BinaryDataPoint

The BinaryDataPoint component is a component that represents a Boolean value in the application; it reads binary values calculated in applications and controls local or remote binary outputs. The BinaryDataPoint allows to create standard links to all inputs and outputs; it may transfer a value via a link from the Out slot to other components. The other method to link the BinaryDataPoint is via a Reference link. The Reference link is a special compound link designed to connect Data Points with network points. The Reference link is created between special Reference slots in network points and transfers values along with the its status to BinaryDataPoints. Also, it may transfer values from BinaryDataPoints to network points at the same time returning status from network points to BinaryDataPoints, and it may return values from network points to BinaryDataPoints too. While linking Data Points and network points it is recommended to use the Reference linking method.

In order to operate properly, the component must be placed in the Application component in the Applications container.

Binary Data Point

The BinaryDataPoint can operate in two configurations. First, it is a basic configuration with one writable input slot (In16), one output slot (Out), Reference linking, and other basic slots: Mode, Active Text, Inactive Text, Status, Enabled, Description. In the basic configuration, the BACnet Data Point has native BACnetBinaryPoint and ModbusBinaryPoint extensions.

The Binary Data Point component in simple variant

In its basic configuration, the BinaryDataPoint has one action: Set (which allows to set a value to the In16 slot).

The BinaryDataPoint has the following basic slots:

• Status: indicates the current status of the component. If the component works properly, its status is OK; however, it changes accordingly when values in other slots are adjusted;
  • Available information: Disabled, Unlicensed, Error, Overriden, OK;

Note: If the referenced network point goes into a high priority status (e.g., fault or down), the Data Point's status will show Error in order to communicate that the value in the Out slot may be invalid.

• Reference: a special slot allowing to transfer more than one value with one link (e.g., the Out slot value and the component's Status); connects Data Points with network point class components;

Note: The Data Point allows to create only one Reference connection leading to it and many Reference connections leading from it.

• Description: an additional detailed information about a component that may be freely described by the user; the description may contain individual coding defined in the user's system documentation or any other information the user finds applicable;
• Enabled: change of the slot's value enables or disables the component–if the component becomes disabled, it stops reading values from or transferring values to the linked Network Points. By default, the component is enabled;
  • Available settings: true (enabled), false (disabled);
• Mode: allows to set a mode of the component, which defines the type of data exposed on specific protocol’s server if it is read-only or writable; 
  • Available settings: Value, Input, Output;
• Out: shows a value transferred from the In16 slot in the basic configuration, or from the first non-null input with highest priority in the extended configuration; in case there are values on different priorities, only the value from the highest priority slot is transferred to the Out slot, the rest is dismissed;

Note: In the Wire Sheet, the Out slot is visible as combined slots Out, Priority, and Status. The Out slot displays the value in accordance with the settings in the ActiveText and InactiveText slots.

• InactiveText: a text value that is displayed in the Out slot if its value is false; the text is freely adjustable by the user. By default, this field is empty and "false" is displayed for a false value;
• ActiveText: a text value that is displayed in the Out slot if its value is true; the text is freely adjustable by the user. By default, this field is empty and "true" is displayed for a true value;
• In16: the basic input slot; receives Boolean values; the In16 value may be set by a Set action.

The BinaryDataPoint has the following basic actions:

• Set: allows entering a Boolean value to set the In16 slot;
• SetId: sets a BACnet object Id of the BinaryDataPoint (exposed in the BACnetBinaryPoint extension);
• SetAddress: sets a Modbus address of the BinaryDataPoint (exposed in the ModbusBinaryPoint extension).

The extended configuration of the BinaryDataPoint is switched on by adding the BinaryPriorites extension to the BinaryDataPoint component. The extension adds 16 writable input slots to the Data Point. It is added by right-clicking on the BinaryDataPoint component (either in the Wire Sheet or Property Sheet view, Application Manager, or the Workspace Tree).

Extensions

Data Points can have their functionality modified by extensions. The BinaryDataPoint is originally equipped with the BACnetBinaryPoint and ModbusBinaryPoint extensions (these cannot be added or removed), but other extensions, which offer different functionalities, can be added or removed as necessary. Extensions are added by right-clicking the BinaryDataPoint, either in the Wire Sheet or Property Sheet view, Application Manager, or the Workspace Tree.

Adding extension in the Wire Sheet view

Adding extension in the Property Sheet view

From the context menu, select the Add extension option. The pop-up window appears allowing to choose an extension to add.

Adding extension dialog window

BACnetBinaryPoint

The BACnetBinaryPoint extension expands the BinaryDataPoint's functionality giving it an option to expose it to the BACnet network as a Binary Value object, and otherwise, it allows to manually hide it from the network yet preserving its function in the application. It also transfers information to the BACnet network about the BinaryDataPoint's. The extension is native (cannot be removed), and is visible along with the regular slots and actions of the BinaryDataPoint as a separate, integral part in the Object Properties view.

The extension has the following slots:

• Object: a read-only slot showing a type of BACnet object attributed to the extension;
• ObjectID: a BACnet object ID, which is automatically numbered from 0 up;
• Expose: enables the Data Point to be recognized within the BACnet network;
  • Available settings: true (exposed), false (hidden).

ModbusBinaryPoint

The ModbusBinaryPoint extension expands the BinaryDataPoint's functionality giving it an option to expose it to the Modbus TCP/IP network as a Modbus point, and, otherwise, it allows to manually hide it from the network yet preserving its function in the application. It also transfers information to the Modbus TCP/IP network about the BinaryDataPoint's status. The extension is native (cannot be removed), and is visible along with the regular slots and actions of the BinaryDataPoint as a separate, integral part in the Object Properties view.

The extension has the following slots:

• Address: a read-only slot showing a Modbus register, which the Data Point is exposed on;
• Address Format: a read-only slot showing a register address format;
  • Available information: decimal, Modbus, HEX;

• Input Priority: allows to select the input number in the Data Point, which the value from the register is synchronized on;

• Expose: enables the Data Point to be recognized within the Modbus TCP/IP network;
  • Available settings: true (exposed), false (hidden);
• Register: a read-only slot showing the type of the register used;
  • Available information: holding register.

Apart from the BACnetBinaryPoint and ModbusBinaryPoint, it is possible to add the following extensions to the BinaryDataPoint:

BACnetPriorities

The BinaryPriorites extension adds In1–In15 slots and the Default slot, which is the lowest, 17th priority. The extension also introduces new actions to the Data Point: EmergencyOverride, EmergencyAuto, Override, and OverrideAuto. The BinaryPriorities extension adds fifteen writable input slots and the default priority slot to the BinaryDataPoint. The extension includes also the Priority slot indicating, which slot is transferring value to the Out slot.

The extended variant of the Binary Data Point

The BinaryDataPoint has the following slots available in the BinaryPriorities extension:

• In1–In15: input slots providing values to the Out slot (from 1 to 16, the highest priority is In1); only the highest priority value is provided to the Out slot, the rest is dismissed. All input slots are linkable. The In1 and In8 slots have actions available for emergency overriding their values;

Note: By default, only In16 is displayed in the Wire Sheet. In case any other input slot receives a value via link, is it displayed in the Wire Sheet along with the In16. Only the null value allows the higher priority input to be dismissed.

• Default: the 17th, lowest priority input slot; allows to introduce a default value to the Data Point in case there are no links providing values from other components. If the value to the Data Point is provided by the Reference link, then the Default value is automatically dismissed (the Reference link cannot be directed to the 17th priority, only from the 16th up).

Note: According to BACnet requirements, the Default slot value can never be null; if no other value is set on the slot, it is false.

• Priority: shows which slot is currently providing the value to the Out slot.

The BinaryDataPoint has the following actions available in the BinaryPriorities extension:

• EmergencyOverrideActive: enables entering a true value to the In1 slot;
• EmergencyOverrideInactive: enables entering a false value to the In1 slot;
• EmergencyAuto: sets the null value to the In1 slot (cancels the EmergencyOverrideActive and EmergencyOverrideInactive action);
• OverrideActive: enables entering a true value to the In8 slot;
• OverrideInactive: enables entering a false value to the In8 slot;
• OverrideAuto: sets the null value to the In8 slot (cancels the OverrideActive and OverrideInactive actions).

ActionTrigger

The ActionTrigger extension is designed to invoke any action that is available for the component. The extension triggers an action selected in the Action Name on the rising edge of the Action Trigger slot. If the action has parameters to set, the parameter is taken from a relevant slot automatically added to the extension (Analog Value/Binary Value/String Value).

It is possible to add more than one ActionTrigger extension to the component (for example, one for each action in the component).

The extension is added from the context menu of the component.

Adding the ActionTrigger extension

The ActionTrigger extension has the following slots:

• Action Name: allows to select an action to invoke;

• Action Trigger: triggers an action selected in the Action Name slot;

• Action Analog Value/Action Binary Value/Action String Value: a slot added automatically to the extension if an action selected in the Action Name slot has any specific parameters to set (depending on the type of action and its parameters, the relevant type of value is matched).

The ActionTrigger extension in the BinaryDataPoint component