Echelon NodeBuilder FX - Manual (Page 244)

230 Testing a NodeBuilder Device Using the LonMaker Tool
Introduction to Testing NodeBuilder Devices
You can use the LonMaker tool to test your NodeBuilder device. You can press the hardware inputs
on your device and use the LonMaker tool to monitor changes to the values of the network variables in
the device interface. You can also use the LonMaker tool to control the values of the input network
variables and observe whether the hardware outputs function as designed and output network variable
values change accordingly. After you determine that your device is functioning as designed, you can
use the LonMaker tool to connect your development devices to other devices and verify their operation
within a network.
Monitoring and Controlling NodeBuilder Devices
You can monitor and control your device with the LonMaker tool using the Data Point shape in the
LonMaker Basic Shapes stencil or the LonMaker Browser.
The Data Point shape lets you monitor and control a single network variable or configuration property
value from the current drawing page. It is ideal for testing smaller device interfaces with few network
variables and configuration properties. You can also use the Data Point shape to create simple HMIs
in your LonMaker drawing.
The LonMaker Browser can display the values for all the input and output network variables and
configuration properties in your device interface. It is ideal for testing devices with larger external
interfaces.
The following sections describe how to monitor and control your device using each of these methods.
Using the Data Point Shape
To test your device’s interface with the Data Point shape, follow these steps:
1. Open the LonMaker drawing containing your device. See the LonMaker User’s Guide for more
information on opening LonMaker drawings.
2. Drag a Data Point shape from the LonMaker Basic Shapes stencil on the left of the LonMaker
window to the drawing. You can place the Data Point shape anywhere, but a good place is
directly above or below the device or functional block containing the data point to be monitored
and controlled. The Data Point Shape dialog opens.