PLC Online Change

This section provides a detailed description of the PLC"Programmable Logic Controller" A Programmable Logic Controller, PLC, or Programmable Controller is a digital computer used for automation of industrial processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. Used to synchronize the flow of inputs from (physical) sensors and events with the flow of outputs to actuators and events Online Change functionality. See Using PLC Online Change for an overview of using this functionality.

What is Online Change

Online Change enables you to update your PLC application on the fly, while it is running on the controller. You do not need to stop the controller, download the new code and start again. You only need to modify, recompile and download the new code as shown in the figure below; and then ask the controller to switch the execution to the new application.

Online Change - Process Diagram

Figure 11-13: Online Change - Process Diagram

This feature is used in the following situations:

When Online Change is enabled, you can perform the following kinds of changes on the fly:

The following are not allowed:

For limitation about breakpoint with Online Change, see "About Online Change".

How to Activate Online Change

To allow Online Change, you need to open the PLC options and set the relevant parameters.

PLC Options - Online Change Enable

Figure 11-15: PLC Options - Online Change Enable

Set the parameters

This box allows you to enable or disable the Online Change feature (see call out ).

You also need to ensure that you have selected Normal code as Online Change is not possible with Optimized code. Note that when Optimized code is selected, then Online Change is always deactivated.

Then you can compile your application, which now allows future changes on the fly.

Switch to Edit mode

When you start the application, the Debug mode is automatically activated: you can see the values changing in the editors and the Dictionary (animation), showing what is happening on the controller. In this mode the editor is read-only, so you are not able to modify the code.

To edit your code, go out of the Debug mode and enter the Edit mode by clicking the button in the Toolbar.

Perform the Online Change

When your new code has compiled correctly, you can perform the Online Change. To do so, click the button. When you click this button, the KAS IDE"Integrated development environment" An integrated development environment is a type of computer software that assists computer programmers in developing software. IDEs normally consist of a source code editor, a compiler and/or interpreter, build-automation tools, and a debugger opens a window showing the execution of current actions (download, activation of new code).

Online Change - Updating Controller Version

Figure 11-16: Online Change - Updating Controller Version

Once the Online Change is applied, the result is displayed in the window and you can click OK to acknowledge the operation and do a Warm start.

Dictionary behavior

When the Online Change is enabled, the dictionary shows:

Online Change - Dictionary

Figure 11-17: Online Change - Dictionary

What is the Revert button

The Revert button is for security purposes. It allows you, after an Online Change, to revert your change quickly and go back to the previous application. That means switching the execution of the controller to the P-code that was running before the last Online Change (note that the source code in the KAS IDE is not replaced). The WAIT and WAIT_TIME instructions can not be used with Revert.

After the Revert, the KAS IDE automatically goes back to Edit mode and is disconnected from the controller. The user must manually reconnect to the controller.

One-click Recovery - Process Diagram

Figure 11-18: One-click Recovery - Process Diagram

The Revert button is active when you are connected and the controller is running.

Revert is not possible:

Difference between Local and Controller versions

When you restore a project with the Revert feature after an Online Change, KAS provides a tool to show the differences between two versions of the project. This tool can help you in checking all modifications before the next Online Change. It is also a useful tool when you want to compare your code with the last version after a Revert.

For more details, refer to Compare PLC Programs.

 


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