The next generation SCADA

Owned by Jose Porto
Last updated: Mar 20, 2023 by Leonardo Porto
5 min read

Full native integration with databases and language SQL reinforces the vocation of data hub constantly found in various features of the Action.NET

 

Real-time database

A key point of differentiation of the Action.NET platform is its ability to be applied both in complex real-time critical Process Controls, with information in memory, as well as in Level 2 and Level 3 applications, where information is stored through SQL database servers and data is exchanged with external applications.

The real-time core of Action.NET is a database controlled by in-memory events. This database is the result of more than 25 years of continuous learning and is a completely new project, leveraging current technologies and past experiences.

The project specification included as priority criteria:

  • reliability and operational stability;

  • distributed architecture, both internally (mult-core CPUs) as externally (multiple users and projects);

  • use of operating platforms for software and hardware of broad support and longevity;

  • increased modularity to reduce deployment and maintenance costs;

  • combination of flexibility and easy user interface, enabling efficient use and open integration with future systems and needs.

 The Convergence of SQL database, HMI software and .NET - Scheduling, process revenues and real-time data consolidation facilitated.

Real-Time Information Management, IT and SCADA combined

The function of the real-time database, presented in gray in the diagram, is to enable the modularity of the system, creating an abstraction layer that enables the isolation of tasks to communicate with relational databases, with other systems and with the field, with the user interface and with calculation and optimization systems. Its structure allows synchronization between the various independent processes, values in real-time tables, notification of events and updating information.

This Manager application uses components designed specifically for the .NET platform, with the right infrastructure for event logging.

By comparing it to real-time - or level 1 - supervision, we have the following fundamental differences:

HMI/SCADA databases

Real-time database of Action.NET

Basic types of tags, such as Boolean, int, float (real) and texts.

In addition to these, it also manages events, dates, tables, queries, and structured data.

Server-centric and centralized processing in a module.

Distributed processing, multi-core and multi-process, customers and advanced control posts.

Proprietary access interfaces.

Access through Interfaces .NET classes or web services.

Definition of variables in proprietary databases.

Definition of variables in standard databases supported by SQL and ADO.NET.

Does not allow hot swap (changing the project configuration without stopping the application from running).

Allows updates On-flight with built-in version management.

On this page:

Integrated SQL

SQL embedded in the software

Each system Action.NET includes an integrated SQL engine with full capabilities. This offers the following advantages:

  • It is a safe location for the entire project configuration.

  • It can be used as the historian's database to record tags, alarms, and events on small to medium systems (up to 10 GB of data).

  • On large systems, it can be used as a local storage and forwarding location for when the remote database is not available.

  • It provides an ideal system for storing local runtime settings, retaining information, local recipes, schedules and tables, and queries when preparing reports.

 

Multiple database connections

Action.NET provides seamless integration with any third-party database, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, Informix, SQL Lite, PostgreSQL, etc.

Real-time queries and tables

Any data source that supports ODBC, OLE-DB, or ADO. NET can be connected with the application; an easy syntax allows you to create or customize any query or table search with real-time tags.

Advanced DataGrid

Action.NET provides a full-featured DataGrid object. The DataGrid object presents tables and queries from databases, as well as shows the contents of any tag, asset, or object in real time. Drop the table, query, or tag in Grid Data Source to create front-end visualization, edit any real-time object, or database.

Client-Server Architecture

Real-time queries can be processed from the server or client computer, asynchronously or synchronously. For best performance, multiple distributed client requests are cached and synchronized from the server.

Data Gateway

Connecting customer queries through firewall-protected security zones, such as moving data between the automation network and the IT network, is no longer an issue. Action.NET provides an integrated firewall-friendly data gateway. Customer data queries are safely routed through any system that Action.NET.

.NET for core

Built-in code editor

Action.NET includes an integrated script editor for developers to create custom functionality for an application. The editor provides a powerful set of tools that help you test and evaluate your scripts. Debugging tools include assigning breakpoints, entering code, passing through code, executing line by line, and observing the values of objects changing at each step.

Scripts are natively executed as managed code within the .NET framework, which means that you cannot create a script that can cause the system to shut down inadvertently. This provides a higher level of security and uptime for your application.

Server and client domains

Using the script editor Action.NET, you can create scripts that run on the server for a global reach or can run on the client side for a local reach.

Tasks, Classes, and Expressions

You can create tasks, .NET classes, and function libraries. In some cases, it may be more efficient or desirable to create one-line expressions rather than full methods. To do this, Action.NET provides an expression editor that allows access to all operands and .NET classes.

Object Orientation, Project Elements

All project elements (tags, datasets, alarms, devices, and communications status) are immediately accessible via IntelliSense. Because these are native .NET objects, no temporary tag calls are required. With a single movement, you can transfer tag data to external .NET data tables.

C #, VB.NET and code conversion

The Action.NET includes industry standard languages, C# and VB.NET, so that engineers no longer have to suffer from the use of old script editors, owners, single-threaded, or interpreted. Translate your code between C# and VB.NET at any time to make the most of your experience.

Events and Scheduling

Tasks and expressions can be triggered to run by date, time, condition, calendar, tag change, or range. Execution is distributed across processes. To get maximum system security and performance, each process runs in its own application domain and is isolated from the database in real time.

Complete debugging tools

You can make online design changes and settings during execution and debugging.

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