Project data is transferred from the tools to the devices or other consumers online and offline via the system interface. PX automation stations are configured offline and then the data is downloaded onto the automation station. Desigo room automation stations (PXC3 and DXR2) can be engineered. DXR2 automation stations also have preloaded applications and only need to be configured.

Transfer operations

There are four transfer operations for data synchronization:

  • Offline generation
  • Online loading
  • Online readback
  • Offline import

Data transfer to PX automation stations

You can load a new program on a PX automation station while the old program is still running. The operation of the automation station is not interrupted. Process values remain intact. If you load a firmware on the automation station, you must restart the automation station.

Data transfer to Desigo room automation stations

If you load a new program on a Desigo room automation station, you must restart the automation station. The operation of the automation station is interrupted. Process values do not remain intact. If you load a firmware on the automation station, you must restart the automation station.

There are four loading units for Desigo room automation stations:

  • Load program
  • Load parameters (full download for DXR automation stations)
  • Load configuration (settings on the automation station)
  • Load firmware (programs, parameters and configuration are not lost)

Offline generation

Full code generation

Full code generation:

  • Checks the overall application consistency (limits, identifiers)
  • Converts the application into loadable units
  • Generates the appropriate description data for configuration

You must compile the code to get the required performance. You cannot engineer a compiled program.

Delta generation

Delta generation (converts only the modifications):

  • Improves performance
  • Is faster than full code generation

Online loading

Full download

The full download transfers all loadable units into the automation station.

Delta download

The delta download:

  • Copies additional blocks into the automation station
  • Deletes blocks which are no longer valid
  • Updates parameter settings

The delta download is faster than a full download. You do not need to interrupt the operation of the automation station.

The delta download helps prevent unintentional parameter changes. Online changed process data and settings parameters are protected against unintentional overwriting, provided the process data was not changed in the tool.

Download options

You can define what happens in the automation station before and after the download. You can define if:

  • Parameters are read back before the download
  • The program starts and/or the I/O bus is turned on after the download

Online readback

During readback of non-volatile process values and parameter settings the data in the automation station is aligned with the project data in the tool.

Readback comprises two steps:

  1. Current parameter settings and non-volatile process values in the PX/PXC3 automation station are read from the automation station and copied to the data storage.
  2. The values are updated in the CFC data storage or PXC3 program and configuration data storage.

The following data can be read back from PX/PXC3 to the project data storage in the XWP/ABT tools:

  • Setting parameters changed in the PX/PXC3 automation station
  • Changed, non-volatile process values or configuration data

Advantages

Reading back data has the following advantages:

  • Outdated data in XWP/ABT is overwritten by current data and thus is available again for reloading programs in the PX/PXC3 automation station.
  • During online changes of background variables (e.g., calendar), data between CFC and XWP/ABT and the automation station is retained.
  • Current setting parameters and non-volatile process values (e.g., operating hours) are saved.
  • The newest configuration is saved offline and can be used for, e.g., reports.

Runtime data cannot be read back. Only offline data can be read back. Only objects (not individual properties) can be read back. If a property is changed, the entire object (e.g., data point), that is, the last change on the object is read back. The last change per object is always valid.

Workflows for changes

There are two workflows for changes:

Workflow 1 (ideal workflow):

  1. Perform readback before the changes
  2. Perform changes offline
  3. Download

Workflow 2:

  1. Perform changes offline
  2. Perform readback
  3. Compile
  4. Download

Offline import

You can import configuration and description data for the plant into Desigo CC. This is the same as the data downloaded to the automation station.