Glossary

%I

According to the CEI standard, %I indicates a language object of type discrete IN.

%IW

According to the CEI standard, %IW indicates a language object of type analog IN.

%KW

According to the CEI standard, %KW indicates a language object of type constant word.

%M

According to the CEI standard, %M indicates a language object of type memory bit.

%MW

According to the CEI standard, %MW indicates a language object of type memory word.

%Q

According to the CEI standard, %Q indicates a language object of type discrete OUT.

%QW

According to the CEI standard, %QW indicates a language object of type analog OUT.

ADDM_TYPE

This predefined type is used as an output for the ADDM function. This is an ARRAY[0..8] OF Int. You can find it in the library, in the same family as the EFs that use it.

ADDR_TYPE

This predefined type is used as an output for the ADDR function. This is an ARRAY[0..5] OF Int. You can find it in the library, in the same family as the EFs that use it.

ANL_IN

ANL_IN is an internal data type that is used between Quantum specific FFBs. For instance, an ACI040 FFB provides the channels structures of the module as ANL_IN types, which are used as input of an I_FILTER FFB. This data type must not be used outside the Quantum specific FFBs.

Elements of the DDT:

Name	Type	Comment
valuePtr	UDINT	3x or 4x raw value register
rawControl	BYTE	Control Byte(internal use only)
rawSpecific	BYTE	Specific Byte (internal use only)
offset	INT	Offset Value
range	WORD	Input range (resolution)
channel	BYTE	Input Channel number
statusMode	BYTE	Status Mode (internal use only)
statusPtr	UDINT	Identifies high byte or low byte of status register
warnCode	BYTE	Warning Code (internal use only)

ANL_OUT

ANL_OUT is an internal data type that is used between Quantum specific FFBs. For instance, an ACO130 FFB provides the channel structures of the module as ANL_OUT types, which are used as input of an O_PHYS FFB. This data type must not be used outside the Quantum specific FFBs.

Elements of the DDT:

Name	Type	Comment
valuePtr	UDINT	3x or 4x raw value register
rawControl	BYTE	Control Byte(internal use only)
rawSpecific	BYTE	Specific Byte (internal use only)
offset	INT	Offset Value
range	WORD	Input range (resolution)
channel	BYTE	Input Channel number
statusMode	BYTE	Status Mode (internal use only)
statusPtr	UDINT	Identifies high byte or low byte of status register
warnCode	BYTE	Warning Code (internal use only)

ANY

There is a hierarchy among the various data types. In the DFBs, it is sometimes possible to declare variables that can contain several types of values. In that case we use ANY_xxx types.

The figure below describes this hierarchical structure:

ARRAY

An ARRAY is a table containing elements of a single type.

The syntax is as follows: ARRAY [<limits>] OF <Type>

Example:

ARRAY [1..2] OF BOOL is a one-dimensional table with two elements of type BOOL.

ARRAY [1..10, 1..20] OF INT is a two-dimensional table with 10x20 elements of type INT.

ART

(application response time) The time a PLC/ application takes to react to a given input. ART is measured from the time a physical signal in the PLC turns on and triggers a write command until the remote output turns on to signify that the data has been received.

Assigned variables

A variable whose position in the PLC memory can be known. For example, the Water_pressure variable is associated with %MW102. Water_pressure is said to be assigned.

BCD

BCD is the abbreviation of the Binary Coded Decimal format.

BCD can be used to represent decimal numbers between 0 and 9 using a set of four bits (nybble).

In this format, the four bits used to encode decimal numbers have an unused range of combinations.

Example of BCD encoding:

The number 2,450
is encoded: 0010 0100 0101 0000

BOOL

BOOL is the abbreviation for the Boolean type. This is the basic data type in computing. A BOOL variable can have either of the following two values: 0 (FALSE) or 1 (TRUE).

A bit extracted from a word is of type BOOL, for example: %MW10.4.

BYTE

When 8 bits are grouped together, they are called a BYTE. You can enter a BYTE either in binary mode or in base 8.

The BYTE type is encoded in an 8 bit format which, in hexadecimal format, ranges from 16#00 to 16#FF.

DATE

The DATE type, encoded in BCD in a 32 bit format, contains the following information:

the year encoded in a 16 bit field;
the month encoded in an 8 bit field;
the day encoded in an 8 bit field.

The DATE type must be entered as follows: D#<Year>-<Month>-<Day>

This table shows the upper/lower limits of each field:

Field	Limits	Comment
Year	[1990,2099]	Year
Month	[01,12]	The leading 0 is displayed; it can be omitted during data entry.
Day	[01,31]	For months 01/03/05/07/08/10/12
	[01,30]	For months 04/06/09/11
	[01,29]	For month 02 (leap years)
	[01,28]	For month 02 (non-leap years)

DATE_AND_TIME

See DT.

DBCD

Representation of a double integer in double BCD format.

BCD format can be used to represent decimal numbers between 0 and 9 using a set of four bits.

In this format, the four bits used to encode decimal numbers have an unused range of combinations.

Example of DBCD encoding:

The number 78,993,016
is encoded: 0111 1000 1001 1001 0011 0000 0001 0110

DDT

DDT is the abbreviation of Derived Data Type.

A derived data type is a set of elements with the same type (ARRAY) or with different types (structure).

Device DDT (DDDT)

A Device DDT is a DDT predefined by the manufacturer and not modifiable by user. It contains the I/O language elements of an I/O module.

DFB

DFB is the abbreviation of Derived Function Block.

DFB types are function blocks that can be defined by the user in ST, IL, LD or FBD language.

Using these DFB types in an application makes it possible to:

simplify the design and entry of the program;
make the program easier to read;
make it easier to debug;
reduce the amount of code generated.

DINT

DINT is the abbreviation of Double INTeger (encoded in 32 bits).

The upper/lower limits are as follows: -(2 to the power of 31) to (2 to the power of 31) - 1.

Example:

-2147483648, 2147483647, 16#FFFFFFFF.

DT

DT is the abbreviation of Date and Time.

The DT type, encoded in BCD in a 64 bit format, contains the following information:

the year encoded in a 16 bit field;
the month encoded in an 8 bit field;
the day encoded in an 8 bit field;
the time encoded in an 8 bit field;
the minutes encoded in an 8 bit field;
the seconds encoded in an 8 bit field.

NOTE: The 8 least significant bits are not used.

The DT type must be entered as follows:

DT#<Year>-<Month>-<Day>-<Hour>:<Minutes>:<Seconds>

This table shows the upper/lower limits of each field:

Field	Limits	Comment
Year	[1990,2099]	Year
Month	[01,12]	The leading 0 is displayed; it can be omitted during data entry.
Day	[01,31]	For months 01/03/05/07/08/10/12
	[01,30]	For months 04/06/09/11
	[01,29]	For month 02 (leap years)
	[01,28]	For month 02 (non-leap years)
Hour	[00,23]	The leading 0 is displayed; it can be omitted during data entry.
Minute	[00,59]	The leading 0 is displayed; it can be omitted during data entry.
Second	[00,59]	The leading 0 is displayed; it can be omitted during data entry.

DWORD

DWORD is the abbreviation of Double Word.

The DWORD type is encoded in a 32 bit format.

This table shows the upper/lower limits of each of the bases that can be used:

Base	Lower limit	Upper limit
Hexadecimal	16#0	16#FFFFFFFF
Octal	8#0	8#37777777777
Binary	2#0	2#11111111111111111111111111111111

Examples of representation:

Data	Representation in one of the bases
00000000000010101101110011011110	16#ADCDE
00000000000000010000000000000000	8#200000
00000000000010101011110011011110	2#10101011110011011110

EBOOL

EBOOL is the abbreviation of Extended BOOLean. An EBOOL type has a value (0 (FALSE) or 1 (TRUE), but also rising or falling edges and forcing functions.

An EBOOL variable occupies one byte in memory.

The byte contains the following information:

one bit for the value;
one bit for the history (whenever the object changes state, the value is copied to the history bit);
one bit for forcing (equal to 0 if the object is not forced, or 1 if the bit is forced).

The default value of each bit is 0 (FALSE).

EF

EF is the abbreviation of Elementary Function.

This is a block used in a program which performs a predefined logical function.

A function does not have any information on the internal state. Several calls to the same function using the same input parameters return the same output values. You find information on the graphic form of the function call in the "[functional block (instance)]". Unlike a call to a function block, function calls include only an output which is not named and whose name is identical to that of the function. In FBD, each call is indicated by a unique [number] via the graphic block. This number is managed automatically and cannot be modified.

You position and configure these functions in your program in order to execute your application.

You can also develop other functions using the SDKC development kit.

EFB

EFB is the abbreviation of Elementary Function Block.

This is a block used in a program which performs a predefined logical function.

EFBs have states and internal parameters. Even if the inputs are identical, the output values may differ. For example, a counter has an output indicating that the preselection value has been reached. This output is set to 1 when the current value is equal to the preselection value.

Elementary function

See EF.

EN

EN stands for ENable; it is an optional block input. When the EN input is enabled, an ENO output is set automatically.

If EN = 0, the block is not enabled; its internal program is not executed, and ENO is set to 0.

If EN = 1, the block's internal program is run and ENO is set to 1. If an error occurs, ENO is set to 0.

If the EN input is not connected, it is set automatically to 1.

ENO

ENO stands for Error NOtification; this is the output associated with the optional input EN.

If ENO is set to 0 (because EN = 0 or in case of an execution error):

the status of the function block outputs remains the same as it was during the previous scanning cycle that executed correctly;
the output(s) of the function, as well as the procedures, are set to "0".

EOLI

End-of-Life instructions provide complete guidance on responsible product disposal and recycling of a product and help reduce environmental hazards and improve operational efficiency.

FBD

FBD is the abbreviation of Function Block Diagram.

FBD is a graphical programming language that works like a flowchart. By adding simple logical blocks (AND, OR, etc.), each function or function block in the program is represented in this graphical format. For each block, the inputs are on the left and the outputs on the right. Block outputs can be linked to inputs of other blocks in order to create complex expressions.

FFB

Collective term for EF (elementary function), EFB (elementary function block) and DFB (derived function block).

FTP

File Transfer Protocol.

Function

See EF.

Function Block Diagram

See FBD.

Global Data

Global Data provides the automatic exchange of data variables for the coordination of PLC applications.

GRAY

The Gray code, or "reflected binary", is used to encode a numerical value developed in a string of binary configurations that may be differentiated by changing the status of a single bit.

For example, this code can be used to avoid the following random event: in pure binary, changing the value 0111 to 1000 may produce a range number between 0 and 1,000, given that the bits do not all change value at the same time.

Equivalence between decimal, BCD and Gray:

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol

I/O scanning

An I/O scan continuously polls I/O modules to collect data bits and status, error, and diagnostics information. This process monitors inputs and control outputs.

IEC 61131-3

International standard: programmable logic controllers

Part 3: programming languages

IL

IL is the abbreviation of Instruction List.

This language is a series of basic instructions.

It is very close to assembly language used to program processors.

Each instruction is made up of an instruction code and an operand.

INF

Used to indicate that a number exceeds the authorized limits.

For an integer, the value ranges (shown in gray) are as follows:

When a result is:

less than -3.402824e+38, the symbol -INF (for -infinity) is displayed;
greater than +3.402824e+38, the symbol INF (for +infinity) is displayed;

INT

INT is the abbreviation of single INTeger (encoded in 16 bits).

The upper/lower limits are as follows: -(2 to the power of 15) to (2 to the power of 15) - 1.

Example:

-32768, 32767, 2#1111110001001001, 16#9FA4.

IODDT

IODDT is the abbreviation of Input/Output Derived Data Type.

The term IODDT indicates a structured data type representing a module or a channel of a PLC module. Each expert module has its own IODDTs.

Keyword

A keyword is a unique combination of characters used as a syntax element in a programming language (see the definition provided in appendix B of the IEC 61131-3 standard. All the keywords used in Control Expert and included in the IEC 61131-3 standard appear in appendix C of that standard. Keywords cannot be used as identifiers [names of variables, sections, DFB types, etc.] in your program).

LD

LD is the abbreviation of Ladder Diagram.

LD is a programming language that represents instructions to be executed as graphical diagrams very similar to electrical diagrams (contacts, coils, etc.).

Literal value in base 10

A literal value in base 10 is used to represent a decimal integer value. This value may be preceded by the "+" and "-" signs. If the "_" character is used in the literal value, it is not significant.

Example:

-12, 0, 123_456, +986

Literal value in base 16

A literal value in base 16 is used to represent a hexadecimal integer. The base is determined by the number "16" and the "#" sign. The "+" and "-" signs are prohibited. To make it easier to read, you can use the "_" sign between the bits.

Example:

16#F_F or 16#FF (decimal 255)

16#E_0 or 16#E0 (decimal 224)

Literal value in base 2

A literal value in base 2 is used to represent a binary integer. The base is determined by the number "2" and the "#" sign. The "+" and "-" signs are prohibited. To make it easier to read, you can use the "_" sign between the bits.

Example:

2#1111_1111 or 2#11111111 (decimal 255)

2#1110_0000 or 2#11100000 (decimal 224)

Literal value in base 8

A literal value in base 8 is used to represent an octal integer. The base is determined by the number "8" and the "#" sign. The "+" and "-" signs are prohibited. To make it easier to read, you can use the "_" sign between the bits.

Example:

8#3_77 or 8#377 (decimal 255)

8#34_0 or 8#340 (decimal 224)

Literal value of a real

A literal real value is a number expressed with one or more decimals.

Example:

-12,0, 0,0, +0,456, 3,14159_26

Literal value of a real with an exponent

Number that may be expressed using standard scientific notation. In that case the representation is as follows: mantissa + exponent.

Example:

-1.34E-12 or -1.34e-12

1.0E+6 or 1.0e+6

1.234E6 or 1.234e6

Literal value of an integer

A literal value of an integer is used to enter integer values in the decimal system. Values may be preceded by the "+" and "-" signs. Underscore signs (_) separating numbers are not significant.

Example:

-12, 0, 123_456, +986

Literal value of time

The TIME type has the following units: days (d), hours (h), minutes (m), seconds (s) and milliseconds (ms). A literal value of type TIME is represented by a combination of the preceding types prefixed with T#, t#, TIME# or time#.

Examples: T#25h15m, t#14,7S, TIME#5d10h23m45s3ms

Multitoken

Operating mode of an SFC. In multitoken mode, the SFC can have several steps that are active simultaneously.

Naming conventions (identifier)

An identifier is a sequence of letters, numbers and underlines beginning with a letter or underline (e.g., name of a function block type, an instance, a variable or a section). If you select the Extended option in the Tools → Project Settings... → Variables dialog, letters from national character sets (e.g., ö, ü, é, õ) can be used. Underlines are significant in identifiers; e.g., A_BCD and AB_CD are interpreted as different identifiers. Ending underlines is invalid.

Identifiers cannot contain spaces. Not case sensitive; e.g., ABCD and abcd are interpreted as the same identifier.

According to IEC 61131-3 leading digits are not allowed in identifiers. Nevertheless, you can use them if you activate the check box Allow leading digits in the Tools → Project Settings... → Variables dialog.

According to IEC 61131-3 multiple leading underlines and consecutives underlines are not allowed in identifiers. Nevertheless, you can use them if you select the Extended option in the Tools → Project Settings... → Variables → Character set dialog.

Identifiers cannot be keywords.

NAN

Used to indicate that the result of an operation is not a number (NAN = Not A Number).

Example: calculating the square root of a negative number.

NOTE: The CEI 559 standard defines two classes of NAN: the silent NAN (QNAN) and the signaling NAN (SNAN). A QNAN is a NAN with a most significant fraction bit while an SNAN is a NAN without a most significant fraction bit (bit number 22). QNANs can be propagated via most arithmetic operations without throwing an exception. As for SNANs, they generally indicate an invalid operation when they are used as operands in arithmetic operations (see %SW17 and %S18).

Network

There are two meanings of the work "network".

In LD:

a network is a set of interconnected graphic elements. The scope of a network is local, concerning the organizational unit (section) of the program containing the network.
With expert communication modules:

a network is a set of stations that intercommunicate. The term "network" is also used to define a group interconnected graphic elements. This group then makes up part of a program that may comprise a group of networks.

Peer cop

Peer Cop service is a mechanism for automatic exchange between stations connected on the same Modbus Plus segment.

PEP

The Product Environmental Profile (PEP) document provides detailed on the environmental impact of each product and its raw materials.

Procedure

Procedures are technically functional views. The only difference with elementary functions is the fact that procedures can include more than one output and that they handle the VAR_IN_OUT data type. In appearance, procedures are no different from elementary functions.

Procedures are an extension to the IEC 61131-3 standard.

REACh

REACh regulation. This EU regulation governs the use of chemicals that can be harmful to health and the environment. It requires producers to develop plans to replace Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).

REAL

The REAL type is encoded in a 32 bit format.

The possible value ranges are shown in the figure below:

When a result is:

between -1,175494e-38 and 1,175494e-38, it is considered to be a DEN;
less than -3.402824e+38, the symbol -INF (for - infinity) is displayed;
greater than +3.402824e+38, the symbol INF (for + infinity) is displayed;
undefined (square root of a negative number), the symbolNAN is displayed.

NOTE: The IEC 559 standard defines two classes of NAN: the silent NAN (QNAN) and the signaling NAN (SNAN). A QNAN is a NAN with a most significant fraction bit while an SNAN is a NAN without a most significant fraction bit (bit number 22). QNANs can be propagated via most arithmetic operations without throwing an exception. As for SNANs, they generally indicate n invalid operation when they are used as operands in arithmetic operations (see %SW17 and %S18).

NOTE: When a DEN (non-standardized number) is used as an operand, the result is not significant.

RoHS

RoHS directive. The European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive calls for the elimination of harmful chemical substances; for example in circuit breakers and wiring devices.

SFC

SFC is the abbreviation of Sequential Function Chart.

An SFC can be used to graphically represent in a structured manner the operation of a sequential PLC. This graphical description of the PLC's sequential behavior and of the various resulting situations is created using simple graphic symbols.

SIL

Safety Integrity Level

Safety functions are executed to achieve and maintain the safe state of a system. The IEC 61508 specifies 4 levels of safety performance for a safety function. These are called safety integrity levels (SIL), ranging from 1 (the lowest) to 4 (the highest). The Quantum Safety PLC is certified for use in SIL2 applications in which the de-energized state is the safe state, for example in an Emergency Shutdown (ESD) system.

You can use the Schneider safety products for creating a Hot Standby (HSBY) solution if you require high availability for a safety system.

Single token

Operating mode for an SFC diagram in which only one step can be active at a given time.

SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol.

ST

ST is the abbreviation of Structured Text.

The structured literal language is a developed language similar to computer programming languages. It can be used to organize a series of instructions.

STRING

A STRING variable is a series of ASCII characters. The maximum length of a string is 65,534 characters.

TIME

The TIME type expresses a time in milliseconds. Encoded in 32 bits, this type can be used to obtain times from 0 to 2 32-1 milliseconds.

The TIME type has the following units: days (d), hours (h), minutes (m), seconds (s) and milliseconds (ms). A literal value of type TIME is represented by a combination of the preceding types prefixed with T#, t#, TIME# or time#.

Examples: T#25h15m, t#14,7S, TIME#5d10h23m45s3ms

TIME_OF_DAY

See TOD.

TOD

TOD is the abbreviation of Time Of Day.

The TOD type, encoded in BCD in a 32 bit format, contains the following information:

the hour encoded in an 8 bit field;
the minutes encoded in an 8 bit field;
the seconds encoded in an 8 bit field.

NOTE: The 8 least significant bits are not used.

The TOD type must be entered as follows: TOD#<Hour>:<Minutes>:<Seconds>

This table shows the upper/lower limits of each field:

Field	Limits	Comment
Hour	[00,23]	The leading 0 is displayed; it can be omitted during data entry.
Minute	[00,59]	The leading 0 is displayed; it can be omitted during data entry.
Second	[00,59]	The leading 0 is displayed; it can be omitted during data entry.

Example: TOD#23:59:45.

Token

Active step in an SFC.

TOPO_ADDR_TYPE

This predefined type is used as an output for the READ_TOPO_ADDR function. This is an ARRAY[0..4] OF Int. You can find it in the library, in the same family as the EFs that use it.

UDINT

UDINT is the abbreviation of Unsigned Double INTeger (encoded in 32 bits). The upper/lower limits are as follows: 0 to (2 to the power of 32) - 1.

Example:

0, 4294967295, 2#11111111111111111111111111111111, 8#37777777777, 16#FFFFFFFF.

UDP

user datagram protocol. UDP is a connectionless Internet communications protocol defined by IETF RFC 768. This protocol facilitates the direct transmission of datagrams on IP networks. UDP/IP messages do not expect a response, and are therefore ideal for applications in which dropped packets do not require retransmission (such as streaming video and networks that demand real-time performance).

UINT

UINT is the abbreviation of the Unsigned INTeger format (encoded in 16 bits). The upper/lower limits are as follows: 0 to (2 to the power of 16) - 1.

Example:

0, 65535, 2#1111111111111111, 8#177777, 16#FFFF.

Unassigned variables

A variable whose position in the PLC memory cannot be known. A variable that is not linked to an address is called unassigned variable.

Variable

Memory entity of type BOOL, WORD, DWORD, etc., whose contents can be modified by the program currently running.

WORD

The type WORD is encoded in a 16 bit format and is used to perform processing on series of bits.

This table shows the upper/lower limits of each of the bases that can be used:

Base	Lower limit	Upper limit
Hexadecimal	16#0	16#FFFF
Octal	8#0	8#177777
Binary	2#0	2#1111111111111111

Examples of representation

Data	Representation in one of the bases
0000000011010011	16#D3
1010101010101010	8#125252
0000000011010011	2#11010011