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GFS-154B M01 Introduction To iFIX
GFS-154B M01 Introduction To iFIX
Introduction to iFIX
Objectives
y Describe the basic concepts of Proficy iFIX HMI/SCADA.
y List the high-level iFIX features.
y Discuss topics in HMI/SCADA development.
y Explain the Application Development Flowchart.
Introduction to iFIX
Introduction to iFIX
Proficy iFIX is an HMI/SCADA software application responsible for collecting plant floor data
and disseminating it to people and applications throughout attached networks. It is used in
many different industries to provide a view into what is happening on the plant floor,
allowing operations personnel to assess current conditions, improve performance, maintain
safety and prevent costly or dangerous problems in an industrial process.
HMI/SCADA software applications generally address two broad process roles:
SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) is tasked with the collection or acquisition
of process control data, as well as enabling automatic or manual control over the process
equipment or devices. The SCADA component can also “manage” information for other
users on the network. Generally, this includes judging conditions and generating alarms,
providing sampled data to a local or plant Historian, as well as reporting and interacting
with other applications using plant floor data. SCADA is server-based.
HMI (Human Machine Interface) provides a user with a graphical interface that displays
current operating and safety conditions. It also accepts control instructions and feedback
from the user. It will receive and send all of its information through the SCADA. HMI is
client-based.
Client-Server Communications
SCADA
Data Acquisition, Control
Client-Server Architecture
The relationship between HMI and SCADA is often termed a Client-Server relationship. One
of the key features of iFIX is the way it uses a Client-Server relationship for application
development and operation, in addition to the more basic role of moving information around
a network.
In a client-server relationship, the server (SCADA) is the central repository for process data.
It is responsible for collecting and updating the information from attached equipment or
devices. It organizes the information, and provides friendlier labelling and context for
operators and other users. It also generates new information based on the incoming
updates. The server does not broadcast all this information across the network; it waits for
clients to request specific data and then it responds to the clients with only the data that
was requested. This ensures clean and efficient transfer of data over the network.
A client (HMI) requests data from a server through its graphical user interface (GUI). It does
not store or copy data from the server to local files or databases, but instead interacts with
the data in the central repository at real-time. Examples of data requests are links in
graphic displays, alarms in summary tables, trends in charts, content for reports, etc.
With iFIX, a Client-Server relationship encompasses all real-time data collection and
management, be it for current process values, control set points, alarms or internal logic. It
is also extended to the configuration of iFIX on the network. Developers can use “remote”
iFIX installations to develop iFIX applications on PCs deployed around the network. The
settings and applications are usually configured in situ on the target machine, not on the
developer’s machine. This avoids any requirement to maintain duplicate files in multiple
locations, and also ensures that the management of iFIX applications is simple, efficient and
direct.
Licensing
A machine with a licensed iFIX installation is referred to as a node. iFIX is licensed in
categories depending on the functionality required by users.
Run-time,
Read-Only or Run-Time or
Development* Development*
Figure 1 - 3: iFIX Licensing options. * Run-time capability included.
HMI/SCADA bundle
Run-Time or
iClient Development* SCADA Server
NOTE:
iClients can also be licensed in a more restrictive form as Read-Only licenses.
If used with Windows or Citrix Terminal Services, HMI is licensed as iClient TS.
SCADA Servers are not licensed for use with Terminal Services.
iFIX Technologies
iFIX is an application based on industry standards. It uses standard communication
protocols for networking and inter-application connections, as well as various database
access methods in order to move data in and out of the application. This ensures that iFIX
can be integrated with a wide range of products from the many vendors in various
industries.
Within the application, modern standards and technologies are used to maximize flexibility,
interoperability and extensibility. This helps engineering and maintenance staff to rapidly
design, build and deploy the application, as well as keep it running at a high level of
performance with less effort.
Communications
iFIX is a Windows-based platform that supports a wide range of standard technologies to
facilitate data movement around a network and to other applications. These include:
y TCP/IP and NetBIOS (or NetBEUI) networking protocols to allow connections to other iFIX
users on a network.
y OPC capabilities for both SCADA and HMI applications.
- SCADA: OPC DA Server, OPC AE Server. OPC Client for data acquisition.
- iClient: OPC client for data display.
y Database access technologies such as ODBC, OLEDB and ADO.
y VBA scripting and automation for application interoperability.
PLC
HMI
The visualisation component supports technologies that add functionality and flexibility for
development and maintenance efforts. iFIX includes:
y An object-oriented graphic and component architecture that supports COM/DCOM.
y Reusable graphic symbol sets known as Dynamos.
y VBA scripting and automation.
y Forms and Toolbars (customized or standard).
y Support for integration of ActiveX objects, documents and controls.
y A Microsoft Help compiler.
y A Cross-Reference Utility for reporting links between objects, displays, scripts and the
Process Database tags.
y An Application Validator for tracking changes to iFIX files (displays, databases, drivers
etc.).
y A Profile Manager for managing iFIX projects.
y Schedules for automating data transfer activities or control actions.
y Built-in security features that comply with 21 CFR Part 11 FDA regulations.
y A project-specific Backup and Restore utility (that can be automated).
IO Communications
IO communications to process hardware must be created before a SCADA can send or
receive data from the plant floor. This requires IO driver or OPC server software installation,
configuration and deployment. Once ready, the SCADA can use the drivers or servers to
communicate with multiple supported PLC, DCS, or RTU control hardware devices.
Process Database
The Process Database is a proprietary database that organises and assorts process data
into individual units of information called tags. Tags can interact with IO communications to
read and write data to the control hardware. Tags can also be linked together to create or
process internal data for calculations, secondary functions and internal logic.
Global Features
Global objects, forms, symbols and scripts can be created to speed development and
streamline maintenance. Generally, global features should be created early on and used as
standardized components in the HMI.
Tag groups and displays
Tag groups are best described as “global” displays. A universal screen can be designed to
show information about common process elements. After building the universal screen,
individual tag lists can be built for substitution into the universal screen. The different tag
lists can share the universal picture, thereby reducing development time, simplifying
maintenance and incorporating display and control standards into the GUI.
Alarm Notification
Display screens can also incorporate tables, grids and links to provide immediate
notification and management of network-wide system alarms. In addition, there are
controls available for sorting, filtering, acknowledging and clearing alarms generated by
SCADAs around the network. Archived alarms can also be reviewed through a variety of
interfaces.
Security Features
iFIX has numerous security features to restrict access to system components and content.
Access to application features, individual displays, objects, scripts and tags can be governed
through the use of groups, users and various classification areas. There is built-in support
for Windows security schemes as well as support for 21 CFR Part 11 security features
(required in FDA validated applications).
SCADA
Basic Configuration
and Project Setup Alarm Detection
and Generation
Other External
SCADA-level
Security Features
Communications
HMI
Basic Configuration Tag Groups and
and Project Setup Displays
Basic Configuration
and Project Setup
SCADA HMI
IO Global Features
Communications and Standards
Other External
Historical Data
SCADA-level
Trending
Communications
Security Features
Lab Exercises
Lab Objectives: At the end of these exercises, the student will be able to:
y Describe the classroom network and machines.
y Distribute student account information.
y Provide a brief iFIX orientation session via the iFIX Sample System.
When you are finished with these exercises, answer the Summary Questions at the end of
the module.
Real-time
IO Driver #1:
IO Driver #2: ____________
IO Driver #3: ____________
1. Launch the iFIX Sample System using the Sample System Desktop icon.
Alternately, you can launch the iFIX Sample System from the Start Menu.
3. When iFIX is finished launching, you will be presented with this full screen display:
Sample Systems.
This screen is an HMI display running in the iFIX Workspace (Run Mode).
5. Click on the Sample Systems “1” or the “Applications/Industries” hyperlink beneath it.
From the long list of industries served, select the “Water & WasteWater” industry. This
will provide a small set of sample screens and tags for an application addressing this
industry.
6. You are looking at the Chemical Feed picture. Take a moment and explore some of the
features of this screen to get a better idea of what iFIX is capable of providing.
Navigate to
other industries.
Open a Form.
Navigate to
other screens.
Click to open a
control interface.
Alarm Summary
Banner.
7. Next, navigate to the “Backwash Filter” display by pressing the button with this label. A
new screen representing new equipment will be displayed. This type of display uses Tag
Group technology to swap lists of tags in and out of the screen. In this way, a single
screen can be used to view data for multiple sets of similar equipment.
a. Start.
c. Equipment.
9. Click the “Show Tags” button to reveal labels for all the tags being used in the display.
Note that when you switch Backwash Filters, the data and the tag names change, but
the display uses the same graphical elements.
10. Click the “Trending” navigation button. This display provides a chart for viewing
historical data collected during the water treatment process, specifically for the
backwash equipment.
11. To select a data source from the local historian, use the drop down list for Historical
Pens. Select a pen and then add it to the chart with the Add Pen button.
Add the following data sources:
HIST.THISNODE.iFIX1_H2O_BW1_LIT303.F_CV
HIST.THISNODE.iFIX1_H2O_BW1_EFT0301.F_CV
HIST.THISNODE.iFIX1_H2O_BW1_AWCV0301.F_CV
If you cannot see any data, ask your instructor how to check your date and time
settings.
Change the
time duration.
Change the
start time.
Change the chart duration to “12 Hrs” using the properly labelled button on the right
hand side. The arrow buttons beneath the chart can be used to view data forward or
backward from your start time and date.
12. Click on the “Alarms” navigation button. This will open up a display with a viewer to
monitor real-time alarms for the Water Treatment project.
13. The table prominently featured in this display is an Alarm Summary table. It is an
interactive screen element for reviewing, sorting, filtering, acknowledging and deleting
alarms.
Double-click to acknowledge
and alarm (stop blinking).
Provide audible
signals for alarms.
14. Click on the “Reports” navigation button. This will open up a display with a viewer to
explore three static reports for the Water Treatment project. These reports were created
with the Crystal Reports application, but can be viewed from within iFIX as if they were
native documents.
15. Review the example reports, starting with the “Chart”, followed by the “Cross Tab” and
“Daily” reports.
Home Button.
Report choices.
16. When finished, return to the home page using the “Home” button.
17. From the Home page, shut down iFIX using the “Exit” button.
Review Questions
1. Which node type collects data directly from the Plant floor using IO Drivers and
Database Tags?
2. Does a SCADA or an iClient initiate communications for data and alarm transfer?
5. Name three technologies supported by the iFIX HMI to provide added functionality and
flexibility.
Review
Now that you have completed this module, you should be able to:
y Describe the basic concepts of Proficy iFIX HMI/SCADA.
y List the high-level iFIX features.
y Discuss topics in HMI/SCADA development.
y Explain the Application Development Flowchart.