Introduction & setup

Ask a question Top Previous Next

Introduction & setup

To extend program functionality we implemented plugins modules. Module structure lets reduce your program size and purchase costs (you pay only functionality, which you need), to low down program distributive download time, your computer processor load and reduce disk space.

Advanced OPC Data Logger supports few types of modules (fig.10-12):

1.	Data query - transmits queries or commands out the port to control or query your instruments directly;

2.	Data parser - data parser that allows you to parse, filter and format more complex data from more sophisticated devices. Some of the advanced features of the parser are the ability to work with raw binary or hex data;

3.	Data filter - data filters allow you to filter your data and modify values of parser variables;

Data export (fig.11) - Advanced OPC Data Logger has many modules for passing serial data directly to other applications, such as as keystrokes where incoming data is passed to other programs as a sequence of keys, as DDE Server that passes data to other programs using Dynamic Data Exchange, ODBC for exporting data to a database and many others;

Events handling (fig.12) - an external plugins used to handle events generated by the Advanced OPC Data Logger software. Once an event occurs (for example: "Port is opened" or "Configuration changed"), the plugin creates a text message using the specified template and sends a notification, do some actions, such as execute programs, scripts and etc. The form of the notification or actions depends on the plugin settings.

options module

Fig.10 Data query, parsing and filter modules

options module 2

Fig.11 Data export modules

options module events

Fig.12 Events handling modules

You can parse and export data sent and received (Fig.10). By default, only data received will be parsed.

Installation

You can easily install a new module. usually, you should start the installation file and click the "Next" button for few times. The installation wizard will detect a place of your Advanced OPC Data Logger software and place a plugin module and all distributive files to the "Plugins" folder, which is in the program folder (by default X:\\Program Files\Advanced OPC Data Logger\Plugins).

After program restart a module will be loaded and initialized. If module is supported with our software, its short description you will see in modules list (Fig.10-12). Most modules require additional settings. If you want to configure the plugin module, simply click the "Setup" button near it. If you selected the module and the "Setup" button is not active, then module doesn't have additional settings and can work without additional settings. Please, read users manual of a corresponding plugin for additional information.

Configuration steps

1.	Select and configure a query module. You may use a module of this type if you need to send some data to your device (for example, initialization strings or request strings).

2.	Select and configure a parser module. This step is necessary, because filter and export modules can use parsed data only. If you didn't select the parser module, then you can't configure the data filter and data export modules.

3.	Activate and configure data export modules. You can select one or more modules simultaneously. The program will use selected modules simultaneously. Please, note, the program can' use the data export module, if you didn't configure the parser module.

4.	Activate and configure event modules. You can select one or more modules simultaneously.

Ask a question about this topic

If you found an inconsistency in the above topic or you want to ask for support,