Glossary

%I

According to the IEC standard, %I indicates a discrete input-type language object.

%IW

According to the IEC standard, %IW indicates an analog input -type language object.

%KW

According to the IEC standard, %KW indicates a constant word-type language object.

%M

According to the IEC standard, %M indicates a memory bit-type language object.

%MW

According to the IEC standard, %MW indicates a memory word-type language object.

%Q

According to the IEC standard, %Q indicates a discrete output-type language object.

%QW

According to the IEC standard, %QW indicates an analog output-type language object.

ADDR_TYPE

This predefined type is used as output for ADDR function. This type is ARRAY[0..5] OF Int. You can find it in the libset, in the same family than the EFs which 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 between the different types of data. In the DFB, it is sometimes possible to declare which variables can contain several types of values. Here, we use ANY_xxx types.

The following diagram shows the hierarchically-ordered structure:

ARRAY

An ARRAY is a table of elements of the same type.

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

Example:

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

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

Base 10 literals

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

Example:

-12, 0, 123_456, +986

Base 16 Literals

An literal value in base 16 is used to represent an integer in hexadecimal. The base is determined by the number "16" and the sign "#". The signs "+" and "-" are not allowed. For greater clarity when reading, you can use the sign "_" between bits.

Example:

16#F_F or 16#FF (in decimal 255)

16#F_F or 16#FF (in decimal 224)

Base 2 Literals

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 signs "+" and "-" are not allowed. For greater clarity when reading, you can use the sign "_" between bits.

Example:

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

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

Base 8 Literals

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 signs "+" and "-" are not allowed. For greater clarity when reading, you can use the sign "_" between bits.

Example:

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

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

BCD

BCD is the abbreviation of Binary Coded Decimal format

BCD is used to represent decimal numbers between 0 and 9 using a group of four bits (half-byte).

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

Example of BCD coding:

the number 2450
is coded: 0010 0100 0101 0000

BOOL

BOOL is the abbreviation of Boolean type. This is the elementary data item in computing. A BOOL type variable has a value of either: 0 (FALSE) or 1 (TRUE).

A BOOL type word extract bit, for example: %MW10.4.

BYTE

When 8 bits are put together, this is callad a BYTE. A BYTE is either entered in binary, or in base 8.

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

DATE

The DATE type coded in BCD in 32 bit format contains the following information:

the year coded in a 16-bit field,
the month coded in an 8-bit field,
the day coded in an 8-bit field.

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

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

Field	Limits	Comment
Year	[1990,2099]	Year
Month	[01,12]	The left 0 is always displayed, but can be omitted at the time of entry
Day	[01,31]	For the months 01\03\05\07\08\10\12
	[01,30]	For the months 04\06\09\11
	[01,29]	For the month 02 (leap years)
	[01,28]	For the month 02 (non leap years)

DATE_AND_TIME

see DT

DBCD

Representation of a Double BCD-format double integer.

The Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) format is used to represent decimal numbers between 0 and 9 using a group of four bits.

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

Example of DBCD coding:

the number 78993016
is coded: 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 of the same type (ARRAY) or of various types (structure)

DFB

DFB is the abbrevation of Derived Function Block.

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

By using DFB types in an application, it is possible to:

simplify the design and input of the program,
increase the legibility of the program,
facilitate the debugging of the program,
reduce the volume of the generated code.

DINT

DINT is the abbrevation of Double Integer format (coded on 32 bits).

The lower and upper 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 coded in BCD in 64 bit format contains the following information:

The year coded in a 16-bit field,
the month coded in an 8-bit field,
the day coded in an 8-bit field,
the hour coded in a 8-bit field,
the minutes coded in an 8-bit field,
the seconds coded in an 8-bit field.

NOTE: The 8 least significant bits are unused.

The DT type is entered as follows:

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

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

Field	Limits	Comment
Year	[1990,2099]	Year
Month	[01,12]	The left 0 is always displayed, but can be omitted at the time of entry
Day	[01,31]	For the months 01\03\05\07\08\10\12
	[01,30]	For the months 04\06\09\11
	[01,29]	For the month 02 (leap years)
	[01,28]	For the month 02 (non leap years)
Hour	[00,23]	The left 0 is always displayed, but can be omitted at the time of entry
Minute	[00,59]	The left 0 is always displayed, but can be omitted at the time of entry
Second	[00,59]	The left 0 is always displayed, but can be omitted at the time of entry

DWORD

DWORD is the abbreviation of Double Word.

The DWORD type is coded in 32 bit format.

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

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

Representation examples:

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

EBOOL

EBOOL is the abbrevation of Extended Boolean type. A EBOOL type variable brings a value (0 (FALSE) or 1 (TRUE) but also rising or falling edges and forcing capabilities.

An EBOOL type variable takes up one byte of memory.

The byte split up into:

one bit for the value,
one bit for the history bit (each time the state’s object changes, the value is copied inside the history bit),
one bit for the forcing bit (equals to 0 if the object isn’t forced, equal to 1 if the bit is forced.

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

EF

Is the abbreviation of Elementary Function.

This is a block which is used in a program, and which performs a predefined software function.

A function has no internal status information. Multiple invocations of the same function using the same input parameters always supply the same output values. Details of the graphic form of the function invocation can be found in the "[Functional block (instance)] ". In contrast to the invocation of the function blocks, function invocations only have a single unnamed output, whose name is the same as the function. In FBD each invocation is denoted by a unique [number] via the graphic block, this number is automatically generated and can not be altered.

You position and set up these functions in your program in order to carry out your application.

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

EFB

Is the abbreviation for Elementary Function Block.

This is a block which is used in a program, and which performs a predefined software function.

EFBs have internal statuses and parameters. Even where the inputs are identical, the output values may be different. For example, a counter has an output which indicates 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 means ENable, this is an optional block input. When EN is activated, an ENO output is automatically drafted.

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

If EN = 1, the internal program of the block is executed, and ENO is set to 1 by the system. If an event occurs, ENO is set to 0.

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

ENO

ENO means Event NOtification, this is the output associated to the optional input EN.

If ENO is set to 0 (caused by EN=0 or in case of an execution event),

the outputs of function blocks remain in the status they were in for the last correct executed scanning cycle and
the output(s) of functions and procedures are set to "0".

FBD

FBD is the abbreviation of Function Block Diagram.

FBD is a graphic programming language that operates as a logic diagram. In addition to the simple logic blocks (AND, OR, etc.), each function or function block of the program is represented using this graphic form. For each block, the inputs are located to the left and the outputs to the right. The outputs of the blocks can be linked to the inputs of other blocks to form complex expressions.

FFB

Collective term for EF (Elementary Function), EFB (Elementary Function Block) and DFB (Derived Function block)

Function

see EF

Function Block Diagram

see FBD

GRAY

Gray or "reflected binary" code is used to code a numerical value being developed into a chain of binary configurations that can be differentiated by the change in status of one and only one bit.

This code can be used, for example, to avoid the following random event: in pure binary, the change of the value 0111 to 1000 can produce random numbers between 0 and 1000, as the bits do not change value altogether simultaneously.

Equivalence between decimal, BCD and Gray:

IEC 61131-3

International standard: Programmable Logic Controls

Part 3: Programming languages.

IL

IL is the abbreviation of Instruction List.

This language is a series of basic instructions.

This language is very close to the assembly language used to program processors.

Each instruction is composed of an instruction code and an operand.

INF

Used to indicate that a number overruns the allowed limits.

For a number of Integers, the value ranges (shown in gray) are as follows:

When a calculation result is:

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

INT

INT is the abbreviation of single integer format (coded on 16 bits).

The lower and upper 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.

Integer Literals

Integer literal are used to enter integer values in the decimal system. The values can have a preceding sign (+/-). Individual underlines (_ ) between numbers are not significant.

Example:

-12, 0, 123_456, +986

IODDT

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

The term IODDT designates a structured data type representing a module or a channel of a PLC module. Each application expert module possesses its own IODDTs.

Keyword

A keyword is a unique combination of characters used as a syntactical programming language element (See annex B definition of the IEC standard 61131-3. All the key words used in Control Expert and of this standard are listed in annex C of the IEC standard 61131-3. These keywords cannot be used as identifiers in your program (names of variables, sections, DFB types, etc.)).

LD

LD is the abbreviation of Ladder Diagram.

LD is a programming language, representing the instructions to be carried out in the form of graphic diagrams very close to a schematic electrical diagram (contacts, coils, etc.).

Located variables

A located variable is a variable for which it is possible to know its position in the PLC memory. For example, the variable Water_pressure, is associated with%MW102. Water_pressure is said to be localized.

Multiple Token

Operating mode of an SFC. In multitoken mode, the SFC may possess several active steps at the same time.

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). Letters from national character sets (e.g: ö,ü, é, õ) can be used except in project and DFB names. Underlines are significant in identifiers; e.g. A_BCD and AB_CD are interpreted as different identifiers. Multiple leading underlines and consecutive underlines are 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 in dialog Tools → Project settings in tab Language extensions the check box Leading digits.

Identifiers cannot be keywords.

NaN

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

Example: calculating the square root of a negative number.

NOTE: The IEC 559 standard defines two classes of NaN: quiet NaN (qNaN) and signaling NaN (sNaN) qNaN is a NaN with the most significant fraction bit set and a sNaN is a NaN with the most significant fraction bit clear (bit number 22). qNaNs are allowed to propagate through most arithmetic operations without signaling an exception. sNaN generally signal an invalid-operation exception whenever they appear as operands in arithmetic operations (see %SW17 and %S18).

Network

There are two meanings for Network.

In LD:

A network is a set of interconnected graphic elements. The scope of a network is local to the program organization unit (section) in which the network is located.
With communication expert modules:

A network is a group of stations which communicate among one another. The term network is also used to define a group of interconnected graphic elements. This group forms then a part of a program which may be composed of a group of networks.

Procedure

Procedures are functions view technically. The only difference to elementary functions is that procedures can take up more than one output and they support data type VAR_IN_OUT. To the eye, procedures are no different than elementary functions.

Procedures are a supplement to IEC 61131-3.

REAL (Floating Point)

Real type is a coded type in 32 bits.

The ranges of possible values are illustrated in gray in the following diagram:

When a calculation result is:

between -1.175494e-38 and 1.175494e-38 it is considerd as a DEN,
less than -3.402824e+38, the symbol -INF (for - infinite) is displayed,
greater than +3.402824e+38, the symbol INF (for +infinite) is displayed,
undefined (square root of a negative number), the symbol +NaN or -NaN is displayed.

NOTE: The IEC 559 standard defines two classes of NaN: quiet NaN (qNaN) and signaling NaN (sNaN) qNaN is a NaN with the most significant fraction bit set and a sNaN is a NaN with the most significant fraction bit clear (bit number 22). qNaNs are allowed to propagate through most arithmetic operations without signaling an exception. sNaN generally signal an invalid-operation exception whenever they appear as operands in arithmetic operations (see %SW17 and %S18).

NOTE: When an operand is a DEN (Denormalized number) the result is not significant.

Real Literals

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

Example:

-12.0, 0.0, +0.456, 3.14159_26

Real Literals with Exponent

An Literal decimal value can be expressed using standard scientific notation. 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

Register

Located or unlocated 16 Bit variable of Type UINT or Array of 16 Bool

NOTE: Register is an expression originating from LL984 programming language.

SFC

SFC is the abbreviation of Sequential Function Chart.

SFC enables the operation of a sequential automation device to be represented graphically and in a structured manner. This graphic description of the sequential behavior of an automation device, and the various situations which result from it, is performed using simple graphic symbols.

Single Token

Operating mode of an SFC chart for which only a single step can be active at any one time.

ST

ST is the abbreviation of Structured Text language.

Structured Text language is an elaborated language close to computer programming languages. It enables you to structure series of instructions.

STRING

A variable of the type STRING is an ASCII standard character string. A character string has a maximum length of 65534 characters.

TIME

The type TIME expresses a duration in milliseconds. Coded in 32 bits, this type makes it possible to obtain periods from 0 to 2 32-1 milliseconds.

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

Examples: T#25h15m, t#14.7S, TIME#5d10h23m45s3ms

Time literals

The units of type TIME are the following: the days (d), the hours (h), the minutes (m), the seconds (s) and the milliseconds (ms). A literal value of the type TIME is represented by a combination of previous types preceded by 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 coded in BCD in 32 bit format contains the following information:

the hour coded in a 8-bit field,
the minutes coded in an 8-bit field,
the seconds coded in an 8-bit field.

NOTE: The 8 least significant bits are unused.

The Time of Day type is entered as follows: TOD#<Hour>:<Minutes>:<Seconds>

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

Field	Limits	Comment
Hour	[00,23]	The left 0 is always displayed, but can be omitted at the time of entry
Minute	[00,59]	The left 0 is always displayed, but can be omitted at the time of entry
Second	[00,59]	The left 0 is always displayed, but can be omitted at the time of entry

Example: TOD#23:59:45.

Token

An active step of an SFC is known as a token.

TOPO_ADDR_TYPE

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

UDINT

UDINT is the abbreviation of Unsigned Double Integer format (coded on 32 bits) unsigned. The lower and upper limits are as follows: 0 to (2 to the power of 32) - 1.

Example:

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

UINT

UINT is the abbreviation of Unsigned integer format (coded on 16 bits). The lower and upper limits are as follows: 0 to (2 to the power of 16) - 1.

Example:

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

Unlocated variable

An unlocated variable is a variable for which it is impossible to know its position in the PLC memory. A variable which have no address assigned is said to be unlocated.

Variable

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

WORD

The WORD type is coded in 16 bit format and is used to carry out processing on bit strings.

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

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

Representation examples

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