SolarModeCalibration (FB)

FUNCTION_BLOCK SolarModeCalibration EXTENDS AbbLCon3

This function block represents an operation mode that allows to calibrate the tracker reference point. This function is necessary to calibrate the reference point (Z) when incremental encoders are used for the first time.

Sequence of the calibration process.

Option 1

• Move the tracker by using SolarModeManual to a position that lets you measure that position easily.

• Get the angular position by using a high accuracy measurement device. Store this value in PosCalc input variable.

• Enabling function block to start calibrating process, then:

  • The system will be moved automatically towards reference point.

  • The system will stop as soon as reference point (Z) is reached. Encoders position function will store the calibrating value at ZValue.

• The calibrating process finished.

Option 2

(Option 2 needs a Sunny day to complete the process.)

On the other hand, if you cannot determine tracker position by using a high accuracy measurement de-vice, it is possible to use a simple solar radiation sensor to determinate the correct tracker position. Us-ing the following steps,

• Move the tracker using SolarModeManual to a position ahead of the sun.

• Using a solar radiation sensor, you must wait until the tracker will be focused. At this moment you store the calculated position of the sun (obtained by using a sun position algorithm).

• Enabling function block to start calibrating process, then:

  • System will be moved automatically towards reference points.

  • The system will stop as soon as reference point (Z) is reached. Encoders position function will store the calibrating value at ZValue.

• The calibrating process finished

Note

For more detailed explanation of the calibration mode with example and different types, refer to Automation Builder help of Solar Library.

InOut:

Scope	Name	Type	Initial	Comment	Inherited from
Input	Enable	BOOL	FALSE	A rising edge (Enable = TRUE) starts a single operation, the output Busy goes to TRUE. All other inputs are read and considered continuously. A falling edge (Enable = FALSE) aborts the operation, if BUSY=TRUE (Note: During Aborting the Busy is still TRUE). Afterwards all outputs will be reset. For executing another operation the Enable input needs to be retriggered by another rising edge!	AbbLCon3
Output	Done	BOOL	FALSE	Operation is completed without error (while outputs Busy and Error are FALSE). This output is TRUE for at least one cycle or until Enable is set to FALSE.	AbbLCon3
	Busy	BOOL	FALSE	Operation is running (while outputs Done and Error are FALSE)	AbbLCon3
	Error	BOOL	FALSE	Operation is stopped with error (while outputs Busy and Done are FALSE). This output is TRUE for at least one cycle or until Enable is set to FALSE. The output ErrorID gives more details about the error.	AbbLCon3
Input	TypeMode	BYTE	1	2: This input indicates which kind of configuration sensors are going to be used to determinate home positions. 1: ZSensor is only one pulse signal. First movement: backward. 2: ZSensor is only one pulse signal. First movement: forward. 3: ZSensor uses cam switch. First movement: forward. 4: ZSensor uses cam switch. First movement: backward.
	PosCalc	REAL	0	3: Calculated tracker position using a high accuracy measurement device or a sun position algorithm.
	ZPulse	BOOL	0	4: Boolean expression that indicates the positioning device has reached its Z position. TYPE 1 & 2 : ZPulse = RdyForCalib, output variable of encoders function. TYPE 3 & 4 : ZPulse = variable that indicates the state of input Z.
	LimitSwitch	BOOL	0	5: Boolean expression that indicates home position has been reached. It is used in Type 1 & Type 2. TYPE 1 : LimitSwitch = LimitSwitchMin TYPE 2 : LimitSwitch = LimitSwitchMax
	StartCalib	BOOL	0	6: Boolean expression that indicates reading process of the encoder has finished. PosAct = PosCalc
Inout	GoToPosRef	BOOL		7: Boolean expression that enables position control block
	PosRef	REAL		8: Desired position to locate the tracker.
	JogFwd	BOOL		9: In order to manually move the system forward, input is set to TRUE
	JogBwd	BOOL		10: In order to manually move the system backward, input is set to TRUE
Output	ErrorID	ERROR_ID	NO_ERROR	4: Error code
	CalibStarted	BOOL	FALSE	5: Output CalibStarted indicates calibrating process has started
	PosStartValue	REAL	0	6: The counter can be set to start value. If input StartCalib = TRUE, the counter takes this value
	RdyForCalib	BOOL	FALSE	7: Enable the calibrating process

Methods:

A_StartAction

B_CyclicAction

C_CleaningAction

D_AbortAction

E_ResetAction

Structure:

• SolarModeCalibration.A_StartAction (METH)
  • STARTACTION
  • Called: In the first invocation
• SolarModeCalibration.B_CyclicAction (METH)
• SolarModeCalibration.C_CleaningAction (METH)
• SolarModeCalibration.D_AbortAction (METH)
• SolarModeCalibration.E_ResetAction (METH)
• SolarModeCalibration.zACTION_TYPE_1 (ACT)
• SolarModeCalibration.zACTION_TYPE_2 (ACT)
• SolarModeCalibration.zACTION_TYPE_3 (ACT)
• SolarModeCalibration.zACTION_TYPE_4 (ACT)