Adding Extensions

Data Points can have their functionality modified by extensions. The AnalogDataPoint is originally equipped with the BACnetAnalogPoint and ModbusAnalogPoint extensions (these cannot be added or removed), but other extensions, which offer different functionalities, can be added or removed as necessary. To add an extension, user must right-click on component and then choose from the menu Actions → Add Extension.

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Fig. 1: Adding extension to the Analog Data Point

Available Extensions

BACnetPoint

The BACnetAnalogPoint/BACnetBinaryPoint/BACnetMultistatePoint extension expands the Data Point's functionality giving it an option to expose it to the BACnet IP network as an Analog/Binary/Multistate Value object, and, otherwise, it allows to manually hide it from the network yet preserving its function in the application. It also transfers information to the BACnet IP network about the Data Point's status. The extension is native (cannot be removed), and is visible along with the regular slots and actions of the Data Point as a separate, integral part in the property sheet view.

The extension has the following slots:

ModbusPoint

The ModbusAnalogPoint/ModbusBinaryPoint/ModbusMultistatePoint extension expands the Data Point's functionality giving it an option to expose it to the Modbus TCP/IP network as a Modbus point, and, otherwise, it allows to manually hide it from the network yet preserving its function in the application. It also transfers information to the Modbus TCP/IP network about the Data Point's status. The extension is native (cannot be removed), and is visible along with the regular slots and actions of the Data Point as a separate, integral part in the property sheet view.

The extension has the following slots:

Configuration Data

The Configuration Data extension has no slots. Its functionality is fully achieved by adding it to the Data Point. It is automatically enabled and allows the Configuration Data service to save and upload slots values of the Data Point.

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Fig. 2: Configuration Data service extension added to the AnalogDataPoint

Priorities

The AnalogPriorities/BinaryPriorities/MultistatePriorities extension adds fifteen writable input slots and the default (lowest) priority slot to the Data Point. The extension includes the Priority slot indicating, which slot is transferring value to the Out slot. The Priorites extension adds In1‐In15 slots and the Default slot, which is the lowest, 17th priority. The extension also introduces new actions to the Data Point: EmergencyOverride, EmergencyAuto, Override, and OverrideAuto.

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Fig. 3: Priorities extension added to the AnalogDataPoint

The extension has the following slots:

Note: By default, only the In16 is displayed in the Wire Sheet. In case any other input slot receives a value via link, is it displayed in the Wire Sheet along with the In16. Only the null input, which is a lack of value, allows the higher priority input to be dismissed–zero (0) is still a value that will be provided to the Out slot.

Note: According to BACnet requirements, the Default slot value can never be null; if no other value is set on the slot, it is zero (0).

The Data Point has the following actions available in the Priorities extension:

Note:     If the link is connected to the slot that may be affected by an action, the value coming from the link connection has priority over the manually evoked action.

Action Trigger

The ActionTrigger extension is designed to invoke any action that is available for the component. The extension triggers an action selected in the Action Name on the rising edge of the Action Trigger slot. If the action has parameters to set, the parameter is taken from a relevant slot automatically added to the extension (Analog Value/Binary Value/String Value).

It is possible to add more than one ActionTrigger extension to the component (for example, one for each action in the component).

The extension is added from the context menu of the component.

The ActionTrigger extension has the following slots:

Trend

The Trend extension allows to save values of the Data Point for the historical analysis purposes. When added and enabled, the extension records values in a selected sampling mode and saves them in a database. The data saved from the Trend extension can be managed and analyzed in the Trends service (available in the Services container).

It is not possible to add more than one Trend extension to the Data Point.

The extension is added from the context menu of the Data Point.

Note:     For the Trends extension to operate properly, please make sure that the Trends library is installed on the device.

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Fig. 4: Adding Trends extension

The Trends library is by default added in the nano EDGE ENGINE V1.8 OS (and is not compatible with earlier versions) and the Trends Service is then automatically displayed in the Services container.

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Fig. 5:Trend service extension added to the AnalogDataPoint

The Trend extension has the following slots:

BACnet Trend Log

When the Trend extension is added to the Data Point, it automatically adds another extension in the Data Points view: the BACnet Trend Log extension. This extensions allows to manage the trend's BACnet exposition to the network and adds a BACnet ID if exposed.

The BACnet Trend Log extension has the following slots:

The BACnet Trend Log extension has the following slots:

Note:    The trend's exposition can also by enabled/disabled directly in the Trends service view, editing the Expose on Bacnet field.