Overview

The Smart CPU is a very flexible, communications rich, cost effective platform for driving SoftPLC Corporation's Tealware I/O architecture while running the SoftPLC runtime software or I/O adapter software. This document explains how to configure the I/O driver for the Tealware I/O when attached to a Smart CPU running the runtime software. A driver under the SoftPLC runtime is called a TOPDOC Loadable Module (TLM) . There can be several TLMs running concurrently under the runtime. This particular TLM is written in C++ and implements a capable architecture which can manage up to 3072 digital I/O points attached to a single CPU. (Remember that the runtime can have other kinds of TLMs driving other kinds of I/O concurrently also.) This document describes the installation, usage, and functionality of the Smart TLM.

The Smart TLM may be used to monitor and control up to 12 racks of Tealware I/O modules. A rack may have 4, 6, or 8 I/O module slots in it. Alternatively, there is also a 3 slot backplane that can be attached directly to the CPU to control 3 I/O modules.

The SoftPLC runtime software supports TLMs, which are shared library extensions to SoftPLC. A TLM may be loaded either as a DRIVER or as a MODULE. The difference between a DRIVER and a MODULE is that a DRIVER is called once per SoftPLC scan, and optionally an additional number of times per scan. A MODULE is only called when the control program decides to call it and not as an inherent part of the scan. TLMs are made known to SoftPLC in the MODULES.LST file which may be edited by TOPDOC NexGen by traversing to: PLC | Modules.

I/O Forcing

The TLM supports input and output forcing on I/O that are digital.

Hot Swap Digital I/O

Digital I/O modules may be replaced under power with a module of the same kind.

Reconfiguration Without Power Cycling

The TLM will re-read its configuration file on any PROGRAM mode to PROGRAM mode transition.

Auto Configuration

The TLM will automatically detect all I/O modules present if the configuration file is not present, and create a new configuration file.

Frequency Mode for High Speed Counter Modules

The HSC11 module is a high speed counter module which normally only counts. This TLM can work with that module to measure frequency of a digital pulse train.