JP2014106720A - Testing device for programmable controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a testing device for programmable controller capable of easily preparing test conditions in a short time without requiring any special knowledge of creating test screen.SOLUTION: The testing device for programmable controller includes a computer for testing which is connected to a test object PLC in which input/output points are allotted with plural bits for each word. In a macro function of excel on the computer, when a command button 24 of an input display cell 23 on a display sheet 21 is turned ON by an excel operation, input signal cell 27 corresponding to the excel data sheet 22 is rewritten by ON, and when any one of output signal cells 28 of the excel data sheet 22 is written with ON, the display of the output display cell 25 of an excel operation display sheet 21 is changed. When ON/OFF of the input signal cell 27 of the excel data sheet 22 is transmitted as one word to the test object PLC, and receiving an output signal of one word from the test object PLC, the ON/OFF of the bit unit is rewritten while allotting to a bit corresponding to the output signal cell 25.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a test apparatus for a programmable controller that inputs / outputs a control signal to / from a control target and performs a system test of application software that controls the control target according to a predetermined program.

  Generally, a programmable controller (hereinafter also referred to as PLC) is used for controlling various industrial equipment. This PLC inputs / outputs a control signal to / from the controlled object, and controls the controlled object according to a predetermined program (application software). For such PLC application software, a system test is performed to determine whether it operates correctly (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Conventionally, when the PLC application software is executed without I / O without an actual input / output signal to / from the controlled object, it has been performed as follows. That is, a test apparatus connected via a transmission unit to a test target PLC that performs a system test is used. The test screen of this test apparatus is created using a test personal computer (hereinafter also referred to as a PC) in which a drawing tool is inserted.

  The test target PLC contains communication means with the test apparatus and application software (ladder, SFC, etc.) to be tested. On the other hand, the test apparatus simulates or displays various input / output signals (I / O signals: digital signals, analog signals, etc.) that are substituted for the actual input / output signals (I / O signals) to the test target PLC. Before starting the test, a screen for testing is created and installed with the dedicated drawing tool described above. The screen of the drawn I / O signal includes a push button signal (PBS), an indicator lamp (SL), numerical value setting, numerical value display, and the like.

  In such a configuration, an I / O-less system test is performed as follows. A simulated signal from the test apparatus is input to the test object PLC via the communication means instead of the actual input signal. In addition, the signal output from the test target PLC is also input to the test apparatus via the communication means, and is displayed in a simulated manner instead of the actual output signal. A transmission device between the test object PLC and the test apparatus is determined by communication means of the test apparatus.

JP 2002-182949 A

  However, in the conventional test method, it is necessary to always have a dedicated test device as equipment. In addition, special knowledge is required for creating the screen of the test apparatus, and it is necessary to recreate the test program every time the model of the test apparatus is changed. Furthermore, the communication means to be provided may change every time the test apparatus is modified or abolished, and it is necessary to prepare corresponding communication software on the PLC side each time. On the other hand, there are systems that use many similar test devices, and it is necessary to have a large number of test devices in consideration of the fact that the timing of the properties to be tested overlaps.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a programmable controller test apparatus that does not require specialized knowledge for creating a test screen, can be easily handled by anyone, and can build a test environment in a short time. The purpose is that.

  A test apparatus for a programmable controller according to an embodiment of the present invention is a test apparatus for a programmable controller that inputs / outputs a control signal to / from a control target and controls the control target according to a predetermined program. An input / output point with an object has a computer connected via a communication means to an input / output device assigned by a plurality of bits for each word, and the computer is a signal of an input signal to the input / output device. A plurality of input display cells whose contents are set as comments, a command button provided for each of these input display cells, and a plurality of output displays whose signal contents of output signals from the input / output device are set as comments Excel operation display sheet having cells, and an input signal having a predetermined number of bits in which the input signal is written in bit units When an Excel data sheet having an output signal cell having a predetermined number of bits in which the output signal is written in bit units and a command button corresponding to any input display cell of the Excel operation display sheet is turned on, the Excel When the corresponding input signal cell of the data sheet is rewritten on and any bit of the output signal cell of the Excel data sheet is written on, the display state of the output display cell of the Excel operation display sheet corresponding to this bit An Excel macro function set to change the input / output state, and the communication means uses the Excel macro function to set the on / off state of the predetermined number of bits of the input signal cell of the Excel data sheet as one word. Output to the device and the output signal of one word unit from the input / output device When signal, and wherein the rewriting allocate on-off state of the bits in corresponding bit of the output signal cell.

  According to the present invention, anyone can easily handle test screen creation, a test environment can be constructed in a short time, and equipment can be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the testing apparatus of the programmable controller which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific structure of the Excel software used for one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows embodiment which added the check box to the Excel operation display sheet shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific structure of the Excel software used for other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a test apparatus for a programmable controller according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the relationship between the test apparatus 11 and the programmable controller 12 to be tested in this embodiment. Here, the programmable controller 12 to be tested inputs / outputs a control signal to / from a control target (for example, a crane device) 13 via an input / output device 14 and is controlled according to a predetermined program (application software) 15. The object 13 is controlled.

  The test apparatus 11 is realized by a computer such as a personal computer, and has general-purpose Excel software 17 for testing. The Excel software 17 forms a test screen including a push button signal (PBS), an indicator lamp (SL), numerical value setting, numerical value display means, and the like. In addition, the Excel software 17 is connected to the input / output device 14 of the test target PLC 12 via the communication means (Ethernet (registered trademark): Ethernet (registered trademark)) 19 by the Excel macro function 18.

  In the input / output device 14 of the test target PLC 12, the input / output points with the control target 13 are assigned by a plurality of bits (bits) for each word (WORD). A simulated input signal for testing sent from the Excel software 17 of the test apparatus 11 to the test object PLC 12 via the communication means 19 passes through a corresponding input point of the input / output apparatus 14, and application software (ladder, SFC, etc.) 15. To make it work. The output signal from the application software 15 is received by the test apparatus 11 via the communication means 19 and displayed on an indicator lamp or the like expressed by the Excel software 17.

  FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of the Excel software 17. The Excel software 17 has an Excel operation display sheet 21, an Excel data sheet 22, and an Excel macro function 18. The Excel macro function 18 also includes a communication function 29 for Ethernet (registered trademark), which is the communication means 19 shown in FIG.

  The Excel operation display sheet 21 includes a plurality of input display cells 23 (cell 1, cell 2,... Cell n), and command buttons 24 (button 1, button 2,...) Provided for each of the input display cells 23. A button n) and a plurality of output display cells 25 (cell 11, cell 12,... Cell 1n) are set.

  In the plurality of input display cells 23, the signal content of the input signal to the input / output device 14 provided in the test object PLC 12 shown in FIG. 1 is set as a comment. The command button 24 functions to output an input signal set in the corresponding input display cell 23 by a click operation. The output signal contents from the input / output device 14 of the test object PLC 12 are set as comments in the plurality of output display cells 25.

  The Excel data sheet 22 includes input signal cells 27 (cell 1, cell 2,... Cell n) having a predetermined number of bits (here, 16 bits) in which an input signal to the test target PLC 12 is written in bit units, and An output signal cell 28 (cell 11, cell 12,... Cell 1n) having a predetermined number of bits (16 bits) in which an output signal from the test object PLC 12 is written in bit units is provided.

  In the Excel macro function 18, a command button 24 (button 1) corresponding to one of a plurality of input display cells 23 (here, cell 1) set on the Excel operation display sheet 21 is turned on ("1"). Then, the corresponding input signal cell 27 (cell 1) of the Excel data sheet 22 is rewritten to ON (“1”). Further, when any bit of the output signal cell 28 of the Excel data sheet 22 (the nth bit cell n in the example in the figure) is written on (“1”), the Excel operation display sheet 21 corresponding to this bit. Has a function of changing the display state of the output display cell 25 (cell n).

  In addition, the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication function 29 of the Excel macro function 18 uses the communication means 19 to turn on / off the predetermined number of bits (16 bits) written in the input signal cell 27 of the Excel data sheet 22. One word is transmitted to the input / output device 14 of the PLC 12 to be tested. When the output signal from the input / output device 14 of the PLC 12 to be tested is received in units of one word (16 bits), the on / off state for each bit is changed to the corresponding bit (cell 1, cell 2) of the output signal cell 28. ,... Assigned to cell n) and rewritten. The Ethernet (registered trademark) communication means 19 can send a signal of 700 words in one packet.

  In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, when the system test of the application software (ladder, SFC, etc.) 15 of the test object PLC 12 is performed without I / O, a computer as a test device (hereinafter referred to as a test PC) 11) and the test target PLC 12 are connected via the communication means 19.

  On the other hand, the test PC 11 has various input / output signals (I / O signals: digital signals, analog signals, etc.) which are substituted for the actual input / output signals (I / O signals) to the test target PLC 12 before the test is started. A test screen for simulating output or display is generated by Excel software 17 which is general-purpose software. A function 29 for communicating with Ethernet (registered trademark) as the communication means 19 is also realized by the Excel function 18.

  Communication of signals on the Excel sheets 21 and 22 in this configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in order to simplify the description, a general digital signal exchange will be described. A comment (signal name) is written in a cell 23 on the Excel operation display sheet 21, and a command button 24 is provided below the comment. The number of input signals n required for the test is created. Since all the functions are the same, an example will be described.

  The contents of signals to be input on the Excel operation display sheet 21 are grasped from the comments displayed in the input display cells 23, and the corresponding command buttons 24 are clicked with a mouse (not shown).

  For example, when the command button 24 (button 1) corresponding to the cell 1 of the input display cell 23 is clicked, the content of the corresponding input signal cell 27 (cell 1) assigned to the Excel data sheet 22 is turned on only during the click. ("1") state. It is created by the Excel macro function 18 so that the state changes to off (“0”) when not being clicked. The function is created as one lump with 16 signals (16 bits), and instead of the actual input signal as one word data to the test target PLC 12 via the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication means 19. Is input. The Ethernet (registered trademark) communication means 19 uses the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication function 29 of the Excel macro function 18 to output the 16-bit signal of the input signal cell 27 cell as one word data to the test target PLC 12 side.

  Thereby, a simulation signal is input instead of an actual input signal on the test target PLC 12 side by a mouse click operation on the Excel operation display sheet 21. As described above, in the input / output device 14 of the test object PLC, the input / output points with the control object 13 are assigned by a plurality of bits for each word. Therefore, the simulated input signal for test sent from the Excel software 17 of the test PC 11 via the communication means 19 is input to the application software 15 through the corresponding input point of the input / output device 14, and this To work.

  On the other hand, the output signal output from the test object PLC 12 is received by the test PC 11 via the communication means 19 and is displayed on the display lamp or the like (display cell 25) expressed on the Excel operation display sheet 21 by the Excel software 17. Is displayed. This output signal is received by the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication function 29 as 1-word data. Then, one word data is decomposed into 16 signals, and the output signal cell 28 (cell 11 to cell 1n) on the Excel data sheet 22 is turned on ("1") or turned off ("0"). Written.

  That is, in the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication function 29 realized by the Excel macro function 18, one word (16 bits) data output from the test target PLC 12 is output as 16 signals to the output signal on the Excel data sheet 22. The function of allocating to the cell 28 is provided.

  The Excel macro function 18 outputs the data on the Excel operation display sheet 21 when any one of the output signal cells 28 (1n in the example of FIG. 2) of the Excel data sheet 22 is written to “1”. Control is performed so that the corresponding cell 1n of the display cell 25 has a color representing the ON state. On the other hand, when the cell state is “0”, the corresponding output display cell 25 on the Excel operation display sheet 21 is similarly assembled with the Excel macro function so as to have a color representing the off state. As a result, instead of the actual output signal at the test target PLC 12, the output signal is displayed on the Excel operation display sheet 21 in a simulated manner by changing the color.

  Further, in addition to the data input / output function described above, the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication function 29 also incorporates a socket open / close function for Ethernet (registered trademark) communication as shown in FIG. Transmission / reception is performed by the UDP-IP protocol from the attached Ethernet (registered trademark) port.

  In the conventional test apparatus, a test is performed by a touch operation on the touch panel. However, in the above embodiment, a mouse operation is performed. However, there is no substantial functional problem due to this difference in operation. Further, when a personal computer is used as the test computer 11, the communication means 19 is fixed to Ethernet (registered trademark) communication. Therefore, even if the model of the test PC 11 is modified or eliminated, it is not necessary to newly prepare the communication means 19 with the test target PLC 12, and the existing means can be applied as it is.

  In this way, since a test screen is created by the general-purpose Excel software 17 using a PC as the test apparatus 11, no dedicated knowledge for creating the test screen is required, and anyone can easily handle it and the test environment in a short time. Can be constructed.

  Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 will be described. In this embodiment, an Excel check box function is added to the actual form shown in FIG. 2, and an alternate function and a momentary function, which are push button (PBS) form functions, and an Excel macro function are provided. Used to switch.

  In FIG. 3, a check box 31 is provided near the command button 24 of each input display cell 23 provided on the Excel operation display sheet 21 shown in FIG. The Excel macro function 18 described above switches between an alternate function and a momentary function, which are form functions of a push button (PBS), depending on whether or not the check box 31 is checked. The push button (PBS) is realized by the function of the command button 24.

  Here, the momentary function of the push button (PBS) means that the ON / OFF signal of the input signal set in the corresponding input display cell 23 (cell 1) is only during a click on the command button 24 (button 1). When the command button 24 (button 1) is clicked, the input signal is turned off or turned back on. In the alternate function, each time the command button 24 (also referred to as button 1) is clicked, the on / off state of the input signal set in the corresponding input display cell 23 (cell 1) is inverted and output. It is a function.

  In the example of FIG. 3, a check box 31 is added below the command button 24 (button 1). When the check box 31 is checked, the alternate function described above is set. That is, each time the command button 24 (button 1) is clicked with the mouse, the numerical value of the corresponding input signal cell 27 (cell 1) of the Excel data sheet 22 shown in FIG. 2 is “1” (on) or “0”. The macro function 18 is used to switch to “off”. On the other hand, when the check box 31 is not checked, the momentary function described above is provided. That is, only when the command button 24 (button 1) is clicked with the mouse, the numerical value of the corresponding input signal cell 27 (cell 1) of the Excel data sheet 22 is set to “1” (on), and when it is not clicked. The macro function is set to “0” (off).

  By adding this function, it is possible to assign signals without worrying about the PBS form even in the signal assignment stage before the test, and even if the PBS form is changed during the check box 31. It becomes possible to respond with a simple click.

  Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 will be described. In this embodiment, an Excel pull-down menu function is added to the embodiment shown in FIG. Here, the input / output points of the input / output device 14 of the actual test object PLC 12 are enormous, reaching several hundred words. For this reason, it is substantially difficult to allocate all of the input display cells 23 on the Excel operation display sheet 21. If it is assigned, a lot of labor is required to find an input display cell to be operated from many input display cells 23, and the operability is lowered. Therefore, in this embodiment, the Excel pull-down menu function is used.

  Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the test apparatus 11 is realized by a computer such as a personal computer, and has general-purpose Excel software 17 for testing.

  The input / output device 14 of the test object PLC 12 has an input / output point with the control object 13 assigned by a plurality of bits (16 bits) for each word. Have. In addition, an address described later is set in each of these words. Therefore, as described later, a simulated word unit input signal for testing sent from the Excel software 17 of the test apparatus 11 to the test object PLC 12 via the communication means 19 is input to the input / output unit 14 in a corresponding word unit. A point is input to application software (ladder, SFC, etc.) 15 to operate it.

  FIG. 4 shows a specific configuration of the Excel software 17. The Excel software 17 has an Excel operation display sheet 41, an Excel data sheet 42, an Excel comment sheet 43, and an Excel macro function (not shown).

  The Excel operation display sheet 41 includes a plurality of input display cells 44 (cell 1, cell 2,... Cell n), and command buttons 45 (button 1, button 2,...) Provided for each of the input display cells 44. -Button n) is set to one word (for 16 bits). In addition, a pull-down menu 46 is provided.

  The plurality of input display cells 44 can display the signal content of the input signal to the test target PLC 12 as a comment. The command button 45 functions to output an input signal set in the corresponding input display cell 44 by a click operation. In the pull-down menu 46, addresses in word units assigned to the input / output points of the input / output device 14 of the test object PLC 12 are set in a permutation. In FIG. 4, the address “XW0001” in word units is set to the permutation “1”. In the following permutations “2, 3,...”, Although not shown, addresses in units of words are set, and these are set for the total number of words.

  In the Excel data sheet 42, for each permutation “1, 2, 3,...”, A predetermined number of bits (0, 1, 2,. Bit) cell rows have input signal cells 47 set.

  Similarly, the Excel comment sheet 43 includes a plurality of input display cells 44 (cell 1, cell 2,... Cell n) of the Excel operation display sheet 41 for each permutation “1, 2, 3,. The displayed comment has a comment storage unit 48 set in cell units (0, 1, 2,..., E, F).

  The Excel macro function extracts a comment set in the cell unit corresponding to the selected address from the Excel comment sheet 43 when the word unit address is selected from the pull-down menu 46, and displays the Excel operation display sheet 41. A plurality of input display cells 44 (cell 1, cell 2,... Cell n) are displayed. For example, when the address “XW0001” of the permutation “1” is selected, the cell unit (0, 1, 2,..., Corresponding permutation “1” set in the comment storage unit 48 of the Excel comment sheet 43 is selected. E, F) are displayed in the corresponding cell 1, cell 2,... Cell n of the input display cell 44 of the Excel operation display sheet 41, respectively.

  When the command button 45 (button 1) corresponding to any one of the input display cells 44 in which the comments on the Excel operation display sheet 41 are displayed (referred to as cell 1) is turned on, the input signal cell of the Excel data sheet 42 is displayed. 47, the corresponding cell (bit F) of the cell row (0, 1, 2,..., E, F) corresponding to the permutation “1” of the selected address “XW0001” is turned on (“1”). Rewrite to

  The communication means 19 uses the Excel macro function to set the on / off state of the cell row (16 bits) corresponding to the permutation “1” of the selected address “XW0001” in the input signal cell 47 of the Excel data sheet 42 to one word. To the input / output device 14 of the PLC 12 to be tested.

  In this way, the reference cell of the other Excel sheet (data sheet 42 and comment sheet 43) is switched according to the numerical value (permutation) set in the permutation of the pull-down menu 46 provided in the Excel operation display sheet 41. Therefore, it has a signal allocation switching function that can be handled as another I / O signal. That is, both the data sheet 42 and the comment sheet 43 are prepared for the number set by the pull-down menu 46, and each cell is assigned by the macro function along the permutation of the pull-down menu 46. For the article in the pull-down menu 46, an address (XW0001 or the like) in the PLC 12 is used.

  With this configuration, the signal when the command button 45 (for example, button 1) on the Excel operation display sheet 41 is clicked with the mouse is transferred to the cell of the corresponding data sheet 42 by the permutation selected in the pull-down menu 46. It is built with macro functions to write.

  Further, the comment written in the comment sheet 43 is rewritten from the permutation of the pull-down menu 46 so that the content of the selected cell is rewritten as the comment of the input display cell 44 of the Excel operation display sheet 41. It is also assembled with the macro function.

  Therefore, it is possible to display the comment and input signal state corresponding to the address in the PLC 12 selected from the pull-down menu 46.

  By adding this function, it is possible to assign as a plurality of input signals in the PLC 12 by comments and commands for one word, and even if a lot of test parts are required on the Excel operation display sheet 41, a sheet can be provided. An I / O-less test can be performed without switching.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

11 ... Test equipment (computer)
12 ... PLC to be tested
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Control object 14 ... Input / output device 15 ... Application software 17 ... Excel software 18 ... Excel macro function 19 ... Communication means 21, 41 ... Excel operation display sheet 22, 42 ... Excel data sheet 23, 44 ... Input display cell 24, 45 ... Command button 25 ... Output display cell 27, 47 ... Input signal cell 28 ... Output signal cell 29 ...・ Ethernet (registered trademark) communication function 31 ... Check box 43 ... Excel comment sheet 46 ... Pull-down menu 48 ... Comment storage

Claims (3)

A test apparatus for a programmable controller that inputs / outputs control signals to / from a control target and controls the control target according to a predetermined program,
An input / output point with the control object has a computer connected via a communication means to an input / output device assigned by a plurality of bits for each word.
A plurality of input display cells in which the signal content of the input signal to the input / output device is set as a comment, a command button provided for each input display cell, and a signal content of the output signal from the input / output device An Excel operation display sheet having a plurality of output display cells set as comments;
An Excel data sheet having an input signal cell having a predetermined number of bits in which the input signal is written in units of bits and an output signal cell having a predetermined number of bits in which the output signals are written in units of bits;
When a command button corresponding to any input display cell of the Excel operation display sheet is turned on, the corresponding input signal cell of the Excel data sheet is rewritten on, and any of the output signal cells of the Excel data sheet An Excel macro function set to change the display state of the output display cell of the Excel operation display sheet corresponding to the bit when the bit is written on,
The communication means transmits the on / off state of the predetermined number of bits of the input signal cell of the Excel data sheet as one word to the input / output device by the Excel macro function, and one word unit from the input / output device. When the output signal is received, the bit unit on / off state is assigned to the corresponding bit of the output signal cell and rewritten.
A test apparatus for a programmable controller. A test apparatus for a programmable controller that inputs / outputs control signals to / from a control target and controls the control target according to a predetermined program,
The computer has an input / output point connected to the control object, and an input / output device that is assigned with a plurality of bits for each word, via a communication means.
A plurality of input display cells in which signal contents of input signals to the input / output device are set as comments, command buttons provided for the respective input display cells, and input / output points of the input / output device are assigned. An Excel operation display sheet having a pull-down menu in which word unit addresses are set in a permutation;
An Excel data sheet having an input signal cell of a predetermined number of bits in which the input signal is written in bit units for each word unit address;
For each word unit address, an Excel comment sheet in which comments displayed in a plurality of input display cells of the Excel operation display sheet are set for each cell unit, and
When an address in units of words is selected from the pull-down menu, a comment set in units of cells corresponding to the selected address is extracted from the Excel comment sheet, and each of the plurality of input display cells in the Excel operation display sheet is selected. When the command button corresponding to any input display cell of this Excel operation display sheet is turned on, the corresponding input signal cell of the selected address of the Excel data sheet is set to be rewritten on. Excel macro function
The communication means transmits an on / off state of a predetermined number of bits of the input signal cell at the selected address of the Excel data sheet to the input / output device as one word by the Excel macro function.
A test apparatus for a programmable controller. A check box is provided for each input display cell of the Excel operation display sheet, and the Excel macro function is based on whether or not the check box is checked,
Only when the corresponding command button is being clicked, the ON / OFF signal of the input signal set in the corresponding input display cell is output, and when the click on the command button is released, the input signal is inverted to the OFF or ON state. Function and
Each time the corresponding command button is clicked, the on / off state of the input signal set in the corresponding input display cell is set to be switched to an alternate function that is output in an inverted manner. A test apparatus for a programmable controller according to claim 1 or 2.

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