How to Write a Value to an Output Channel

Setpoints for a digital or analog output can be generated using a controller virtual variable, test.con, or a value from the module itself or from another module.

Using a controller virtual variable

1. Create a new virtual variable by right-clicking on Virtual Variables > Add > Append Variables. Double-click on the new variable to open the variable settings. In the General tab, change the type to Arithmetic.

   

2. In the Formula tab, add the VariableWriteIndexBased function to the formula field.

   

   VariableWriteIndexBased(DestinationVariableWriteAccessIndex+1;SourceValue)

   1. DestinationVariableWriteAccessIndex+1: Access the index of the output variable where the source value will be written. Only variables with an output data direction (OUTPUT or INPUT/OUTPUT) are allowed. IMPORTANT: Increment the Write Access Index number ("WrtAccInd") as shown in GI.bench by 1 .

   2. SourceValue: The variable where the value comes from.
      
      Example Setup:

      Variable	Data Direction	WrtAccInd
      V1 - Timestamp	INPUT
      V2 - Setpoint1	INPUT
      V3 - Setpoint2	INPUT/OUTPUT	0
      V4 - Setpoint3	INPUT
      V5 - Setpoint4	OUTPUT	1
      V6 - VariableWriteVar	INPUT
      V7 - SourceValue	INPUT/OUTPUT	2

      Example 1: VariableWriteIndexBased(1;Var(“V7 - SourceValue”))

      👉 Value of “V7 - SourceValue” is written to “V3 - Setpoint2”.

      Example 2: VariableWriteIndexBased(2;Var(“V7 - SourceValue”))

      
      👉 Value of “V7 - SourceValue” is written to “V5 - Setpoint4”.

3. Click Apply to set formula, then OK to save changes to the virtual variable
4. Write updates to controller.

Now when you change the source variable's value, it will be written to the defined output variable.

Using test.con

In a test.con project, input variables can be connected to output variables to transfer their values.

1. Run the test.con software and create a new userspace or real-time project.

2. Go to Tools > Data Point Administration.

3. Click Online Import Configuration.

   

4. Scan for the connected controller. Once found, select it and click OK.

   

5. The variables configured in the controller and modules will be loaded into the Data point administration window. Variables configured within the controller can be seen by highlighting the controller in the tree. Click OK to close window.

   

6. In a program or macro block, you can drag functions block from the libraries section on the right.

   

   1. Device Data Access Functions > Read/Write access
      When dragged into the window, it will prompt you to select a corresponding input/output variable to read from/write to. Connect a line between the read and write blocks or add additional function blocks in between.

   2. Converter > Pin
      Provides a pin where you can assign a parameter or variable. Right-click the pin and select Assign Variable, select the corresponding input/output variable. Connect a line between the read and write blocks or add additional function blocks in between.

      If you don't see the library you need, make sure it is loaded by going to Project > Load Library. Select libraries needed and click Load.

7. Go to Run > Download. It not done yet, it will prompt you to login to the target system. Select the appropriate user or realtime app and click Connect. Click OK to proceed.

8. Once logged in it will download the program into the controller.

Using values from the same module

Some modules, such as the A106, A109, D101, and A192, have both input and output channels. In these cases, inputs can be routed directly to outputs without using the controller or UART. Each module writes variable data into assigned time slots to ensure deterministic data transfer, and modules can be configured to read this time slot data directly from other modules.

Example: Sending data from the strain gage bridge input of the A106 module directly to the Analog Output of the same module:

Analog input configuration

Analog output configuration

Using values from another module

In the settings of the output variable, select External as the Source Type.