1. ModScan Overview
1.1 Document/View Architecture
1.2 Modbus Data Definition
1.3 Display Formats
1.4 Connecting to a Modbus Network
1.4.1 Direct Serial Connections
1.4.2 Modem Connections
1.4.3 Network Connections
2. Menu Commands
2.1 File menu
2.2 Connection menu
2.3 Setup menu
2.4 View menu
2.5 Window menu
2.6 Help menu
3. Tool & Status Bars
3.1 Toolbar
3.2 Format Selections
3.3 Status Bar
4. Testing Features
4.1 Writing Data to the Modbus
4.2 Message Counters
4.3 Observing Serial Traffic
4.4 Capturing Data to Text File
4.5 User Defined Commands
4.6 Scripts
5. Using ModScan with a Database
6. Using OLE Automation
6.1 Overview
6.2 Automation Routines
7. Distribution/Registration
7.1 Pricing
7.2 Licensing
7.3 Support
7.4 Other Products
1. ModScan Overview
The ModScan application operates as a MODBUS mastermodbus_protocol device
in either RTU or ASCII transmission modes. ModScan may be used to access
and modify data points contained in one or more MODBUS slave devices
connected to the PC via a serial port, modem, or network. ModScan supports
the standard MODBUS message types 01-06, 15 & 16, as well as providing
the ability for you to exercise special features of a slave device by
transmitting custom command strings and observing the response. ModScan
is a useful test and diagnostic tool for verifying the proper slave
response to MODBUS queries as well as being a low cost data collection
tool for interfacing data into PC database and spreadsheet applications.
1.1 Document/View Architecture
ModScan utilizes the standard Windows Multiple-Document-Interface, (MDI),
architecture for displaying modbus data to the user. Each document
represents a series, (array), of modbus data points identified by the
following parameters:
Slave Device Address Represents the physical device attached to
the modbus network
Data Type Internal data representation, (i.e. input, coil, register)
Data Address Point address within the device
Length Number of points to scan/display
Associated with each document is also a timer, which is used to
periodically scan new data from the defined slave and refresh the
display. The modbus data definition is accessible from the ModScan
menu or via edit controls in the top splitter window of the document
display. As new data is obtained from the slave device, it is
written to the bottom splitter window in one of several formats,
depending upon your preference. The size of each document display
window is adjustable via the splitter control.
1.2 Modbus Data Definition
The upper half of each Document's View represents the data selected for
display, (and possible capture to a historical data file). In most
testing applications, the ModScan will only be connected to a single
modbus slave device, however, in a multidrop modbus network, there may
be several devices accessible from a single connection. The "Device Id"
edit control allows you to specify the slave address for the source of
the data. Likewise, edit controls are available to select the point
type, data address, and number of data points to access.
Notice that the modbus protocol uses a 5-digit representation for the
slave data address which infers the point-type. For example,
INPUT STATUS values are always represented in the range 10001-19999:
HOLDING REGISTERS are displayed as 40000-49999. The ModScan application
uses the standard notation for displaying data in the bottom splitter
window, however the address specified in the upper splitter address edit
control assumes a 4-digit physical point address. This address, coupled
with the point-type specifier completely defines the data to be accessed
in the slave device.
The upper splitter window also contains two counters which are used to
tally the number of data requests made from this document to the modbus
connection and the number of valid slave responses received in reply.
A button is available within the display which resets the counters
associated with this document.
1.3 Display Formats
As data is received from the slave device, it is displayed to the lower
splitter view of the associated document. Any errors incurred during
the exchange of information will be displayed on the first line. The
font and colors used to display the data is configurable via the View,
Config menu options.
Modbus register data may be displayed in any of the following formats:
Binary Data displayed as 16 discrete values.
Decimal Ranges from -32767 to 32768
Hexadecimal 0000-ffff
Floating Point IEEE Standard Floating Point Notation
(Requires two registers per value)
Word-Swapped Floating Point
Inverted Floating Point used by some processors
Double-Precision Floating Point
64-bit Floating Point Notation
Word Swapped Dbl Precision
Inverted 64-bit Float Values
1.4 Connecting to a Modbus Network
1.4.1 Direct Serial Connections
ModScan may be used to obtain data from modbus slave device connected
to the PC in one of three basic physical arrangements. The most common
connection is via any one of the four available PC serial COM ports.
ModScan uses the standard Win32 software drivers for communication with
the COM ports, thereby providing support for any hardware serial boards
which may be installed in the Windows operating system, (including RS-232,
RS-485, etc.). You have complete control over the operating characteristics
of the serial connection by selecting the appropriate baud rate, parity,
and control line, (handshaking), properties to match the slave device(s).
1.4.2 Modem Connections
In remote testing situations, the ModScan application may be used to
communicate with a modbus network over a dedicated modem connection.
ModScan supports the TAPI, (telephony application interface), standard
implemented in Windows and Windows NT. If selected, the modem connection
dialog allows you to enter a phone number for dialing. Any TAPI device
configured within the Windows operating system is available for use.
It is also possible to connect via modem to a remote system utilizing
the built-in networking characteristics of Windows '95 & NT. To do this,
you will need to configure the ModScan application to connect via a TCP/IP
connection which has been setup within Windows to automatically dial and
establish a PPP connection with another Windows machine which is connected
directly to the slave device(s) you wish to use. In this case, ModScan
operates as if it were using a network card connected directly to a
modbus to tcp/ip bridge device.
1.4.3 Network Connections
ModScan allows modbus communications to occur over a TCP/IP network.
This feature requires the use of a modbus to TCP/IP bridge device which
can service network requests from the network and obtain the data from
a connected slave device prior to responding to queries from the ModScan
application. A bridge device operates as a network server, providing
support to numerous client applications distributed over the network.
WinTECH Software provides such a server for interfacing to a single
serial modbus network. Third-party vendors may provide various solutions
for interfacing TCP/IP to modbus devices via other hardware, (i.e. modbus
plus, etc.). If the interfacing specification for these network bridge
devices is available in the public domain, they may be included in future
releases of the ModScan application. If you have the need to use ModScan
with a third-party vendor's equipment, please contact the WinTECH Software
support line for consideration.
2. Menu Commands
2.1 File menu
The File Menu offers the following commands:
New Creates a new ModScan document. Each document represents
a different block of data from a modbus device.
Open Opens an existing document.
Close Closes an open document.
Save Saves an open document.
SaveAs Saves an open document to a specified file name.
Print Prints an open document.
Print Setup Selects a Printer and Printer connection.
Exit Exits ModScan
2.2 Connection menu
The Connect menu offers the following commands:
Connect Attaches the ModScan application to a modbus network,
enabling data collection.
Disconnect Detaches the ModScan application from the network,
freeing up resources for other Windows applications.
2.3 Setup menu
The Setup menu offers the following commands:
Data Definition Defines the document properties of the modbus data to
be scanned.
Display Options Allows the document data to be viewed in a variety of
formats.
Show Data -This default view configuration displays data values
as obtained from the modbus slave device.
Show Traffic-This option allows the serial data stream to be
displayed in place of the data points.
Binary -Register values are displayed as 16 discrete bits.
Decimal -Register values are displayed in decimal format,
(-32767-32768).
Hex -Register Values are displayed in Hexadecimal,
(0000-ffff).
Floating Pt.-Register Values are displayed in floating point
notation, (two registers are required).
Swapped FP -Register Values are displayed in floating point
notation, (least significant register first).
Dbl Float -Register Values are displayed in floating point
notation, (four registers, (64 bits), are required).
Swapped Dbl -Register Values are displayed in floating point
notation, (least significant register first).
Hex Addresses-Displays the addresses of data points in hexadecimal
notation..
Extended Options Provides the ability to write data to a connected
slave device.
Force Coils -Provides the ability to write coil values to a
designated slave device.
PreSet Registers-Provides the ability to write register values
to a designated slave device.
User Commands-Allows you to define and transmit a custom command.
Script Files-Begins execution of a test script.
Text Capture Begins collecting modbus data to a specified text file.
Dbase Capture Begins collecting data into a defined database table.
Capture Off Stops data collection.
Reset Counters Clears all modbus message status counters in all
documents.
2.4 View menu
The View menu offers the following commands:
Toolbar Shows or hides the toolbar.
Status Bar Shows or hides the status bar.
Display Bar Shows or hides the format toolbar used to select the display
format for modbus registers.
Config Allows you to customize the appearance of ModScan by
selecting the colors and font used.
Background Color-Selects the color for the ModScan data display
splitter view.
Foreground Color-Selects the text color used to display data values.
Status Color-Selects the color used to show the modbus status line.
Font -Selects the font.
2.5 Window menu
The Window menu offers the following commands, which enable you to
arrange multiple views of multiple documents in the application window:
New Window Creates a new window that views the same document.
Cascade Arranges windows in an overlapped fashion.
Tile Arranges windows in non-overlapped tiles.
Arrange Icons Arranges icons of closed windows.
Window 1, 2, Goes to specified window.
2.6 Help menu
The Help menu offers the following commands, which provide you assistance
with this application:
Help Topics Offers you an index to topics on which you can get help.
About Displays the version number of this application.
3. Tool & Status Bars
3.1 Toolbar
The toolbar is displayed across the top of the application window, below
the menu bar. The toolbar provides quick mouse access to many tools
used in ModScan. The toolbar is detachable and dockable by clicking the
mouse on the toolbar background and dragging it to the desired location
within the ModScan application window.
3.2 Format Selections
The format toolbar is displayed across the top of the application window,
below the menu bar. The format toolbar provides quick mouse access to
select the format used by ModScan to display the contents of modbus
registers. The toolbar is detachable and dockable by clicking the mouse
on the toolbar background and dragging it to the desired location within
the ModScan application window.
3.3 Status Bar
The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the ModScan window. To
display or hide the status bar, use the Status Bar command in the View
menu.
The left area of the status bar describes actions of menu items as you
use the arrow keys to navigate through menus. This area similarly shows
messages that describe the actions of toolbar buttons as you depress them,
before releasing them. If after viewing the description of the toolbar
button command you wish not to execute the command, then release the
mouse button while the pointer is off the toolbar button.
The right areas of the status bar indicate the message counters for
all modbus message activity logged by the various active documents.
4. Testing Features
4.1 Writing Data to the Modbus
In order to write a MODBUS data point in a slave device, the communications
with the device must first be initiated by scanning a series of data
points by configuring the correct addressing information and initiating a
polling cycle. Once the data is successfully displayed, double-clicking
the address/value portion of the screen will initiate a dialog box which
allows the value to be changed. If the polling cycle has been configured
to represent coil addresses, double-clicking an address will initiate
the Change Coil Dialog.
The Change Register Dialog Box may be initiated by configuring the display
to represent register data and double clicking on an address.
Register values may be written using binary, decimal, hexadecimal, or
floating-point notation, depending on the preference selection currently
in effect.
Pressing the Update Button in either write data point dialog will initiate
the appropriate MODBUS write command, (05 or 06), during the next scheduled
poll.
4.2 Message Counters
Each document maintains a counter for each query message transmitted to
a modbus slave device and a counter for each correct response returned
from the addresses slave. The counters for a given document may be reset
via a button control accessible via the upper, (data definition), splitter
view. A total count of all message counters from all active documents,
(including any OLE Automation client documents), is displayed via the
ModScan status bar.
4.3 Observing Serial Traffic
Use this command to troubleshoot the connection to a particular modbus
device. When selected, this option will display the serial data exchanged
between the ModScan application and the slave device associated with this
document. The data display splitter view will show data transmitted to
the slave device and data returned from the slave device as communications
occur during the normal polling cycle. This will help to isolate a problem
with possible misinterpretation of the modbus protocol. Data will be
displayed in either decimal or hex, depending upon the preference settings
in effect for viewing the modbus data points. Normal data collection,
(if enabled), will continue.
4.4 Capturing Data to Text File
An optional feature of ModScan is its ability to capture modbus data
directly into a database. The Microsoft Jet database engine allows
you to automatically update a compatible database with new data each
time it is read by a ModScan document. Included within a database,
the data is easily accessible for manipulation and display of customized
applications. Even without this option, ModScan may be used to capture
data to an ASCII text file , which may then be ported in an off-line
fashion to your database.
4.5 User Defined Commands
Use this command to customize a command string for transmission to a
designated modbus slave device. This command is useful for observing
the slave response to non-standard modbus queries or to test its reaction
to requests for data which may not be available. The slave device should
respond with the proper exception message if a master device asks for
data which is beyond its address range or otherwise unavailable via the
modbus.
After transmitting the user string, ModScan will receive characters for
the entire time-out period specified for the connection. The results
will then be updated to the appropriate edit control on the dialog box.
User defined messages transmitted to a slave device will not show up
in the ModScan message counters.
4.6 Scripts
Test scripts are one of the most unique features of ModScan. They provide
for production testing of modbus slave devices by allowing you to construct
and execute a series of modbus messages to be sent to an attached slave
device to verify and log the responses. Script files are constructed
using any word-processor or spreadsheet application to define the test
message and expected slave response. Response codes are available which
determine how ModScan verifies the response against the user supplied data.
For example, one script entry may request the contents of a group of known
registers and expect the exact response to be returned. Another script
entry may complete successfully if the correct number of register values
is returned, regardless of the contents.
Test scripts may be executed one entry at a time, (single-step), or
placed in a loop to execute continuously, logging the results to a text
file for later observation by a test technician.
If continuous execution of the script is desired, an auxiliary dialog box
defines the looping characteristics.
Test results are displayed as each script entry is executed.
5. Using ModScan with a Database
An optional feature of ModScan32 allows you to write data directly into
a Microsoft compatible database such as Access. ModScan uses the Jet
database engine to provide an efficient exchange of information from an
addressed slave device into the designated database table. Selecting the
Dbase Capture menu ietm allows you to associate a ModScan document with
a given database table. The table will then be updated with new data
each time the slave device is polled. If you change the properties of
the document while collection is enabled, updates to the database will
temporarily cease. Database updates will resume if the original
properties are restored.
6. Using OLE Automation
6.1 Overview
An optional feature of ModScan32 is the ability to access modbus data
using OLE Automation routines. This allows custom programs to be
generated, (using Visual Basic, Excel Basic, etc.,), to interpret and
format data according to your specific requirements. OLE Automation
routinesHID_OLE_ROUTINES provide both read and write access to one or
more modbus slave devices through the ModScan application.
Using the OLE Automation routines is a very simple process:
The VBA application links to the ModScan32.tlb file, (Type Library),
which details the names for each automation procedure and its argument
list. From the Visual Basic development framework, this is done by
selecting the menu item to include a custom type library and then
browsing for ModScan32.tlb. During the initial Form Load operation,
the application must call Create Object as follows:
CreateObject("ModScan32.Document")
The application then creates one or more PollRequests which define an
array of data points to be read from a modbus device. Data defined by
the Poll Request will be automatically scanned by the ModScan application
on a 1 second basis. (NOTE: The ModScan application must be connected
to the modbus network prior to the VBA application starting up.)
The application uses the handle returned from the CreatePollRequest
procedure to access, (read or write), a value within the defined array.
During application termination, it must free the memory used by the
ModScan application to maintain the data points by deleting any Poll
Requests created.
Refer to the Visual Basic Example application included with the ModScan
distribution files for additional details.
6.2 Automation Routines
The following OLE Automation routines are supported by ModScan32:
short CreatePollRequest (short Device, long Address, short Length)
Arguments:
Device - Specifies the slave device address
Address - Specifies the data point address,
(in modbus master (5 digit) format.
coil status addresses: 00000-09999
input status addresses: 10000-19999
input register addresses: 30000-39999
holding register addresses: 40000-49999
Length - Specifies the number of values included in the
definition
Return Value:
Point Handle - Defines the array structure for future
reads & writes
Notes:
Sets up data structures within ModScan to begin polling the
specified data. ModScan must be connected to the modbus
network prior to creating the data array. CreatePollRequest
returns a non-zero value if the data structure was successfully
created, otherwise it returns 0.
short ReadValue (short PointHandle, short Index, short *pValue)
Arguments:
Point Handle - refers to value returned from CreatePollRequest
Index - Specifies the index into the array structure
*pValue - is a pointer to a value to be returned.
Return Value:
Status - indicates whether or not the operation was completed
successfully
Notes:
Status will be MBUS_OK, (0), if the data point was
successfully read, otherwise, a non-zero value
indicates one of the defined error conditions.
short WriteValue (short PointHandle, short Index, short Value)
Arguments:
Point Handle - refers to value returned from CreatePollRequest
Index - Specifies the index into the array structure
Value - is the data to be written.
Return Value:
Status - indicates whether or not the operation was completed
successfully
Notes:
Status will be MBUS_OK, (0), if the data point was successfully
queued for transmission to the addresses slave. A zero return
value does not indicate successful transmission of the request
to the slave device. The controlling application is responsible
for verifying the write operation by reading back the value
written.
short ModifyPollRequest (short PointHandle, short Device, long Address, short Length)
Arguments:
Point Handle - refers to value returned from CreatePollRequest
Device - Specifies the new slave device address
Address - Specifies the new data point address,(in modbus
master (5 digit) format.
Length - Specifies the number of values included in the
definition
Return Value:
Status will be MBUS_OK, (0), if the data point was successfully
modified, otherwise, a non-zero value indicates one of the
defined error conditions.
Notes:
Immediately after changing the parameters of a defined data
point, the current status of each value in the array will be
set to MBUS_UNINITIALIZED, indicating that the data does not
represent that defined by the device/address definition.
The first poll after modification should reflect the true
status of the addressed data array.
short DeletePollRequest (short PointHandle)
Arguments:
Point Handle - refers to value returned from CreatePollRequest
Return Value:
Status will be MBUS_OK, (0), if the data point was successfully
modified, otherwise, a non-zero value indicates one of the
defined error conditions.
Notes:
This routine frees up memory allocated by ModScan to support
the defined Poll Request.
7. Distribution/Registration
7.1 Pricing
ModScan is a time-limited demo application which allows you to connect
up to a modbus network and evaluate its operation without cost or
obligation. ModScan is designed to allow unrestricted use for a period
of 3 1/2 minutes after successful communication is established with a
slave device. During this time, all features, including OLE and database
support are active. At the end of the demo period, ModScan will cease
updating the views associated with each document. You must restart
the application to resume operation.
The introductory registration price for the ModScan32 application is $64.95.
Options to allow interfacing data to a database and/or OLE are additional.
ou may print an order form by selecting a button control within the
ModScan About box.
For the latest pricing and availability details, please refer to the
WinTECH Software Web-Site at http://www.win-tech.com
7.2 Licensing
ModScan32 is distributed as a shareware/demo-ware application which may
be freely distributed without charge to prospective users. Time limits
and registration reminder screens are utilized to encourage registration.
If you find this application useful, please refer it to your associates
in the hope that they too may be able to use it.
If you choose to register this application, you will receive a license
certificate with access codes which will remove all program restrictions
when entered into the initial sign-on dialog box. You will only need to
enter the registration codes once. A single-user license allows the
purchaser to use the application on as many different machines as desired,
so long as there is only one copy of the application running at any given
time. Running multiple instances of the application on different machines
at the same time is a violation of the copyright owned by WinTECH Software.
Multiple-User and Site-licenses are available for installations which
require multiple simultaneous use of the ModScan application.
7.3 Support
For the latest product and pricing information, please refer to the
WinTECH Software Web-Site at:
http://www.win-tech.com
For technical support, please e-mail:
support@win-tech.com
To place an order, fax to:
1-304-645-5966
or mail:
WinTECH Software
P.O. Box 907
Lewisburg, WV 24901
U.S.A.
7.4 Other Products
WinTECH Software offers the following products and services which may
be of interest:
Modbus Driver Dll's
Windows drivers are available to support either the modbus master
or modbus slave protocol on a PC. These drivers are written in 'C'.
They are available in either 16 or 32-bit designs and include all
modbus message formatting and interaction with the Windows serial
drivers. A simple API is made available to your application, which
greatly simplifies its design and allows you to very easily
implement a custom modbus design under Windows. Each driver is
very reasonably priced, and comes with a sample Windows application
written in the Microsoft MFC.
ModSim Windows Application
ModSim is the counterpart to ModScan and simulates the slave end of
the modbus protocol. ModSim allows you to define a series of data
points, (representing one or more slave devices), and provides
this data to an attached modbus master application.
MNetSvr Windows Application
MNetSvr is a Windows application which serves as a Modbus to TCP/IP
gateway device for interfacing serial modbus slave devices to plant
networks. MNetSvr utilizes the MBAP protocol standard, (Modbus
Application Programming Interface), to service multiple Modbus
Master Client applications requesting data from one or more slaves.
Listen Windows Application
Listen is a fully functional serial data link monitor, (datascope),
which allows you to watch data traffic in real time as it travels
in two directions between communicating devices. Listen is highly
customizable in the way it displays data and uses standard COM
drivers for compatibility with any serial hardware configurable
under Windows.
Socket Spy Windows Application
The Socket Spy allows you to monitor TCP/IP packets transferred
between a Windows application and the Windows Sockets dll. Designed
as a design and trouble-shooting aide for communications developers,
Socket Spy provides full debugging data relative to all sockets
activity occurring within the target application.
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