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System Technical GuideTime Stamping solutions

Disclaimer

This document is not comprehensive for any systems using the given architecture

and does not absolve users of their duty to uphold the safety requirements for the

equipment used in their systems or compliance with both national or international

safety laws and regulations.

It is assumed that readers already know how to use the products described in this

document.

This document does not replace any specific product documentation.

3

The STG Collection

System Technical Guides (STG) are designed to help project engineers and Alliance

System Integrators during the development of a project. The STGs support users

during the architecture selection and the project execution (design, configuration,

implementation and operation) phases with an introduction to the system operating

modes.

Each STG is a starter kit that provides users with:

• Technical documentation

• Application examples

• Object libraries

Each STG addresses one or several customer challenges within the proposed

solution using the offer from Schneider Electric.

All explanations and applications have been developed by both Schneider Electric

experts and system integrators in our solution labs. The contributions from the system

integrators help the kit’s content meet the expectations of our users.

All STGs are illustrated with industry-specific applications to give more concrete

examples of the methodology.

STGs are not intended to be used as substitutes for the technical documentation

related to the individual components, but rather to complement these materials and

training.

Development Environment

Each STG has been developed in one of our solution platform labs using a typical

PlantStruxure architecture.

PlantStruxure, the Process Automation System from Schneider Electric, is a

collaborative system that allows industrial and infrastructure companies to meet their

automation needs while also addressing growing energy management requirements.

Within a single environment, measured energy and process data can be analyzed to

help build an optimized plant.

4

Table of Contents

Quick Start Guide .....................................................................7

1. Introduction...........................................................................9

1.1. Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................ 9

1.2. Introduction to time stamping ...................................................................................................................... 9

1.3. Challenges.................................................................................................................................................. 12

1.4. Prerequisites .............................................................................................................................................. 12

1.5. Methodology............................................................................................................................................... 12

1.6. Limitation................................................................................................................................................... 13

2. Selection..............................................................................15

2.1. Selection criteria ........................................................................................................................................ 15

2.2. Selection steps ............................................................................................................................................ 15

2.3. Solution list ................................................................................................................................................ 17

3. Design..................................................................................21

3.1. System hardware design............................................................................................................................. 21

3.2. System software design .............................................................................................................................. 23

3.3. DFB design ................................................................................................................................................ 24

3.4. SCADA design............................................................................................................................................ 37

4. Configuration......................................................................41

4.1. Time stamped by module............................................................................................................................ 41

4.2. Time stamped by program.......................................................................................................................... 44

5. Implementation...................................................................47

5.1. PAC............................................................................................................................................................ 47

5.2. SCADA ....................................................................................................................................................... 50

5

6

6. Operation.............................................................................53

6.1 Time stamping diagnostics .......................................................................................................................... 53

6.2 Time stamping alarms................................................................................................................................. 54

7. Hydro power plant example ..............................................55

7.1. Introduction to the hydro power plant process .......................................................................................... 55

7.2. Application background ............................................................................................................................. 56

7.3. System architecture .................................................................................................................................... 57

7.4. PAC application......................................................................................................................................... 58

7.5. SCADA application .................................................................................................................................... 60

7.7. Device list................................................................................................................................................... 63

Appendix .................................................................................65

Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................................... 65

Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide

The goal of this System Technical Guide (STG) is to provide recommendations,

guidelines, and examples to help develop a time stamping solution effectively and

reliably for a typical PlantStruxure architecture.

To get the most out of this STG, please consider the following suggestions::

- If this is the first time you are using the time stamping application, we recommend

that you read the entire STG before proceeding.

- If you are already familiar with time stamping technology and want to define a

solution for your application, you can start at Chapter 2.

- If your solution architecture is defined and you want to setup your application, you

can start at Chapter 3.

- If you already have knowledge about implementing time stamping applications

with Schneider products and you want to see some real examples, please go to

Chapter 7 of this STG.

7

1-Introduction

8

1-Introduction

1. Introduction

1.1. Purpose

With continuous developments in industry and technology, more and more

automation systems are being implemented in different fields. For better control and

maintenance of complex systems, end users of these automation systems require

processing data with time stamps.

This guide proposes a method to implement a time stamping solution using a

Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) and a SCADA system. Moreover, this

STG suggests the best practices to follow to take advantage of system openness

while reducing the risks of misuse and misunderstandings.

The recommendations and guidelines provided in the following chapters are generic

and targeted at time stamping applications such as tracking a sequence of events

(SOE) or time stamping alarms. However, we use the specific example of a sequence

of events (SOE) function in a hydro power plant to illustrate a time stamping

application in a process control system.

1.2. Introduction to time stamping

1.2.1 What is time stamping?

A time stamp in an automation system is the time information of when a signal event

occurred. It is recorded by the control units in a consistent format. The function of

recording the time stamps is called time stamping.

Time stamping is an important function for tracking processes in some automation

systems, such as hydro power plant control and oil pipeline control. This function

provides operators with a method to better identify process sequences in a large and

complex system, to fine tune protection and control schemes, and improve overall

system reliability. One of the most important applications of time stamping is to help

track down the root causes after a system error is detected.

1.2.2 What is the process flow of the time stamping function?

The time stamping function in a process automation system can be implemented in

three steps: time sourcing, stamping time on the event data, and monitoring & inquiry.

The following flow chart shows the time stamping process:

9

1-Introduction

Figure 1 Time stamping process

Time synchronization – A process that uses a clock reference to synchronize the

time used for stamping.

A standalone source with a regulated time provides the clock reference used to

synchronize the time clock for stamping.

There are three different types of clock references that can be used in Schneider

Electric Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) systems:

PC time

Network Time Protocol (NTP) server time

DCF77 signal time

The time clock used for stamping is the internal clock which is typically located in

PAC modules or time servers. They can be synchronized with an appropriate clock

reference depending on application needs. Generally, there are three types of time

clocks that can be used in a PAC system:

Real Time Clock (RTC) which is in the CPU

Network Time Protocol (NTP) server clock

ERT clock

The next table shows the way the time clock is synchronized with the clock reference.

10

1-Introduction

Table 1 Synchronization between the clock reference and time clock

Time stamps on the event data – performs the time stamping function.

The PAC system records the time data with the time clock when the event occurs and

associates the time information with the event signal data.

Monitoring & data inquiry – manages the time stamped data.

The time stamped data is displayed and recorded on the SCADA system. The time

stamped data can be used in different applications such as sequence of events (SOE)

and alarm signals. The data history helps the user to analyze the event sequence.

1.2.3 Benefits of a time stamping application

Time stamping in automation systems helps with process control and maintenance by

adding a timestamp to every event.

In a complex automation system, many events can cause the system to error and

stop the system. Because of the mass of information the system provides when

stopping, finding useful information can be tricky. Time stamping provides a way of

ordering the information with time stamps making it simpler to track errors..

For example, suppose four discrete events -A, B, C, and D as shown in Figure 2

impact on each other. A detected error in one of the events can trigger a chain

reaction preventing the other three from running successfully and resulting in an

emergency stop.

If there are no time stamps on the event records, it becomes very difficult to say

which of the events caused the stop.

With the time stamping function, the events are sequentially recorded with time

information, enabling quicker and easier maintenance as the user can see which of

the events started the chain reaction that caused the system to stop.

This is the benefit of the time stamping function in a complex system.

11

1-Introduction

Figure 2 Event sequence analysis with and without time stamping function

This STG uses a hydro power plant (HPP) automation process system as an example

to illustrate the application of time stamping. The HPP system is detailed in Chapter 7.

1.3. Challenges

For customers in industries that require the time stamping application mentioned

above, the challenges are:

Time synchronization

Time resolution

Time accuracy

Implementation in a large scale system

1.4. Prerequisites

Schneider Electric recommends that the user have knowledge of the following

systems:

Schneider Electric PACs – Quantum, Premium and M340.

Schneider Electric software - UnityPro, Vijeo Citect and OPC Factory Server

1.5. Methodology

This STG explains the project methodology and includes the following phases:

Selection, Design, Configuration, Implementation and Operation. A step-by-step

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1-Introduction

13

methodology is provided to create a time stamping application. Here is an overview of

this method:

Selection: In this phase, you will decide the selection criteria and steps that will

guide you to select the most appropriate solution for your application

requirements.

Design: This phase comprises four main parts:

System hardware design: how to develop the time stamping system

hardware.

System software design: how to develop time stamping with Schneider

Electric software.

Derived Function Block (DFB) design: provide a package of the DFBs for

the time stamping application.

SCADA design: how to develop Vijeo Citect time stamping genies.

Configuration: This phase explains how to set up the time stamping application:

How to set up time clock synchronization with references

How to set up a time stamping solution by module

How to set up a time stamping solution by program

Implementation: This phase explains the programming requirements:

The PAC part explains how to set up the time stamping sections.

The SCADA part explains how to set up the Vijeo Citect time stamping

genies and alarms.

Operation: This phase presents the capabilities of the final SCADA application:

How to use Vijeo Citect time stamping genies

How to use the time stamping alarms

1.6. Limitation

The accuracy of timestamps relies on the accuracy of the clock reference. It is also

impacted by the transmission mode. For example, when the CPU RTC gets the time

from the NTP server, the time is delayed by the transmission through the network. A

method must be developed to calculate the delay and adjust the clock reference as

needed. This is not in the scope of this STG. For the Purposes of this guide, we

assume that the time used for time stamping does not suffer any delay.

2-Selection

14

2-Selection

2. Selection

This chapter describes the selection of the components needed to build a time

stamping application and provides a solution list.

2.1. Selection criteria

Each automation control project has specific requirements and constraints, such as

the size of the plant, control complexity, and project budget. The time stamping

resolution is a very important requirement of the project. The requirements and

constraints defined in the project specification are used as guidelines to select the

time stamping solution. There are three criteria for the time stamping application

selection:

Time resolution

System scale (complexity)

Cost

2.2. Selection steps

According to the selection criteria, the time stamping solution is developed in four

steps:

Selecting a time stamping method and mode

Selecting a PAC platform

Selecting an I/O architecture

Selecting a CPU task mode

2.2.1. Selecting a time stamping method and mode

Two different time stamping methods can be used, time stamped by module or time

stamped by program.

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2-Selection

Figure 3 Time stamping methods and modes

Time stamped by module is a time stamping method using a Quantum expert

time stamped module – 140 ERT 854 10. With this method, the ERT mode is

used.

In ERT mode, the events are stamped by the ERT clock in the ERT module and

sent to the PAC during system scan. The PAC only needs to reformat the time

stamps for the SCADA system.

Time stamped by program is a time stamping method performed by the

application program. With this method, two modes of time synchronization can

be used:

RTC mode, the time stamps are made with the CPU Real Time Clock. The

RTC is updated by PC time or NTP server time. The input signal is obtained

by a discrete or expert input module. The PAC system combines the RTC

and input data to produce the timestamped data in a format that can be

accepted by the SCADA system.

NTP mode, the time stamps are made with the NTP server clock. The input

signal is obtained by a discrete or expert input module. The PAC system

combines the NTP server clock and input data to produce time stamped

data in a format that can be accepted by the SCADA system.

2.2.2. Select PAC platform

There are three PAC platforms that can be selected: Quantum, Premium and M340;

however, only the Quantum CPU supports the ERT module. Thus, the time stamped

by module method can only be implemented on a Quantum system.

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2-Selection

2.2.3. Select I/O architecture

Three I/O architectures can be selected: local I/O, remote I/O and distributed I/O.

Systems with local I/O can achieve high resolution time stamps. For remote I/O and

distributed I/O, the time stamp resolution is limited by the PAC MAST task scan cycle.

I/O architecture depends on the PAC platform. The following table shows the I/O

architectures for different PAC platforms.

Table 2 Supported I/O architecture on each PAC platform

Note: The local I/O architecture is not fully supported by Quantum hot standby.

2.2.4. Select CPU task mode

Three task modes can be selected: MAST, FAST and EVENT task modes. Only the

local I/O architecture supports the FAST and EVENT tasks. If users select the remote

I/O or distributed I/O, then the FAST task and EVENT task modes are not available,

and the time stamp resolution is lower.

Note:

1. The EVENT task is only supported by the Quantum platform. The expert module

reference is 140 HLI 340 00.

2. Task mode is not considered in the time stamped by module method. In this case,

the time stamping is dealt with in module and not in program. The task mode is only

available in the program, not the module.

2.3. Solution list

According to the selection procedure, a number of solutions using Schneider

Electric’s PlantStruxure products are provided to help the user make a decision based

on the application requirements. The following list presents the most representative

solutions for time stamping applications.

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2-Selection

Table 3 Solution list for time stamping function

Table 3 notes:

1. The time stamped resolution can be evaluated with the task scan time. Take

solution #3 for example, if the PAC FAST task scan time is set to 1 ms, the time

stamping resolution is 1 ms.

2. The time stamped resolution can be evaluated with the task scan time plus the

translation delay of NTP server clock. Take solution # 8 for example, if the PAC FAST

task scan time is set to 1 ms and the NTP clock delay time is 10 ms, the time

stamping resolution is 11 ms.

3. Scale means the complexity of the system.

Small system - Less than 250 I/O points

Medium system - More than 250 but less than 1000 I/O points

Large system – More than 1000 I/O points

Based on the Table 3 solution list, two typical solutions are selected for further

exploration:

Solution #2. The system is built on the Quantum platform using the method of time

stamped by module. It can meet the requirements of a large system with high time

stamp resolution.

Solution #8. The system is built on the M340 platform using the method of time

stamped by program. It is economical and suitable for medium and small systems

that do not have critical requirements for the time stamp resolution.

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2-Selection

19

These two solutions are the ones used in the Design, Configuration, Implementation,

and Operation chapters.

3-Design

20

3-Design

3. Design

This chapter presents system hardware, system software, DFBs, and SCADA design

that can help the user build a time stamping application.

3.1. System hardware design

There are two kinds of time stamping hardware designs, depending on whether the

user chooses the time stamped by module method or the time stamped by program

method.

Time stamped by module

This solution is designed for a Quantum system to implement the function of time

stamping by ERT module. The clock reference is in DCF77 format, provided by a

GPS receiver. The signal data is automatically time stamped by the ERT.. A 1 ms

time stamp resolution can be obtained in this application.

As shown in Figure 5, the system includes the following parts:

Modicon Quantum Hot Standby system (140 CPU 671 60) with remote I/O

module

Time stamping module (140 ERT 854 10)

NTP client module (140 NOE 771 11)

GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, including NTP server unit and

DCF77 unit

Note: NTP server unit provides a clock reference to synchronize the PC time with the

PAC system time.

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3-Design

Figure 4 System architecture for “time stamped by module”

Time stamped by program

There are two ways to implement the method of time stamped by program. Here we

use the example of NTP mode. The solution is designed based on the M340 system.

The clock reference is provided by the NTP server, and the signal data is time

stamped by a CPU program.

As showed in Fig 6, the system includes the following parts:

M340 system (BMX P34 2020) with I/O module,

NTP client module (BMX NOE 0100)

GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, including NTP server unit

22

3-Design

The GPS receiver with NTP server provides the time signal to each client by Ethernet.

The CPU obtains the time information through the NTP client module in M340 system.

Time stamps with 5-10 ms resolution can be achieved by NTP mode.

BMX XBP 0600M340 PLC

Ethernet Switch

Human Machine Interface(HMI)

GPS Receiver

Ethernet TCP/IP

NTP Server

CPS

CPS

2000

DC

24V

CPU

P34

2020

Mod

bus,

Eth

erne

t

NOE

NO

E 01

00.2

DDI_1

DD

I 160

2

Signal source

NTP synchronizing

Figure 5 System architecture for “time stamped by program” (NTP mode)

3.2. System software design

The software used in this STG are based on SoCollaborative, which is a part of

PlantStruxure.

Three SoCollaborative software components are needed in the design of the time

stamping function:

Vijeo Citect

OFC Factory Server

Unity Pro

In the Process Operator’s Station:

Vijeo Citect Run Time is used to display the time stamping value.

OPC Factory Server is used to connect to the PAC system.

23

3-Design

In the Process Engineering Station:

Vijeo Citect configuration is used to design the time stamping monitoring system.

OPC Factory Server configuration is used to set up the communication between the

Vijeo Citect (SCADA) and the PAC.

Unity Pro is used to design the PAC system.

Figure 6 shows the data exchange method among the three SoCollaborative software

components.

Figure 6 Data exchange among the SoCollaborative software components

3.3. DFB design

To help the users set up the time stamping program easily with Unity PACs (Quantum,

Premium, M340), five DFBs are designed for the time stamping solution.

TS_RTC

TS_NTP

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3-Design

TS_ERT

TS_DataBase

TS_DataBase_To_VJC

These DFBs can be applied to the different solutions mentioned in Chapter 2. The

definition of the DFB function and data type are explained further on. The overall

function list of the DFB package is shown in Table.4.

Table 4 DFB list for time stamping function

25

3-Design

Figure 7 shows the program architecture for time stamping

Figure 7 Program architecture of the time stamping function

Time stamping by program handles all of the data processing compared to the time

stamping by module method, which only handles the data acquisition and

reformatting from the ERT module.

26

3-Design

DFB1: TS_RTC

Function:

The TS_RTC DFB is designed for time stamping with the RTC mode. It adds the time

stamp to the event data with RTC time, and sends out the time stamps. With this

function block, the users choose the detection mode for time stamps. This DFB also

handles a buffer of up to 100 records of time stamped data.

Data type:

DFB type: TS_RTC

DFB input/output types:

27

3-Design

The table below gives parameter definitions:

TS_RTC_DFB

Input

No Parameter Type Comment

1 Input TS_DDT_Input TS_DDT_Input.module (BYTE): inputs module number

TS_DDT_Input.in (ARRAY[1..16] OF BOOL): 16 discrete inputs

2 Mode INT mode=1: TS with input Rising edge detection

mode=2: TS with input Falling edge detection

mode=3: TS with both Rising and Falling edge detection

3 Ack BOOL Acknowledgement of the new TS

A Rising edge of Ack can trigger an acknowledgment of one TS.

If Ack is set to 1, a new TS is always acknowledge.

4 Reset BOOL error reset, buffer reset

Output


1 RTC_time Display_NTPC Display_NTPC.DT_Value: real RTC time and data

Display_NTPC.Millisecond: real RTC ms

2 nd_ts BOOL nd_ts=1: New TS in the buffer

nd_ts=0: The buffer is empty

3 Ts TS Time stamping struct: TS.in (WORD):

D0~D5: the channel number of the discrete input

D6, D7: the mode of the input. (01: Rising edge, 10: Falling edge)

D8~12: the module number of the input signal

TS.ms (WORD): ms part of the time stamp

TS.hour_min (WORD): hour and minute part of the time stamp

(BCD type)

TS.month_day (WORD): month and day part of the time stamp

(BCD type)

TS.year (WORD): year part of the time stamp (BCD type)

4 Status WORD The status of the DFB.

The DFB has a TS buffer which can store up to 100 TS data. The

data is stored in the buffer until the Ack is set to 1.

D0~D7: Quantity of new TS in the DFB buffer

D8: Buffer status

0 = Buffer empty

1 = Buffer overloaded

2 = Buffer not empty or overloaded

28

3-Design

DFB2: TS_NTP

Function:

The TS_NTP DFB is designed for time stamping with NTP mode. It adds the time

stamp to the event data with NTP time, and sends out the time stamps. With this

function block, the user can choose the detection mode for time stamps This DFB

also handles a buffer of up to 100 records of time stamped data.

Data type:

DFB type: TS_NTP


29

3-Design

The next table gives parameter definitions:

TS_NTP_DFB

Input


1 Input TS_DDT_Input TS_DDT_Input.module (BYTE): inputs module number

TS_DDT_Input.in (ARRAY[1..16] OF BOOL): 16 discrete inputs

2 Mode INT mode=1: TS with input Rising edge detection

mode=2: TS with input Falling edge detection

mode=3: TS with both Rising and Falling edge detection

3 Ack BOOL Acknowledgement of the new TS

A Rising edge of Ack can trigger an acknowledgment of one TS.

If Ack is set to 1, a new TS is always acknowledge.

4 Reset BOOL error reset, buffer reset

Output


1 NTP_time Display_NTPC Display_NTPC.DT_Value: real RTC time and data

Display_NTPC.Millisecond: real RTC ms


nd_ts=0: The buffer is empty

3 Ts TS Time stamping struct: TS.in (WORD):

D0~D5: the channel number of the discrete input

D6, D7: the mode of the input. (01: Rising edge, 10: Falling edge.)

D8~12: the module number of the input signal.


TS.hour_min (WORD): hour and minute part of the time stamp

(BCD type)


(BCD type)

TS.year (WORD): year part of the time stamp. (BCD type)

4 Status WORD The status of the DFB.

The DFB has a TS buffer which can store up to 100 TS data. The

data is stored in the buffer until the Ack is set to 1.

D0~D7: Quantity of new TS in the DFB buffer

D8: Buffer status

0 = Buffer empty

1 = Buffer overloaded

2 = Buffer not empty nor overloaded

30

3-Design

DFB3: TS_ERT

Function:

The TS_ERT DFB is designed for reformatting ERT mode time stamps. It receives

the time stamps and transforms the data to a format that can be received by SCADA.

This DFB also handles a buffer that can store up to100 records of time stamped data.

Data type:

DFB type: TS_ERT


31

3-Design

The following table gives parameter definitions:

TS_ERT_DFB

Input


1 nd_tt BOOL From the pin of the ERT nd_tt. Refer to ERT user manual

2 tt_data ERT_10_Ttag From the pin of the ERT tt_data. Refer to ERT user manual

Output



nd_ts=0: The buffer empty

2 Ts TS Time stamping struct:

TS.in (WORD):

D0~D5: The channel number of the discrete input

D6, D7: The mode of the input. (01: Rising edge, 10:Falling edge)

D8~12: The module number of the input signal


TS.hour_min (WORD): hour and min part of the time stamp (BCD type)

TS.month_day (WORD): month and day part of the time stamp (BCD type)


32

3-Design

DFB4: TS_DataBase

Function:

The TS_DataBase DFB is designed for saving the time stampsed data. It is used in

different time stamping modes and can save up to 100 time stamped records in the

database.

Data type:

DFB type: TS_DataBase


33

3-Design


TS_DataBase

Input


1 ND_TS BOOL The new TS is saved in the DataBase

2 TS TS Time stamping struct:

TS.in (WORD)

D0~D5: The channel number of the discrete input

D6, D7: The mode of the input. (01: Rising edge, 10: Falling

edge)

D8~12: The module number of the input signal


TS.hour_min (WORD): hour and min part of the time stamp

(BCD type)


(BCD type)


Output


1 TS_DB ARRAY[0..99] OF TS Time stamping structure array: The time stamps database

The length of the database is 100

2 DB_DPTR UINT It is a pointer in the Database that points to the TS which is

sent to the Database when the SCADA is ready.

34

3-Design

DFB5: TS_DataBase_To_VJC

Function:

The TS_DataBase_To_VJC DFB is designed to facilitate the communication tags

between the PAC and Vijeo Citect SCADA. It allows the time stamping database to

transfer from the PAC to Vijeo Citect in the asynchronous mode. It means that the

time stamps which are recorded by the TS_DataBase DFB can be transferred to the

Vijeo Citect one at a time in each communication cycle. It can save the

communication tags between the PAC and the SCADA system.

Data type:

DFB type: TS_DataBase_To_VJC


35

3-Design


TS_DataBase_To_VJC

Input


1 DB_DPTR UINT It is a pointer in the Database that points to the TS

which is sent to the Database when the SCADA is

ready.

2 VJC_DPTR UINT It is the pointer to TS that is prepared to be sent to

Vijeo Citect in the DataBase. If the VCJ_DPR is

equal to DB_DPTR, it means all the TS in

database have been transferred to Vijieo Citect

3 TS_DB ARRAY[0..99] OF TS Time stamping structure array: The time stamping

DataBase

Length of the database is 100

Output


1 In WORD Input signal (event data) for time stamped

2 Ms WORD ms of the time stamp

3 hour_min WORD hour and minute of the time stamp

4 month_day WORD month and day of the time stamp

5 Year WORD year of the time stamp

6 PAC_DPTR UINT It is the pointer to the TS array that needs to be

sent to Vijeo Citect in the DataBase. It is sent to

SCADA to control the communication cycle

between PAC and Vijeo Citect SCADA

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3-Design

37

3.4. SCADA design

The Vijeo Citect time stamping genies are used to display the digital input signal with

time stamps.

Following is an example of using the genies with Vijeo Citect. The genies are named

D_TS with the function named Timestamping_xxx(). The time stamps from the PLC

will be displayed on the Vijeo Citect screen.

1. Add the genies named D_TS in the Vijeo Citect screen.

The genies’ parameters include:

Channel: Vijeo Citect internal tag, which is used to get the digital channel status

from the PAC.

TimeStamping: Vijeo Citect internal tag, which is used to get the digital channel

and time stamping from the PAC.

TextOff: customer remark when the channel is OFF

TextOn: customer remark when the channel is ON

2. Add the function named Timestamping_xxx() in the Vijeo Citect screen.

Timestamping_xxx( ) function design:

Synchronize the cycle time between the PAC and SCADA to get the right time

stamped data. The user needs to create three functions for each mode: RTC,

NTP and ERT.

1

2

3-Design

For example, the TimeStamping_RTC( ) function code is presented below:

38

3-Design

39

This figure shows the time stamping genies in the RUN mode.

Channel status Channel status Text

3-Design

40

4-Configuration

4. Configuration

This chapter provides configuration methods according to the different time stamped

solutions.

4.1. Time stamped by module

There are three parts to configure the time stamped by module solution: the time

reference device, PAC and SCADA. This configuration is implemented according to

solution #2, refer to Table 3.

Time reference device - set up GPS receiver

Step Action

1 Put the GPS receiver module into the BBS-3 GPS, and connect the

antenna.

2 Check if the synchronization is OK.

3 Set up the time synchronization module (DCF module).

4 Put the DCF77 module into the BBS-3 GPS and connect it to the ERT

module for time synchronization.

41

4-Configuration

PAC configuration

Step Action

1 Mount the ERT modules on the Quantum rack.

Note: The extension I/O rack cannot support the ERT module.

2 Set up the ERT module Input and Output Mapping.

3 Set up the ERT.Module.Clock to DCF/GPS-SYNC.

42

4-Configuration

SCADA

The example sets up the communication between the PAC and SCADA with OFS

configuration tool.

Step Action

1 Generate the .XVM file from the UnityPro project.

2 Set up a device named STG_TS in the OFS configuration tool.

Import the .XVM file into device symbol file.

3 Set up the SCADA I/O device with the Express I/O Device Setup tool.

Note: Select the OPC protocol as the communication protocol.

4 Set up the OPCAccessPaths in the Vijeo Citect.ini file. Make sure the value

of the OPCAccessPaths is the same as the name in the OFS configuration

tool.

43

4-Configuration

4.2. Time stamped by program

There are three parts to configure for the time stamped by program method; the time

reference device, PAC and SCADA. The example is implemented according to

solution #3, refer to Table 3.

Time reference device

There are two parts to the time reference configuration, the GPS receiver setup and

the time synchronization setup.

Set up GPS receiver:

Step Action

1 Put the GPS receiver module into the BBS-3 GPS and connect antenna.

2 Check if the synchronization is correct.

Set up time synchronization module (NTP server):

Step Action

1 Put the NTP server module into the BBS-3 GPS and connect it to the

network for network time synchronization.

2 Set up the NTP server.

For example, NTP server IP address is 192.168.0.6

Run the dnts3.exe with the following command to set up the NTP server

IP address:

“dnts3 –s 192.168.0.6 255.255.255.0 00-03-b9-a9-0b-9b”

44

4-Configuration

PAC

Set the NOE module (NTP Client):

Step Action

1 Set up NTP client IP address

For example: NTP client IP address is 192.168.0.31

2 Set up the NTP client in the web page.

3 Log on the web server, and set up the NTP client.

45

4-Configuration

46

SCADA

This process is same as the one described in Chapter 4.1.

5-Implementation

5. Implementation

This chapter helps user to implement the time stamping application with three

different time stamping modes. It includes PAC programming and SCADA

programming.

5.1. PAC

There are two steps in the PAC programming: time stamping and sending time

stamps to SCADA.

Time stamping programming

There are three modes for time stamping: RTC, NTP and ERT mode. Consequently

there are three ways to implement the time stamping function:

RTC mode:

Use the TS_RTC DFB to generate the time stamping, and then use the TS_DataBase

DFB to record the time stamp in the database.

47

5-Implementation

NTP mode:

Use the TS_NTP DFB to generate the time stamp, and then use the TS_DataBase


ERT mode:

Use the Quantum, DROP, and ERT_854_10 EFBs to set up the ERT module.

Then use the TS_ERT DFB to generate the time stamp and use the TS_DataBase


48

5-Implementation

49

Sending time stamps to SCADA

Step Action

1 Create the eight tags as I/O variables between PAC and SCADA for each DB.

DB1_xxx is for RTC mode, DB2_xxx is for NTP mode, and DB3_xxx is for

ERT mode.

2 Use the TS_DataBase_To_VJC DFB to send the time stamps to SCADA.

3 Use the TimeStamping_xxx( ) function in SCADA to get the time stamps from

the PAC.

Note: TimeStamping_RTC( ) is for RTC mode, TimeStamping_NTP( ) is for

NTP mode, and TimeStamping_ERT( ) is for ERT mode.

Time stamps RTC

mode sent to Vijeo

Citect.

Time stamps NTP

mode sent to Vijeo

Citect.

Time stamps ERT

mode sent to Vijeo

Citect.

5-Implementation

5.2. SCADA

There are three steps in the SCADA programming process:

Step Action

1 Click on the D_TS genies icon and drag it to the location of the digital signal

which needs to be time stamped. Then, define the signal on/off text in the

D_TS genies.

2 Insert the timestamping_xxx( ) function in the SCADA:

In the RTC mode, use TimeStamping_RTC( ) function.

In the NTP mode, use TimeStamping_NTP( ) function.

In the ERT mode, use TimeStamping_ERT( ) function.

3 Set up the digital alarm, if needed.

Digital alarm configuration:

50

5-Implementation

Alarm format configuration

For example: DefDspFmt = {Desc,32}{Name,20}

DefSumFmt = {Desc,32}{Name,20}

51

5-Implementation

52

6-Operation

6. Operation

This chapter presents the results of the time stamping, which includes time stamping

diagnostics and alarms.

6.1 Time stamping diagnostics

In the time stamping genies dialog box, there are three sections on the page. The

RTC_Mode time stamping column shows the time stamps that are generated with the

RTC Mode. The NTP_Mode time stamping column shows the time stamps that are

generated with the NTP Mode. The ERT_Mode time stamping column shows the time

stamps that are generated by the ERT mode. There are 16 channels in each column.

Figure 8 Time Stamping Genies Dialog

53

6-Operation

54

6.2 Time stamping alarms

All of the channels are set to alarm. Regardless of whether the channel is ON or OFF,

the time stamping alarm is recorded by SCADA.

Figure 9 Time Stamping Alarm Box

7- HPP Example

7. Hydro power plant example

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a sample case to guide the user in

implementing time stamping in process automation using the methods discussed in

the previous chapters. Take the hydro power plant application as an example. This

chapter describes the hydro power plant application background, system architecture,

PAC application, SCADA application, User operation and Device list.

7.1. Introduction to the hydro power plant process

This section introduces the hydro power plant process system, which includes the

scale of the plant and the control system used in the hydro power plant process.

The hydro power plant scale

The hydro power plant (HPP) can be divided into a micro HPP, a small HPP and a

large HPP according to the electricity generated. Usually, the micro HPP generates

up to 1 MW of electricity, the small HPP generates between 1 to 30 MW of electricity,

and the large HPP generates more than 30 MW of electricity.

The following picture illustrates the different sizes and locations of the hydro power

plants (HPP).

Figure 10 Hydro Power Plant categories

The hydro power plant process control system

55

7- HPP Example

The hydro power control system includes the main machinery and an auxiliary

equipment system.

Main machinery system: It is composed of a turbine, generator, speed controller

and exciter system. The turbine transforms the water’s potential energy into

mechanical rotational energy. The turbine drives the generator. The generator

transforms the mechanical energy into electrical energy. A speed controller ensures

the balance between the output of turbine and the load of the generator, and ensures

that the turbine rotates at a certain speed (frequency). The exciter system transforms

the output of generation into DC power by exciting the transformer and the

semiconductor rectifier.

Auxiliary equipment system: This is composed of the water supply, a substation,

the oil supply and a compressed air system.

7.2. Application background

In the hydro power plant, the time stamping application displays and records the

status changes of the turbine and the generator. Figure 11 shows the time stamping

application process in hydro power plants:

Figure 11 Time stamping application in HPP system

A large hydro power plant requires high reliability and high performance. The

Quantum platform with ERT mode is best choice for it.

Small and micro hydro power plants require flexibility and are cost sensitive. Premium

or M340 platform with NTP or RTC is suitable for them.

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7- HPP Example

7.3. System architecture

The following is a detailed diagram of the system architecture of the time stamping

solutions in the hydro power plant. In this STG, two kinds of time stamping solutions

are offered: time stamped by program and time stamped by module.

Time stamped by module (ERT mode):

An example of a hardware system using the time stamped by module (ERT mode)

Figure 12 System architecture of time stamped by module

1. Clock reference acquisition

GPS receiver with the DCF 77 unit synchronizes the Quantum 140 ERT 854 10

module time clock.

2. Time stamped on the event data

The Quantum PAC with the ERT module generates the time stamped data.

3. Monitoring & data inquiry

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7- HPP Example

SCADA can be used to display the different applications with time stamping, such as

SOE or digital alarms.

Time stamped by program (NTP mode):

There are three parts to the system architecture, which include clock reference, input

data with time stamping and monitor & data inquiry.

Figure 13 System architecture of time stamped by program

1. Time clock acquisition

A GPS receiver with the NTP server provides the NTP server clock for time stamping.

2. Time stamped on the event data

An M340 PAC with the input module generates the time stamping data. (FAST task

should be set up to improve the time stamped accuracy.)

3. Monitoring & data inquiry

SCADA can be used to display the different applications with time stamping, such as

SOE and time stamping alarms.

7.4. PAC application

A PAC program comprises the following main sections: turbine & generator start

process, turbine & generator stop process, NTP stamping mode and ERT stamping

mode. Two different stamping modes are used to tag the sequence events of the

turbine and generator start and stop processes.

58

7- HPP Example

The architecture of hydro power start and stop processes is programmed with the

time stamping application as follows:

Next are the details of the main sections:

Turbine & generator start process section

The SFC programming language is selected to manage the start sequence of the

related equipment in the hydro power plant, which includes H_Start1, H_Start2 and

H_Start3.

Turbine & generator stop process section

The SFC programming language is selected to manage the stop sequence of the

related equipment in the hydro power plant, which includes H_Stop1, H_Stop2 and

H_Stop3.

NTP stamping mode section

Use this section to generate the time stamping with NTP clock. Meanwhile, users can

manage the time stamping storage and send the time stamp to the SCADA system.

ERT stamping mode section

59

7- HPP Example

Use this section to get the time stamping from the ERT module. Meanwhile, users

can manage the time stamping storage and send the time stamp to the SCADA

system.

In order to set up the program easily, there are two methods to help users use the five

DFBs in a hydro power control program.

Method1: Import the DFB (***.XDB file) from its directory, including

TS_DataBase_To_VJC, TS_DataBase, TS_RTC, TS_NTP and TS_ERT.

Users can follow the STG implementation in the PAC section to set up the time

stamping application with the DFBs. See section 5.1.

Method2: import the sections (***.XBD file) from its directory. There are two sections

for the time stamping, which include the TS_NTP_Mode.XBD, and

TS_ERT_Mode.XBD.

7.5. SCADA application

The hydro power time stamping application can be controlled and monitored with

Vijeo Citect SCADA. Please refer to Chapter 5 regarding the application of the time

stamping genies and alarms.

7.6. User operation

The hydro power time stamping application has four interfaces:

60

7- HPP Example

Hydro power main control system

Stop status to generation status process

Generation status process to stop status

Time stamping database

The hydro power main control system includes the turbine and generator control

monitor, oil supply system status monitor and water supply system status monitor:

Figure 14 HPP main control system

The turbine and generator from stop to generation status interface can monitor the

sequence and status of equipment. D_TS genies are put beside the corresponding

steps, and can display the signal text and the event time. RTC mode, NTP mode and

ERT mode all can be used. This helps user to manage the work process.

Figure 15 Turbine&Generator Stop to Generation Process

61

7- HPP Example

The turbine and generator emergency stop process interface can monitor the

sequence and status of equipment. D_TS genies are put beside the corresponding

steps, and can display the signal text and the event time. RTC mode, NTP mode and

ERT modes all can be used. This provides the user with a way to manage the work

process.

Figure 16 Turbine Emergency Stop Process

62

7- HPP Example

7.7. Device list

The following chart shows the device list for the time stamped by module and time

stamped by program methods:

Figure 17 Device List of “time stamped by module”

63

7- HPP Example

64

Figure 18 Device List of “time stamped by program”

Appendix

Appendix

Abbreviations

CPU – Central Process Unit

DCF77 – Longwave time signal and standard-frequency radio station

DFB – Derived Function Block

ERT – Shortened name for the Quantum 140 ERT 854 10 module

GPS – Global positioning system

I/O – Input and output

NTP – Network Time Protocol

PAC – Programmable Automation Controller

RTC – Real Time Clock

SCADA – Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

SOE – Sequence of Event

65

Schneider Electric Industries SAS

Head Office

89, bd Franklin Roosvelt

92506 Rueil-Malmaison Cedex

FRANCE

www.schneider-electric.com

Due to evolution of standards and equipment, characteristics indicated in texts and images in this document are binding only after confirmation by our departments Print:

Version 1.6 – MM DDDD

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