item Name is the name used by the Server to get the value from the board.

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    Item (Point) Naming

    The METRABYTE Server supports I/O Discrete, I/O Integer, and I/O Real datatypes. The followingItem Names will be used as the Item:when defining a tagname in InTouch.

    Analog Inputs

    I/O Integer or I/O Real tag type. The value returned by the DAS16 server is the Raw A/D conversionvalue. You will need to scale this value to the required Engineering Units when defining the tag inInTouch. If the Topic associated with the Item you are defining is a topic for a multiplexer, the valuereturned will be the value of the AI channel on the multiplexer.

    The Item Name syntax for an AI is the channel number in decimal:

    Channel #

    Examples:

    3 AI Channel 3

    0 AI Channel 0

    15 AI Channel 15

    Analog Outputs

    I/O Integer or I/O Real tag type. The value received by the DAS16 server should be the Raw D/Aconversion value. You will need to scale this value to the required Engineering Units when definingthe tag in InTouch. The tags that you define with this Item Name type should only be associated with

    I/O Topics that were defined as No Multiplexing.The Item Name syntax for an AO is:

    DA[Channel #]

    1. The first two characters must be 'DA' in either upper of lower case.

    2. The third character is the channel number (0or 1)

    Examples:

    DA0 AO Channel 0

    da0 AO Channel 0

    DA1 AO Channel 1

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    Digital I/O

    I/O Discrete tag type.

    Digital I/O on Main I/O Connector

    The Item Name syntax for Digital Inputsis:

    DI:[bit #]

    The first three characters must be DI: in either upper or lower case.

    The fourth character is the bit number in decimal (0 to 3).

    Examples:

    DI:0 Digital Input 0

    di:2 Digital Input 2

    The Item Name syntax for Digital Outputsis:

    DO:[bit #]

    The first three characters must be DO: in either upper or lower case.

    The fourth character is the bit number in decimal (0 to 3).

    Note: When using multiplexers, the four Digital Outputs on the Main I/O Connector are used tocontrol the channels on the multiplexers. Do not use these Item Names if you are using multiplexers.

    Examples:

    DO:0 Digital Output 0

    do:2 Digital Output 2

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    Digital I/O on auxiliary PIO Connector (DAS1600 boards only)

    The Item Name syntax for PIO Digital I/Ois:

    P[port]:[bit #]

    1. The first character must be P in either upper or lower case.2. The second character is the PIO Port (A, B, or C). May be upper or lower case.

    3. The third character is a delimiter. Allowed delimiters ( :,/, - ).

    4. The fourth character is the bit number in decimal (0 to 7).

    Examples:

    PA:3 PIO Port A, bit 3

    PB:0 PIO Port B, bit 0

    pc/7 PIO Port C, bit 7

    Remember: Each PIO port is software configured as either Input or Output.

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    Monitoring the Status of a DDE Conversation

    WindowViewer supports a built-in topic name called DDEStatus that can be used to monitor the statusof specific DDE conversations. For example, let's assume that WindowViewer (VIEW) is

    communicating with the MetraByte I/O Server to a board that has been defined in the Server withBoard1 for its topic name.

    Using DDEStatus in InTouch

    To monitor the status of communication between WindowViewerand the MetraByte topic Board1, thefollowing steps would be taken:

    1. Create an I/O Discrete Tagname. For simplicity, use the same name as the topic nameto bemonitored.

    2. Associate our tagname with an Access Name that uses DDEStatus for the topic name. To do so,select the Access Name... button to access the initial Access Name Definition dialog:

    3. Notice that an Access Name definition named Board1 (the topic we want to monitor) currentlyexists. To be sure that this is the correct Access Name (its topic nameis Board1), select theModify... button to view it:

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    Note: Finding the Access Name definition containing the right topic namein this example was fairlysimple because all of the names were kept the same. This is the reason it is recommend that thesame names be used whenever possible.

    4. Select the Cancel button to close the dialog and return to the initial Access Name Definitiondialog. Activate the Add... button. The Add Access Name dialog will appear.

    5. For simplicity, use DDEStatus, for the Access Name. Since we are going to monitor the status inWindowViewer, we will use VIEW for our application nameand the built-in topic, DDEStatus, forour topic name. Next, enable the Wait for change and Advise only active items options andselect the OK button to close the dialog. The initial Access Name Definition dialog will reappeardisplaying the name of our new definition preselected in the list:

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    6. Select the Donebutton to close the dialog and associate the new definition with our I/O Discretetagname:

    7. The last step is to enter the actual topic namethat we want to monitor for the item, in this case,Board1. Since our tagname is the same as the topic, select the Use Tagname as Item Nameoption and the Itemwill be automatically entered. Once again showing that by using the samenames whenever possible, we can simplify many steps.

    Note: When using the built-in topic DDEStatus to monitor a DDE conversation, the name defined for

    the Access Name definition is always used as the Item.

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    Using DDEStatus in Excel

    Excel can also be used to perform this same monitoring by entering the same information in aformula in a cell on a spreadsheet. For example, to monitor the same topic as above, the followingwould be entered:

    =VIEW|DDEStatus!Board1

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    Using Excel with the Server

    Data from topics may be accessed from Excelspreadsheets. To do so, enter a formula like thefollowing into a cell on the spreadsheet:

    =|TopicName!ItemName

    In some cases, Excelrequires the topic or item to be surrounded by apostrophes.

    In the formula, topic is replaced with one of the valid topic names defined during the Serverconfiguration process. Item is one of the valid item/point names described in the Item (Point) Namingsection.

    Reading Values from the Server into Excel

    Values may be read directly into Excel spreadsheets from the I/O Server by entering a DDE formulainto a cell using the following format:

    =applicationname|topicname!itemname

    Example formula:

    =DAS16|'Board1'!'3'

    where:

    DAS16 The application name, which is the executable name of the Server (less the.exe).

    Board1 The exact topic name defined in the I/O Server for the device.

    3 The actual location in the device that contains the data value. This is the itemname.

    In this example, each time the value of D0 changes in the device, the I/O Server will automaticallysend the new value to the cell containing the formula in Excel.

    Note: Refer to the Microsoft Excel manual for complete details on entering Remote Referenceformulas for cells

    Values may also be read into Excel spreadsheets from the I/O Server by using the DDEREQUESTmethod in an Excel macro:

    Sub DemoDDE()

    channelNumber = Application.DDEInitiate(app:="ApplicationName",topic:="TopicName")

    returnValue = Application.DDERequest(channelNumber, "ItemName")

    Worksheets("Sheet1").Cells(1, 1).Formula = returnValue(1)

    Application.DDETerminate channelNumber

    End Sub

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    The following describes each of the above DemoDDEmacro statements:

    channelNumber = Application.DDEInitiate(app:="ApplicaitonName",topic:="TopicName")

    Opens a DDE channel to a specific topic name(defined in the I/O Server) in a particular application

    name(DDE executable name less the .EXE) and assigns the number of that opened DDE channel tochannelNumber.

    returnValue = Application.DDERequest(channelNumber, "ItemName")

    Gets the value of ItemName from the application and topic specified in the previous DDEInitiatemethod and places it in the variable returnValue.

    Worksheets("Sheet1").Cells(1, 1).Formula = returnValue(1)

    Places the value in returnValue into the first cell in Sheet1.

    Application.DDETerminate channelNumber

    Closes the DDE channel at the end of the macro. Some applications have a limited number ofchannels therefore, they should be closed when finished. channelNumberis the channel number

    returned by the previously executed INITIATEmethod.

    Writing Values to the I/O Server from Excel

    Values may be written to the I/O Server from Microsoft Excel by creating an Excel macro that usesthe DDEPOKEmethod. The proper code is entered in Excel as follows:

    Sub DemoDDE()

    channelNumber = Application.DDEInitiate(app:="ApplicaitonName",topic:="TopicName")

    Set rangeToPoke = Worksheets("Sheet1").Range("A1")

    Application.DDEPoke channelNumber, "ItemName", rangeToPoke

    Application.DDETerminate channelNumber

    End Sub

    The following describes each of the above DemoDDE macro statements:

    channelNumber = Application.DDEInitiate(app:="ApplicaitonName",topic:="TopicName")

    Opens a DDE channel to a specific topic name(defined in the I/O Server) in a particular applicationname(DDE executable name less the .EXE) and assigns the number of that opened DDE channel tochannelNumber.

    Set rangeToPoke = Worksheets("Sheet1").Range("A1")Places the range of values to be poked into the variable rangeToPoke. Sheet1 is the name of theworksheet, A1 is the cell range containing the values.

    Application.DDEPoke channelNumber, "ItemName", rangeToPoke

    POKEs the value contained in rangeToPoke to the specified item name(actual location in the device)via the channelNumber returned by the previously executed INITIATE method.

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    Application.DDETerminate channelNumber

    Closes the DDE channel at the end of the macro. Some applications have a limited number ofchannels therefore they should be closed when finished. channelNumber is the channel numberreturned by the previously executed INITIATE method.

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    Technical Support

    Prior to contacting technical support, please refer to the relevant documentation for a possiblesolution to the problem. If it is necessary to contact technical support for assistance, please have the

    following information available:1. The version of the server that is operating.

    2. The type and version of the operating system you are using. For example, Microsoft Windows NTVersion 4.0 workstation.

    3. The exact wording of system error message encountered.

    4. Any relevant output listing from the Wonderware Logger, the Microsoft Diagnostic utility (MSD),or any other diagnostic applications.

    5. Details and results of the attempts to solve the problem.

    6. Details of how to recreate the problem.

    Standard Automation Technical Support can be reached in the following ways:

    Telephone 281-334-3293

    Fax 281-334-4324

    Email [email protected]

    Internet www.stdauto.com

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    APPENDIX A - Configuring the DAS-16/1600 with the EXP-16 Multiplexers

    This supplemental section assumes the reader is familiar with the basic features of the MetraByteEXP-16 multiplexer. Complete documentation of the MetraByte EXP-16 multiplexer is available fromKeithley Instruments, Inc., titled "User Guide for the Keithley MetraByte EXP-16 & EXP-16AExpansion Multiplexer/Amplifier System".

    When using the DAS-16/1600 with one or more EXP-16s, 16 singled-ended analog input mode mustbe enabled. Note that each EXP-16 Multiplexer configured to the DAS-16/1600 will require one of theanalog inputs dedicated to it. The particular analog input dedicated will be any of analog inputchannels 0-7, corresponding to the output channel selection 0-7 made on the EXP-16. Up to 8 EXP-16s can be attached to a DAS-16/1600, with the resulting configuration requiring the dedication of thefirst 8 analog channels of the DAS-16/1600. Each EXP-16 attached to the DAS-16/1600 can beaccessed by configuring a Topic with a Mux Channel selected that matches the output channel

    jumpered on that EXP-16. Each EXP-16 and Topic can then support up to 16 analog inputs which aremultiplexed on the dedicated DAS-16/1600 analog input. Again mentioned, this dedicated DAS-

    16/1600 analog input corresponds to the EXP-16 output channel jumpered. Note that although anEXP-16 can support additional analog inputs for use, these provided analog inputs may not besuitable for high speed operations due to the additional delays inherent in multiplexing analog inputson the dedicated DAS-16/1600 analog input. For high performance analog input sampling, a Topicshould be created using the "None" Mux Channel option and analog inputs wired directly into theDAS-16/1600 using analog input channels 8-15 and any of the analog input channels of 0-7 that arenot dedicated to an EXP-16.

    Note: This software should be compatible with all MetraByte multiplexers that use the four DigitalOutputs on the Main I/O Connector as the channel selection control. As of this writing, not allmultiplexers have been tested using this software.

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    Index

    A

    Analog Inputs, 20Analog Outputs, 20ApplicationName, 6

    C

    ConfigureDefine Board, 9Define Topic, 12Server Parameters, 14

    Control Menu, 15

    D

    DAS16 Interface Board Configuration Dialog, 9DDE, 4DDE Conversation

    Monitoring the Status, 23DDE Server Setting Dialog, 14Debug Menu, 15Digital I/O, 21Digital I/O on auxiliary PIO Connector, 22Digital I/O on Main I/O Connector, 21Dongle, 7Dynamic Data Exchange, 4

    I

    Installation, 7InTouch

    Using DDEStatus, 23Using the Server with, 16

    Item (Point) Naming, 20Item Name, 6

    P

    Programmable I/O Ports, 11

    R

    Reading Values from the Server into Excel, 27Remote Item

    Accessing via the Server, 6

    S

    Securitykey, 7Select a Board Dialog, 9Select a Topic Dialog, 12Server

    Configuring, 8System Requirements and Specifications, 5

    T

    Technical Support, 30Topic Description Dialog, 13Topic Name, 6

    U

    Using DDEStatus in Excel, 26Using Excel with the Server, 27

    W

    Writing Values to the I/O Server from Excel, 28