Gei-100271 System Database (SDB) Browser PDF
Gei-100271 System Database (SDB) Browser PDF
Gei-100271 System Database (SDB) Browser PDF
These instructions do not purport to cover all details or variations in equipment, nor to provide every possible contingency to be
met during installation, operation, and maintenance. If further information is desired or if particular problems arise that are not
covered sufficiently for the purchaser’s purpose, the matter should be referred to GE Motors & Industrial Systems.
This document contains proprietary information of General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to assist
that customer in the installation, testing, operation, and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be
reproduced in whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Motors &
Industrial Systems.
Functional Description
For assistance, contact: SDB Browser is used to view the contents of an SDB database, display the topology
Industrial Control Systems of a system, perform a filtered signal search on the SDB, list system scales, and more.
General Electric Company The SDB Browser is implemented as a Dynamic Link Library (DLL), so it must be
Product Service Engineering started from another application such as, the GE Control System Toolbox, the SDB
1501 Roanoke Blvd. Server Control, and GEMIS Tools for CIMPLICITY™ (SDB Utilities, and the
Salem, VA 24153-6492 USA Diagnose application). The Browser can be accessed from the Control System
Phone 001-540-387-7595 Toolbox with or without having a device open.
Fax 001-540-387-8606
Note The SDB must be chosen in the toolbox database before the menu item, View
SDB Browser is enabled (choose the Options menu, Settings, and the tab Database).
Save the current signal query settings to a binary file with the extension
.sqs (only available in the Signal tab).
Save results of the signal query to a text file that can be viewed in
Notepad (only available in the Signal tab).
Print the signal query results in the Output View to produce a hard copy
(only available in the Signal tab).
Delete a device and all signals owned by the device from the SDB
database (only available in the Topology tab).
Tip ¬ Refer to the previous section for a description of the browser window and
toolbar buttons.
Signal Tab
À To perform a signal query
1. From the SDB Browser, choose the tab Signal.
To define the
signal query,
click on the
Query... button
(Refer to the
Query Design
dialog box in
step 2.)
The finished
query displays
in the Output
View
Show or Hide
determines the
visibility of a field in
the Output View.
Critera or Or
establishes the
guidlines of the find
(such as using
Wildcards).
3. Click on the column/cell to highlight it. Choose the Sort and Visibility for each
field. Edit the order of the columns, if desired.
Sort is a drop-down list to arrange the order of the data by choosing None,
Ascending, or Descending. Sort order is from left to right and the default is
None.
Visibility is a drop down list to Show or Hide a field (column) to minimize the
number of columns of the Output View results. Show is the default.
4. Enter the item(s) to query in the row(s) Criteria: and Or:
Criteria: and Or: are used to establish the filter of the query. Enter the item to
match in the desired field (column). Wildcards, such as the asterix symbol *
(match any number of any character) and question mark ? (match one of any
character) are allowed.
5. Click OK and view the results in the Output View.
The following screen displays the results of the signal query in the Output View.
A query design can be saved. The saved file will include the criteria of each column,
Click to restore a the sort order, visibility, and the order of the columns.
previously saved query
design.
Click to save the query design to a binary file with the extension .sqs.
Click to save the results as a text file that can be viewed in Notepad.
View Options
Output Views
Expand the tree hierarchy by The left Output View displays devices, networks, and pages in a tree hierarchy. Click
clicking on the symbol . on an item in the tree to highlight it. The right Output View displays detailed
information about the item highlighted. Control how this information is organized by
choosing one of the following options:
View by device displays all devices in the SDB as shown below. When expanded,
each device lists all the networks that the device is connected to and each network lists
the pages that the device owns on that network.
The display window displays all the devices that use the signal UC1\fdlo1\sig2. In
order for a device to display in this list, it must have referenced the above signal in its
code, and performed a successful bind against the SDB for that signal.
Scale Tab
À To display scale information
1. From the SDB Browser, choose the tab Scale.
Click to
display information. 2. Click on Update button. The Scale Output View displays as shown below.
Resources Tab
À To display resources information
1. From the SDB Browser, choose the tab Resources.
Click to
display information. 2. Click on Update button. The Resources Output View displays as shown
below.
Signals can be assigned to a specific resource (see res_ID field in the signal attribute
list). The resource is used to filter which signals get imported into the CIMPLICITY
HMI system using SDB Utility.
REG1NAME Region 1 name String, six The first part of a fully qualified signal name. See SIG_NAME
(part of the fully characters for details on signal naming conventions. The REG1NAME is
qualified signal) maximum a required part for a signal.
REG2NAME Region 2 name String, six The second part of a fully qualified signal name (optional).
(part of the fully characters See SIG_NAME for details on signal naming conventions.
qualified signal) maximum
REG3NAME Region 3 name String, six The third part of a fully qualified signal name (optional) . See
(part of the fully characters SIG_NAME for details on signal naming conventions.
qualified signal) maximum
The fourth part of a fully qualified signal name. The
SIG_NAME Signal Name (last String, 12 SIG_NAME is a required part for a signal. The fully qualified
part of fully characters signal name can be described as,
qualified signal) maximum Reg1name\Reg2name\Reg3name\Sig_name
Reg2name and reg3name are optional, so a fully qualified
signal could be named at a minimum as,
Reg1name\Sig_name
The backslashes are part of the fully qualified signal name.
Including the backslashes and the maximum sizes of the
different parts, a fully qualified signal name can be 33
characters long. However, the CIMPLICITY HMI system uses
the fully qualified signal name as the ‘ PointID’ when signals
are imported into the HMI point database. The limitation for
‘PointID’ is 32 characters. For this reason, the total size of a
signal is limited to 32 characters when signals are posted to
the SDB.
The fully qualified signal name must be unique on a given
network. This means that it is possible for two networks to
have identical fully qualified signal names. The SDB Server
enforces uniqueness for the following fields: Net_name +
reg1name + reg2name + reg3name + sig_name.
The signal name can be the same on two different networks
in order to support routing of a signal from one network to
another.
This is the device that owns the signal. The device name field
DEV_NAME Device Name String, seven should never be blank. The device name can have up to
which owns this character seven characters. However, the toolbox enforces a five
signal maximum (limit character limit to the device name in order to maintain
of five for the backwards compatibility with the LynxOs based USDB.
toolbox name).
NET_NAME Net Name where String, five Name of the network where the signal is made available by the
this signal is character owning device. The device in DEV_NAME is connected to this
available maximum network when viewing the topology of the SDB.
To support diagnostics on operator stations or an HMI system,
signals that are internal only (to a device) are also stored in the
signal table of the SDB. In this case, net name is meaningless.
In order to differentiate between network available signals and
internal signals, the net name field is forced to be the same as
the device name, and page name (PAGE_NAME) is assigned
the value “NULLP” (for Null page).
PAGE_NAME Page Name String, five This is the name of the page where this signal is mapped. A
where this signal character signals address (SIGADDR) is relative to the page which is
originates maximum named in this field. (See NET_NAME about internal signals.)
For DLAN+, the page has physical meaning ( Status_S page
word/bit) within this networks protocol. However, for Ethernet™
SRTP and other networks, the page is an artificial construct
used only to group signals.
SCALE_NAME Scale name used String, 12 For analog type signals, this is the name of the scale associated
by this signal character with the signal. For details on the scale, click on the ‘Scale’ tab
maximum in the SDB Browser. A scale definition includes conversion
factors, alarm limits, entry limits, clamp limits, units, precision,
and more.
SDESC Signal String, 50 This is the user entered signal description. In the toolbox, the
description character description is the first 50 characters of the note associated with
maximum the signal definition.
IODESC I/O description String, 50 If the signal points to a physical I/O point, this field is the user
character entered I/O description. In the toolbox, the I/O description is the
maximum first 50 characters of the note associated with the I/O point.
MEMODESC Memo String, no limit This field is used for UC2000 diagnostics. If this signal is a
description UC2000 internal signal that is the Status Pin on a block that
sends diagnostic messages (PENG, BENG_D, etc), then the
MEMODESC is the note associated with the block. This text
displays in the diagnostic system as the second level explain
when a diagnostic message is generated.
ALRMENABLE Alarm enabled Boolean, one If the value of this field is False, DO NOT use this signal as an
character alarm. If the value of this field is True, use this signal to generate
alarms. If it is an analog signal with a scale, then alarm
generation should be based on the appropriate scale fields. If
Boolean signal, a change in state of this signal may or may not
generate an alarm. This field is primarily used when SDB
Signals are imported into the CIMPLICITY Point database. If this
Boolean is true, then an alarm definition is created for this point
in the CIMPLICITY system.
HOP_COUNT Hop count Numeric, one When a signal is routed from one network to another, this field
(number of significant stores the number of devices that are between this signal and
devices away from digit the actual source of the signal. If a signal is routed through
true owner) device R1 from net 1 to net 2, and then by device R2 from net
2 to net 3, then the record for the signal on net 3 will have a
hop count of 2.
SDEV_NO Source Device Numeric, five This field is used for routed signals. This is the device number
Number where significant for the device that originated the routed signal. This data is
signal originates digits required in the UC2000 for signals that are routed through the
DLAN+. The Source Device Number is included in the actual
command message that is sent by a device.
SNET_NO Source Net Numeric, five This field is used for routed signals. This is the network
Number where significant number where the signal originated from. This data is required
signal originates digits in the UC2000 for signals that are routed through the DLAN+.
The Source Net Number is included in the actual command
message that is sent by a device.
SSIGADDR Source Signal String, 10 For routed signals, this is the address of the signal for the
Address characters device that sources the signal. This is used for command bits
maximum that are routed for DLAN+.
SRPAGE_NO Source Relative Numeric, two For routed signals, this is the relative page number (Port ID)
Page Number significant where the signal is located for the device that sources the
digits signal. This is used for command bits that are routed.
RES_ID CIMPLICITY String, 12 This field is used to filter signals imported from the SDB into
Resource name characters the CIMPLICITY Point database. Importing methods include
maximum specifying the network and the device from which you wish to
import signals (if desired). There can be thousands of signals
on a given network, but the HMI system may be interested in
only a small percentage of these. For example, assign
Resource names to specific signals; Import all signals on
network FDL01 that have a resource name of ENTRY,
PROCESS, and EXIT.
Resources are defined in the toolbox by the System Device,
under the ‘Resource’ Type Def’. When the System device is
posted, the Resources are stored in the SDB. Now, when a
UC2000 binds against the SDB, the Resource list is made
available, so that I/O points can be assigned a resource. The
Resource is assigned to the points in the toolbox where the
network I/O point is defined. (See the Resources tab in the
SDB Browser for defined resources.)
DATA_TYPE Data type for this String, 8 There is no restriction by the SDB on what is put into the data
signal characters type field. There has to be ‘contract’ between applications that
Refer To Table 2 maximum post signals and those that bind signals (the separate
for a list of the applications must agree on exactly what is meant by a DINT
data types used data type).
by the toolbox.
SIG_DIR Signal direction Character, This field is used to indicate whether a device that binds this
(read, write, both) R, W, B signal can write to the signal, or just read the signal, or both.
For DLAN+, feedback signals are typically read only. Command
bits or setpoints are usually both.
SIG_CODE Signal code Character, The signal code is normally only used for Boolean signals. An
(event, refresh, E, R, N event bit is usually a command bit and when it is set by another
none) device, the owner of the signal will then reset the bit after
detection of the event (the bit goes high). A refresh bit is also
usually a command bit. The device that sets the bit to a one is
required to send ‘set’ commands at a periodic rate in order to
keep the bit set to a one. If the sender does not keep
refreshing the bit, then the owner of the signal forces it to a
zero.
The usual example is the JogFwd Command. If an OC2000
sends a command to jog forward, but then it is disconnected
from the network, there is no way for it to reset the jog forward
command. This problem is solved by the fact that it can no
longer refresh its jogfwd command, so the drive stops the jog.
If the signal is neither an event bit or a refresh bit, then this field
will be set to N for none.
SIGADDR Signal Address String, 10 This is the address of the signal. For Status_S, it is the word
characters and bit number in the form of word_no.bit_no ( 23.5) or just
maximum word no (34). For a Ethernet SRTP, the address is in the form
%Xnumber (%R543). For Ethernet Global Data protocol (EGD)
it is byte_no.bit_no (45.4) or byte_no (34).
For EGD or DLAN+, the word number, or byte number is
relative to the page. For Ethernet SRTP, the number is relative
to the whole network.
HSIGADDR Signal Health String, 10 The form is the same as SIGADDR. The address always points
Address characters to a Boolean. True means the signal is healthy and False (0)
maximum indicates that the value for the signal may not be valid. This
field is used only for DLAN+ or EGD. If no health signal is
defined, then the value in this field is either blank, or
65535.6553.
DEV_TAG Device Tag ID String, 20 This field is the customer or the mill builders item number for
characters the device that this I/O signal is associated with. The value is
maximum user defined.
WIRENO Signal Wire String, eight Enter the wire number on electrical drawings for the I/O related
Number characters to this signal
maximum
SIG_XREF Signal Cross String, 15 This is a general-purpose field for storing signal cross-
Reference characters reference information.
maximum
DEVLOC Signals Device String, six This field indicates the plant location for the device that
Location characters originates this I/O point for example, OPPOR1 (Operator Side
maximum of the Payoff Reel 1). The value is user defined.
PNLLOC Panel Location String, 30 This field is for the panel location of the I/O card or terminal
where signal is characters strip that sources the signal.
brought in maximum
PNLCOLID Panel Column ID String, four This field is for the column ID where the panel is located.
characters
maximum
GEDWGREF General Electric String, five Enter the GE Drawing reference. It is the actual sheet number
Drawing characters where this I/O point shows up on the GE elementary.
Reference maximum
SDEVTYPE Source Device String, eight Enter the type of I/O card that sources the signal. This
Type characters information is useful for diagnostics.
maximum
SDEV_NAME Source Device String, eight Enter the name of the I/O card that sources the signal. This
Name characters information is useful for diagnostics.
maximum
SNET_NAME Source Net String, five This field is for the name of network that sources the signal.
Name characters This would normally be the I/O network (such as Genius™).
maximum This information is useful for diagnostics.
SDROP_NO Source Drop Numeric, three Enter drop number of the I/O card that sources the signal. This
Number significant digits information is useful for diagnostics.
SMOD_NO Source Module Numeric, three Enter the module number of the I/O card that sources the
Number significant digits signal. This information is useful for diagnostics.
SPOINT_NO Source Point Numeric, three Enter the point number of the I/O card that sources the signal.
Number significant digits This information is useful for diagnostics.
Msg_Class Message Class Numeric, three Status_S message class of the signal used only for (DLAN+)
(for DLAN+). significant digits Status_S signals. The message class is part of the Status_S
Refer To Table 3 broadcast or group command messages and is used by
for a list of the recipients to filter out commands that are not meant for them.
supported
message classes
for DLAN+.
Data Types
Table 2. Data Types Used By Toolbox
BOOL Boolean
BIT Boolean
INT Integer
DINT Double integer
LINT Long integer
UINT Unsigned integer
UDINT Unsigned double integer
ULINT Unsigned long integer
FLOAT Real
BYTE Bit string
WORD Bit string
DWORD Bit string
LWORD Bit string
CHRxxxxx Character (byte) array of length xxxx
TIME Time (hh.mm.ss) (24 hour day)
DATE Date (yyyy.mm.dd)
DATETIME Date and time (yyyy.mm.dd.hh.mm.ss)
GEI-100271
Issue Date: October 1997
© 1997 General Electric
Company, USA