Does the PV750 have a real-time clock? I could not find variable in the database for any time functions.
If there is no RTC, can a scripting function be created that uses communications and a construct to keep a clock variable up-to-date using the atomic clock?
There are a number of services available that a radio can use to poll for the current time string and update a device. I am thinking in Oil & Gas applications where the controller does not have an RTC, that a telecom system hooked to that panel could be made to go out and get the necessary data using Modbus (to the radio) or simple ASCII commands like a terminal interface.
Creating a clock display
- RHARRIS2
- jpurdum
- Enovation Controls Development
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:19 am
Re: Creating a clock display
No - the PV750 does not have an on-board real time clock available (future products such as the PV450 will have).
However, and as you're suggesting, if clock data is available via Modbus, J1939, NMEA 2000, or CANopen, then that data can certainly be used. All you need to do is set up variable to receive the data. We get real time from GPS input via NMEA 2000 in some of our applications.
In your example, if you have the PV750 set up as a Modbus master, and you have a slave available with real time data available, you should be able to assign that to a variable and display it on the screen, make decisions on it, use it a log, etc. Or, if the PV750 is a Modbus slave, the master could push the data to it.
Now my assumption here is that you'll receive the data numerically. If you're receiving a string of data, it's not quite so obvious how you'll get the string in, but if you can, then scripting would have to be used to parse the data and pull out the numeric based time (hours, mins, secs, days, months, and year).
john p.
However, and as you're suggesting, if clock data is available via Modbus, J1939, NMEA 2000, or CANopen, then that data can certainly be used. All you need to do is set up variable to receive the data. We get real time from GPS input via NMEA 2000 in some of our applications.
In your example, if you have the PV750 set up as a Modbus master, and you have a slave available with real time data available, you should be able to assign that to a variable and display it on the screen, make decisions on it, use it a log, etc. Or, if the PV750 is a Modbus slave, the master could push the data to it.
Now my assumption here is that you'll receive the data numerically. If you're receiving a string of data, it's not quite so obvious how you'll get the string in, but if you can, then scripting would have to be used to parse the data and pull out the numeric based time (hours, mins, secs, days, months, and year).
john p.