Interface Application

Main Window

The SerReg software includes two applications - Interface application and Analog Configuration Tool. The interface application is designed to provide a friendly and flexible interface to the controller. The main window of the interface application is shown below ( fig. 1 ). Analog Configuration Tool is a utility that helps to configurate the analog inputs. It will be described in detail later in Analog Configuration topic.

fig.1 Main Window

Overview of the main window controls:

Black display - the current analog value ( PV )

Red LED - the output relay is turned on

Green LED - the output relay is turned off

Combo box - the number of the comunication port ( RS232 ) COM 1 to 8

The name of the channel - user can change it from the configuration dialog

Yelloy LED - blinks when the microcontroller sends data

Start button - turns the output relay on

Stop button - turns the output relay off

Auto On Channel 1 ( 2, 3 ) - when checked, activates the automatic mode

Configuration button - opens the configuration dialog ( fig.3 )

When the main window is minimized, it goes to the tray bar.

Additional analog displays

fig.2 Alphanumeric Displays

The current analog value ( PV ) of every channel can be shown on the desktop as an alphanumeric display ( fig. 2 ).This is convenient when the main window is minimised.To enable this feature select Show Value On Desktop checkbox in the configuration dialog box ( fig. 3 ) of the corresponding channel.You can change the position of this dislplay on the desktop by clicking and holding the left mouse button ( the cursor will change to a cross-hair ).Also when you double-click it, a configuration dialog box is opened. This dialog box allows to adjust settings such as font typeface, font size or colors when the output relay is turn on or off.

Configuration dialog for an alphanumeric display

Common controls of Desktop Settings dialog:

Font combo box - sets the typeface name of the font

Font size combo box - sets the size of the font

Channel ON button - sets the color of the display when the output relay is turned on

Channel OFF button - sets the color of the display when the output relay is turned off

View Channel Name - when checked, shows the channel name

The output relay can be manually turned on/off any time by Start / Stop buttons of the interface application. The function of the Start / Stop buttons is duplicated by the button B1 ( 2, 3 ) on the front panel. If you want to turn the relay on, press and release B1 ( 2, 3 ). Press and release B1 ( 2, 3 ) again when you want to turn it off.

Automatic mode

When Auto On Channel 1 ( 2, 3 ) is checked, activates the automatic mode of the corresponding channel. Just like the Start / Stop buttons the function of Auto On Channel 1 ( 2, 3 ) is duplicated by the buttons Shift and B1 ( 2, 3 ) on the front panel. If you want to switch the automatic mode on, press both Shift and B1 ( 2, 3 ) buttons simultaneously until the LED VD1 ( 2, 3 ) comes on. Press Shift and B1 ( 2, 3 ) buttons simultaneously again until the LED VD1 ( 2, 3 ) comes off when you want to switch it off. This mode doesn't forbid you to switch the output relay manually. The "output" of the controller is logical OR between the manual and automatic mode. Further, you can click on Configuration button to open the configuration dialog ( fig.3 ). Here you can adjust all settings related to the automatic mode of the corresponding channel. When you open this dialog, the interface application receives the configuration data from the microcontroller. When you send them to the microcontroller, the real time clock is automaticly synchronized with the PC clock.

fig.3 Configuration dialog

Common controls of the configuration dialog:

Send to PIC - sends the configuration data to the microcontroller

File to PIC - loads the configuration data from a file

PIC to File - saves the configuration data to a file

Exit - exits from this dialog but doesn't send any data to the microcontroller

Current Time - loads the current PC time in the date and time fields

Convert File - loads a transformation file

Enable Buttons - enables ( default ) or disables the buttons on the front panel

Channel Name - sets the name of the channel in the main window

Filter - sets the digital filter of the current analog value in the main window ( 1 - none, 128 - strong )

Time Scheduler - enables or disables ( default ) the time scheduler function

Regulator - enables or disables ( default ) the regulator function

Turn on when the PV is above the SP - mode of the regulator function. See below.

Turn on when the PV is below the SP - mode of the regulator function. See below.

Daily Cycle - mode of the time scheduler function. See below.

Weekly Cycle - mode of the time scheduler function. See below.

Daily Cycle - once the daily cycle has been programmed, it will repeat every day of the week until reprogrammed.

1. Select Time Scheduler checkbox.
2. Click on Daily Cycle radio button.
3. Select the desired Time Interval(s)( 1..8 ) by clicking on the corresponding checkbox(es).
4. Enter the start and stop time(s).
5. Click on Send to PIC button.

Weekly Cycle - once the weekly cycle has been programmed, it will repeat every week until reprogrammed.

1. Select Time Scheduler checkbox.
2. Click on Weekly Cycle radio button.
3. Select the desired Time Interval(s)( 1..8 ) by clicking on the corresponding checkbox(es).
4. Enter the start day(s) and time(s).
5. Enter the stop day(s) and time(s).
6. Click on Send to PIC button.

Turn on when the PV is above the SP

1. Select Regulator checkbox.
2. Click on Turn on when the PV is above the SP radio button.
3. Enter the desired setpoint in Single SP edit box.
4. Enter the desired hysteresis in Hysteresis edit box.
5. Click on Send to PIC button.

Turn on when the PV is below the SP

1. Select Regulator checkbox.
2. Click on Turn on when the PV is below the SP radio button.
3. Enter the desired setpoint in Single SP edit box.
4. Enter the desired hysteresis in Hysteresis edit box.
5. Click on Send to PIC button.

1. Select Regulator and Time Scheduler check boxes.
2. Choose Daily Cycle or Weekly Cycle radio button.
3. Choose Turn on when the PV is above the SP or Turn on when the PV is below the SP radio button.
4. Select the desired Time Interval(s)( 1..8 ) by clicking on the corresponding checkbox(es).
5. Enter the start and stop time(s).
6. If Weekly Cycle is selected, enter the start and stop day(s).
7. Enter the desired setpoint(s) in SP( 1..8 ) edit box(es).
8. Enter the desired hysteresis in Hysteresis edit box.
9. Click on Send to PIC button.

Last modified :
09.04.2006