|
Automation software for building automation
The TwinCAT system from Beckhoff is a software
PLC used in building automation for
central building control and distributed control
of individual rooms. TwinCAT, the programming,
control and system configuration
software offers comprehensive options such
as a uniform PC platform under the operating
systems Windows NT/2000/XP and free
programming according to IEC 61131-3
standards. The TwinCAT System Manager
is used for the I/O system integration of all
common bus system and PC interfaces. The
TwinCAT system consists of run-time systems
that execute control programs in real-time
and the development environments
for programming, diagnostics and system
configuration. Any Windows programs, for
instance visualisation programs or office
programs, can access TwinCAT data via
Microsoft interfaces, or can execute commands.
TwinCAT deals with many functions
in intelligent buildings:
| – |
lighting control with individual, group
and collective switching |
| – |
control of Venetian and roller blinds
with individual, group and collective
switching |
| – |
messaging functions for fault messages
and building supervision with central
recording and initiation of communication
(e.g. via e-mail) |
| – |
room control: temperature and air
conditioning control, controller with
autotuning |
| – |
power management: measurement
of consumption, logging, raising
alarms |
| – |
serial communication to external
devices and access control systems |
| – |
central HVAC systems |
| – |
control of presentation and media
rooms |
OPC interface
The TwinCAT OPC server is the ideal interface
for linking to all popular SCADA packages.
The user is thus not stuck with any
one visualisation package, since the OPC
interface is standardised, which ensures
that clients can be changed. Integrated
system compatibility enables communication
and operation via intelligent pocket
PCs. Remote control of the building’s functionalities
is even possible using handhelds.
The system independently generates and
logs fault and maintenance messages and
sends them directly to the maintenance
services via SMS or e-mail, without the
use of special gateways.
Libraries for measuring and control
engineering
As an extension to the blocks defined by
the IEC language standard, Beckhoff offers
a wide range of supplementary libraries for
the execution of tasks typical in building
automation. Libraries already exist for other
building control functions: examples are a
function block with PID control algorithm,
a temperature controller function block, a
communication library for connecting serial
devices such as printers, bar code scanners,
periphery controllers or distributed display
systems.
 |
|
 |
Libraries for basic building functions
TwinCAT is designed to be user-friendly and
freely programmable throughout. To make
programming according to IEC 61131-3
easier, a standard library for solving basic
function in open building automation is
available. This library enables programming
of all functions relevant for building
automation: Function blocks for controlling
lighting, dimmer, blind and staircase circuits
are complemented by temperature conversion
routines (e. g. °C to Kelvin or Fahrenheit
etc.). Furthermore, the library contains
a block for scaling and converting of raw
data into physical values. The TwinCAT Controller
Toolbox is available for control tasks.
The toolbox comprises:
–controller blocks (P, I, D, PI, PID,
switching controllers)
– ramps and signal generators
– pulse width modulation
– limiters and filters
|
