JP2001282328A - Simulation system and simulator and managing device and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simulation system in which plural simulators can synchronously operate, and backs up data in an arbitrary timing. SOLUTION: This simulation system is provided with plural simulators 10 and a management functioning part 20 for managing the operations of the simulators. The simulators process the real operating time so that it can reach an operating time received from the management functioning part. Moreover, when the simulators back up data by the same timing back-up function in an arbitrary point of time, for example, a point of time when the real operating time ends (a pointer Ba1), the backed up data of each simulator are set so as to be generated in the same time in the real machines.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a simulation system, a simulator, a management device, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a sequence controller (PLC)
In order to check the operation of the control program, the virtual PLC (so-called PL) installed on the personal computer
C simulator), and the control program is simulated. The conventional PLC simulator is designed to execute processing steps in order, mainly for checking whether or not the control program operates correctly.

[0005] The processing time of a simulated execution of a control program in this type of PLC simulator is represented by PL
Due to the performance of the personal computer on which the C simulation is mounted, the processing time required to execute the same processing becomes shorter as the high-performance personal computer is used.

[0004]

However, the conventional PLC simulator has the following problems. That is, the actual PLC (hereinafter, referred to as “actual PLC”)
If the processing capability of the arithmetic processing in the above differs from the processing capability of the personal computer that executes the PLC simulator, the operation time on the PLC simulator and the actual operation time in the actual PLC differ.

[0005] When considering that a plurality of real PLCs are connected via a network and cooperate, usually,
Each of the plurality of real PLCs operates in a separate execution environment, and the individual PLCs also have different arithmetic processing capabilities. On the other hand, in the case of individual PLC simulators corresponding to the plurality of real PLCs,
A C simulator is implemented, and each PLC simulator may operate in the same execution environment. Then, when the respective PLC simulators execute the processing for the same time, the time during which the actual PLC operates to execute the processing varies, and synchronization is not achieved. Therefore, it was not possible to simulate the cooperative operation of a plurality of PLCs.

In the case of a conventional PLC simulator,
Since there was no backup function, the process could not be resumed from the middle. And, temporarily, each PLC
Even if the simulator makes a backup at each scan timing of the sequence program, it is not possible to synchronize a plurality of PLC simulators as described above. Therefore, each PLC simulation is stopped at a certain timing and the state at that time is backed up. Even if they are retained, they are backed up at different times in the operation of the actual PLC. Therefore, even if the operation is resumed from the point of time when the backup is performed, the operation of the actual PLC has already started at a different time, and is meaningless.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simulation system, a simulator, a management device, and a recording medium in which a plurality of simulators operate in synchronization with each other and can take a backup at an arbitrary timing.

[0008]

A simulation system according to the present invention is a simulation system comprising a plurality of simulators and a management unit for managing the operation of the simulator, wherein the simulator includes an instruction from the management unit. In accordance with the actual operation time, and the simulator has the same timing backup function that can back up data at the same timing on the actual operation time axis. Things. The simulator of the present invention is a PLC simulator in the embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various simulators.

According to the present invention, each simulator operates in consideration of the actual operation time, that is, the time required when the actual machine corresponding to the simulation performs the same processing. When the processing is executed so as to advance by the operation time, the simulators can be synchronized with each other. In this way, since the end timings of the simulators match when viewed on the actual operation time axis, backup can be performed at the same timing on the actual operation time axis. Therefore, at the stage where the processing has progressed to some extent, it is possible to return to the backup data (timing) and reproduce the data.

The same-timing backup function can be realized by, for example, a management unit as a main body, sending a backup command to each simulator, and receiving each of the simulators to back up data.
Also, separately from the above, when one of the plurality of simulators performs a backup, a notice to that effect is issued, and the other simulator that has received the notification directly or indirectly performs a backup of the data. Can be taken. In this way, when a backup is performed by a certain simulator, it is transmitted to another simulator, where the backup is performed. Then, since the processing proceeds in synchronization with each simulator, backup can be performed at the same timing.

The notification to that effect may be a notification that “backup has been performed” or “specifically, a backup timing (for example, the elapsed time in the actual operation time from the start, the number of operations, and the like). "May be notified. In addition, other simulators may be configured to receive the notification directly from the simulator that first backs up, or to receive the notification indirectly via the management unit as described in the embodiment. Is also good.

[0012] As a simulator of the present invention suitable for implementing the above-described simulation system, a function of executing a process in consideration of an actual operation time, a backup function of backing up data in an arbitrary state, When the data is backed up by the function, a function to output timing information (notification of backup, backup timing, etc.) for synchronizing with the backup is provided.

A simulator which can be executed in synchronization with another simulator, has a function of executing processing in consideration of an actual operation time, and an external function which is generated due to the backup of the other simulator. It is preferable to provide a same-timing backup function for backing up data at the same timing on the actual operation time axis in accordance with a backup command from the PC.

On the other hand, a management device (management unit in the simulation system) of the present invention suitable for implementing the above-described simulation system includes a simulation having a plurality of simulators and a management device for managing the operation of the simulator. A management device used in a system, comprising: a function of issuing an instruction for the plurality of simulators to operate while synchronizing on an actual operation time axis; and a function of outputting a backup instruction to the simulator. Is to configure.

Another configuration of the simulation system according to the present invention is a simulation system including a plurality of simulators and a management unit for managing the operation of the simulator, wherein the plurality of simulators includes the management unit. And a function for executing processing for the same time in accordance with an instruction from the CPU. Further, the plurality of simulators have a same-timing backup function for backing up data at the same timing.

Here, the same time includes that the time during which the simulator operates is the same. The same time may be equal for each time, and the time designated by the management unit this time and the time designated by the next time may be different. And if the simulator runs at the same time,
If the processing capacity of the corresponding multiple real machines varies, the actual operation time will be different, but the simulators are synchronized, and it is not always necessary to start the simulation again from the beginning, and the Each simulator can be re-run. Furthermore, when the variation in the processing capacity of the actual machine is small, the actual operation time of the actual machine can be simply synchronized.

In any of the above-mentioned inventions, a plurality of simulators operate independently and conventionally cannot be associated with each other. The problem and the main configuration are common in that they have the same timing backup function.

Further, in the recording medium of the present invention, there is provided a simulation program for causing a computer to execute a process for executing a command for a simulation in consideration of an actual operation time, and a backup process for backing up data in an arbitrary state. Simulation program,
A computer-readable storage medium having a management program for causing a computer to execute a management process to be executed in a predetermined actual operation time unit and a process to execute the backup process at a predetermined timing.

* Definition of terms "Actual operating time" means the time required when an actual machine corresponding to the simulator actually executes processing. The “actual operation time axis” means the time axis of the actual operation, that is, the time axis that actually progresses in the real space.

Each means constituting various devices according to the present invention can be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit, or can be realized by a programmed computer.

[0021]

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a simulator 10 that simulates the functions of a plurality of real PLCs on one personal computer 1 and a management function unit 20 that transmits and receives information to and from the plurality of simulators 10 and manages operations. And

The simulator 10 sends and receives information to and from the management function unit 20, executes the program, instructs execution of the program, and performs backup processing of the memory.
A program execution unit 12 for executing a program while referring to and operating a memory area 13 in accordance with an instruction from
And the memory area 13 referred to by the program execution unit 12
And a backup area 14 serving as an area for temporarily backing up information stored in the memory area 13. The backup area 14 is set with a plurality of areas so that the contents of the memory area 13 can be backed up at different timings.

Further, the simulator 10 used in this embodiment
Has a function to execute in consideration of the actual operation time in the actual PLC, in addition to the function to sequentially execute ordinary instructions. That is, as shown in, for example, FIG. 2, there is a table in which execution instructions are associated with the time required when the execution instruction is executed by the corresponding real PLC (hereinafter, referred to as “actual operation time”). And when the actual operation time is given from outside,
It has a function to execute instructions for that time.

As an example, the PLC-A simulator executes a ladder program as shown in FIG. 3, and when the actual operation time is instructed to be 3 msec, the first processing (block In 1), 3mse
c. The common processing is performed, and in the second processing (block 2), two input instructions and one output instruction are executed, and... 4
In the third processing (block 4), one output instruction and two input instructions are executed.... Sixth processing (block 6)
Then, one A instruction is executed. In this way, if one process is completed, the actual operation time in the real PLC is advanced by 3 msec, regardless of how long the process took on the personal computer 1.

Accordingly, when the same actual operation time is instructed to each simulator 10, at the stage where each processing is completed, the elapsed time when the actual PLC corresponding to each PLC simulator 10 actually executes the processing is: The actual operation time is reached, and the timings in the actual time match. That is, synchronization can be achieved.

As a matter of course, the instruction may be given in such a manner that the actual operation time is fixed or the actual operation time instructed each time may be changed. In each case, each simulator 1
If the actual operation time per operation given to 0 is the same, the actual operation time of the actual PLC corresponding to each simulator 10 at the time when the operation is completed coincides.

Also, actually, when an instruction is executed so as to reach the instructed actual operation time, the instruction may not be completed just in the actual operation time, but may be excessive or insufficient.
In that case, it is advisable to store the excess and deficiency and to adjust the time so that the actual operation time is lengthened or shortened in the next process in each simulator so as to eliminate the excess and deficiency. .

On the other hand, the management function unit 20
For 0, the actual operation time to be processed at that time is sequentially instructed. In addition, a backup timing command and a reproduction command are given to each simulator 10, and a backup timing generation notice and a reproduction instruction notice are received from each simulator 10.

Next, the operation and function of each unit according to each process will be described. First, the normal program execution process
As shown in FIG. 4, the management function unit 20 sequentially notifies each simulator 10 of an execution instruction together with an operation time. That is, first, an execution instruction is notified to the simulator 10 of the PLC-A (). The simulator 10 that has received the instruction returns an operation end notification to the management function unit 20 after executing the instruction for the operation time ('). Upon receiving this notification, the management function unit 20 executes the next simulator (in the figure, PLC-B
To the simulator 10) for execution (). When such processing is repeatedly performed and an end notification is received from the simulator 10 for PLC-C ('),
The process of that time is completed, and each program is "a"
The process proceeds to. This “a” timing is based on the actual PLC
Then, when the processing is started simultaneously, it is the same time (after the elapse of the operation time instructed from the start), and the state stored in the memory area 13 at that time is a memory state generated at the same timing in the actual PLC. .

When the first processing is completed as described above, the processing shifts to the second processing. That is, processing → '→
→ '→→' Thus, each program proceeds to “b”. Here, the step amount (the length of the arrow in the figure) of each process is different because the processing capacity of each real PLC and the time required for the executed instruction are different. In addition, since the number of steps and the processing time of one scan are different, the actual operation time until one scan is completed is also different. In the illustrated example, in PLC-A, 8 of a to h is used.
One scan is completed in the number of operation times, but PLC
-B (PLC-C), 7 times of a to g (6 of a to f)
One scan is completed in the operation time of (batch time).

Next, the backup process will be described.
Breakpoints occur during program execution or need to be backed up for other reasons (event)
Is generated. If this occurs as an internal event while the simulator is executing its own program, it will be as shown in FIG.

That is, when the execution management unit 11 detects the occurrence of an internal event for backup, the data stored in the memory area 13 at that time is stored in the backup area 14 (), and the backup history information is stored. Also save (). This history information,
This is for specifying at which position (timing) the backup is performed. Also, for the management function unit 20,
Notify the occurrence of backup by event occurrence (). This notification process may be performed during or before the process.

If a backup occurs in one simulator as described above, it is necessary to stop other simulators at the same timing and make a backup.
Therefore, as shown in FIG.
At a predetermined timing, a backup timing command is sent to the execution management unit 11 of each simulator as an external event (). Execution management unit 11 receiving this external event
According to the external event, the data stored in the memory area 13 at that time is stored in the backup area 14 (,), and the backup history information is also stored ().

The contents backed up by each simulator need to be the contents of the memory area 13 at the same timing. Therefore, the management function unit 20 that has received the event occurrence notification in FIG. 7A does not immediately issue an external event for backup to each simulator, but executes the simulation process at that time, and terminates. Timing is adjusted (timing of the same alphabet in FIG. 4). Then make a backup.

On the other hand, when re-execution is performed at an arbitrary point where the backup has been performed as described above, the procedure is as shown in FIG. That is, in the case of a reproduction start from a specific simulator, the execution management unit 11 recognizes a reproduction instruction as an internal event. In this embodiment, since there is backup information at a plurality of timings, information on which position (timing) to play back the saved backup area is also obtained,
Based on this, the corresponding backup area is specified from the backup history information (,), the corresponding data is read, and the data is returned to the memory area 13. Thereafter, a re-execution instruction is notified to the program execution unit 12 (). Then, since the memory area 13 has returned to the desired backup time point, the memory area 13 is re-executed from the time of the backup. Further, the management function unit 20 is notified that the reproduction instruction has been issued (). It should be noted that the timing of issuing such a playback notification may be at any timing before and after the processing, instead of after the above processing.

When the management function unit 20 receives the reproduction support, it sends a reproduction instruction to another simulator (execution management unit 11) (). Then, the execution management unit 11 receiving this specifies the corresponding backup area from the backup history information (,), reads the corresponding data, and restores the data to the memory area 13. Thereafter, a re-execution instruction is notified to the program execution unit 12 (). Then, since the memory area 13 has returned to the desired backup time, it is re-executed from the time of the backup (10). This way,
By specifying the point in time (timing) at which the data was backed up, the contents of the memory areas of the simulators 10 have the same timing and can be synchronized.

Then, as an example, FIG.
The function of the execution management unit 11 for executing the processing of FIG. 6A is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
That is, as shown in the figure, it is determined whether or not a backup has occurred due to an internal event (ST1). And
If no backup has occurred, a predetermined instruction is executed as it is (ST2). On the other hand, if a backup internal event has occurred, the determination at step 1 is YES, and the process proceeds to step 3.

Then, a backup event is notified to the management function unit 20 (ST3), and its own memory area 1
3 (Save data contents in backup area 14)
And save the history information of the backup area (ST
4, ST5). Step 3 may be performed after step 5. Thereafter, the process returns to step 2 to execute the instruction for the operation time instructed by the management function unit 20 (ST
2).

Next, it is determined whether or not a reproduction instruction has been issued (ST6). If not, the process returns to step 1 to execute the next processing. If there is a reproduction instruction, the process proceeds to step 7 to notify the management function unit 20 of reproduction, write the data stored in the backup area at the specified timing to the memory area, and restore the data (ST
8). Then, the process returns to step 1.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views for explaining specific examples of use of the above embodiment. In the example shown in the figure, a system is configured by the management function unit 20 and three simulators 10. First, in a normal operation, since the management function unit 20 sequentially gives instructions to be processed for each of the simulators 10 for a predetermined actual operation time, the simulators receive the instruction in order and process each of them for a predetermined time. In the program drawn out from each simulator, an area delimited by one arrow is an instruction to be processed at one time. The simulator is executed in the order of A → B → C.

Now, as shown in FIG.
Then, it is assumed that a backup instruction is generated when the third processing is performed. Then, the contents of the memory area at the time when the third processing is completed are stored in the backup area. At this time, the fact that the backup point is Ba1 is associated and stored in the history information. In addition, since this backup is notified to the management function unit 20 (),
Upon receiving this, the management function unit 20 causes the simulators B and C to execute the processing
The backup command is sent after matching the timings of the end point and the end point (). Thereby, each simulator 10
Data can be backed up at the same timing when the backup point is Ba1.

In this state, instructions are further executed, and a backup is generated in the simulator B at the timing of the backup point Bb1. Then, since the processing of the timing of Ba1 has already been completed, the simulator A saves the content currently stored in the memory area in the backup area, and stores it in the history information in association with the data so that it can be understood that the data is in Bb1. (). Further, the backup instruction is sent to the simulator C after the instruction of the current processing is executed and the timing of the end point is matched with that of the simulators A and B (). Thereby, each simulator 10 sets the backup point to B
Data backup can be performed at the same timing of a1.

In this manner, the backup data based on the two back points is stored. If it is necessary to return to the original point and execute again from a certain timing, the processing may include the return processing or may be performed at an earlier point. By specifying a backup point and outputting a playback instruction,
The contents of the memory area at the time of the backup point can be restored, and re-execution can be performed from that position.

In the above-described embodiment, when backup is executed by a certain simulator, a notification to be issued is once sent to the management function unit 20 in the above-described embodiment, and is transmitted from the management function unit 20 to another simulator. Although sent, the present invention is not limited to this, and the simulators may notify each other. In this case,
It is necessary to match the timing. Therefore, it is preferable that the side that issues the notification also issues information as to when the backup should be performed.

In each of the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the actual operation time is made equal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the actual operation time of the simulator is made equal. It may be controlled. In this case, it can be realized by operating each simulator for the time instructed by the management function unit 20 and then stopping the processing. In this case, backup is performed at the same timing when each simulator operates for the same time.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the program system is installed in the personal computer 1 in advance to complete the apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the device completed as described above. For example, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described processes, and the program is provided by being recorded on a predetermined recording medium. You may make it.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,
Examples of the recording medium include a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) 30 and a CD-ROM 31, and the programs stored in the recording media 30 and 31 are stored in a computer (FD) via an FD drive 32 or a CD-ROM drive 33. It is installed in the HD unit 35 connected (built-in) to the (personal computer) 34, whereby the computer 34 constitutes the device described in the above embodiment.

More specifically, the simulator 10 according to the embodiment, the program for performing each processing in the management function unit 20, and the like are installed in the HD unit 35. For example, the HD unit 35 transfers the program from the HD unit 35 to the internal memory 36 each time it is used. Are transferred, where the various processing units 10, 20
And each processing can be performed at high speed. The memory area 13, the backup area 14, and the like are realized by the HD unit 35, the internal memory 36, and the like.

For the actual operation time and the external event, the operator instructs the management function unit 20 and the simulator 10 using the keyboard 37, the mouse 38, and the like, and executes the above-described processing in response to the instruction. You may do it. The backed-up data and the like can be confirmed by displaying the data on a display (display device) 39. The recording medium may store the management function unit 20 and a plurality of simulators.
Zero and one simulator may be stored. Further, recording may be performed by physically dividing the recording medium into a plurality of recording media due to the storage capacity and other factors.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, the simulator can execute the processing in consideration of the actual operation time. The speeds at which the simulators move on the actual operation time axis coincide, and synchronization is achieved. Along with this, by taking a backup at an arbitrary timing, it is possible to match the storage timing on the actual operation time axis.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functions of a simulator.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functions of a simulator.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the entire operation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functions.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating functions.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating functions of an execution management unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a system configuration for implementing a recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a system configuration for implementing a recording medium according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer (computer) 10 Simulator 11 Execution management part 12 Program execution part 13 Memory area 14 Backup area 20 Management function part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B049 AA02 BB07 CC23 EE41 GG07 5H220 BB12 CC05 CX09 DD04 EE08 FF05 HH01 JJ12 JJ42 JJ51 KK08 LL06 9A001 BB06 HH32 LL09

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A simulation system comprising: a plurality of simulators; and a management unit that manages the operation of the simulator, wherein the simulator performs processing in consideration of an actual operation time in accordance with an instruction from the management unit. A simulation system having a function to execute, and wherein the plurality of simulators further include an identical timing backup function capable of backing up data at an identical timing on an actual operation time axis. 2. The same-timing backup function, wherein when one of the plurality of simulators performs a backup, a notice to that effect is issued, and the other simulator which receives the notice directly or indirectly. 2. The simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the backup of the data is performed. 3. A function for executing processing in consideration of an actual operation time; a backup function for backing up data in an arbitrary state; and a function for synchronizing with the backup when data is backed up by the backup function. A simulator having a function of outputting timing information of the simulator. 4. A simulator which can be executed while synchronizing with another simulator, wherein a function for executing processing in consideration of an actual operation time, and an external device which is generated due to backup of another simulator are provided. A backup function for backing up data at the same timing on the actual operation time axis in accordance with a backup command from the simulator. 5. A management device used in a simulation system comprising a plurality of simulators and a management device for managing the operation of the simulator, wherein the plurality of simulators operate while synchronizing on an actual operation time axis. And a function of outputting a backup instruction to the simulator. 6. A simulation system comprising: a plurality of simulators; and a management unit that manages the operation of the simulator, wherein the plurality of simulators execute processes for the same time in accordance with an instruction from the management unit. A simulation system, wherein the plurality of simulators further include a same-timing backup function capable of backing up data at the same timing. 7. A simulation program for causing a computer to execute a process for executing an instruction for simulation in consideration of an actual operation time, a backup process for backing up data in an arbitrary state, and a simulation program A computer-readable recording medium comprising: a management program for causing a computer to execute a management process to be executed in actual operation time units and a process to execute the backup process at a predetermined timing.