Micromod MOD: 30MLTraining Manual - Manual (Page 136)

Training Manual
Extended MODBUS OPC Server
Groups: Tags/Signals can be placed together into groups. Groups, if used, are shown at
the top level under a device. In the Extended MODBUS OPC database, the
grouping will be based on the grouping in the CL block in the instrument
database database.

Each block in the database will be one group and will have the selected attributes of
that block. For example, if you have a block named FIC-100, the group will be called
FIC-100 and the signals like PVI, SP, OP etc, will be tags belonging to that group.
Blocks inside a compound will be grouped into a bigger group with name as the
compound name.
Grouping is only for the user’s convenience. If aliases are configured in the CL block for
tags, then the tags will be attached to the devices directly (at the root level).
Tags: Tags define the properties of signals such as address of the signal, group and
device it belongs to, data type and scaling. Examples of tags are PVI, SP, OP
etc, of a PID block.

Having a .MIF file is very handy. Connecting the MIF file to a device in the OPC tag
database will create the groups and signals automatically. This will save a tremendous
amount of time compared to creating them manually.
In the case of generic MODBUS devices such as ABB Commander series instruments,
you have to create the groups and tags manually and should define their properties.
8.2.2 Built-in OPC Client
An OPC Client application is built-in with the Extended MODBUS OPC Server for
monitoring and testing your Server’s configuration. It is this part of the OPC application
that collects data received by the OPC Server and presents to the user. The data
presented by the OPC Client is live.
OPC Client is useful for testing the communication between the devices and the OPC
Server. It can also be used for testing other 3rd party OPC applications connected to the
server.
8.3 Instructions
8.3.1 Part 1
1. Install the Extended MODBUS OPC Server. Refer to the ViZapp setup lab for help.
2. Launch the Extended MODBUS OPC Server: From the Windows Start menu, select
Programs-MicroMod Automation-XMBOPC.
• The OPC Server will launch as shown in figure 4.1.
• A blank tag database Untitled is opened by default.
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