Intella Software

The DVC5 & DVC10 Intella™ software suite P/N: 998-00003 includes two applications named "Programming Tool" and "Program Loader Monitor". These applications provide the means to configure, design, create, load, and monitor the user application. The "Programming Tool" is used to create your application for the DVC5 & DVC10. The "Program Loader Monitor" is used to load the user application into the DVC10 module and monitor the inputs and outputs in real-time mode as your application executes.

In order to create a user application, the following steps generally should be followed:

3. Configure the DVC5 and/ or the DVC10 and DVC expansion module’s inputs and outputs that drive or sense your components

You use The Programming Tool to accomplish steps 3, 4 and 5. Graphical displays allow you to specify the system components you will need and the electrical characteristics of your inputs and outputs. Text screens are provided to enter the program control logic (using a subset of the Basic language) for both your time critical and normal operations.

Note: It is assumed that the user of the programming tool has prior experience working in the Windows™ environment and some basic programming skills.

The DVC10 module is the main control module for all other DVC series modules. You program it using the graphical Programming Tool on your Windows PC. Your program defines the logic that controls your system while graphical displays are used to configure all of the system input and output parameters. The provided DVC10 BIOS software provides high-level data to your program regarding the state of each of your system inputs while the actual input/output electrical interfacing to sensors, joysticks, potentiometers and valves is automatically handled for you.

The DVC family is designed to control the simplest to most complex machines. Three different configurations are supported namely:

DVC5 or DVC10 directly connected to J1939 Engine Control systems over a CAN Bus / Device Net cable

DVC10 with multiple CAN Bus connected DVC Input / Output expansion and Display modules

First, every DVC module has an internal program (BIOS) that controls that module’s operation and communication to the master DVC10. Also the DVC10 module’s BIOS controls its operation. All of the modules operate asynchronously with their own internal clock. The BIOS sets module internal switches to correspond to the input/output configurations you specify using the Programming Tool. The BIOS gets the input output configurations from the master DVC10 through a series of CAN Bus messages. Once this profile is loaded in to the module’s memory, the module will setup, read and write to the inputs and outputs based on their individual type and configuration settings.

Second, as your system operates, the DVC10 and each of the DVC expansion modules continuously exchange messages between each other over the CAN Bus. Each expansion module sends messages detailing the state of each of its hardware supported inputs and outputs. This message includes whether a digital input is closed or open, an analog inputs voltage as a percentage of the user specified (i.e. configured) voltage range and error flags such as a short being detected on a reference output pin. These messages are received by the DVC10 and stored into its I/O memory. After receipt, the DVC10 has a complete status of each of the module’s input and output pins states. Similarly, the DVC10 sends a message to the module indicating what state the outputs should be in.

Additionally as messages are transmitted between the DVC10 and other modules, the user’s application program is being processed in parallel. As it executes it can look at the current state of any of the system input and output settings stored in the I/O memory. Usually it is looking for some specific input to change (i.e. a digital input is closed or an new analog input value from a joystick movement) and as a result it will transition to another state or bubble in the application where it will control an output in a certain way or look for another input change.

Fourth, the DVC10 executes the user application and its own BIOS in a defined sequence over and over, typically in 10 ms intervals. During each interval, it processes any CAN Bus messages to be sent or that have been received. Next, it senses and updates the input and output status for its own I/O pins. Then it analyses the Bubble logic transition conditions for the application program. For instance, if your application is waiting on a digital input from an expansion module to be closed to advance from its current bubble code to the code in another bubble that is done at this time. Finally, it executes the Always code for your entire application and then the active bubble or new bubble code (after a transition) for the current logic sequence.

Finally, one other point worth noting for system operation is that the status of input and output pins is communicated back and forth between modules often as a percentage of a user defined voltage or current range. Thus a potentiometer setting can directly control a proportional value where the percentage of movement of the potentiometer directly relates to the position of the valve. Also a nonlinear response can be defined by using an IO Function curve to translate a potentiometer position percentage to the valve current percentage. All of this behind the scenes BIOS processing and CAN Bus messaging makes application development much easier than would be possible otherwise.

The Windows PC based DVC5 & DVC10 Programming Tool gives you the ability to program the DVC modules to work in a variety of applications without large development costs. Some knowledge of Windows, computer programming and electro-hydraulics is beneficial.

The Programming Tool's main screen shown is called the Project screen. Every project consists of components. A component can be a physical DVC10 module and a number of DVC expansion modules. Additionally software components such as the Always code icon wherein you program system critical functions and several logic sequence icons wherein you program the normal operations of your system. At a minimum, a DVC10 (Master) module and an “Always” bubble icon must be defined. As your system grows you add additional physical and programming components by right clicking your mouse on the Project screen and selecting the component type you wish to add.

As your system control needs grow, the DVC family is designed to meet your needs easily and cost effectively. The DVC family offers a wide range of expansion modules that allow you to control your machine operation.

Logic Sequence

Where system operation code is created using state machine like Bubbles

Virtual Display

Where the Program Loader Monitor Virtual Display screens are defined

Application Simulator

To use the simulator you simply add it to your project using the DVC Programming Tool by right clicking in the Project window, selecting Application Simulator from the popup menu and compiling the application. No program changes are required. When you are finished with the simulator delete its icon from the project window and recompile.

After including the simulator icon in your project and compiling, you load your application into the DVC5/10 using the Program Loader Monitor. The Program Loader Monitor will present a simulation icon in its main window. Click on the yellow status button to activate the simulator and display the Simulation window.

The DVC5 & DVC10 hardware is flexible. It supports many input and output configurations. For quick reference the inputs and outputs have been grouped into the following: Digital Inputs, Analog Inputs, Universal Inputs, Output Groups and Input/Output Functions. To configure the hardware, access each of the groups by clicking on the associated buttons. The buttons are aligned vertically underneath each group name. Click on a button to access the configuration options for that input or output.

Name	Available, DVC10	Description
Digital Inputs	8	On / Off Inputs
Analog Inputs	3	0 to 5v Inputs
Universal Inputs	3	Analog or Pulse Input with input electrical selections of: -1v to 1v, 0v to 5v, 0v to 10v, and 0ma to 20ma
Output Groups	3	Dual High-Side outputs and One Low-Side PWM output or 2 High-Side Bang-Bangs and One current sinking input
Input Output Functions	8	Transfer functions used to shape Analog Inputs, Pulse Inputs, Current Inputs, and Current Outputs.

The password scheme is implemented to protect customers from software vandalism or unskilled users. First, the passwords are defined using the Programming Tool and are downloaded into the DVC10 when the project files are loaded. Next, the Program Loader Monitor asks you to enter a password for the level of access you wish to have to the run time environment. The Program Loader Monitor has 3 levels of password protection. The level of the password entered in the Program Loader Monitor determines your access and ability to issue commands. The three levels are 1: Send Changes, 2: Load Applications, 3: Load BIOS. If no password is entered when the Program Loader Monitor is run then default access is given to the user to view the status of the DVC10, factory information, EE memory (non-volatile memory where program variables can be stored in the event of power failure) and DVC expansion modules. However, if all password fields are left blank in the Programming Tool, level 3 accesses is given by the Program Loader Monitor.

The DVC10 supports two electrical configuration called Sinking and Sourcing. In the Sinking case, the switch is powered externally and the DVC10’s digital input pin detects the switch being open or closed and supplies a connection to ground through a resistor for the current when the switch is closed. In the Sourcing case, the DVC10 supplies the power (i.e. +5vdc reference voltage through a 1k ohm resistor via a second DVC10 Pot reference pin connected to the digital input pin) for the switch as well as the digital in pin where the switch being open or closed is received. The DVC10 has 6 Pot Reference pins and if you use one for a switch and you wish to check the Pot Reference pins voltage (to detect miswiring or other abnormal conditions) you can do this in the Analog input or Universal input configuration windows for the particular reference pin you intend to use.

The three Analog Inputs along with the 3 Pot Reference outputs can be configured to only sense the input voltage or to supply power to a potentiometer and sense the input.

Note: Analog inputs can also be used as digital inputs when the number of digital inputs needed exceeds 8.

There are three Universal Inputs available on the DVC10. These inputs are programmable to accept the most common sensor outputs. Each Universal input also has a Reference output pin that can supply a voltage to a sensor like a potentiometer.

Four types of inputs are supported and are selectable for each of the 3 inputs. They are Analog input Voltage / Current, RPM Pulse Input, Quadrature and Counter Mode input types.

Each input can have one of four ranges namely: –1 to +1volts, 0 to +5volts, 0 to +10volts or 0ma to 22ma.

The DVC Output Groups are used to configure and control valves. Each group has 2 programmable voltage source output pins (High-Side) and one output (Low-Side current sensing and sinking) pin. The Low-side pin is thought of as an output even though it receives current and measures it.

The DVC can control two kinds of valves. The first type is Bang-bang valves or quick opening valves that are fully on or off. The second type is Proportional valves (PWM or Pulse Width Modulated) that are controlled by continuously measuring the received coil current and comparing the value to a desired value. If the difference is positive, the time the PWM switch is closed will be decreased to lower the current and vice versa.

The outputs are designed to give the user a great deal of flexibility. The software gives the user the ability to control the sourcing voltage (High-Side or HS OUT) to the positive side of the coil and control the PWM current sinking capability (PWM OUT) from the negative side of the coil.

These outputs are designed to source (supply) power supply voltage when enabled. Each output is short circuit protected and has open circuit detection. The maximum current capability is 3 Amps.

These outputs are designed to sink current to ground at a PWM frequency. Each output can be configured for a specified current range for maximum current sensing resolution (10 bit). See the DVC10 Ordering Guide for typical current ranges. All outputs are short circuit protected and most current ranges have both open circuit and short circuit detection (see Current Range Details for more information).

A single DVC10 can be used to control up to 9 valves. Each Output group can control from 2 to 3 coils representing 1 to 3 valves depending on the valve types.

Input Output functions change the response of inputs that are based on 0 to 100%. This function is a one to one function, meaning that every input has exactly one output. Input Output functions are useful in applications where the output is not linear to the input. These functions can be used to ramp motors with acceleration and deceleration if the function is shaped as a parabola. They are also useful if the output levels are not known. The user can use the "Program Loader Monitor" to adjust the output levels to control the system correctly.

DVC10 application programs consist of two or more sections. The first section is called the Always code and the second and additional sections are called logic sequences. An icon in the main project window identifies each of the sections. These icons are where the programmer actually writes the application code. Each application always has an Always icon and optionally any number of logic sequence icons including none.

Logic sequences and the Always code section have a defined way in which they are executed. The Always code is executed followed by the code for a logic sequence. Upon completion, the Always code is executed again and a different logic sequence is executed if more than one logic sequence is defined or the same logic sequence is executed if only one is defined. After the last logic sequence is executed the first one will be executed during the next cycle. This Always code - logic sequence cycle is repeated every 10ms or longer if the code is complex. In between cycles, the DVC10 BIOS executes and records system input/output value changes and transitions the logic sequences. Given the frequent execution of the. Always code it should contain your system critical code such as code to sound an alarm. Note that the timing between executing each logic sequence is a minimum of 10ms times the number of logic sequences. Logic sequence code is usually where your normal system operation sequences are programmed (i.e. open this valve when this digital input is switched on).

The Always Code screen is where you will program all of the logic statements for the system variables that need to be checked or updated every 10ms independent of the logic sequence to be executed.

The logic sequence window uses bubbles (the circles) and transitions (the lines connecting the circles) to create a logical program flow for part of the user application. Bubbles are containers for the program code, and transitions are containers for transition conditional logic. Each Bubble represents a state in which the program will repeat the same set of programmed logic until a transition condition is met. When a transition condition is met like a digital switch being closed, the program will change states to the bubble pointed to by the transition line. Any bubble can have multiple transition conditions pointing to different bubbles.

A logic sequence is executed at a maximum rate of 100 times per second or once every 10 ms. Within each execution cycle, the processor executes the Always bubble code first, then executes the active logic bubble (in a logic sequence), checks for logic sequence transitions, updates the system input/output values and communicates with other modules over the CAN Bus.

Electronically erasable memory (EE Memory) is memory that is maintained when there is no power to the DVC10. The DVC10 has 128 EE memory locations. EE memory locations are all 16-bit values that can store any number from 0 to 65535. EE memory names can be 32 characters in length. The actual EE memory is not used while the program is running. The EE memory has a 1 million writes guarantee. If a new value is stored every minute, the DVC10 is guaranteed to run for 1.9 Years.

The Program Loader Monitor is used to download programs to the DVC5 and DVC10 and to display information from all of the DVC modules connected together via the CAN Bus. It runs on your Windows PC and uses a RS232 cable to communicate with the DVC5 and DVC10. Data from a DVC expansion module (i.e. DVC21, DVC70 etc.) is transmitted through the DVC10 to the Program Loader Monitor. The Program Loader Monitor can also be used to program some DVC expansion modules directly.

When selected the Program Loader button sets a signal in the serial cable that allows the DVC10 to go into programming mode on DVC10 power up.

The Program Loader Monitor is used to gather DVC10 I/O information along with the names/labels assigned to them in the Programming Tool. The runtime graph is used to plot any two variables as fast as the computer can collect data from the DVC10. The dials are used to display RPM when pulse inputs are assigned.

The Virtual Display screen is a PC resident display window that is activated from the Program Loader Monitor’s main screen. The display is used to display program variables for debugging or run time information. As your program executes up to 20 variables can be displayed on a single screen along with descriptive text. Your application can also switch between different screen images.

The DVC Intella™ Software Suite user guide illustrates the techniques to create, enhance, change or modify user applications that run on the DVC10 and the DVC family of expansion modules. Instructions on how to use the DVC programming tools are provided along with definitions, programming steps and examples.

High Country Tek offers application development training classes for the DVC family of products. The training is held at High Country Tek's corporate headquarters in Nevada City, California. We also offer on-site training. Please contact HCT for details.

You may download a demo copy of the Intella™ Software Suite for your use. The demo version allows you to use the tools to create an actual project including simulating the application. You will not be able to install the application code into a DVC5 or DVC10 and drive outputs.

Contact HCT to purchase a full version of the Intella™ Software Suite for your use. All code written in this demo version can be used in the full version of the Intella™ Software Suite.

PC with Serial Port - RS232 or USB port. For USB ports you need a USB to RS232 converter (i.e. Dongle)

2. Save the zip file DVC 4.6 "dvcV4.6DemoInstaller.zip" to a temporary file location on your computer.