EC32 - Application modules

Application modules are used to create tasks, which can communicate with other tasks and with up to 32 different or identical drivers each.

PMON
The PMON protocol was defined some time in the 70ties as a result of a cooperation between Volkswagen and Siemens. It is used for connecting PLC and computer systems with FIS or MONTIS systems. In the past the connection was done using serial point to point links via the 3964R protocol while today most installations are connected via a network.
The significant parameters for the module are stored in external parameter files which allows a modification, for example of the submission numbers, without touching the software.

8E41
The module 8E41 is used for connecting MDS systems (portable data carrier), which have an implementation according to the VW specification 8E41. The existing implementation allows the usage of up to four communication ports and up to 64 connected Write-Reading stations.

DBF
The module DBF provides simple functions for storing data into sequential databases. Typically DBF is used for FIFO storage. The number of database is limited only by the number of available channels. Each database could store records with a size of up to 5000 bytes per record. The number of records per database is limited to 9999. Functions are for example FIRST-IN, LAST-IN, FIRST-OUT, LAST-OUT, CLEAR-FIRST, CLEAR-LAST, CLEAR-ALL, GET-NUMBER, GET-INFO and some search functions.

DBR
The module DBR provides functions for storing data into index-sequential databases. Access to a record is done randomly via a key, for example the PKN-number (Produktions-Kenn-Nummer = production identification number). Up to 16 databases with a size of 9999 bytes per record are possible. The number of records in a database is limited only by the available amount of space on the hard disc. The database files are DBASE compatible, which makes it easy to view to contents or to import the contents into other application like EXCEL.

GD (Graphic Display Unit)
This module provides functions for a graphic display of relevant status information, process visualization and data entry. It operates on any standard VGA display unit and uses externally stored PCX images for the static information of the display. The parameters for the dynamic parts of the display are also stored in external parameter files thus making it possible to modify the characteristics of a display mask without touching the software.
The significant parameters for the module are stored in external parameter files, which allows a modification, for example of the text to be displayed, without touching the software.
Even the fonts, which are used to display characters and symbols on the screen are stored in external font files, thus making it possible to create a wide range of different character representations, for instance Chinese character sets.
The available screen resolution ranges from: