SPiiPlus ACSPL+

P rogram m e r ’ s G ui de

Version NT 2.21
SPiiPlus ACSPL+

V e r s i o n N T 2 . 2 1 , 26 May 2013
COPYRIGHT
Copyright ® 1999 - 2013 ACS Motion Control Ltd.
Changes are periodically made to the information in this document. Changes are published as release
notes and are subsequently incorporated into updated revisions of this document.
No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from ACS
MotionControl.
TRADEMARKS
ACS MotionControl, PEG and SPii are trademarks of ACS MotionControl Ltd.
Visual Basic and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Any other companies and product names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective
owners.

Web Site: www.AcsMotionControl.com

Information: [email protected]
Tech Support: [email protected]

ACS Motion Control, Ltd.

Ramat Gabriel Industrial Park
POB 5668
Migdal HaEmek, 10500
ISRAEL
Tel: (972) (4) 6546440
Fax: (972) (4) 6546443

NOTICE
The information in this document is deemed to be correct at the time of publishing. ACS MotionControl
reserves the right to change specifications without notice. ACS MotionControl is not responsible for
incidental, consequential, or special damages of any kind in connection with using this document.

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Changes in Version NT 2.21

Page Change
191 Maximum index/mark detection frequencies added.
202 Chapter 8.2 updated for UDMnt-x-A/B/C.
229 Chapter 8.4 updated.

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Conventions Used in this Guide

Text Formats
Several text formats and fonts, illustrated in Table 1, are used in the text to convey information
about the text.

Table 1 Text Format Conventions

Format Description
Bold ACSPL+ command names. Software tool menus, menu items,
dialog box names, and dialog box elements.
Italic Emphasis or an introduction to a key concept. In a command syntax,
specifies a variable name or other information that the user
provides.
Monospace Code example.
Monospace Bold Indicates system responses displayed on the monitor.
blue italic Names of other documents.
blue bold Cross references, web pages, and e-mail addresses.

Command Formats
Table 2 provides the symbols employed in sample ACSPL+ commands. The general format is:
COMMAND {+f | -f} arguments . . . [options]

Table 2 ACSPL+ Command Syntax Symbols

Element Description
COMMAND Language element that must be entered as shown (keyword, command,
function, and the like).
{} Indicates a set of choices from which to choose one.
| Separates two mutually exclusive choices. Only one of them is to be
selected.
… An argument that can appear more than once.
[] Optional item(s)

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Flagged Text
The following symbols are used in flagging text:

Note
Notes include additional information or programming tips.

Caution
A Caution describes a condition that may result in damage to
equipment.

Warning
A Warning describes a condition that may result in serious bodily
injury or death.

Advanced
Indicates a topic for advanced users.

Model
Highlights a specification, procedure, condition, or statement that
depends on the product model.

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Related Documents
The following documents provide additional details relevant to this guide:

Table 3 Related Documentation

Document Description
SPiiPlus Command & Variable Complete description of all variables and commands in the
Reference Guide ACSPL+ programming language.
SPiiPlus C Library Reference C++ and Visual Basic® libraries for host PC applications. This
guide is applicable for all the SPiiPlus motion control products.
SPiiPlus COM Library Reference COM Methods, Properties, and Events for Communication with the
Controller.
SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio A complete guide for using the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio
User Guide and associated monitoring tools.
SPiiPlus Utilities User Guide A guide for using the SPiiPlus User Mode Driver (UMD) for setting
up communication with the SPiiPlus motion controller.
SPiiPlus NT/DC Hardware Guide Technical description of the SPiiPlus NT/DC product line.
SPiiPlus PDMnt Hardware Guide Technical description of the SPiiPlus PDMnt Network Interface.
SPiiPlus SDMnt Hardware Guide Technical description of the SPiiPlus SDMnt Step Motor Drive
Module.
SPiiPlus UDMnt Hardware Technical description of the SPiiPlus UDMnt Universal Drive
Guide Module.
MC4U-CS Control Module Technical description of the MC4U Control Module integrated
Hardware Guide motion control product line.
HSSI Expansion Modules Guide High-Speed Synchronous Serial Interface (HSSI) for expanded I/O,
distributed axes, and nonstandard devices.
SPiiPlus NT PEG and MARK Provides details on using the PEG commands in NT systems.
Operations Application Notes

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About this Guide

This guide is designed to give you practical instruction in using ACSPL+ to program your
motion controller. The guide assumes that you have prior experience with programming
languages; therefore the guide emphasizes only specific ACSPL+ motion and input/output
commands along with practical examples. For the complete ACSPL+ command set see
SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide.
The guide is organized in eleven chapters as follows:

Chapter 1 Introduction - Provides general information on the SPiiPlus motion

controllers employed in NT systems and the ACSPL+ programming
language.
Chapter 2 SPiiPlus Architecture – Provides an overview of the SPiiPlus software
architecture.
Chapter 3 ACSPL+ Overview – Provides an overview of ACSPL+ programming,
including how to enter code, compile and run.
Chapter 4 ACSPL+ Motion Programming – Provides a practical guide for using
the ACSPL+ to program motion control.
Chapter 5 Inputs and Outputs – Provides details on analog and digital input and
output.
Chapter 6 Fault Handling – Provides details on safety control and handling
faults. Before you create your application make sure that you
thoroughly read and understand this chapter.
Chapter 7 Connection to the Plant – Provides details on the connection between
the motion controller and that which is controlled.
Chapter 8 Advanced Features – Provides details on specialized functions as well
as certain SPiiPlus model-dependent features.
Chapter 9 Generic EtherCAT Master - Provides details of the generic interface
of EtherCAT master functionality for the SpiiPlus NT family.
Chapter 10 Errors & Diagnostics – Provides procedures for performing error
diagnostics.
Chapter 11 Application Examples – Provides practical examples for SPiiPlus
applications.

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Terms and Definitions

The following terms and acronyms are used in this guide.

ACSPL+ A programming language for multi-program motion control. Provides access to

SPiiPlus resources and strict timing of program execution.
ACSPL+ The smallest executable unit of ACSPL+. Several commands can be combined in
command one ACSPL+ line to be executed in one controller cycle.
ACSPL+ line A line of code, containing one or more ACSPL+ commands. Can be stored in a
buffer as a part of an ACSPL+ program, or can be sent to the controller for
immediate execution. By default, one ACSPL+ line is executed in one controller
cycle.
ACSPL+ A sequence of ACSPL+ lines, loaded in one buffer.
program
ACSPL+ variable Can be user variable (user-defined) or standard variable (predefined in firmware).
analog The controller’s analog inputs accept a signal (voltage range is model-dependent)
inputs/outputs from an external source such as a sensor or a potentiometer.
The analog outputs supply a signal (voltage range is model-dependent) to an
external acceptor such as a scope or power amplifier.
An ACSPL+ command can access the analog inputs/outputs through the standard
variables AIN/AOUT.
application In a broad sense, an application is any user installation that includes a SPiiPlus
controller.
In this document the application is considered in a narrow sense, as a set of files
that tailors the controller to the specific controlled plant. The set includes the
following:
 Configuration variables
 ACSPL+ program
 SP program
An application can be stored in the controller's nonvolatile memory, so that the
controller will be ready to control the plant immediately after power-up. An
application can also be stored as a file in the host computer and downloaded to the
controller as required.
An application can also include an external host-based program, which is stored
and executed on the a PC host computer..
application Application protection does the following:
protection  Protects the user application from unintentional modification.
 Prevents harmful operator intervention while the application is running.
 Restricts erroneous changes to critical data and execution of potentially
dangerous operations while the application is running.
At any time the user can enable or disable application protection. When application
protection is disabled, none of the protections specified above apply.
When application protection is enabled, the controller is said to be in protected
mode. When application protection is disabled, the controller is said to be in
configuration mode.

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array A standard variable or user variable that contains more than one value (element), as
opposed to a SCALAR. All values in an array belong to the same type, either
integer or real.
An array can be one-dimensional (vector) or two-dimensional (matrix).
autoroutine A subroutine in an ACSPL+ program activated automatically once a specific
condition is satisfied. The user specifies the activation condition and the action
executed in autoroutine. A number of autoroutines can be defined in a user
application.
axis An abstraction of the controlled motor.
Within the controller an axis is represented by a set of standard variables specifying
axis position, velocity, etc. One or more axes serve as an environment for motion.
The connection between the controller axes and the physical motor may range from
a simple one-to-one correspondence (default), to sophisticated formulae that
calculate the motor position using several controller axes.
axis group A set of axes that act as a coordinated unit. An axis group provides an environment
for multi-axis motion.
The controller creates and destroys axis groups automatically as required by the
executed motion. However, the user can create a permanent axis group that cannot
be destroyed automatically.
buffer A container for an ACSPL+ program.
There are up to 32 program buffers (numbered 0-31) for storing motion control
programs plus one buffer (the D-Buffer) for storing definitions of axis names and
global variables. The programs stored in the different buffers can be executed
concurrently.
closed loop An element of servo control that causes the specific parameter (feedback) to follow
the desired value (reference). For servo motors the controller provides position,
velocity and, sometimes, current closed loop.
Within the controller all closed loops are digital. The servo processor assigned to
the axis provides all necessary calculations.
configuration Mode of application protection where application and critical data can be modified
mode by user. Opposite of protected mode.
configuration A subset of standard variables that tailor the controller to a specific controlled plant.
variable The user typically defines these variables when building an application, and
thereafter does not change them. The values of the configuration variables are a part
of the application. As a rest of the application the values can be stored in the
nonvolatile memory. The controller automatically retrieves the values from the
nonvolatile memory on power-up.
controlled plant An object of the control that includes the following components:
 Mechanical part
 Motors
 Feedback sensors
 Additional sensors and actuators connected to the controller's digital or analog
inputs/outputs
controller One of the SPiiPlus NT line of compatible controllers. The models in the line differ
by packaging characteristics, available communication channels, number of
controlled axes, and internal resources. All models share the same basic
architecture and programming language.
Information in this guide applies to all SPiiPlus NT controllers.

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controller cycle A primary period within the controller time framework. The controller aligns all its
operations to this period.
Depending on the product, the controller cycle can be set to 0.5 or 1.0 ms.
data collection The process of sampling the values of specified variables and storing them in a
specified array.
DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - a protocol used by networked devices
(clients) to obtain various parameters necessary for the clients to operate in an
Internet Protocol (IP) network.
digital inputs/ Digital input accepts binary signal from an external source such as a switch or a
outputs relay. Digital output provides binary signal to an external acceptor such as an LED
or actuator. An ACSPL+ command can access the digital inputs/outputs through
the built-in IN/OUT variables.
DRA Disturbance Rejection Algorithm - an ACS proprietary algorithm used to
improve the disturbance rejection response of the servo, and helps to minimize the
position error during the settling phase as well as shorten the settling time.
factory default Set of controller configuration variables, SP programs and SP data written to the
controller nonvolatile memory as a part of the firmware. The user application can
replace one or more parts of the factory default. However, the controller can be
returned to factory default at any time by using the #RESET command.
fault An abnormal situation detected by the controller. The controller detects the faults
by examining the fault conditions as a part of safety control process. The fault
conditions include verification of the safety inputs as well as internal integrity.
firmware A set of files factory-written in the nonvolatile memory. The firmware includes the
MPU program, the default SP programs, and the default values of the configuration
variables. The user cannot modify the firmware; however, using SPiiPlus MMI
Application Studio the user can upgrade the firmware version.
If an application includes the values of the configuration variables, the controller
on the power-up retrieves the application instead of the factory defaults. The user
can delete the application at any time and to return to the factory defaults by using
the #RESET command.
global variables Variables that are common for all buffers.
A variable can have either global or local scope. All ACSPL+ variables have global
scope. A user variable’s scope is specified in the variable declaration. Global
variables are stored in the D-Buffer.
hardware The physical components of the SPiiPlus Motion Controller. The principal
hardware components include the MPU the Servo Processor, and the nonvolatile
memory.
host The user-supplied computer that communicates with the controller.
host-based A program written in C, C++ or any other programming language that runs on the
program host computer and communicates with the controller.
HSSI High-Speed Synchronous Serial Interface – One of the standard features in the
SPiiPlus controllers. HSSI provides an extension of the controller digital
inputs/outputs (for HSSI details see HSSI Modules Hardware Guide).
immediate A mode of command execution, when a command received via any communication
execution channel is not stored in a buffer but is executed by the controller immediately.
An Immediate command is always executed immediately. An ACSPL+ command
can either be executed immediately or stored in a buffer.

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index 1. An input signal from the encoder or similar sensor that defines an absolute
origin of the motor. The signal cause latching of the current encoder position.
2. A syntax element of the ACSPL+ language that provides access to a specific
element of array.
leading axis The first specified axis in an axis group. The ACSPL+ variables, including the
variables’ parameters, tuning adjustments, and drive amplification, related to the
leading axis define motion for the entire group. The same variables of other axes in
the group have no effect on the group motion.
local variables Variables that are accessible only within the buffer that they are declared.
A variable can have either global or local scope. All ACSPL+ built-in variables
have global scope. A scope of user variable is assigned in the variable declaration.
mark A dedicated controller input signal that latches the current encoder position (saves
the position to a register). The register value is assigned to the ACSPL+ MARK
variable. A similar mechanism supports secondary encoders, with the input signal
called MARK2 and the value assigned to the M2ARK variable.
master-slave Motion that evolves according to some external or internal signal, as opposed to the
motion time-based motion that evolves as a function of the time.
In a simple case, an axis involved in a master-slave motion can reproduce the
motion of another axis.
matrix A two-dimensional array.
motion Process in the controller that results in a change in internal variables of the
controller, and can result in physical effects such as motor movement.
motion profile Diagram of position or velocity against the time in a time-based motion. The
controller provides a third-order motion profile using the velocity, acceleration,
deceleration and jerk supplied by the ACSPL+ variables.
motor The part of the controlled plant that performs physical movement on one axis.
MPU Main Processing Unit – The hardware component that executes the MPU
program.
MPU program The principal part of the firmware. It implements most of the controller functions,
and is stored in the nonvolatile (flash) memory. The controller automatically
retrieves the MPU program on the power-up. It cannot be modified by the user.
nonvolatile A type of memory that retains the values when the power is off. Referred to as the
memory flash memory.
PEG Position Event Generator – A SPiiPlus hardware-supported feature that enables
creating events based on exact position.
protected mode Mode of application protection where application and critical data are protected
from user intervention. Opposite of configuration mode.
PTP Point-to-Point
read-only An ACSPL+ variable that can be read from the controller but cannot be assigned.
variable
safety control The function of the controller that ensures safe operation of the system. Consists of
the verification of numerous fault conditions that the controller executes each
controller cycle irrespective of any other activity. Once a fault condition is satisfied,
the controller raises the corresponding fault.
safety inputs Digital inputs that the controller examines in the process of safety control.

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scalar An ACSPL+ variable or user variable that contains one value, as opposed to an
array.
servo tick The period of SP program execution. This defines the sampling rate implemented
in the servo processor for digital servo control and fine interpolation.
settling time The time required for a motor to reside within a target envelope around the target
point before the controller raises the in-position bit in the ACSPL+ MST variable.
simulator An integrated part of each SPiiPlus tool that emulates the controller operations
without producing actual movement.
The Simulator is useful while developing the user application, for learning
ACSPL+ and for demonstration purposes.
SPii Servo Processor 2nd Generation
SPiiPlus NT Family of NT controller products built around the SPii.
Terminal A Terminal command is executed immediately and is not stored in a buffer. The
command command is entered via the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication
Terminal and can be sent to the controller through any communication channel. For
Terminal command details see the SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference
Guide, and SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio User Guide.
time-based Motion that evolves as a function of time, as opposed to master-slave motion. The
motion characteristic feature of a time-based motion is a motion profile that shows the
motion progress against the time.
tools A set of Windows applications provided with the controller to aid the user in
developing and implementing an application. Each tool communicates with the
controller in order to perform various functions. Each tool includes a controller
simulator, which enables the tool to be used without requiring a physical
connection to the controller.
user variable User defined variable as opposed to ACSPL+ variables.
vector A one-dimensional array.

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Table of Contents
Conventions Used in this Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Text Formats iv
Command Formats iv
Flagged Text v
Related Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
About this Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Terms and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 About ACS Motion Control Motion Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1.1 ACS Motion Control Company Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1.2 ACS Motion Control NT Product Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 ACSPL+ Programming Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 SPiiPlus Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Hardware Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1.1 Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1.2 Controller Cycle and Servo Tick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1.3 Realtime and Background Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 User Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.1 Firmware, User Application and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.2 User Application Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.3 User Applications Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2.4 SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.2.5 File Extensions Used in SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3 Programming Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3.1 Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3.2 Program Buffers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.3.3 Declaration Buffer (D-Buffer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.3.3.1 Defining Global Objects in D-Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.3.3.2 D-Buffer Default Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.3.4 Command Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.3.4.1 Terminal Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.3.4.2 ACSPL+ Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.3.5 ACSPL+ Standard Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.3.6 User-Defined Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.3.7 Nonvolatile Memory and Power Up Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.4 Executing ACSPL+ Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.4.1 Program Buffers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.4.2 Execution of a Single Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.4.3 Concurrent Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.4.4 Immediate Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.4.5 Immediate Execution vs. Stored Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.4.6 Autoroutine Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.4.7 Synchronization and Mutual Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.4.7.1 Mutual Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.4.7.2 Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

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2.4.7.3 Execution Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

3 ACSPL+ Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1 ACSPL+ Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1.1 Commands, Lines, and Command Aggregates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1.2 BLOCK..END Control Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1.3 ACSPL+ Reserved Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.1.4 Names: Variable and Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.1.5 Case Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.1.6 Axis Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.1.7 Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.2 Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.2.1 Variable Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.2.2 Variable Class: ACSPL+ or User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.2.3 Variable Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.2.3.1 Global Variable Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.2.3.2 Local Variable Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.2.4 Variable Lifetime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.2.5 Variable Accessibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.2.6 Variable Type: Integer and Real . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.2.7 Variable Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.2.8 Variable Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.3 Variable Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.3.1 Declaration of Global Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.3.2 Persistent Global Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.4 Arrays and Indexing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.4.1 Scalars and Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.4.2 ACSPL+ Array Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.4.3 Explicit Indexing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.4.4 Postfix Indexing of Standard Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.4.5 Axis Indexing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.4.6 User-Defined Axis Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.4.6.1 Axis Name as Symbolic Constant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3.4.6.2 Axis Name in Indexing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3.4.6.3 Axis Specification in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3.4.7 Array Processing Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.5 Using Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3.5.1 Querying Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3.5.2 Variables as Operands in Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3.5.3 Variables as Arguments in Command or Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
3.5.4 Variables in ACSPL+ Terminal Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
3.5.5 Accessing Variables by Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3.5.5.1 Variable Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3.5.5.2 GETVAR and SETVAR Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
3.6 ACSPL+ Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
3.7 Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
3.7.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
3.7.2 Calculation Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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3.7.3 Expression Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

3.7.4 Operands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
3.7.4.1 Arithmetical Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3.7.4.2 Compare Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
3.7.4.3 Bitwise and Logical Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
3.7.4.4 Unary Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
3.7.4.5 Bit Selection Operator (Dot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
3.7.5 Character Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
3.8 ACSPL+ Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3.8.1 Assignment Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3.8.1.1 ACSPL+ Variable Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3.8.1.2 User Variable Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3.8.1.3 Bit Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.8.1.4 Type Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.8.2 Synchronization Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.8.2.1 WAIT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
3.8.2.2 TILL Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
3.8.3 Autoroutines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
3.8.3.1 ON Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
3.8.3.2 Autoroutine Body and Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
3.8.3.3 Autoroutine and the Host Buffer Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
3.8.3.4 Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
3.8.4 Program Management Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
3.8.4.1 START Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
3.8.4.2 STOP and STOPALL Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
3.8.4.3 PAUSE and RESUME Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
3.8.4.4 ENABLEON and DISABLEON Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
4 ACSPL+ Motion Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.1 Axis/Motor Management Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.1.1 ENABLE & DISABLE Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.1.2 COMMUT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
4.1.3 KILL and KILLALL Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
4.1.4 FCLEAR Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
4.1.5 SET Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
4.1.6 GROUP, SPLIT & SPLITALL Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4.1.7 GO Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
4.1.8 HALT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
4.1.9 BREAK Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
4.1.10 IMM Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
4.2 Point-to-Point Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
4.2.1 PTP Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
4.2.2 MPTP, POINT, MPOINT, and ENDS Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
4.2.2.1 MPTP Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
4.2.2.2 POINT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
4.2.2.3 MPOINT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
4.2.3 The GRTIME Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
4.2.4 Modulo Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

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4.3 JOG Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

4.4 TRACK Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
4.5 Segmented Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
4.5.1 Understanding Slaved Segmented Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
4.5.2 MSEG, LINE, ARC1, ARC2, STOPPER Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
4.5.3 PROJECTION Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
4.5.4 Arguments as Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
4.5.5 STOPPER Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
4.5.6 Cyclic Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
4.5.7 Slaved Motion at Extreme Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
4.6 Extended Segmented Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
4.6.1 Corner Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
4.6.2 Automatic Corner Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
4.6.3 Velocity Control and Look-ahead Algorithm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
4.6.4 Dynamic Velocity Profile Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
4.6.5 Controller Usage Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
4.6.6 Approaches for Adding Segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
4.6.6.1 Adding Segments In Advance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
4.6.6.2 Adding Segments Only When Requested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
4.6.7 XSEG...ENDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
4.6.8 ARC1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
4.6.9 ARC2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
4.6.10 LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
4.6.11 Use of Switches with ARC1, ARC2 and LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
4.6.12 Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
4.6.13 New AST Bits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
4.6.14 The IMM Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
4.7 Master/Slave Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
4.7.1 MASTER Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
4.7.2 SLAVE Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
4.7.2.1 Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
4.7.2.2 Velocity Lock vs. Position Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
4.7.2.3 Stalled Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4.8 PATH Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4.9 Spline Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
4.9.1 Spline Motion Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
4.9.1.1 Main Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
4.9.1.2 One-Dimensional Catmull-Rom Spline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
4.9.1.3 One-Dimensional B-spline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4.9.1.4 Two-Dimensional Splines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
4.9.2 PVSPLINE Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
4.9.2.1 POINT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
4.9.2.2 MPOINT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
4.9.3 Spline Motion Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
4.10 Open-Loop Operation (Torque Control) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
4.11 Step Velocity Profile (Non-Zero Minimal Velocity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
4.11.1 The NVEL Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
4.11.2 Special NVEL Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

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4.11.2.1 Specified Velocity Less Than NVEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

4.11.2.2 Multi-Axis Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
4.11.2.3 NVEL and Non-Default Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
5 Inputs and Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
5.1 Digital Inputs and Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
5.1.1 Addressing Digital I/Os . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
5.1.2 Querying Digital I/Os . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
5.1.3 Assigning Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
5.1.4 Digital I/O in Conditional Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
5.1.5 PLC Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
5.1.6 Digital I/O in Autoroutines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
5.1.7 Using HSSI I/O Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
5.2 Analog Inputs and Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
5.2.1 Addressing Analog I/Os . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
5.2.2 Assigning Analog Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
6 Fault Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
6.1 Safety Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
6.1.1 Types of Malfunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
6.1.2 How the Controller Detects Malfunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
6.1.3 Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
6.1.3.1 The FAULT Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
6.1.3.2 The S_FAULT Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
6.1.4 Controller Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
6.2 Safety Control Summaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
6.2.1 Summary of Faults and Default Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
6.2.2 Summary of Safety Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
6.2.3 Summary of Safety-Related Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
6.2.4 Integrity Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
6.2.4.1 Integrity Violation Fault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
6.2.4.2 Integrity Report Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
6.2.5 Report of Realtime Usage Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
6.2.6 Application Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
6.2.7 Report Safety Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
6.3 Working with Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
6.3.1 Addressing the Fault Bits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
6.3.2 Querying Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
6.3.3 Using the Fault Bits in if, while, till Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
6.3.4 Creating Fault-Processing Autoroutines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
6.3.5 Disabling Fault Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
6.3.6 Defining the Active Level of Safety Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
6.3.7 Fault Processing Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
6.4 Network Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
6.4.1 Axis Network-Related Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
6.4.2 Initialization Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
6.4.3 Network Failure During Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
6.4.4 SP Software Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
6.5 Detailed Description of Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

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6.5.1 Limit Switches: #LL, #RL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

6.5.2 Network Fault: #NT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
6.5.3 Software Limit Switches: #SLL, #SRL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
6.5.4 Non-Critical Position Error: #PE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
6.5.5 Critical Position Error: #CPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
6.5.6 Encoder Error: #ENC, #ENC2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
6.5.7 Encoder Not Connected: #ENCNC, #ENC2NC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
6.5.8 Drive Alarm: #DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
6.5.9 Motor Overheat: #HOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
6.5.10 Velocity Limit: #VL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
6.5.11 Acceleration Limit: #AL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
6.5.12 Current Limit: #CL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
6.5.13 Servo Processor Alarm: #SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
6.5.14 HSSI Not Connected: #HSSINC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
6.5.15 Emergency Stop: #ES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
6.5.16 Program Error: #PROG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
6.5.17 Memory Overflow: #MEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
6.5.18 Time Overuse: #TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
6.5.19 Servo Interrupt: #INT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
6.5.20 Component Failure Faults: #FAILURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
6.5.20.1 Safety Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
6.5.20.2 Component Failure Fault Handling in ACSPL+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
6.6 Detailed Description of Safety Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
6.6.1 Examining Fault Conditions - Flow Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
6.6.2 Examining Motor Fault Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
6.6.3 Examining System Fault Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
6.7 Extended Fault Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
7 Connection to the Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
7.1 General Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
7.2 User-Defined Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
7.3 Direct and Feedback Transform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
7.4 Index and Mark Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
7.5 Safety Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
7.6 Digital Inputs/Outputs Repetitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
7.7 Analog Inputs/Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
7.8 High-Speed Synchronous Serial Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
8 Advanced Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
8.1 Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
8.1.1 DC Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
8.1.2 SPDC - High-Speed Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
8.1.3 ACSPL+ Variables Involved in Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
8.1.4 Understanding System Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
8.1.5 Axis Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
8.1.6 STOPDC Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
8.2 Position Event Generation (PEG) and MARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
8.2.1 Running Incremental PEG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
8.2.2 Running Random PEG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

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8.2.3 Loading Random PEG Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

8.2.4 ASSIGNPEG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
8.2.5 ASSIGNPOUTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
8.2.6 STARTPEG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
8.2.7 STOPPEG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
8.2.8 PEG_I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
8.2.9 PEG_R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
8.2.10 ASSIGNMARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
8.2.11 ASSIGNFINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
8.3 Sin-Cos Encoder Multiplier Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
8.3.1 Sin-Cos Encoder Multiplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
8.3.1.1 Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
8.3.1.2 Configuring the Sin-Cos Multiplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
8.4 Interrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
8.4.1 Hardware Interrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
8.4.2 Software Interrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
8.4.3 Software Interrupt Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
8.4.4 Interrupt Configuration Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
8.4.4.1 IENA Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
8.4.4.2 ISENA Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
8.5 Dynamic Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
8.6 Constant Current Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
8.7 Hall Sensor Commutation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
8.8 Communicating with the SPiiPlus C Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
8.8.1 Remote Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
8.8.2 Callbacks in all Communication Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
8.8.2.1 Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
8.8.2.2 Software Interrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
8.8.2.3 Hardware Interrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
8.8.3 TCP/IP Port Assignment for Remote Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
8.8.3.1 TCP/IP Port Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
8.8.3.2 Disabling Remote UMD Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
8.8.3.3 UMD Log Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
8.8.3.4 Unloading the UMD from Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
8.9 Communicating with Non-ACS Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
8.9.1 Channel Configuration Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
8.9.2 Assigning COM Channel for Special Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
8.9.3 Setting Communication Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
8.9.4 INP Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
8.9.5 String Handling Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
8.9.5.1 DISP Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
8.9.5.2 SEND Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
8.9.5.3 Differences between Query Commands and the DISP/SEND Commands . 248
8.9.5.4 STR Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
8.9.5.5 DSTR Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
8.10 TRIGGER Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
8.11 Dynamic TCP/IP Addressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
8.11.1 TCP/IP Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251

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8.11.2 Using GETCONF/SETCONF to Access TCP/IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252

8.11.3 Addressing Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
8.12 Non-Default Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
8.12.1 ROFFS Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
8.12.2 DAPOS Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
8.12.3 CONNECT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
8.12.4 DEPENDS Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
8.12.5 MATCH Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
8.13 Input Shaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
8.13.1 INSHAPE Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
8.13.2 Using the Convolve Web Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
8.13.3 Data Entry Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
8.14 DRA Algorithm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
8.15 BI-Quad Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
8.16 Feedback Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
9 Generic EtherCAT Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
9.1 Stack Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
9.2 Interface Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
9.2.1 ACSPL+ Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
9.2.1.1 ECST - EtherCAT State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
9.2.1.2 ECERR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
9.2.2 #ETHERCAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
9.3 EtherCAT Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
9.3.1 Mapping Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
9.3.1.1 ECIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
9.3.1.2 ECOUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
9.3.1.3 ECUNMAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
9.3.1.4 ECCLRREG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
9.3.1.5 ECGETREG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
9.3.1.6 ECGETSLAVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
9.3.1.7 ECUNMAPIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
9.3.1.8 ECUNMAPOUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
9.3.2 CoE Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
9.3.2.1 COEWRITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
9.3.2.2 COEREAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
10 Errors & Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
10.1 Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
10.1.1 Error Code Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
10.2 Error Indication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
10.2.1 Errors in Received Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
10.2.2 Errors in ACSPL+ Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
10.2.3 Motion Termination Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
10.2.4 Motion Termination and Motor Disable Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
10.2.5 Getting Extended Drive Fault Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
11 Application Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
11.1 Encoder Error Compensation with Constant Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291

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11.2 Encoder Error Compensation with Arbitrary Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292

11.3 Backlash Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
11.4 Compensation of Encoder Error and Backlash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
11.5 Cam Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
11.6 Joystick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294

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List of Figures
Figure 1 SPiiPlus Controller Hardware Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Figure 2 Multiple SPs Connected via EtherCAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Figure 3 The Internal Structure of the Controller Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Figure 4 User Application Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Figure 5 SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Main Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 6 Communication Terminal Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Figure 7 GRTIME Behavior in PTP or TRACK Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Figure 8 Corner Processing - Exact Path Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Figure 9 Third-Order Velocity Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Figure 10 Spline Definition Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Figure 11 Two-Dimensional Spline Definition Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Figure 12 5-Point Catmull-Rom Spline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Figure 13 B-Spline - Approximation of Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Figure 14 Catmull-Ron Spline Beyond the Definition Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Figure 15 B-Spline Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Figure 16 The Use of Limit Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Figure 17 Use of Variables in a Typical Motion Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Figure 18 32-bit Error Data Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Figure 19 Fault Examination Flow Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Figure 20 SPiiPlus-Plant Connections and Related Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Figure 21 Simultaneous Connection for Remote Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Figure 22 UMD Log Settings - Dump on Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Figure 23 UMD Log Settings - Continuous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Figure 24 Data Entry Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Figure 25 Screen at the Conclusion of Calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Figure 26 Window Accessed by Download. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Figure 27 Insensitivity Curve Illustration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Figure 28 Insensitivity Curve without Robust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Figure 29 Example 1 of Using DRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Figure 30 Example 2 of using DRA (zoomed) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Figure 31 Example of Velocity Error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Figure 32 Bi-Quad Configured as a Notch Filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Figure 33 Bi-Quad Configured as a 2nd Order Lead Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Figure 34 Bi-Quad Configured as a 2nd Order Lag Filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Figure 35 Bi-Quad Configured as a 2nd Order Low Pass Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276

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List of Tables
Table 1 Text Format Conventions................................................................................... iv
Table 2 ACSPL+ Command Syntax Symbols ................................................................ iv
Table 3 Related Documentation...................................................................................... vi
Table 4 SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Extensions.................................................. 10
Table 5 Index Formats.................................................................................................... 33
Table 6 Mathematical Operators .................................................................................... 39
Table 7 Motor Modes................................................................................................... 127
Table 8 Types of Malfunctions .................................................................................... 139
Table 9 Faults and the Controller's Default Response ................................................. 142
Table 10 Safety Inputs.................................................................................................... 146
Table 11 Safety-Related Variables................................................................................. 146
Table 12 Typical Times to Load PEG Engines.............................................................. 205
Table 13 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlusSAnt-x Mapping PEG Engines to
Encoders (Servo Processor 0).......................................................................... 206
Table 14 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping PEG Engines to
Encoders (Servo Processor 1).......................................................................... 207
Table 15 CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048/CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/
UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320/UDMnt-x-A/B/C Mapping PEG Engines to
Encoders (Servo Processor 0).......................................................................... 207
Table 16 UDMlc-x-048/UDIlt-x/UDIhp-x Mapping PEG Engines to Encoders (Servo
Processor 0) ..................................................................................................... 208
Table 17 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x General Outputs Assignment for
Use as PEG Pulse Outputs (Servo Processor 0) .............................................. 209
Table 18 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x General Outputs Assignment for
Use as PEG Pulse Outputs (Servo Processor 1) .............................................. 209
Table 19 General CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320 Outputs Assignment for Use as PEG Pulse
Outputs (Servo Processor 0) ............................................................................ 210
Table 20 UDMnt-x-A/B/C General Purpose Outputs Assignment for Use as PEG Pulse
Outputs (Servo Processor 0) ............................................................................ 210
Table 21 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping of Engine Outputs to
Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0) ............................................................. 212
Table 22 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping of Engine Outputs to
Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 1) ............................................................. 212
Table 23 CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048 Mapping of Engine Outputs to
Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0) ............................................................. 212
Table 24 CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048 Mapping of Engine Outputs to
Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0) ............................................................. 213
Table 25 CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320 Mapping of Engine
Outputs to Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0)............................................ 213
Table 26 CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320 Mapping of Engine
Outputs to Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0)............................................ 214
Table 27 UDMnt-x-A/B/C Mapping of Engine Outputs to Physical Outputs (Servo
Processor 0) ..................................................................................................... 214
Table 28 PEG State Output Signals Configuration........................................................ 220
Table 29 Mark-1 Inputs to Encoders Mapping for SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x /SPiiPlus

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SAnt-x Units .................................................................................................... 223

Table 30 Mark-2 Inputs to Encoders Mapping for SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x
/SPiiPlusSAnt-x Units ..................................................................................... 224
Table 31 Mark-1 and Mark-2 Inputs to Encoders Mapping for for CMnt-x-320/
UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048/CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/UDMba-x-320/
UDMhp-x-320 Units........................................................................................ 225
Table 32 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping of Engine Inputs to
Physical Inputs (Servo Processor 0) ................................................................ 226
Table 33 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping of Engine Inputs to
Physical Inputs (Servo Processor 1) ................................................................ 227
Table 34 CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048/CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/
UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320 Mapping of Engine Inputs to Physical Inputs
(Servo Processor 0).......................................................................................... 227
Table 35 UDMlc-x-048/UDIlt-x/UDIhp-x/UDMnt-x-A/B/C Mapping of Engine Inputs to
Physical Inputs (Servo Processor 0) ................................................................ 227
Table 36 Variables and Functions for Hall Support....................................................... 235
Table 37 Hardware Interrupt Callback Conditions ........................................................ 237
Table 38 String Format Type ......................................................................................... 245
Table 39 Channel Number Argument ............................................................................ 248
Table 40 Trigger Bit and Interrupt for each Channel..................................................... 251
Table 41 ECST Bits........................................................................................................ 278
Table 42 EtherCAT Error Codes.................................................................................... 279
Table 43 Supported Error Counter Registers ................................................................. 283
Table 44 SPiiPlus Error Code Ranges............................................................................ 287

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1 Introduction
This guide provides a general overview for programming the SPiiPlus™ motion controller
products using the ACSPL+ programming language.
This guide applies to the SPiiPlus NT motion control product lines a brief description of which
is given in Section 1.1.2 - ACS Motion Control NT Product Lines.

Note
The term “controller” is used in this guide whenever information applies for
both controllers and control modules. If information applies to only one of
these product groups, the group is stated explicitly.

1.1 About ACS Motion Control Motion Controllers

1.1.1 ACS Motion Control Company Profile

ACS Motion Control is a global manufacturer of high performance multi-axis motion and
machine control systems that combine power and precision to deliver the most flexible, cost-
effective and user-friendly control solutions. Established in 1985, ACS Motion Control has its
international headquarters in Israel, with North American headquarters in Plymouth, Minnesota
and an Asian support center in South Korea. Backed by an ISO9001-certified design and
manufacturing capability with an ongoing commitment to quality control and reliability testing,
ACS Motion Control delivers its products through an international distribution network that
provides sales support and customer service worldwide.

1.1.2 ACS Motion Control NT Product Lines

ACS Motion Control produces the following lines of NT products:
 MC4U advanced multi-axis control system
Intended for multi-axis motion control applications that require high performance, flexible
drive configuration, PLC motion and logic control, the MC4U provides the flexibility of
up to eight integral servo drives and 64 distributed axes via CANOpen.
 SPiiPlus NT/DC Motion Controllers
The ACS Motion Control SPiiPlus NT/DC motion controllers product line is an extension
of the company's SpiiPlus-3U-HP motion controllers that incorporates axes, ACS network
elements and 3rd party element expansion network-support. As such, it not only provides
the capabilities of the SpiiPlus 3U-HP, but expands axis control up to 64 (versus 8 axes
controlled by the SpiiPlus 3U-HP).

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 SPiiPlus PDMnt Network Module

The SPiiPlus PDMnt is a network module designed for controlling external drives and
I/Os.
 SPiiPlus SDMnt Step Motor Drive Module
The SPiiPlus SDMnt Step Motor Drive module is a panel mounted, four or eight axis
EtherCAT slave module designed for running step motors. It can run seven two-phase
unipolar step motors and one two-phase bipolar motor.
The SPiiPlus SDMnt is designed for slaving to either a SPiiPlusNTM stand alone network
controller or an MC4U Control Module configured for NT.
 SPiiPlus UDMnt (Universal Drive Module)
The SPiiPlus UDMnt (Universal Drive Module) is a dual-axis card designed for
incorporation in the MC4U Control Module to enable control peripherals over the
Ethernet.
The SPiiPlus UDMnt supports axes in addition to the main axes of multi-axis machinery.
 SPiiPlus NTM Network Manager
The SPiiPlus NTM Network Manager provides complete communication control between
the ACS Motion Control products on an EtherCAT network.

1.2 ACSPL+ Programming Language

ACSPL+ is a powerful programming language developed specifically for SPiiPlus motion
controllers. ACSPL+ incorporates many advanced features, including: powerful programming
elements such as arithmetical and logical expressions, user-defined variables with local and
global scope, user-defined one- and two-dimensional arrays.
SPiiPlus ACSPL+ enables:
 Execution of up to 32 programs simultaneously
 Program isolation - each program resides in a separate buffer
 Rich set of motion types, providing a large degree of versatility
 Advanced implementation of master-slave motion
 Axis-independent programming
 On-condition autoroutines
Complete details of all ACSPL+ commands and variables are given in the SPiiPlus Command
& Variable Reference Guide.
ACSPL+ libraries are provided for host programming in other high level languages. The library
for C, C++, and Visual Basic are described in the SPiiPlus C Library Reference. Routines for
synchronizing communication between the host program and the SPiiPlus motion controller are
given in SPiiPlus COM Library.

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2 SPiiPlus Architecture
This chapter provides an overview the SPiiPlus architecture.

2.1 Hardware Structure

The following diagram shows the principal parts of the SPiiPlus controller hardware:

Figure 1 SPiiPlus Controller Hardware Structure

The Motion Processing Unit (MPU), which executes most of the controller tasks, is a powerful
x86 processor. The MPU is an EtherCAT bus master and the Servo Processors (SP) are
EtherCAT slaves. One master can control several slaves.
The master MPU runs compiled ACSPL+ programs and generates motion profiles to the SPs.
Its principle tasks are:
 Communication with the SPs
 Motion profile generation (calculation of APOS)
 Calculation of Reference Position (RPOS)
 Safety control
 Data collection
 Position Event Generation (PEG)
 Processing of Index and Mark inputs
 Execution of ACSPL+ programs
 Communicating to Serial Link or Ethernet
 Execution of Immediate commands received from the Host
 Housekeeping
The MPU is equipped with a Flash (nonvolatile) memory that retains the stored data after the
power to the controller is turned off.

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The SP executes the realtime tasks, such as implementation of the realtime control algorithms.
Each SP controls four axes. The SP includes all the necessary peripherals that are needed for a
high performance axis control.
A single MPU module can manage several units over the EtherCAT bus thus expanding the
number of controlled axes as shown in Figure 2:

Figure 2 Multiple SPs Connected via EtherCAT

Note
The part of the system that is connected to the rest of the system via the
EtherCAT bus is called a unit.

2.1.1 Firmware
The firmware consists of a set of files factory-written in the flash memory.
You cannot erase or modify the firmware; however, you are able to update the firmware version
with a special tool that is part of the SPiiPlus MMI that is supplied with the controller.
The firmware files include the following:
 MPU program.
 Default values of the controller’s configuration variables.

2.1.2 Controller Cycle and Servo Tick

The firmware operates in a rigid realtime framework. The two principal parts of the firmware,
the MPU program and the SP programs are realtime programs operating in strict synchronism.
The SP interrupt has a fixed interval period (called a “servo tick”) of 50 Sec (20kHz). Most
SP tasks are executed each servo tick. Therefore, the SP executes the servo control algorithm
at a constant rate of 20kHz irrespective of the number of axes and other factors.
The 20kHz SP clock is divided by a factor of 20, generating a 1kHz clock for MPU interrupts.
The new clock, the controller cycle, is 1.0 Sec.

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2.1.3 Realtime and Background Tasks

MPU program tasks are divided into two categories:
 Realtime tasks
The realtime tasks are executed in strict synchronism with the MPU interrupt. Each
controller cycle, a required part of each realtime task is executed. The overall time of all
realtime tasks executed in one controller cycle must be less than the one controller cycle.
The following MPU tasks are the realtime tasks that are executed each controller cycle:
• Communication with the SPs
• Motion profile generation (calculation of APOS)
• Calculation of Reference Position (RPOS)
• Safety control
• Data collection
• Position Event Generation (PEG)
• Processing of Index and Mark inputs
• Execution of ACSPL+ programs
 Background tasks
Background tasks are not synchronous with the MPU interrupt. Execution of a background
task may overlap two or more controller cycles.
The following MPU tasks are the background tasks and are asynchronous to the controller
cycle:
• Communicating to Serial Link or Ethernet
• Execution of Immediate commands received from the Host
• Housekeeping

Figure 3 The Internal Structure of the Controller Cycle

The MPU interrupt invokes the realtime tasks. When all realtime tasks required in the current
cycle are completed, the controller starts executing the background tasks. If the background
tasks complete before the next MPU interrupt occurs, the controller remains idle for the rest of
the cycle.

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The exact time of the realtime and background tasks in each controller cycle depends on many
factors and cannot be precisely specified. The following paragraphs explain different situations
in controller cycle utilization.
If the background task execution does not finish in one controller cycle, the background
execution is interrupted and continues after execution of the realtime tasks during the next
cycle. Therefore, background tasks may overlap into the next MPU interrupt without causing a
problem. However, overflow of realtime tasks into the next MPU interrupt is abnormal, and
may cause problems with program execution. When this occurs, the controller latches the Time
Overuse fault. This fault has no default response in the controller, but your application can
monitor the fault and define a proper response.

Note
You can monitor if the usage of the controller cycle is close to critical. The
SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication Terminal command: #U
when entered, reports the usage as a ratio of realtime tasks execution time
and the controller cycle. A maximum value of 90% is considered dangerous.
If the usage limit is reached, you have to modify your application.

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2.2 User Application

This section provides a look at the elements that go into the construction of a user SPiiPlus
application.

2.2.1 Firmware, User Application and Tools

The firmware is a program that is stored in the controller’s nonvolatile (flash) memory, that
defines the basic functionality of the controller. Among these functions are the preparing,
storing and executing your applications.
Your application tailors the controller to your specific controlled plant. The controller can
control various plants with different number of axes, mechanical construction, timing
requirements, etc. Your application specifies the exact control and monitoring actions that must
be executed in different conditions, including the exact sequences of motions, activation of
outputs, response to inputs and interactions with the operator.
SPiiPlus Tools are Windows-based programs that provide you with support in different stages
of the application such as initial set up and tuning, ACSPL+ application development, host
application interaction with the controller, and manual control.

2.2.2 User Application Components

The following diagram shows the parts of a user application in the gray blocks and the relevant
parts of firmware in the white blocks:

Figure 4 User Application Block Diagram

 Host-based program:
A program written in C, C++ or any other programming language that runs on the host
computer and communicates with the controller. The host-base program uses any
communication channel provided by the controller; serial link, Ethernet, FIFO, dual port
ram. The program issues commands to, and reads data from, the controller.

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The program can provide front-end user interfaces, motion sequencing, high-level
decision-making and other application specific functions. This part of user application can
be absent if the controller works stand-alone without connection to the host.
The design of host-based programs is not the primary subject of this guide. For
Windows programming, refer to the SPiiPlus C Library Reference Guide.
 ACSPL+ program:
A sequence of ACSPL+ commands can be downloaded to the controller as an ACSPL+
program. There are 10 buffers for ACSPL+ programs. An ACSPL+ program is executed
inside the controller with strict timing and with no communication delay.
ACSPL+ programs are almost always present in user applications. Occasionally,
the ACSPL+ programs are absent and the host commands all controller actions.
 Configuration variables:
The firmware includes a set of predefined variables that can be used by ACSPL+ programs
and by Immediate commands. The configuration variables are included in this set. The
values of the configuration variables are defined by the user to tailor the controller
operation to a specific task and plant control. For example, ACC defines the acceleration
that is used for motion generation. The SAFINI variable defines the polarity of the input
safety signals.
The configuration variables must always be present in user applications.
 SP programs:
The firmware includes SP (Servo Processor) real time control programs as a standard part
of the controller.

2.2.3 User Applications Categories

You can use different strategies to build an application, including:
 Stand-alone application:
No physical link to a host. No host-based program. ACSPL+ programs are stored in the
controller flash memory. The ACSPL+ programs start running after power-up and
implement all application functions.
 Host-driven application:
No ACSPL+ programs. The host issues all commands to be executed by the controller.
This approach is applicable only for non-time-critical applications.
 Hybrid application:
A host-based program plus one or more ACSPL+ programs. Most user applications fall
into this category.

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2.2.4 SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio

SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio is a multipurpose user interface with the controller that
provides the user with the means to fully control and monitor the performance of the motion
controller.

Figure 5 SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Main Screen

The main features of the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio are, amongst others:
 Program Manager
Used for entering user-written programs into the motion controller’s buffers.
 Motion Manager
Used for completely defining the motion for all axes in the system.
 Communication Terminal
Used for entering commands directly into the controller.
 Scope
A digital oscilloscope providing a realtime graphic display of the motion.
 Variables Manager and Watch
Enables the user to set watch windows for the values of critical variables.
For complete details see SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Guide.

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2.2.5 File Extensions Used in SPiiPlus MMI Application

Studio
Several file formats are used to store data and programs used with SPiiPlus MMI Application
Studio as the following table shows:
Table 4 SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Extensions
File Content Associated SPiiPlus MMI
Extension Application Studio
Component
.acsw Workspace configuration Workspace
.awd Drive database Adjuster Wizard
.awf Feedback database Adjuster Wizard
.awm Motor database Adjuster Wizard
.frf FRF data FRF Analyzer
.log MMI log files All components that generate logs
.par Controller parameters Configuration Wizard
.prg ACSPL+ Program Program Manager
.rtf Print to file All components that enable printouts
.sgn Scope data Scope
.spi Application (includes controller parameters + Upgrade and Recovery Wizard
adjustment parameters + ACSPL+ program +
SP files)

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2.3 Programming Resources

The controller-based parts of the user application operate in the environment created by the
firmware. The environment includes a set of resources that the user application can use. This
section provides a short description of the available resources.

2.3.1 Commands
The controller supports a rich set of commands which are divided into two types of command
sets:
 Terminal Commands
Terminal commands are those that are sent directly to the controller. They are entered
through the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication Terminal. The general
structure of the Communication Terminal windows is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6 Communication Terminal Window

The Communication Terminal window is described in the SPiiPlus MMI Application
Studio Guide.
As soon as the command is received through one of the communication channels it is
executed. Each Terminal command starts with ? (query command) or # (program
management command), for example:
?FPOS Display the current position of all motors.
#0L List the complete program in buffer 0.

A Terminal command cannot be stored in a buffer. Once a Terminal command is

received via any communication channel, the controller executes it immediately or
rejects the command if it cannot be executed.
 Buffered Commands
The controller stores a sequence of commands in a buffer and executes them as a program.
ACSPL+ commands can either be executed immediately or can be stored in a buffer.
Examples of ACSPL+ commands that are stored in a buffer:

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ENABLE 0 Enable axis 0

Var = 5*Var2 Assign the result of expression to variable Var
WAIT 50 Delay the program for 50 Sec
PTP 0,3000 Move the 0 motor to point 3000

2.3.2 Program Buffers

The controller provides up to 32 buffers for storing ACSPL+ programs. The controller defines
the size of each buffer according to the required size of the program. For all practical purposes,
you can consider the size of each buffer to be unlimited.
A program stored in a buffer can be edited, compiled and executed independently of the
programs in other buffers. For example, a program in buffer 0 may be running while you edit
the program in buffer 1.
Programs stored in different buffers can be executed concurrently. Each buffer defines an
execution thread connected to this buffer. When you activate a program in a buffer, the program
is executed in a separate thread. Therefore, up to 16 ACSPL+ programs can be executed
concurrently.
A buffer also provides isolation between the programs. All labels and local variables defined in
a program are isolated in their buffer and are inaccessible from any other buffer. For example,
two programs can contain identical user-defined labels, but the controller considers each label
as belonging only to the buffer in which it is contained, and relates to all references to the label
appropriately.

2.3.3 Declaration Buffer (D-Buffer)

The D-Buffer is an additional special buffer that provides a place for the definitions of axis
names and global variables.

Note
Executing programs and autoroutines is not supported in D-Buffer.

2.3.3.1 Defining Global Objects in D-Buffer

Axes and global variables defined in D-Buffer are not required to be defined in other buffers
before use. However, such redefinition is not an error, given all attributes of the definitions are
identical.

The #SAVE and #SAVEPROG commands store the D-Buffer in the flash along with other
buffers.

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Note
The values are also stored using the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio
Program Manager Buffer Editor.

At start-up, the controller loads and compiles the D-Buffer before any other buffers.

Note
After any change in the D-Buffer, all other buffers should be recompiled.

2.3.3.2 D-Buffer Default Contents

The default contents of D-Buffer differ from other buffers. The other buffers are initially empty
by default; however, the D-Buffer contains a set of definitions that provides compatibility with
previous firmware versions. The default contents of the D-Buffer are:
axisdef X=0,Y=1,Z=2,T=3,A=4,B=5,C=6,D=7
axisdef x=0,y=1,z=2,t=3,a=4,b=5,c=6,d=7
global int
I(100),I0,I1,I2,I3,I4,I5,I6,I7,I8,I9,I90,I91,I92,I93,I94,I95,I96,I97,I98,I99
global real
V(100),V0,V1,V2,V3,V4,V5,V6,V7,V8,V9,V90,V91,V92,V93,V94,V95,V96,V97,V98,V99

This provides you with the means to define names for the axes in your system (axisdef). The
two 100 element arrays, one an integer and one a real, are, however, for internal use.

The #RESET command restores the default content in the D-Buffer.

2.3.4 Command Execution

2.3.4.1 Terminal Commands

Once a Terminal command is received from the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio
Communication Terminal, the controller executes it immediately or rejects the command if it
cannot be executed.
The controller executes Terminal commands as a background task. One Terminal command
cannot be interrupted by another. The controller finishes execution of a command, sends a
reply, and only then continues to the next command. Therefore, a host-based process that sends
commands is guaranteed to receive the replies in the same order as the commands were sent.
Typically, execution of a Terminal command takes 1-2 controller cycles. The commands that
supply or request a great amount of data, such as query of a large array, may require a longer
processing time.

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Processing time can also be affected by a high MPU usage. The realtime tasks always have the
greatest priority. If the usage (percentage of the realtime tasks in the controller cycle) reaches
90% or more, the response time of the controller deteriorates. If an application requires the
fastest response to Terminal commands, you must keep the usage below 50%.

2.3.4.2 ACSPL+ Commands

There are two methods for executing ACSPL+ commands:
 Execute immediately - via the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication
Terminal.
 Store a sequence of commands in a buffer and then execute the sequence as an ACSPL+
program.
If the prompt is: (colon), no program buffer is open for editing, and an ACSPL+ command,
transmitted to the controller through the Communication Terminal, is executed immediately.
Immediate execution of ACSPL+ commands is a background task. Therefore, the processing
time can be affected by a high MPU usage. The realtime tasks always have the highest priority.
If the usage (percentage of the realtime tasks in the controller cycle) reaches 90% or more, the
response time of the controller deteriorates. If an application requires the fastest response to
Immediate commands, you must keep the usage below 50%.
Executing an ACSPL+ program from a buffer is different because the controller executes a
buffered ACSPL+ program as a realtime task. Up to 32 buffered ACSPL+ programs can be
executed simultaneously, and in parallel.

2.3.5 ACSPL+ Standard Variables

ACSPL+ standard variables are a set of predefined variables provided by the controller. You
can use ACSPL+ standard variables in any command, either immediate or buffered, without
having to declare them.
The ACSPL+ standard variables are divided into two categories:
 State variables - Examples are FPOS (Feedback Position), which reports the immediate
position of a motor and MST (Motor State), which indicates the motor status, including
whether it is enabled and whether is involved in motion.
 Configuration variables - The values of the configuration variables tailor the controller to
a specific control object. Examples are ACC (Acceleration), which specifies a tolerable
acceleration of a motor and SLLIMIT (Software Left Limit), which specifies a lower limit
for the area of motion, etc.
ACSPL+ variables are mentioned throughout this guide where they relate to a particular
element or feature of ACSPL+.

2.3.6 User-Defined Variables

In addition to the set of ACSPL+ standard variables, you can declare variables with user-
defined names as required in the application.

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A user-defined variable can be declared as scalar, one-dimensional array (vector) or two-

dimensional array (matrix).

Note
A user array can contain up to 100,000 elements.

A user-defined variable can be declared as local or global. Local variables are accessible only
within the buffer that the declaration resides in. Global variables are common to all buffers and
can be accessed from any buffer.

2.3.7 Nonvolatile Memory and Power Up Process

The on-board nonvolatile (flash) memory retains information while power is off.
The flash memory stores the following data:
 Firmware as well as SP programs
 User application
A new controller is supplied with only the firmware and SP programs stored in the nonvolatile
(flash) memory. You cannot erase or modify the firmware or the SP programs. You can,
however, store ACSPL+ programs and configuration variable values in the controller’s flash
memory.
During the power-up process the controller loads the firmware, the ACSPL+ programs, the
configuration variables and the SP programs from the flash memory. If you did not store any
component of configuration variables, the controller loads the default firmware component.

2.4 Executing ACSPL+ Programs

2.4.1 Program Buffers

The controller provides up to 32 program buffers.
Each buffer provides:
 Separate storage for each ACSPL+ program
 An isolated environment for program editing/execution
 Separate thread for concurrent execution
 Independent autoroutine execution
Each buffer is managed independently of the other buffers. For example, you can edit a program
in one buffer while the program in another buffer is executing.
All labels and local variables in a program are local in the encapsulating buffer. Programs in
other buffers do not have access to these label and variables. Even if two programs in different

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buffers both define a local variable with the same name, the variables are considered as two
different variables, each in its corresponding buffer.
A program in a buffer can be executed independently of any other program. The program
executed in a buffer does not affect the program executed in other buffers, unless you have
provided for synchronization through the global variables or common resources.
If a program in a buffer includes one or more autoroutines, the buffer manages the autoroutines
independently of other buffers. If an autoroutine condition is satisfied, only the program
executed in the enclosing buffer is interrupted. No other buffer is affected.
The time allotted for processing non-executable lines, e.g., comment, a new line, a label, etc.,
is controlled by the S_FLAGS.1 bit. If the bit is 0 (default), the non-executable line will be
skipped during execution. If the bit is 1, the line will be allotted a controller cycle. executed as
before taking a standard time for execution.
The bit affects the program compilation; therefore, if the bit is changed, the results will be
visible only after a program is recompiled.

2.4.2 Execution of a Single Program

Assume a compiled ACSPL+ program containing no errors is stored in buffer 0, and you issue
the following command in the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication Terminal:
#0X Execute the program in buffer 0

The controller starts execution from the first line.

The controller executes the program according to this simple model:
 One program line is executed each controller cycle. If a line contains several ACSPL+
commands, all them are executed in one controller cycle. See also Execution Rate below.
 If a program is linear, meaning that it contains no program flow commands, like goto, and
no autoroutines, the program lines are executed sequentially: the first line in the first
controller cycle, the second - in the second controller cycle, and so on. A program flow
command redirects execution and defines another line to be executed in the next controller
cycle.
 A number of commands can delay program execution. For example, the command
WAIT 50

will execute for 50 milliseconds instead of one controller cycle. The command:
TILL ^MST(0).#MOVE

provides a delay of execution time until the 0 axis motion ends.

Commands that use the controller resources, like motion commands, also can be delayed if the
resource is busy. After a command that caused a delay has finished, the controller continues
executing one line per one cycle.

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2.4.3 Concurrent Execution

Assume the programs in buffers 0, 1, 2 are linear and include no commands that can delay
execution. After starting simultaneously, the programs execute in a simple and predictable way:
one line of each running program per one controller cycle.
In the first controller cycle the controller executes line number 1 from buffer 0, line number 1
from buffer 1 and line number 1 from buffer 2. In the second controller cycle the controller
executes line number 2 from buffer 0, line number 2 from buffer 1 and line number 2 from
buffer 2, in progression.
If a program contains a program flow command or a command that delays execution, this strict
synchronization vanishes, but the general principle remains the same: one line of each running
program per each controller cycle.
The rule does not depend on the number of concurrent programs. If all 16 programs run
concurrently, the controller executes 10 ACSPL+ lines in each controller cycle - one from each
running program.
Delay in one executed program has no affect on other executed programs. Each buffer provides
an isolated thread for program execution.
Within a controller cycle, the order of executing the program lines follows the buffer numbers:
first, a line from buffer 0 is executed, then a line from buffer 1, and so on.

2.4.4 Immediate Execution

What happens if while one or more programs are running at the same time and the controller
receives a SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication Terminal ACSPL+ command
through a communication channel?
The controller executes the Terminal command in an additional thread not connected with any
buffer. Therefore, the controller provides 32 + 1 threads for ACSPL+ execution. 32 threads are
assigned to the program buffers and one thread is reserved for immediate execution.
All rules of the execution model also apply to immediate execution. For example, if several
commands are combined in one line for immediate execution, all of them are executed in one
controller cycle in parallel with the lines from each running program.
Within a controller cycle, the immediate line is executed after all lines from the running
programs. Therefore, in one cycle the controller executes a line from buffer 0, then a line from
buffers 1, 2, up to 31, and then executes a Communication Terminal command line (if any has
been received).

2.4.5 Immediate Execution vs. Stored Program

The controller provides three options for executing ACSPL+ commands:
 Execute a command immediately
 Store a sequence of commands in a buffer and then execute the sequence as an ACSPL+
program
 Execution in a dynamic buffer

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If the controller prompt is: No program buffer is open for editing, and an ACSPL+
command, transmitted to the controller through any communication channel, is executed
immediately.
If the prompt contains a line number like 2:00001>, a program buffer is open for editing,
and an ACSPL+ command, transmitted to the controller through any communication
channel, is stored in the open buffer. ACSPL+ commands stored in a buffer constitute an
ACSPL+ program.

2.4.6 Autoroutine Execution

An autoroutine is a part of ACSPL+ program and can be placed in any program buffer. Each
ACSPL+ program can contain from zero to any number of autoroutines. An autoroutine placed
in a buffer shares the local variables and the same thread for execution with other autoroutines
in the same buffer and with the rest of ACSPL+ program.
If a buffer contains one or more autoroutines, the execution model described above is slightly
modified. In each controller cycle, the controller examines the conditions of all autoroutines in
the buffer, before executing the next line in a buffer. If a condition is satisfied, the controller
does not execute the next line but executes the first line of the body of the corresponding
autoroutine. Therefore, the autoroutine interrupts the program executed in the same buffer. An
autoroutine in one buffer has no affect on the program or autoroutines in another buffer.
Autoroutines provide an interrupt-like response to external or internal events. For more
information about autoroutines see Section 3.8.3 - Autoroutines.

2.4.7 Synchronization and Mutual Exclusion

Though the controller provides independent execution of concurrent programs, applications can
often require that their component programs be synchronized at certain points. The controller
provides a simple and flexible approach to solving synchronization problems. In addition to an
ACSPL+ line serving as a unit for concurrent execution, the same ACSPL+ line serves as a unit
of mutual exclusion. Namely, execution of an ACSPL+ line cannot be interrupted by a
concurrent program or by an autoroutine.
Therefore, an ACSPL+ line provides an atomic unit of execution. Given that a single ACSPL+
line can contain any number of ACSPL+ commands, various synchronization tasks can be
resolved using global variables.

2.4.7.1 Mutual Exclusion

Mutual exclusion is the most frequently used synchronization task. As the execution of an
ACSPL+ line is atomic, mutual exclusion of the lines in concurrent programs is automatic and
does not require any intervention from the user. If a critical section requiring mutual exclusion
comprises only a few commands, then you simply place these commands in one line.

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However, if a critical section is long, or combining it in one line is undesirable for any reason,
another solution must be found. The following construction implements a simple semaphore,
which is ON (one) while the program is inside the critical section, and is OFF (zero) otherwise.
global int Mutex Variable Mutex implements semaphore
. . . . . Any program actions
TILL ^Mutex; Mutex = 1 Enter critical section
. . . . . Critical section
Mutex = 0 Exit critical section

The Enter and Exit lines enclose the critical section. If the program contains several critical
sections, each section must be enclosed with the same Enter and Exit lines as shown in the
example above.
All programs that require mutual exclusion must include the same declaration of the Mutex
variable and the same embracing of each critical section.
This construction guarantees that only one of the concurrent programs may be inside a critical
section. If the second program tries to enter the critical section, the command till ^Mutex
delays the program execution until the first program zeroes Mutex on exit from critical section.
It should be noted that the solution is based on automatic one-line mutual exclusion. Therefore,
the two commands:
TILL ^Mutex; Mutex = 1

must be in one line. If they are placed in two sequential lines, they cannot provide mutual
exclusion.

2.4.7.2 Synchronization
Assume two programs that run mostly asynchronously must execute certain commands at the
same time. There is a point in each program that whichever program comes to the point first, it
must wait for the second program to come to its synchronization point. Then the next lines in
both programs will be executed in the next controller cycle.
The problem is solved by the following construction:
global int Sem The Sem variable implements a general semaphore
. . . . . Asynchronous part of the program
Sem = Sem+1; till Sem = 2; Sem = 0 Synchronization point
. . . . . The line will be executed synchronously

The same definition of the Sem variable and the same line of synchronization point must be in
the second program.
Whichever program comes to its synchronization point first, the command till Sem = 2 provides
waiting for the second program. The assignment Sem = 0 provides reuse of the construction if
necessary.
The solution can be also be extended to three or more concurrent programs.

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2.4.7.3 Execution Rate

In the execution model described above, the controller executes one line from each running
program per each controller cycle. The execution rate in each buffer is the same.
You can modify the execution model by specifying how many lines in each buffer the controller
must execute in one controller cycle.
ACSPL+ variables PRATE and ONRATE (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference
Guide) contain one element per each program buffer. Each element of PRATE specifies how
many lines in the corresponding buffer the controller must execute in one controller cycle,
except the case if an autoroutine is executed. Each element of ONRATE specifies the same
when an autoroutine is executed.
For both variables, the default value is 1 (one line per each controller cycle). The user can
increase the value up to 10 (ten lines per each controller cycle).
In a typical case the user increases PRATE and ONRATE in one buffer, providing the higher
execution rate in this buffer. The program in this buffer runs faster, than the programs in either
buffers, as if the buffer has a higher priority.
You should, however, exercise caution when simultaneously increasing the execution rate in
buffers. Increasing the execution rate increases the usage of the controller realtime cycle and
may cause a Time Overuse fault. Use the #U Immediate command (see SPiiPlus Command &
Variable Reference Guide) to monitor the present usage. If maximum usage value approaches
90%, the application places an excessive load on the controller. Decrease execution rates,
simplify your application, or use a more powerful model of the controller, to solve the problem.

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3 ACSPL+ Overview
SPiiPlus enables running up to 32 separate ACSPL+ programs. The programs are stored in what
are referred to as “buffers”. The programs are entered via the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio
Program Manager (see SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio User Guide for details).
This chapter provides a general overview of ACSPL+ programming.
For complete details of the ACSPL+ command set and variables refer to the SPiiPlus Command
& Variable Reference Guide.

3.1 ACSPL+ Syntax

3.1.1 Commands, Lines, and Command Aggregates

A command is the smallest executable unit of ACSPL+.
One program line may contain one or several commands. If a line contains several commands,
the commands must be separated by a semicolon (;). A semicolon after the last (or single)
command in a line, however, is not required.
Examples:
The following is an example of a program line that contains one assignment command:
V0 = V1 + 2*(V2 - V3)

The following is an example of a program line that contains two assignment commands:
V0 = V1 + 2*(V2 - V3); V4 = 0

White spaces (spaces and tabs) may be inserted arbitrarily inside or between commands.
However, white spaces must not be inserted within a keyword or variable name.
A command aggregate consists of several commands. It starts with a specific command and
terminates with the END command. For example, a loop structure starts with the loop command
followed by an arbitrary number of commands and terminates with the END command
signalling the completion of the loop. The commands of a structure may reside in one or more
program lines.

3.1.2 BLOCK..END Control Structure

The commands specified within the BLOCK..END structure are executed in one controller
cycle.
The structure has the following syntax:
BLOCK command_list END
The structure provides an alternative to specifying command_list commands in one line. The
commands within the structure can be specified in several lines. However, the controller
executes all commands in one controller cycle, as if they were written in one line.

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The following limitations are applied to the commands within the structure:
Commands and functions that may cause delay (WAIT, TILL, GETSP, WHILE, LOOP,
etc.) provide delays even if they are used within the BLOCK..END structure.

3.1.3 ACSPL+ Reserved Words

All ACSPL+ function and variable names see the SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference
Guide) are reserved words that have specific meanings. They cannot be used as user-defined
names in a program.

3.1.4 Names: Variable and Label

A name is a sequence of alphanumeric characters used to denote one of the following:
 Variable (ACSPL+ or user-defined)
 Label
The first character of a name must be a letter.
The names of ACSPL+ variables are predefined and cannot be changed. For a full list of
ACSPL+ variables see the SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide.
There is also an ACSPL+ label: AUTOEXEC. If this label is used in a program, then execution
will start at this point when the controller is powered up.
You can declare user variables and user labels as required in the application. The number of
user-defined names and the length of each name are essentially unlimited. However, you may
not declare variable names that coincide with the following:
 Keywords (IF, WAIT, SIN, etc.)
 Names of ACSPL+ variables (FPOS, MST, etc.)
 AUTOEXEC (ACSPL+ label)
 Postfix- indexed form of an ACSPL+ variable

3.1.5 Case Sensitivity

All keywords are case-insensitive, e.g., the words if, IF, If or iF all have identical meaning in
a program.
Variable and label names, however, are case-sensitive, e.g., the names FPOS and Fpos
designate two different variables.

3.1.6 Axis Designations

Many ACSPL+ commands take one or more axes as arguments. This applies particularly for
motion commands (see Chapter 4 - ACSPL+ Motion Programming).
Axes can be designated as a single digit, like 0 (indicating the 0 axis), or as a list of values
enclosed within parentheses, for example, (0, 2, 4). The values can also be represented by
variables.

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Some commands support the keyword: all, to designate all the axes supported by the controller.
The following examples are equivalent:
AXISDEF XY=0 !Define axis variable
ENABLE XY !Enable axis 0
PTP XY, 100, 200

ENABLE (0,1) !Axes designated as list of values.

PTP (0,1), 100, 200

int first_axis, second_axis !Variable declarations.

first_axis = 0 !Variable assigned value.
second_axis = 1 !Variable assigned value.
ENABLE (first_axis, second_axis) !Axes designated as list of variables.
PTP (first_axis, second_axis), 100, 200

3.1.7 Comments
A comment is text in a program that the controller stores along with the program but ignores
while executing the program. Comments are normally used to annotate a program.
A comment starts with an exclamation mark (!). An exclamation mark encountered in a line
designates all subsequent characters in the line as part of a comment. If the exclamation sign is
the first character in a line, the whole line is a comment.
! This entire line is a comment.
V0 = V1 !This comment starts from the exclamation mark.

3.2 Variables
Variables have the following attributes:
 Name
 Class (standard or user variable)
 Scope (global or local)
 Lifetime
 Accessibility (read-write, read-only, protected)
 Type (integer or real)
 Size
 Value

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Note
The controller has a large set of ACSPL+ variables with predefined names.
You cannot change these names. These ACSPL+ variables can be used in
ACSPL+ commands without an explicit declaration.

3.2.1 Variable Name

Variable names follow the general syntax rules given in Section 3.1.4 - Names: Variable and
Label.
User-defined variable names must be specified by explicit declaration. For example:
int Var1, Var2 !Declare local variables Var1 and Var2
global real RealVar !Declare global variable RealVar

3.2.2 Variable Class: ACSPL+ or User

ACSPL+ variables are predefined in the controller. ACSPL+ variables can be used in ACSPL+
commands without an explicit declaration.
ACSPL+ variables are mentioned throughout this guide where they relate to a particular
element or feature of ACSPL+. For details of the ACSPL+ variables see the SPiiPlus Command
& Variable Reference Guide.
User-defined variables are defined by explicit declarations. A declaration can appear as:
 A part of an ACSPL+ program. The declared variable becomes available when the program
is inserted into one of the program buffers and is compiled. Any attempt to query a variable
in a buffer window that has not been compiled will result in an error.
 An immediate ACSPL+ command. Only global variables can be used as a Terminal
command. The declared variable becomes available immediately after the controller
executes the command.

3.2.3 Variable Scope

Variables have either global or local scope.

3.2.3.1 Global Variable Scope

A variable with global scope can be used in any program buffer and also in Terminal
commands.
All ACSPL+ variables have global scope. A user-defined variable can be declared as either
global or local.
Declaration of user global variable starts with the keyword global. For example:
global real GlobVar !Declare the GlobVar variable as a global variable.

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This declaration may appear in several program buffers. However, in distinction to local
variables, all these declarations are considered to be the same variable.
Using a ACSPL+ variable in a program does not require explicit declaration of the variable.
However, a global user variable must be declared before it can be used in a program. Terminal
commands can use any global variable without explicit declaration.

3.2.3.2 Local Variable Scope

A variable with local scope can be used only in the program buffer where it is declared. Only
user variables can be local.
By default, if a declaration does not contain the keyword global, the variable is declared as
local. However, it is recommended that you include the keyword local for clarity. For example,
the declaration
real LocVar

is the same as
local real LocVar

Both of them define LocVar as a local variable.

A local variable is valid only within the buffer where it is declared. If a local variable with the
same name is declared in another buffer, the controller considers them as two different
variables.
The name of a local variable may also be the same as the name of a global variable. The
controller considers them as different. The program where the local variable is declared has
access to the local variable only.

3.2.4 Variable Lifetime

All ACSPL+ variables are valid as long as the controller firmware is active; from power-up to
power-down.
A user local variable is valid as long as the program containing it is compiled. Therefore, a local
variable becomes active when the program containing it is inserted into one of the buffers and
is successfully compiled. After compilation, the variable is assigned its value and is available
for the #V (list of variables) SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication Terminal
command and queries.
Local variables are erased when the program they to which they belong returns to non-compiled
state. Programs may enter a non-compiled state as a result of:
 Explicit #SR command (Stop and Reset)
 Editing or inserting another program in the buffer
When a program terminates normally, it remains in a compiled state and local variables
therefore remain valid. In addition, if a controller-executed program causes an error, the
controller terminates the program, but the buffer remains in a compiled state. Any user variable
in the buffer therefore remains valid.

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A user global variable declared in one or more ACSPL+ programs is valid as long as at least
one of the programs that contains it is compiled. After compilation, the global variable is
assigned its value and is available for the #V (list of variables) Terminal command and queries.
A user global variable disappears when the last program that it is contained in returns to a non-
compiled state. The conditions when a program may return to non-compiled state are discussed
above.
A special case of user global variable is the persistent global variable. A global variable is
defined as persistent when the variable declaration is not a part of any program but is issued as
an immediate ACSPL+ command.
Assume, that you execute the following commands via the Communication Terminal
window:
global real PersistentVar !Declaration
?PersistentVar !Query
0 !Initial value

The controller immediately accepts the declaration and creates the persistent global variable:
PersistentVar. The variable is now valid and can be queried as illustrated by the query
command, ?PersistentVar, that follows.
The lifetime of a persistent global variable is not connected with any program. A persistent
variable survives any change in the program buffers and may be erased only by the explicit
#VGV (Clear Global Variables) Terminal command.

3.2.5 Variable Accessibility

All user variables have read-write access and are not protected. Any ACSPL+ command
located in the scope of a variable can use or assign the variable’s value at any time.
An ACSPL+ variable can belong to any of three access classes:
 read-write
Read-write ACSPL+ variables such as user variables can be used or assigned at any time.
Examples of read-write ACSPL+ variables are VEL (Velocity) and IST (Index State).
 read-only
Many ACSPL+ variables are read-only. These variables cannot be assigned. The read-only
variables provide readouts of the controller state. Examples include RPOS (Reference
Position), FPOS (Feedback Position), MST (Motor Status).
 protected
Protected ACSPL+ variables define the configuration of the controller, and are therefore
called configuration variables. The values of configuration variables can be read at any
time. Assignment to configuration variables is allowed only in the Configuration Mode.
Examples of configuration variables are ENTIME (Enable Time), and XACC (Maximal
Acceleration).
In most applications, you set the values of configuration variables during the application
development process by using the special tools provided for this purpose in the Protection

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Wizard of the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio (see the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio
User Guide).

3.2.6 Variable Type: Integer and Real

ACSPL+ supports integer and real variables.
Each ACSPL+ variable has a predefined type. For a user variable the type is specified in the
declaration.
The controller provides automatic conversion from integer to real and from real to integer if
required. Therefore you are not restricted in using variables of both types in ACSPL+
commands.
For example in the following fragment:
int Var1 !Declare Var1 integer variable
real Var2 !Declare Var2 real variable
Var1 = Var2 !Controller automatically converts real to integer
Var2 = Var1 !Controller automatically converts integer to real

The types differ by internal presentation and behavior in arithmetical operation.

 An integer value occupies 4 bytes, 32 bits, numbered from 0 to 31. The sign is located in
bit 31, bit 0 is the least significant bit of the mantissa.
 A real value occupies 8 bytes, 52 bits of mantissa and 12 bits of exponent. The format
corresponds to the standard double format of PC.

3.2.7 Variable Size

A variable can be a scalar, one-dimensional or two-dimensional array. A one-dimensional array
is referred to as a vector, and a two-dimensional array is referred to as a matrix.
The size of each ACSPL+ variable is predefined in the controller. For example, the S_FAULT
(System Faults) variable is a scalar variable, and the FAULT (Motor Faults) variable is an array
of 8 elements.
Many ACSPL+ variables are sized according to the number of axes, with one element per each
axis. For example, each element of the FAULT array displays faults for one axis.
The size of user variables is defined in the variable declaration. For example:
int ScalarVar !Declare the ScalarVar variable as a scalar variable
global real Ar1(100) !Declare Ar1 as a global array of 100 real numbers
int Ar2(10)(200) !Declare Ar2 as a 10x200 matrix of integers

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Note
The maximum size of a user array is 100,000 elements.

3.2.8 Variable Value

Value is the only variable attribute that can change during a variable lifetime. In most
applications, a value is changed explicitly, as a result of assignment.
Read-only variables change their values implicitly. For example, the controller updates the
elements of variable FPOS (Feedback Position) each controller cycle, so that each element
displays the actual position of the corresponding motor.

3.3 Variable Declaration

ACSPL+ variables are predefined in the controller and do not require explicit declaration;
however, each user variable must be declared in the program where it is used.
Syntax:
[scope-specification][type-specification] name [size-specification]
Where:
 [scope-specification] is one of:
• local
• global
 [type-specification] is one of:
• int
• real
 name - the name of the variable
 [size-specification] - required when defining an array, it can be one of:
• (integer) - One dimensional array
• (integer) (integer) - Two dimensional array
Any of the parts of either the scope-specification or the type-specification can be omitted, but
not both. If scope-specification is omitted, the local specification is implied. If type-
specification is omitted, the int specification is implied.
If no size-specification is specified, the variable is taken as scalar.

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3.3.1 Declaration of Global Variables

A global variable is common for all programs in all program buffers.
To have access to a global variable, a program must declare it. Without explicit declaration a
global variable is invalid in a program. Therefore declaration of a global variable may appear
in several programs, but all these declarations refer to the same variable.
Declarations of a global variable in different programs must be identical. Declaring a global
variable in two buffers with the same name, but different type or size, causes a compile error.
A global variable becomes active once the first program containing it is compiled in one of the
program buffers. The variable remains valid as long as at least one of the programs containing
it remains compiled.
Local and global variables are initialized to zero during compilation.
Examples of the global variable declarations:
global int Var1 Var1 is declared as a global integer variable
global real Var2, Var3 Var2 and Var3 are declared as global real variables
global int Var4, Var5(2)(100) Var4 is declared as a global integer variable and Var5 is
declared as a two-dimensional array of integers

3.3.2 Persistent Global Variables

A persistent global variable is a global variable that is declared by Terminal command.
Terminal execution of ACSPL+ commands is described in Section 2.4.4 - Immediate
Execution. A command executed immediately is not included in a program or stored in a
buffer.
A global command executed immediately declares a persistent global variable, whose lifetime
is not dependent on any buffer. A persistent variable becomes active immediately when the
command executes. The variable remains valid throughout any buffer manipulations. The only
way to erase a persistent variable is by executing the #VGV (Vanish Global Variables)
command. The command erases all persistent global variables that are not referred in any
compiled buffer.
A program in any buffer can access a persistent global variable. Like a regular global variable,
a persistent variable must be re-declared in each buffer where it has to be used. The declaration
in a buffer does not affect the persistency of the variable. However, once declared in an
Terminal command, the variable remains persistent irrespective of all re-declarations. A local
variable, on the other hand, cannot be declared by an Terminal command. For example,
assuming that you are communicating with the controller through the SPiiPlus MMI
Application Studio Communication Terminal window and want to start data collection
without preparing a special ACSPL+ program. The following dialog occurs:

global Data(2)(1000) !Declare persistent global array of size 2x1000

DC Data,1000,1,FPOS(0),PE(0) !Collect Feedback Position and Position Error of 0 axis
motor, 1000 samples, 1 millisecond sampling period

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?S_ST !Query the System State variable

3 ON Data Collection (#DC) Response to query: data collection is in progress.
?S_ST !Query the System State variable
3 OFF Data Collection Response to query: data collection is off.
?Data !Query the Data array

3.4 Arrays and Indexing

3.4.1 Scalars and Arrays

A variable can be either scalar or array. A scalar variable contains a single value. An array
contains a set of values. The arrays are subdivided into one-dimensional arrays and two-
dimensional arrays or matrices.
Before an array is used, its size must be declared. The size of a one-dimensional array is the
number of elements in the array. The size of a two-dimensional array is determined by
multiplying each dimension, for example 2x2000 (for a total of 4000 elements).
Access to the value of a scalar variable is provided by its name. For example:
int Scalar1 Declare Scalar1 as a local integer
Scalar1 = 4 Assign 4 to Scalar1
DISP Scalar1 Display a value of Scalar1
DISP Ar2(1) Display value of column 1 of the Ar2 matrix

A typical use of an array requires access to a specific element of the array. To specify an
element of an array the array name must be followed by index specification. For example:
int Ar1(100),Ar2(3)(100) Declare local integer Ar1 as a vector of size 100 and local
integer Ar2 as a matrix of size 3x100
Ar1(4) = 3000 Assign 3000 to element 4of Ar1
Ar2(0)(99) = 20 Assign 20 to the element of Ar2(0,99)
DISP Ar2(0)(99) Display the element of Ar2(0,99)

Indexing of arrays starts from zero. In the example above the first element of Ar1 has index 0,
the last element has index 99.
For information on saving user arrays in the nonvolatile memory, see Section 2.3.7 -
Nonvolatile Memory and Power Up Process.

3.4.2 ACSPL+ Array Variables

ACSPL+ variables include both scalar and one-dimensional arrays. For example, the variable
S_ST (System State) is scalar, while the variable FPOS (Feedback Position) is a one-dimension
array of size 8.
Many ACSPL+ arrays are sized according to the axis number (eight elements). Such arrays
contain one element per each controlled axis or motor. For example, each element of read-only

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variable FPOS reads a feedback position of the corresponding motor. FPOS(0) provides the
position of the 0 motor, FPOS(1) provides the position of 1 motor, and so on.
Other ACSPL+ variables are related to the program buffers and therefore are sized according
to the number of buffers. For example, each element of PRATE specifies a program rate of the
corresponding buffer.

3.4.3 Explicit Indexing

Explicit indexing is applicable to both standard and user arrays. To access a specific element of
an array, the array name must be followed by one or two indexes. Each index must be enclosed
in parenthesis. A one-dimensional array requires one index and two-dimensional array requires
two indexes.
The following is the syntax of index specification:
 (expression) - One dimensional array
 (expression) (expression) - Two dimensional array
For example:
real Ar1(100),Ar2(2)(8) Declare Ar1 as a local real vector of size 100 and Ar2 as
a local real matrix of size 2x8
int J Declare J as a local scalar integer
Ar1(0) = 0 Assign 0 to the first element of Ar1
J = 0 Assign 0 to J
loop 99 Repeat 99 times
Ar1(J+1) = Ar1(J) + 1 Fill Ar1 with a sequence of numbers 0-99
J = J + 1 Increment
end End of loop
J = 0 Assign 0 to J
loop 8 Repeat for each axis
Ar1(0)(J) = FPOS(J) Store current FPOS in Ar1(0,J)
Ar1(1)(J) = PE(J) Store current PE in Ar1(1,J)
J = J + 1 Increment
end End of loop

3.4.4 Postfix Indexing of Standard Arrays

Postfix indexing consists of a number appended to a standard array name without parenthesis.
For example, FPOS0 is equivalent to FPOS(0); both read the feedback position of the 0 motor.
ERRI1 is equivalent to ERRI(1) that specifies a tolerable position error for the 1 motor.
Postfix indexing is applicable to any standard array. However, user variables cannot accept
postfix indexing.
Postfix indexing is convenient if an element of an ACSPL+ array is used in an application as a
separate variable. For example, elements of ACSPL+ arrays V and I are often used as counters

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and temporary variables. Postfix indexes allow using the elements as separate variables such as
V0, V22, I99.
Arrays IN and OUT (Digital Inputs and Digital Outputs) are also often used with postfix
indexing. The typical access to a digital input looks like:
IN0.4

where the first number after name IN is a postfix index and selects a group of 32 inputs. The
number after the period is a bit specifier used to select one of the 32 bits (in this case bit #4).
Note that explicit indexing can be either constant or expression, while postfix indexing is
always constant.
Postfix indexing and explicit indexing can be used interchangeably in one program. However,
it is recommended that you select one style and use it throughout the application. If an
application requires non-constant indexing of axis-related variables, neither axis-like or post-
fix indexing can be used.

3.4.5 Axis Indexing

Each controller axis has an index. The index is an integer number from 0 to
Number_Of_Axes-1.

Note
Number_Of_Axes is defined by the controller model and cannot be changed,
for example, if there are 3 supported axes in a specific controller
specification, 0 designates the first axis, 1 the next, and 2 the last.

The index of an axis is fixed, for example, index 2 always refers to a specific physical axis. For
example:
VEL(1) – stores the velocity of the axis designated as 1.
ACC(5) – stores the acceleration of the axis designated as 5.

3.4.6 User-Defined Axis Names

You can assign names to the axes, and once assigned, the names are used as aliases throughout
your program. You do this through the command: AXISDEF.
Axis names follow the general rules for ACSPL+ names: a valid name can be any sequence of
letters and digits, but must start with a letter. However, some limitations on the axis names are
recommended (see below).
The command can be used to define one or more axis names, for example, the command:
AXISDEF X=23, W12=9, T9=0

defines the name X for axis 23, W12 for axis 9, and T9 for axis 0.

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AXISDEF can be repeated many times as you like to define all required names; however, the
following restrictions apply:
 Only one name can be defined for the same axis
 The names must be unique, i.e., you cannot define two axes with the same name
 The name must not conflict with any other name of variable, label, keyword, etc.
A compilation error occurs if one of the above restrictions is not satisfied.
Axis names must be defined either in D-Buffer - see Section 2.3.3 - Declaration Buffer (D-
Buffer), or in a program, where it is used. In any case, the axis definition has global scope;
therefore the definition of the same axis in a different program must be identical (similar rules
apply to global variables). Axis defined in D-Buffer can be used in any other buffer without re-
definition.

3.4.6.1 Axis Name as Symbolic Constant

The axis name can be used in expressions as a symbolic constant. For example, given a program
that includes declaration:
AXISDEF Q=3

the following command

VEL(Q)=1000;

assigns 1000 to the required velocity of axis 3.

3.4.6.2 Axis Name in Indexing

In axis-related ACSPL+ standard array variables that contain Number_Of_Axes components,
one component per each controller axis, where the Index of the array ranges from 0 to
Number_Of_Axes-1. User axis names can be used for indexing, not only for explicit indexing,
but also for prefix and postfix indexing, for example: given the program includes declaration:
AXISDEF Q=3, X1=12, X2=13

Table 5 provides examples of the possible index formats:

Table 5 Index Formats

Explicit Indexing Postfix Indexing
VEL(3) or VEL(Q) VEL3
ACC(12) or ACC(X1) ACC12
SLVKI(13) or SLVKI(X2) SLVKI13

3.4.6.3 Axis Specification in Commands

Another use of user-defined axes are arguments specifying a set of axes in ACSPL+ commands
(like ENABLE, KILL, PTP, etc.) which are considered as integer arrays. You can declare an
array, assign its elements, and then use it as a predefined axis group. For example, assume the
application frequently uses axes 1, 12, and 15 as a group. The program may contain the
following commands:

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int AxisGroup(3)
AxisGroup(0)=1; AxisGroup(1)=12; AxisGroup(2)=15;
ENABLE AxisGroup
PTP AxisGroup,1000,1500,1200
…
HALT AxisGroup
DISABLE AxisGroup

Other formats of axis specification are also supported (actually, they are considered as special
forms of array specification):
1. Axis expression, like (0, 1, 2), (Ax1, Ax2, Ax3, Ax4).
2. The keyword: all that specifies all available axes.

3.4.7 Array Processing Functions

ACSPL+ provides the following functions for processing arrays:
 MIN – finds the minimum value in an array or any section of it
 MINI – finds the minimum value in an array or any section of it and returns its index
 MAX – finds the maximum value in an array or any section of it
 MAXI – finds the minimum value in an array or any section of it and returns its index
 AVG – finds the average value in an array or any section of it
 FILL – fills an array or section of it with the specified value
These functions are detailed in the SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide.

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3.5 Using Variables

3.5.1 Querying Variables

The value of any variable can be displayed in response to a query command. See SPiiPlus
Command & Variable Reference Guide for a description of query commands.
Examples:
?FPOS Query feedback positions of all motors
1003 4001 233000 1 0 -1 0 1
?FPOS0 Query feedback positions of the 0 axis motors
1003
?FPOS0,FPOS2 Query feedback positions of the 0 and 2 axes motors
1003
233000
?GlobVar Query global user variable GlobVar
23.35
?0:LocVar Query local user variable LocVar from buffer 0
100
?0:LocVar,5:LocVar Query two local user variables from different buffers
100
233.7

3.5.2 Variables as Operands in Expressions

Variables can be used as operands in expressions.
An array, as a unit, cannot be an operand in an expression. Only the array elements can be used.
Therefore the array name must be fully indexed to provide access to a specific element.
In addition, a bit specifier can be added to an integer variable to provide access to a specific bit
(see the fourth example below).
An expression is calculated each time that a command that includes the expression is executed.
During calculation of the expression each variable is substituted with its current value.
Examples:
RPOS(0) - FPOS(0) An arithmetical expression which produces the position error
of the X motor.
RPOS(0) < FPOS(0) A logical expression which produces:
• 0 - if the 0 axis position error is positive
• 1 - if the 0 axis position error is negative
2*(VEL(3) - LocVar) An expression that combines standard and user variables.

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(IN0.3|IN0.4)&^IN0.6 A logical expression that uses bit specifiers to access specific

digital inputs.
V0 An expression that contains only one variable with no
operations.

3.5.3 Variables as Arguments in Command or Function

Variables can be used as arguments in commands and functions.
Arguments used to specify commands and functions have specific requirements. In a typical
example, an argument is required to be an expression. In this case a single variable can be used
as a simplest case of expression. Use of variables in expressions is discussed in Section 3.5.2 -
Variables as Operands in Expressions above.
A number of commands and functions require a variable or an array as one of their arguments.
For example, the first argument of the DC command (Data Collection - see Section 8.1.1 - DC
Command) is an array that accumulates the collected data. Other examples are statistical
functions, such as MAX, MIN, and AVG, that process the whole array specified as an
argument. Unlike their use in expressions, an array name without indexes specifies the array as
a whole.
For example, the following fragment collects data 1000 times on the FPOS for the 0 axis at
intervals of V0:
dc Data,1000,V0,FPOS(0)

Where:
1. The first argument of the DC command is required to be an array, in this case it is the user
array, Data, that is specified without indexes, as a whole.
2. The second argument is an expression that defines the number of samples to be collected,
in this case it is a simple expression: the constant 1000.
3. The third argument is an expression that defines the sampling period. The V0 variable is a
simple expression. Using a variable instead of an integer provides changing the sampling
period, based on V0, from one execution of this data collection to another.
4. The fourth argument must be a variable or an array element. The values of the variable (in
this case V0) will be collected in the array. The syntax of DC requires that the fourth
element be a variable or an array element. Neither a general expression nor an array
without indexes can be specified. An array without indexes neither can be specified.
FPOS(0) addresses element 0 of the array FPOS that corresponds to the 0 axis feedback
position.

3.5.4 Variables in ACSPL+ Terminal Commands

The SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication Terminal execution of the ACSPL+
commands is described in Section 2.4.4 - Immediate Execution. A command immediately
executed is not included in a program or stored in a buffer.
Use of variables in immediate ACSPL+ commands is limited to ACSPL+ and global variables.
Local variables cannot be referenced in immediate ACSPL+ commands.

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3.5.5 Accessing Variables by Tags

3.5.5.1 Variable Tags

The controller supports integer numerical tags for all standard ACSPL+ variables. You are also
able to define tags for user-defined variables. The ACSPL+ program is able to access a variable
by a tag as described in the next section. This feature enables you to assign your own names to
ACSPL+ standard variables thereby making your coding more understandable.
 ACSPL+ Standard Variable Tags
The tags of standard ACSPL+ variables are fixed in all firmware versions, and you cannot
change the tag of a standard variable. For the tag of any given ACSPL+ variable see
SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide.
 User-Defined Variable Tags
A user-defined global variable can be declared with a tag.
The extended syntax of a variable declaration is:
global {int|real} tag tag_number variable_name [,variable_name, variable_name,...]
Where:
tag_number A positive integer to be associated with the variable(s).
variable_name A unique variable name, or list of names.

Only global variables can be declared with a tag. The following conditions also apply:
 The tag is not mandatory in the variable declaration. However, if the tag is not declared,
the variable cannot be accessed by tag.
 The value of tag_number must be greater than 1000. Values below 1000 are reserved for
the standard ACSPL+ variables.
 The tag_number value must be unique in the application.
 If more than one variable_name is included, when the program is compiled, the controller
builds a sequence of tag numbers: the specified tag_number is attached to the first variable
in the list, tag_number+1 value is attached to the second variable, tag_number+2 to the
third, and so on.

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3.5.5.2 GETVAR and SETVAR Functions

Description:
The GETVAR function serves for retrieving the value of a given variable. The SETVAR
function serves for setting the value of a given variable.
Syntax:
real GETVAR(tag_number[, index1, index2])
SETVAR(value, tag_number[, index1, index2])
Arguments:

tag_number A positive integer associated with the variable.

index1, index2 Integer indexes. The indexes must be omitted if the variable is scalar. The
second index must be omitted if the variable is one-dimensional array.

Comments:
The GETVAR function reads the current value of the variable and returns it as a real value. The
SETVAR function assigns the specified value to the variable designated by tag_number.
Though the value argument and the return value are defined as real, the functions can be used
for integer variables as well. The controller implements all necessary transforms automatically.
The functions provide read/write access to all standard ACSPL+ variables and to those user-
defined variables declared with tag.

3.6 ACSPL+ Functions

For a complete description of all ACSPL+ functions see the SPiiPlus Command & Variable
Reference Guide.

3.7 Expressions

3.7.1 General
An expression is a sequence of operators and operands that specify a calculation.
Expressions serve as building blocks for many ACSPL+ commands. For example, assignment
commands include expressions to the right of the equal sign:
V0 = V1 + 2*(V2 - V3)

When the controller executes a command that includes an expression, the expression is
calculated and the result is used as required by the command.

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Complexity of expression ranges from the simplest expressions that include only one constant
or variable name, to extended formulae containing multiple operators and functions with
several levels of brackets. For example:
I99 = 5 5 is a simple expression
I98 = V0 V0 is a simple expression
I97 = ((I1-1)*sin(I2)+2)/5 Complex expression

3.7.2 Calculation Order

In a complex expression the following factors, listed below in priority order, determine the
order of calculation:
1. Brackets in the expression
2. Operator precedence
3. Order of operators in the expression (left-to-right order)
If the brackets do not unambiguously define the calculation order, then the operator precedence
is taken into account, and if the calculation order is still ambiguous then the left-to-right
calculation order is applied.
Table 6 summarizes the operator precedence, summarizing them in order of precedence from
highest to lowest.
Table 6 Mathematical Operators
Operator Operation
. (dot) Bit selection
- ~ ^ Unary minus, Inversion, Logical not
* / Multiplication, Division
+ - Addition, Subtraction
= <> < > <= >= Compare
& | ~ Logical and bitwise AND, OR, XOR

If several operators appear on the same line or in a group, they have equal precedence.

3.7.3 Expression Type

The controller uses two types of numerical values;
 Integer values that are 4-bytes (32-bits) long and range from -2147483648 to 2147483647
 Real values that are 8-bytes long, 53-bits of mantissa and 11-bits of exponent with a range
of ±10-1023
Expression calculations produce either integer or real values.
Within the group of expressions that produce integer values, there is a subset, called logical
expressions, that consists of expressions that produce only two values: 0 or 1.

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According to the type of result, an expression is defined as integer, real or logical. The
controller provides automatic type conversion of the result so that expression type required does
not restrict expression use. For example:
V0 = 0.01 * V1

In this assignment command, the integer variable V0 is to the left of the equals sign, while a
real expression is to the right of the equal sign. The controller automatically uses rounding type
conversion of the result obtained on the right side, so that the real value can be converted to an
integer variable and stored.
The types of operands and operators used in the expression define the expression type. Each
operator has an associated rule that defines the type of result according to the types of operands.
The rules are summarized in the following tables.

Note
Integer (0,1) is specified for the operators that produce only two values: 0 or
1 (logical result).

3.7.4 Operands
An operator requires one or two operands.
 An operator that requires one operand is called a unary operator. A unary operator is placed
before its operand.
 An operator that requires two operands is called a binary operator. A binary operator is
placed between its operands.
Unary operators:
Operator Type of Operand
integer real
- (unary minus) integer real
~ (inversion) integer integer
^ (logical not) integer (0,1) integer (0,1)

Binary operators:
Operator Type of Operand
integer-integer integer-real real-integer real-real
+ (addition) integer real real real
- (subtraction) integer real real real
* (multiplication) integer real real real
/ (division) real real real real
& (and), | (or), ~ (xor) integer integer integer integer

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Operator Type of Operand

= , <>, <, >, <=, >= integer (0,1) integer (0,1) integer (0,1) integer (0,1)
(compare)
. (bit selection) integer (0,1) integer (0,1) integer (0,1) integer (0,1)

Each operand can be either integer or real. If the operator requires, the controller automatically
converts the operand to the required type.
Operands can be one of the following:
 Constant
A constant can consist of any integer or real number. Integer constants can be presented in
decimal, hexadecimal and binary notation. Real constants can include a decimal point
and/or exponent.
 Symbolic constant
Symbolic constants are predefined in the controller. Each symbolic constant presents an
integer number.
 Scalar variable name or Array name with indexing
A variable name is a name of any standard or user-defined variable. If a user-defined name
is used, it must be declared before being used in the program. If the variable presents an
array, the name must be fully indexed to specify one element of the array.
 Function call or Expression
Any ACSPL+ function can be used in an expression. Using expression as an operand of
other expression provides unlimited variety of expressions. In many cases expression used
as operand must be enclosed in brackets. For example:
(V0+5)*7 Expression V0+5 is the left operand of multiplication
(V0+5)*(I88+3) Both operands of multiplication are expressions
V1*3 + I2*6 Operands of addition are expressions V1*3 and I2*6

The following sections provide further elaborations on the operands and operators.

3.7.4.1 Arithmetical Operators

Arithmetical operators provide four arithmetical operations. The arithmetical operators are:
 + (addition)
 - (subtraction)
 * (multiplication)
 / (division)
Addition, subtraction and multiplication calculate an integer result if both operands are
integers, and a real result if at least one operand is real.

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Division always calculates real results, for example:

real Var Declare real variable Var
Var = 5/4 Assigns 1.25 to variable Var.

3.7.4.2 Compare Operators

Compare operators are:
 = (equal to)
 <> (not equal to)
 > (greater than)
 >= (greater than or equal to)
 < (less than)
 <= (less than or equal to).
Compare operators work with any combination of integer and real operands. Compare operator
results are always the integers 0 or 1. A positive result of a comparison provides value 1, while
a negative result provides value 0.
Compare operators are typically used in a variety of contexts, for example:
if V0 > 5 ...
while I99 <> 0 ...
on IN0.5 = 1 ...

Because they always produce an integer result, compare operators can be used in arithmetical
calculations, for example:
V1 = (V0 = 5) * V4

The expression in parenthesis, V0 = 5, results in 1 if V0 is equal to 5 and results in 0 if V0 is

not equal to 5. Therefore, this command assigns V1 with the current value of V4 if V0 equals
5, and assigns V1 with 0 if V0 has any other value.

3.7.4.3 Bitwise and Logical Operators

Bitwise and logical operators are:
 & (and)
 | (or)
 ~ (xor - exclusive or)
The result of a bitwise operator is always an integer. If an operand of a bitwise operator is real,
the controller automatically converts it to an integer before the operation.
Bitwise means that the operation is executed separately on each bit of the operand. Each integer
operand is considered as a set of 32-bits. Bit 0 of the left operand is combined with bit 0 of the
right operand to produce bit 0 of the result.

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The following example illustrates the AND operator. Both operands and the result are
considered as sets of 32-bits.

First 00010001000000000000000000011010
operand
Second 00111100000111111111000001111100
operand
Result 00010000000000000000000000011000

If both operands are logical, i.e., have only values of 0 or 1, the result is also logical. In this case
the operators can be treated as logical AND, OR and XOR. For example, the following
condition:
(V0 = 5) & (I30 = 0)

is satisfied only if V0 is 5 and I30 is 0 simultaneously.

3.7.4.4 Unary Operators

The unary operators are applied only to the operand. The unary operators are:
 - (unary minus) – Negates its operand, either integer or real. The type of result follows
the type of operand. For example:
V0 = -V1 V0 is assigned with the negative value of V1

 ~ (inversion) – Provides bitwise inversion of its operand. If the operand is real, the
controller provides automatic conversion to integer before the
operation. The result is always an integer.
 ^ (logical not) – Accepts either an integer or real operand and calculates an integer
result. The result is 1 if the operand equals to 0, and is 0 if the operand
is non-zero.
The following two examples illustrate the difference between the ~ and ^ operations:
X 00111100000111111111000001111100
~X 11000011111000000000111110000011
^X 00000000000000000000000000000000

X 00000000000000000000000000000000
~X 11111111111111111111111111111111
^X 00000000000000000000000000000001

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Note
Inversion is a bitwise operator, while the logical not applies to the entire
value.

3.7.4.5 Bit Selection Operator (Dot)

Bit selection operator (dot) extracts one bit from an integer number. The result is always an
integer and can yield only two values: 0 or 1.
The operands can be integer or real. The controller converts a real operand to integer before the
operation.
The left operand supplies a number from which a bit will be extracted. The number is treated
as a set of 32 bits numbered from 0 to 31. Bit 0 is the least significant bit.
The right operand supplies the ordinal number of the bit to be extracted. The value of the right
operand must be in the range from 0 to 31.
Typical use of the bit selection is for the flag variables, such as MST, which are treated as a
collection of one-bit flags. For example, the following command
till ^MST(0).#MOVE

provides waiting for the end of the 0 axis motion. The symbolic constant #MOVE provides
selection of bit 5 of the MST (Motor State) variable. The fifth bit of MST reflects the state of
the motion: it is 1 while the axis is in motion, and is 0 while the axis is idle.

3.7.5 Character Constants

An ASCII character enclosed in single quotation marks is interpreted as integer constant and
can be used in assignment and expressions as a normal integer constant. For example:
int Char
Char = ‘A’

assigns value 65 (or 0x41, which is the numerical equivalent of A) to the variable: Char.

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3.8 ACSPL+ Commands

The complete ACSPL+ command set is detailed in the SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide.
This section addresses certain ACSPL+ commands with expanded information on their use.

3.8.1 Assignment Command

The Assignment (=) command is used to give a variable a value.
Syntax:
left-term = expression
left-term can be:
 Standard or user variable
 An element of a ACSPL+ or user array
 One bit of integer variable or integer array element
Assigning to an ACSPL+ variable is limited by the following rules:
 Assignment to read-only variable (for example, FPOS) is prohibited
 Assignment to a protected variable (for example, ERRI) is allowed in only in the
Configuration mode.
expression can be of integer or real type. By using different operators and parenthesis, an
unlimited number of expressions can be constructed.
After assignment, the previous value of the variable is replaced by the new value.
The controller executes assignment commands in the following order:
1. Calculate expression
2. Convert the type of calculated value to the type of left-term (if the types differ)
3. Assign the result to left-term
The following sections explain assignment for specific types of left-term.

3.8.1.1 ACSPL+ Variable Assignment

ACSPL+ variables can be used in the left side with the following restrictions:
1. The variable must not be read-only. Using read-only ACSPL+ variable in the left side
causes a compile-time error.
2. If it is a protected variable, protection is checked when the command is executed. In
protected mode, the assignment fails, producing a run-time error (3077).
Examples:
The following command tries to assign a read-only variable, and will cause a compilation error:
FPOS(0) = 0

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The following command assigns the protected variable FMASK.

FMASK(0) = 0

is a legal command; however, when the command executes, if the controller is in the Protected
mode, the assignment fails and produces a run-time error.
 If the ACSPL+ variable is scalar, no indexing is required.
 If a ACSPL+ variable is an array, explicit or implicit indexing is required. For indexing of
ACSPL+ variables see Section 3.4.3 - Explicit Indexing through Section 3.4.4 - Postfix
Indexing of Standard Arrays.
Examples:
VEL(0) = 1000 Assign 1000 to 0 axis default velocity - explicit indexing
VEL0 = 1000 The same as above - postfix indexing
Var1 = FPOS(0) Assign to user variable
Var2(0)(5) = 200 Assign to element of user array
OUT0.5 = 1 Assign to digital output 5

3.8.1.2 User Variable Assignment

User local and global variables must be declared before they can be used in an assignment
command.
 Explicit indexing only is allowed for user array variables.
 If a user variable is scalar, no indexing is required.
 If a user variable is one-dimensional array, it requires one index. Two-dimensional arrays
require two indexes.
Examples:
global int Int_Scalar Int_Scalar is declared as a global integer variable
local real Real_Array1(20), Real_Array1 is a local real array of 20 elements.
Real_Array2(10)(10) Real_Array2 is a local real array of size 10x10.
Int_Scalar = 5 Assign 5 to Int_Scalar
Real_Array1(2) = 5*Int_Scalar Calculate Int_Scalar multiplied by 5 and assign the result to
the third element of Real_Array1
Real_Array2(Int_Scalar)(Int_ Assign 1000 to the element of Real_Array2 with first index
Scalar+2) = 1000 equal to Int_Scalar and the second index equal to
Int_Scalar+2

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3.8.1.3 Bit Assignment

You use a bit specifier, added to an integer variable or integer array element, to provide
assignment to a single bit. The syntax of bit specifier is
VAR.bit_specifier = expression
The expression must calculate to an integer number that provides an ordinal number. Typically
the expression is simply a constant that specifies the number. However, an arbitrary expression
can be specified that provides calculation of the bit value in run time.
In the controller, an integer number is presented by 32 bits. The bits are numbered from 0 to 31.
The least significant bit is bit 0; therefore, bit_specifier must be an integer number in the range
0-31.
A bit can have only two possible values: 0 (false) or 1 (true), while the expression result, which
defines the bit value, can be any value. Assignments convert the value as follows:
 If the value is zero, the bit is set to zero
 If the value is non-zero, the bit is set to one
Although bit assignments are applicable to any integer variable or array element, they are
mainly used for changing flag variables and output bits.
Examples:
OUT0.13 = 1 Set output 13 to one.
IST(0).#IND = 0 Reset index flag of 0 axis.
FMASK(0).#DRIVE = 1 Enable Drive Fault exception. The command is allowed only
in the Configuration mode.

3.8.1.4 Type Conversion

Left-side terms and right-side expressions may be of different types: integer or real in any
combination. (The special case of Bit assignment is handled differently, as is described in Bit
Assignment, Section 3.8.1.3 - Bit Assignment).
If the types differ, the type of calculated right-side expression is automatically converted to the
type of left-side term. There are two possible conversions:
 Integer to real; conversion is exact.
 Real to integer; conversion is not always exact. A real number is rounded to the closest
integer.

3.8.2 Synchronization Commands

Synchronization commands provide delay in program execution for a specified number of
milliseconds or until a specified condition is satisfied. The following synchronization
commands are available:
 WAIT
 TILL

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3.8.2.1 WAIT Command

Description:
The WAIT command delays program execution for a specified number of milliseconds.
Syntax:
WAIT expression
Comments:
The WAIT command executes in the following order:
1. Calculate expression. The result is the required delay time in milliseconds.
2. Delay the program for the calculated amount of time.
Typically the expression is specified as a constant that provides a constant delay time. However,
in some cases a variable delay time may be needed as shown in the example below.
If the wait command is located in a separate line, the total execution time of this line is the delay
time plus the standard one line execution time as defined by the PRATE variable, which
defines the program execution rate (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide for
details on the PRATE variable).
Example:
The following example is a program that tests the wait command:
V0 = 0 Assign 0 to V0
loop 100
V1 = TIME
WAIT V0
DISP TIME - V1
V0 = V0 + 1
END End loop
STOP End of program

If the controller cycle is 1 millisecond and PRATE is 1, the program displays a list of numbers
from 2 to 101. The first number, 2, corresponds to the standard execution time of two lines,
because the first time the additional delay provided by the WAIT command is zero. Each loop
executed adds one to the requested delay, therefore the displayed time grows correspondingly.

3.8.2.2 TILL Command

Description:
The TILL command delays program execution until a specified expression produces a non-
zero (true) result.
Syntax:
TILL expression [, timeout]
Comments:
The optional timeout argument specifies a timeout for the TILL command in milliseconds.

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The TILL command executes in the following order:

1. Calculate expression.
2. If the expression result is non-zero, go to the next command.
3. If the expression result is zero, wait one controller cycle and repeat the TILL command
execution.
Examples:
The following fragment demonstrates a typical use of till command that provides waiting for a
specific state before the execution of the next command:
PTP 0, 2000 Start positioning of the 0 axis to absolute point 2000
TILL ^AST(0).#MOVE Wait until the 0 axis motion finishes

The bit: AST(0).#MOVE is raised as long as the 0 axis is involved in a motion. Inversion of
the bit (^AST(0).#MOVE), causing the bit to become non-zero, occurs when the motion ends
for any reason. Therefore the above TILL command provides a delay of execution of the next
command until the motion is over.
In the following example, the program starts a data collection and then a motion. The feedback
position is sampled with a period of 1 millisecond and stored in the data array. After the data
collection finishes, the data array contains a transient process of ptp motion. Synchronous data
collection used in the example displays its state in the AST(1).#DC bit which is raised as long
as the data collection is in progress. The collected data can be safely used only after the data
collection process has terminated. The TILL command below validates that both the motion
and the data collection are over:
global real Data(1000) Declare global real array Data of 1000 elements
DC/s 1, Data, 1000, 1, FPOS(1) Start data collection of FPOS(1) to array Data, 1000
samples, 1ms period
PTP 1, 2000 Start positioning of the 1 axis to absolute point 2000
TILL ^AST(1).#MOVE & ^AST(1).#DC Wait until both the 1 axis motion and the data
collection finish

The following example provides the 3 axis motion in negative direction until a general purpose
input becomes active and then terminates the motion:
JOG 3, - Start jog motion of the 3 axis in negative direction
TILL IN0.5 Wait until input 5 is activated
HALT 3 Terminate the 3 axis motion

In the following example a general purpose output must be activated 25 millisecond before the
motion end. The ACSPL+ GRTIME variable (for details on the GRTIME variable, see
Section 4.2.3 - The GRTIME Variable) contains the estimated time that remains to the
motion end.
PTP 0, 10000 Start positioning of the 0 axis to absolute point 10000
TILL GRTIME(0) <= 25; OUT0.4 = 1 Activate output 4 25 milliseconds before the motion
ends.

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The output activation, OUT0.4 = 1, is placed in the same line as the TILL command in order
to avoid one controller cycle delay between program lines.

3.8.3 Autoroutines
The technique of autoroutines is similar to hardware interrupts. In distinction to routines that
must be explicitly executed (by way of the CALL command), the autoroutine is automatically
executed when a specific condition is satisfied. The routine interrupts the currently executing
program, executes the commands specified in the autoroutine body, and then returns control to
the interrupted program.

3.8.3.1 ON Command
Description:
The ON command flags the routine as an autoroutine and specifies the condition upon which
the execution of the routine is based.
Syntax:
ON expression
Comments:
The value of expression defines the condition. The condition is considered true if the
expression calculates to a non-zero result. A zero result corresponds to a false condition, and
the routine is not executed.
The controller never executes the ON command directly.

Note
If the program execution flow hits an ON command, the controller asserts a
run time error and aborts the program. Therefore you must either end the
program before the ON command, or use an unconditional GOTO
command to skip over the routine.

Instead of direct execution, the controller registers an autoroutine when the program containing
the routine is compiled. Then the controller calculates the expression each controller cycle in
parallel with executing ACSPL+ programs. If the expression calculates to a non-zero value, the
controller interrupts the ACSPL+ program being executed in the same buffer where the
autoroutine is located, and transfers the execution point to the autoroutine. If no ACSPL+
program is executed in the buffer, the controller does not interrupt any program and simply
starts the autoroutine execution.
The controller implements edge-detection in autoroutine condition verification. If a condition
becomes true, the controller activates the autoroutine only once. If the condition remains true
afterwards, the controller does not activate the autoroutine again. The condition must become
false and then become true again in order to activate the autoroutine again.

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3.8.3.2 Autoroutine Body and Execution

The autoroutine body is a sequence of ACSPL+ commands that starts from the command
following the autoroutine header. The body continues until it reaches a RET command.
The RET command terminates the autoroutine execution and transfers execution control back
to the interrupted program. If no program was interrupted, the RET command simply
terminates the program.
As explained above, an autoroutine interrupts the program in the host buffer, but is executed in
parallel with programs that are executed in other buffers.
You can specify different execution rates (number of lines executed per one controller cycle)
for regular programs and for autoroutines in the same buffer. The ACSPL+ PRATE array
contains elements for each program buffer and specifies the execution rate for regular
programs. The ACSPL+ ONRATE array specifies the execution rate for autoroutines.
For example, if you have configured the controller so that PRATE(2) is one, but ONRATE(2)
is four, the program in buffer 2 will be executed one line per one controller cycle, and any
autoroutine specified in buffer 2 that interrupts the program will be executed four lines per one
controller cycle. When the ret command that terminates the autoroutine is executed, the
controller switches back to the rate of one line per one cycle.

3.8.3.3 Autoroutine and the Host Buffer Interactions

An autoroutine can reside in any program buffer. The controller examines the conditions each
controller cycles for all compiled autoroutines in all buffers.
There are, however, specific autoroutine-host buffer interactions:
 The buffer’s local variables can be used in the autoroutine condition as well as in the
autoroutine body only in an autoroutine defined in the host buffer. However, all ACSPL+
and user global variables can be used in any buffer.
 When the condition is satisfied, the autoroutine interrupts only the program executed in the
host buffer. Programs that are concurrently executing in other buffers continue executing
in parallel with the autoroutine. When activated, the autoroutine prevents activation of
other autoroutines in the same buffer. A program that is executed in any other buffer can
be interrupted by an autoroutine specified in its own host buffer.
The following approaches are available to you for defining a set of autoroutines and assigning
them to one or more buffers:
 A specific autoroutine occupies a separate buffer with no other program or autoroutine in
the buffer. Activating and executing the autoroutine has no direct affect on other programs
or autoroutines. This approach is the most suitable for an autoroutine that takes a long time
to execute, because a large autoroutine that shares a buffer with another program or
autoroutines would prevent the activity of other programs or autoroutines during its
execution.
 Several autoroutines are specified in one buffer with no regular program in the same buffer.
In this case the activation of an autoroutine does not interrupt any program, all programs
executed in the other buffers continue executing concurrently. An activated autoroutine
prevents the activation of another autoroutine in the same buffer until its termination.

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 One or more autoroutines are specified in a buffer along with a regular program. In this
case the activation of the autoroutine interrupts the program execution. This approach is
the most suitable if the program and the autoroutine are closely related and must use the
same local variables. For example, the autoroutine processes the failure conditions for the
program, and must interrupt the program if a failure occurs.

3.8.3.4 Examples
The following fragment demonstrates a typical use of autoroutine for processing the controller
faults. The autoroutine provides an error message when the Drive Alarm of 0 axis occurs:
ON FAULT(0).#DRIVE Activate autoroutine when bit FAULT(0).#DRIVE changes
from 0 to 1
DISP "X Drive Alarm" Display an error message
RET End of autoroutine

The following autoroutine responds when either the Left Limit or Right Limit are activated:
ON FAULT(1).#LL | FAULT(1).#RL Activate autoroutine when the right or left limit bit is
activated on the 1 axis.
DISP "1 axis Limit Switch Display an error message
activated"
RET End of autoroutine

The following example assumes that an extra ventilator must be activated when the motor
overheat input signal is activated for the axis 2. The ventilator is controlled by the output bit:
OUT0.4. The ventilator must be disabled when the signal returns to inactive state.
ON FAULT(2).#HOT Activate autoroutine when bit FAULT(2).#HOT changes
from 0 to 1.
OUT0.4 = 1 Set output 4 to 1
RET End of autoroutine.
ON FAULT(2).#HOT Activate autoroutine when bit FAULT(2).#HOT changes
from 1 to 0.
OUT0.4 = 0 Set output 4 to 0
RET End of autoroutine.

All bits, not only faults, can be used in autoroutine conditions. Assuming that output OUT0.6
(of the 0 axis) is connected to a LED indicator, the following autoroutines signals the motion
state bit to activate the indicator, and deactivate it when the 0 axis is no longer in motion:
ON MST(0).#MOVE When the MST(0).#MOVE bit changes from 0 to 1
(signaling that the X axis is moving)
OUT0.6 = 1 Set output 6 to 1 (turns on the LED)
RET End of autoroutine.
ON ^MST(0).#MOVE When the MST(0).#MOVE bit changes from 1to 0
(signaling that the X axis is no longer moving)

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OUT0.6 = 0 Set output 6 to 0 (turns off the LED)

RET End of autoroutine

The condition of an autoroutine can be any type of expression, not only bit verification. The
following autoroutine provides an alarm message if a fault occurs in the controller:
ON S_FAULT When a fault occurs
DISP "Something happened" Display an error message
RET End of autoroutine

The above autoroutine displays the alarm message only on the first fault. If one fault bit is
already raised, and another fault occurs, the second fault does not cause the alarm message.
The ACSPL+ MERR (motor error) array can be used for motor failure processing. While a
motor is enabled, the corresponding element of MERR is zero. If a motor is disabled, the
element stores the reason why the motor was disabled. Codes greater than or equal to 5010
correspond to fault conditions. The following autoroutine displays a message when the
controller disables the 0 axis due to any fault.
ON MERR(0) >= 5010 When the 0 axis motor is disabled
DISP "Motor 0 was disabled. Error Display a message stating that the motor was
code: ", MERR(0) disabled, and the error code of the fault
RET End of autoroutine

The ACSPL+ AERR array can be used to detect abnormal motion termination.
The ACSPL+ MERR and AERR variables expose only those faults that cause motor disable
or abnormal motion termination.

3.8.4 Program Management Commands

Program management commands are used for controlling the execution of a program. As any
other command, a program management command can be either executed immediately as an
Terminal Command, or stored in a buffer. Using program management commands within a
program provides the ability to create a master program that manages execution of other
programs.

3.8.4.1 START Command

Description:
The START command activates program execution in a buffer.
Syntax:
START buffer_number, label_name
Comments:
The command specifies a target buffer (buffer_number) that contains the program that must
be activated. The buffer_number argument can be a constant or expression that calculates to

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integer number. The specified or calculated buffer number must fall into the range 0 to 9. If the
number is out of range, error 3052 is generated.
The label_name argument is a label in the program (see Section 3.1.4 - Names: Variable and
Label). Execution starts from that label.
If the START command is executed from a program, the specified buffer_number must be
different from the buffer that contains the current program because a program cannot start itself.
It will be aborted, generating error 3044.
The START command executes successfully if the target buffer is loaded with a program,
compiled, but not running. Otherwise, the START command causes a run-time error and aborts
the current program.
The program activated by the START command executes concurrently with the program
containing the START command, and other active programs.
Examples:
The following fragment starts the program in buffer 2 from label PStart:
START 2, Pstart Start executing buffer #2 at the line labeled Pstart.

The following Terminal command displays change in buffer state after the start command was
executed:
?2 Querying status of buffer #2.
Buffer 2: 192 lines, running in line 153 Response to query.

3.8.4.2 STOP and STOPALL Commands

Description:
The STOP command terminates program execution in a buffer. The STOPALL command
terminates all currently executing programs except the program that issued the command.
Syntax:
STOP [buffer_number]
STOPALL
Comments:
buffer_number is the buffer designator (an integer between 0 and one less than the total
number of Program Buffers in the system)
The STOP command without buffer_number affects the currently executing program in the
buffer and is the normal method of program termination.
The STOP command with buffer_number terminates a program in the specified buffer. A
master program that manages the whole application can use this command in order to terminate
a certain activity.
The STOPALL command executed by a program terminates all other concurrently executed
programs, but the program itself continue executing.

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After termination by the stop or stopall command, a program remains in the compiled state.
Therefore, if the program contains autoroutines, the autoroutines can be activated after the
program termination whenever its condition is satisfied.
Examples:
The following command terminates the current program:
STOP

The following command terminates the program only if the 0 axis is disabled:
IF ^MST(0).#ENABLED STOP; END

The following command terminates the program executed in buffer 3:

STOP 3

The following command executed in buffer 0 terminates the programs currently executed in all
buffers except buffer 0:
STOPALL

The following Terminal command displays change in buffer state after executing the stop
command:
?3 Querying status of buffer #3.
Buffer 3: 35 lines, compiled, not running Response to query.

3.8.4.3 PAUSE and RESUME Commands

Description:
The PAUSE command suspends program execution in a buffer. The RESUME command
resumes execution of a suspended program.
Syntax:
PAUSE buffer_number
RESUME buffer_number
Comments:
The PAUSE command suspends the program executed in the specified buffer
(buffer_number). If no program is executed in the buffer, the command has no effect.
The RESUME command resumes execution of the program suspended in the specified buffer.
If the program was not suspended, the command has no effect.
Examples:
The following command suspends the program currently executed buffer 0:
pause 0

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The following Terminal command displays change in buffer state after executing the pause
command:
?0 Querying status of buffer #0.
Buffer 0: 97 lines, suspended in line 69 Response to query.

The following command resumes program execution in buffer 0:

resume 0

The following Terminal command displays change in buffer state after executing the resume
command:
?0 Querying status of buffer #0.
Buffer 0: 97 lines, running in line 83 Response to query.

3.8.4.4 ENABLEON and DISABLEON Commands

Description:
The ENABLEON command enables the activation of an autoroutine in a buffer. The
DISABLEON command disables the autoroutine activation in a buffer.
Syntax:
ENABLEON buffer_number
DISABLEON buffer_number
Comments:
The commands alter the NOAUTO bit in the ACSPL+ PFLAGS variable that controls
autoroutine activation (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide for details on the
PFLAGS variable).
If the bit is reset, the controller starts verifying the condition of an autoroutine and can activate
the autoroutine as soon as the buffer is compiled. Setting the bit prevents the autoroutine
activation even if the buffer is compiled and the condition is true.
Examples:
The following dialog shows the effect of the commands on the buffer state:
DISABLEON 0 Disabling autoroutines in buffer #0
?0 Querying status of buffer #0.
Buffer 0: 97 lines, compiled, not running, Response to query
autoroutines disabled
ENABLEON 0 Enabling autoroutines in buffer #0
?0 Querying status of buffer #0.
Buffer 0: 97 lines, compiled, not running Response to query.

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4 ACSPL+ Motion Programming

This chapter provides practical details for using ACSPL+ to program motion. It covers the
specific commands for programming motion. It should be used in conjunction with the SPiiPlus
Command & Variable Reference Guide.

4.1 Axis/Motor Management Commands

Axis/Motor Management commands comprise various operations that change the state of the
motors and the axes, establish relations between the motors and the axes, and manage executed
motion.

4.1.1 ENABLE & DISABLE Commands

The ENABLE command activates one or more motors and drives. After the ENABLE
command, the motor starts following the reference and physical motion is available.
The DISABLE command shuts off one or more drives and motors. After the disable command
the motor cannot follow the reference and remains idle.
Syntax:
ENABLE axis_specification
DISABLE axis_specification [, reason]
In simple cases axis_specification is a single axis like 0 or 13, or a string consisting of axis
enclosed in parentheses and separated by commas, for example: (0, 2, 13), or the keyword all
(specifying all available non-dummy axes).
The ENABLE and DISABLE commands affect all specified axes.
The optional second parameter of the DISABLE command (reason) must be an integer
constant or expression and specifies a reason why the motor was disabled. If the parameter is
specified, its value is stored in the MERR variable. If the parameter is omitted, MERR stores
zero after the disable operation.
A reason stored in the MERR variable is cleared by the fclear (see Section 4.1.4 - FCLEAR
Command) or ENABLE command.
As long as the motor is enabled, the controller provides the following:
 Holds output ENA (enable drive) in active state.
 Calculates PE (non-critical position error).
 Performs closed loop control (for servo motors).
 Examines conditions of PE and other faults and raises the corresponding fault bits if
required.

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The following variables/bits can modify execution of the enable command:

ENTIME Defines the time (or maximum time) of enable execution
MFLAGS.#ENMOD Defines the mode of enable execution
FMASK.#DRIVE Defines if the drive alarm fault is processed
SAFINI.#DRIVE Defines an active level of the drive alarm safety signal

If the MFLAGS.#ENMOD bit is 1, the ENTIME value defines the time of enable execution.
In executing the enable command, an ACSPL+ program always waits for ENTIME
milliseconds. If then the drive alarm fault is zero, the ENABLE command is considered
successful; otherwise the ENABLE command fails.
If the MFLAGS.#ENMOD bit is 0, the ENTIME value defines the maximum time allotted for
ENABLE execution. Executing ENABLE, an ACSPL+ program monitors the drive alarm
input signal. As soon as the drive alarm becomes inactive, the ENABLE command finishes
execution with success. If the drive alarm signal does not change to inactive state within
ENTIME milliseconds, the ENABLE command fails.
Examples:
ENABLE 0 Enable axis 0
ENABLE (2,3) Enable axes 2 and 3
DISABLE 2,5011 Disable axis 2, store 5011 as a disable reason. Code 5011
corresponds to left limit error, therefore the 2 axis motor will
be reported as disabled due to fault involving left limit.
DISABLE (2,3) Disable motors of axes 0 and 3

4.1.2 COMMUT Command

The COMMUT command performs autocommutation and may be used when the following
conditions hold true:
 The motor is DC brushless (AC servo)
 The motor is enabled
 The motor is idle (not moving)
The COMMUT command is used in autocommutation-based startup programs.
The command will operate properly only after the SPiiPlus MMI Adjuster has been used to:
 Perform initial commutation adjustment
 Adjust the motor properly
 Save the adjustment parameters to the controller’s flash memory.
Commutation using the SPiiPlus MMI Adjuster is described in depth in the SPiiPlus MMI
Application Studio User Guide.
Motor movement during commutation very much depends on the motor drive settings. The
COMMUT command will not operate properly if the SLPKP variable is set to zero, or the
integrator is very low.

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Syntax:
COMMUT axis, [excitation_current,] [settle_time,] [slope_time]
Arguments

axis Specifies the motor to start commutation.

excitation_current Specifies the motor current used during autocommutation. The current is
specified in a percentage of the maximal value. The controller restricts the actual
current value by the XCURI value. The argument can be omitted in which case
the default value is 0.98*XRMS. You may wish to specify a greater value if the
axis static friction is high, or a lower value if the axis static friction is low.
settle_time Specifies the settling time in the autocommutation process in milliseconds. The
argument can be omitted in which case the default value is 500 milliseconds.
You may wish to specify a greater value in case of low-bandwidth or slow
damping systems.
slope_time Specifies the time that the excitation current rises from zero to the desired value.
The argument can be omitted in which case the default value is 0 providing an
immediate build-up of the excitation current. Slope time is required only in
special cases and it is usually recommended to omit this argument in which case
the excitation current is built instantly.

The COMMUT command executes the autocommutation algorithm three times for verification
and elimination of unstable equilibrium. The approximate execution time of the command is
therefore 3*(settle_time + slope_time).
It should be noted that:
 In air bearing systems a lower excitation_current may be required.
 In high friction systems a higher excitation_current value is required.
The excitation_current should be the same as that which you determined in the initial
commutation adjustment process.
The settle_time parameter determines the settling time for the autocommutation process
initiated by the COMMUT command. The entire autocommutation process lasts
approximately three times longer, since the command executes the algorithm three times for
verification.

Note
In low-bandwidth systems (high inertia, etc.) a higher value may be
required.

The settling_time should be the same as that you have determined in the initial commutation
adjustment process.

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4.1.3 KILL and KILLALL Commands

The KILL command causes one or more motors to terminate motion using a second-order
deceleration profile. The deceleration value is specified by the KDEC variable (see SPiiPlus
Command & Variable Reference Guide).
The KILLALL command provides kill operation for all motors.
The commands have the following syntax:
KILL axis_specification [, cause]
KILLALL [, cause]
In simple cases axis_specification is a single axis like 0 or 13, or a string consisting of axis
enclosed in parentheses and separated by commas, for example: (0, 2, 13), or the keyword all
(specifying all available non-dummy axes).
The optional cause argument, specifying a cause why the motor was killed, must be an integer
constant or expression that results in an integer. If the parameter is specified, its value is stored
in the MERR variable. If the parameter is omitted, the MERR stores zero after the kill
operation.
If several sequential kill operations specify different causes for the same motor, only the first
cause will be stored in MERR and all subsequent causes will be ignored.
A cause stored in the MERR variable is cleared by the fclear (see Section 4.1.4 - FCLEAR
Command) or ENABLE command.
Each motor specified in a kill operation decelerates individually using its KDEC deceleration
value.
Any motion related to the killed motors is terminated. If a motion involves several motors and
only some of the motors are specified in a kill command, all other motors decelerate
synchronously using a third-order profile and the DEC deceleration value (same behavior as
with the HALT command, see Section 4.1.8 - HALT Command).
The following examples illustrate KILL execution under different conditions. (Some of the
examples involve a default connection. This is a condition where a motor depends only on the
corresponding axis and the difference between motor and axis can be ignored. For more
information about default and non-default connections, see Section 8.12.3 - CONNECT
Command and Section 8.12.4 - DEPENDS Command.)
 KILL command with motor idle
Assume, none of the currently executed motions involves the 2 axis motor.
The command KILL 2 does not affect the motor in any way.
The command KILL 2,6100 does not affect the motor, but stores code 6100 (user-defined
cause) in the MERR(2) variable. The code is stored only if at this moment the variable is
zero, otherwise the command does not overwrite the previously stored code and the cause
specified in the command is ignored.

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 KILL command with single-axis motion, default connection

Assume, axis 1 executes motion PTP/v 1,6000,20000.
Once KILL 1 is executed, the motor starts decelerating from its instant velocity using
constant deceleration value specified by the KDEC(1) variable. Deceleration time is given
by:
V1 / KDEC(1)
where V1 is the instant velocity at the moment of the KILL command. V1 is not necessarily
20000 as specified in the motion command, it can be lower if the kill command is executed
in acceleration or deceleration phases of the motion.
Typically, the motor finishes the KILL process and stops before it reaches the final motion
point of 6000. However, if KDEC(1) < DEC(1) (not recommended in most applications),
the motor can overrun the final point.
The motion is considered to continue execution as long as the kill process is executed. Bit
AST(1).#MOVE remains 1 while the motor is decelerating and drops to 0 once the motor
reaches zero reference velocity. Bit MST(1).#MOVE also remains 1 while the motor is
decelerating but drops to 0 only when the motor reference velocity is zero and the motor
position error PE(1) remains less than TARGRAD(1) for more than SETTLE(1)
milliseconds.
 KILL command with several single-axis motions, default connection
Assume, each of the axes 0, 2, 4 executes independent single-axis motion.
The command KILL (0,2,4),6088 is equivalent to KILL 0,6088; KILL 2,6088;
KILL 4,6088 and acts on each motion independently. Each motor uses its own component
of KDEC and the time of the KILL process is different for the motors.
The reason for the KILL, 6088 (user-defined code), is stored in MERR(0) (for the 0 axis),
MERR(2) (for the 2 axis) and MERR(4) (for the 4 axis). However, if at the moment one
of these variables contains a non-zero value, the value is not overwritten and the previously
stored cause is retained.
The command KILL 4 (again with default connection) kills the axis 4 motor and
terminates the axis 4 motion, but does not affect motors and motions of axes 0 and 2.
 KILL command with multi-axis motion, default connection
Assume, motion MPTP (0,1,4) is executed.
The command KILL 1 causes the axis 1 motor to start decelerating from its instant velocity
using the constant deceleration value specified by the KDEC(1) variable. The deceleration
continues until the motor reaches zero velocity.
The behavior of 0 and 4 axes is different. Once the KILL 1 is executed, the motion starts
a third-order deceleration process just as if a HALT command was executed. The 0 and 1
axes continue moving in the common motion. The vector deceleration of the motion is
DEC(0) and the vector jerk is JERK(0).
If command KILL (1,4) is executed, the KILL process applies to 1 and 4 axes motors.
Each motor decelerates independently from its instant velocity to zero using the constant
decelerations KDEC(1) and KDEC(4). At the same time the 0 axis motor decelerates
using the third-order profile and the DEC(0) deceleration value, just as if a halt command
was executed.

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If command KILL (0,1,4) is executed, each motor decelerates independently from its
instant velocity to zero using the constant decelerations KDEC(0), KDEC(1) and
KDEC(4).
In all cases bits AST.#MOVE and MST.#MOVE of axes 0,1, and 4 remain 1 as long as
any of the motor continues decelerating. Once all motors reach zero velocity, bits
AST(0).#MOVE, AST(1).#MOVE and AST(4).#MOVE drop to zero. Bit
MST(0).#MOVE drops to zero as soon as position error PE(0) remains less than
TARGRAD(0) for more than SETTLE(0) milliseconds. So do bits MST(1).#MOVE and
MST(4).#MOVE (for the 1 and 4 axes respectively).
 KILL command with non-default connection
If a motor is in non-default connection but depends only on the corresponding axis the
effect of the KILL command is similar to the case of default connection. For example, if
the connection was specified as
CONNECT RPOS(0) = 0.5*APOS(0)*APOS(0)
DEPENDS 0,0

(in this case the DEPENDS command is not necessary), the KILL 0 command starts the
same kill process on the 0 axis motor and the halt process on the motion that involves the
0 axis. All above considerations about the idle motor, single-axis motion and multi-axis
motion remain the same.
The result is a little different if a motor depends on another axis or on several axes, for
example:
CONNECT RPOS(2) = APOS(0) + APOS(2) - APOS(4)
DEPENDS 2,(0,2,4)

(in this case the DEPENDS command is required). The difference is that the KILL 2
command applies the halt operation to all executed motions involving any of the axes 0, 2,
or 4. Correspondingly, bits AST(2).#MOVE and MST(2).#MOVE remain 1 as long as
any of these motions continues its termination process.
Note that a KILLALL command always terminates all executed motions and therefore
makes no difference between the default and non-default connection.

4.1.4 FCLEAR Command

The FCLEAR command clears the current faults and the result of the previous fault stored in
the MERR variable.
The command syntax is:
FCLEAR [axis_specification]
In simple cases axis_specification is single axis like 0 or 13, a string consisting of axis enclosed
in parentheses and separated by commas, for example: (0, 2, 13), or keyword all for all axes.
If axis_specification is omitted, the command clears the system faults. If axis_specification is
specified, the command clears the FAULT and MERR components for the specified axes.
However, if a reason for a fault is still active, the controller will set the fault again immediately
after the FCLEAR command.

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If one of the cleared faults is an encoder error, the command also resets the feedback position
to zero.

4.1.5 SET Command

The SET command determines a current value of the feedback, reference or master position.
The command syntax is:
SET axis_VAR=expression
Only the following variables can be specified in axes_VAR:
FPOS Feedback Position
F2POS Secondary Feedback Position
RPOS Reference Position
APOS Axis Reference Position

Although the SET command resembles the ASSIGNMENT command, execution of the set
command is different from ASSIGNMENT. The SET command induces a complex operation
in the controller instead of a simple assignment.
Regardless of the left-side variable, execution of the SET command starts with calculation of
expression. The result of the calculation provides the right-side value. Then the execution
depends on the variable specified on the left side.
The following are examples of the use of SET.
 SET RPOS and SET FPOS
The SET command that contains RPOS or FPOS, shifts the origin of an axis. For example,
command
SET FPOS(0) = 0

places the origin of the 0 axis to the point where the motor is located this moment.
FPOS and RPOS provide a reference and a feedback value for a motor. If a control loop
works properly, FPOS follows RPOS with small or zero error.
If the error is zero, both SET FPOS and SET RPOS provide the same result: both FPOS
and RPOS become equal to the right-side value. This is not a simple assignment, and the
command adjusts the controller offsets so that the periodic calculation of FPOS and RPOS
will provide the required results.
If the error is non-zero, the result of SET FPOS and SET RPOS may differ slightly.
Consider the following example:
?RPOS(0), FPOS(0) Query RPOS and FPOS for the 0 axis
6000 The RPOS and FPOS differ by 2 counts due to, for
instance, the bias in the amplifier
6002
SET RPOS(0) = 0 Set RPOS to 0 for the 0 axis
?RPOS(0), FPOS(0) Query RPOS and FPOS for the 0 axis
0 RPOS is set to exact zero

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2 FPOS is set to 2 in the current point in order to retain the

offset between RPOS and FPOS
SET FPOS(0) = 0 Set FPOS to 0 for the 0 axis
?FPOS(0), RPOS(0) Query RPOS and FPOS for the 0 axis
0 FPOS is set to zero in the current point
-2 RPOS is set to -2 in order to retain the offset between
RPOS and FPOS

Note that in both SET commands no physical motion occurs. The 0 axis remains in the
same position, only the internal offsets in the controller are adjusted to shift the origin as
required.
Note further that even if a motor is idle, several identical set FPOS commands may place
the origin at slightly different points due to the jitter in feedback.
If a motor is flagged by the Default Connection bit (MFLAGS.#DEFCON), the RPOS
and APOS variables are conjugate. Therefore, any command that changes RPOS, also
changes the corresponding APOS to the same value.
 SET F2POS
The command SET F2POS shifts the origin of the secondary axis feedback. For example,
command
SET F2POS(0) = 0

places the origin of the 0 axis secondary feedback to the point where the motor is currently
located.
As a result of the command execution, F2POS becomes equal to the right-side value. This
is not a simple assignment, as the command adjusts the controller offsets so that the
periodic calculation of F2POS will provide the required result (the specified value in the
current point).
Note that even if a motor is idle, several identical SET F2POS commands may place the
origin in slightly different points due to the jitter in feedback.
 SET APOS
If a motor is flagged by the Default Connection bit (MFLAGS.#DEFCON), variables
RPOS and APOS are conjugate, and always keep the same value. In this case, the set
APOS command is identical to the SET RPOS command for the same axis.
For non-default connection a motor and the corresponding axis are separated. Variables
RPOS and APOS may have different values. In this case, command set APOS shifts the
origin of the axis but has no effect on the origin of the motor. The controller adjusts offsets
so that the command causes no jerk in the motor.

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Note
In the case of non-default connection the controller adjusts offsets only for
the motors that depend on the specified axis. Therefore, the depends
command is significant in a connection specification. If dependence is
specified incorrectly, one or more motors can jump once SET APOS=… is
executed.

4.1.6 GROUP, SPLIT & SPLITALL Commands

The GROUP, SPLIT and SPLITALL commands manage grouping the axes in coordinate
systems for multi-axis motion.
 The GROUP command creates a coordinate system for multi-axis motion.
For most applications there is no need for the GROUP commands in that the controller
automatically creates and splits groups. Mainly you would include the command in order
to keep a check that you have included all of the relevant axes in the subsequent motion
commands. If you include a motion command that does not relate to all of the axes in the
group (without a previous SPLIT command), the controller issues an error.
 The SPLIT command breaks down an axis group previously created with a GROUP
command.
 The SPLITALL command breaks down all axis groups previously created with a GROUP
command.
Syntax:
GROUP axes_specification
SPLIT axes_specification
SPLITALL
The format of the axes_specification is a list of the axes separated by commas and enclosed in
parentheses, for example (0,1,2,4). After power-up, each controller axis is a single axis, no axis
group exists. One-axis motion does not require any axis group. One-axis motion can be
activated immediately after power-up, assuming that the motor is enabled. Several one-axis
motions can be activated in parallel, and do not require any axis group definition.
An axis can belong to only one group at a time. If the application requires restructuring the axes,
it must split the existing group and only then create the new one.
For example, the command:
GROUP (0,2,3)

creates an axis group that includes axes 0, 2 and 3.

The first axis in the axes_specification (0 in the above command) is the leading axis. The
motion parameters of the leading axis become the default motion parameters for the group. For
example, for the above (0,2,3) group, the values of ACSPL+ variables VEL(0), ACC(0),

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DEC(0), JERK(0), KDEC(0) become the default values of velocity, acceleration,

deceleration, jerk and kill deceleration for all motions executed in this group. If, for example, a
group was defined as (3,2,0), the 3 axis is leading and the values of 3 will be used as the default
motion parameters for 0 and 2.
In all other aspects the leading axis has no preference, and the order of axis letters in group
definition is not important. The motion commands referencing a group are not required to
specify all axes of the group or in the same order. However, an axis can belong to only one
group, so all specified axes must belong to the same group. A motion command that references
axes from different groups will fail.
The SPLIT command must specify the same axes as the GROUP command that created the
group. After the SPLIT command the group no longer exists.

Note
If the SPLIT command specifying an axis that is currently in motion is
executed within the buffer, the buffer execution is suspended until the motion
is completed. However, if the SPLIT command is sent from the host or as a
Terminal command, it returns error 3087: "Command cannot be executed
while the axis is in motion”.

The SPLITALL command breaks up all existing groups. An ACSPL+ program that starts in
an unknown environment (not just after power-up) can execute the SPLITALL command in
order to ensure that no axes are grouped.

4.1.7 GO Command
The GO command starts a motion that was created using the /w switch (see Section 4.7.2 -
SLAVE Command). A motion that has been created without this switch starts automatically
after creation and does not require the go command.
Syntax:
GO axes_specification
In simple cases axes_specification is a single axis like 0 or 13, or a string consisting of axis
enclosed in parentheses and separated by commas, for example: (0, 2, 13), or the keyword: all
(specifying all of the axes).
There following possibilities are available:
 Starting single-axis motion
A GO command specifies one axis that is not included in any group. The command starts
the last created motion for the same axis. If the motion was not created, or has been started
before, the command has no effect. For example:
PTP/w 0, 1000 Create the motion, but do not start it
GO 0 Start the motion

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 Starting common motion

A GO command specifies a leading axis in a group. The command starts the last created
motion for the same axis group. If the motion was not created, or has been started before,
the command has no effect. For example:
PTP/w 0, 1000 Create the motion, but do not start it
TILL IN0.1 Wait until input 1 is activated
GO 0 Start the motion

 Synchronous start of several motions

A GO command can specify several axes. Each axis in the specification must be either a
single axis not included in any group or a leading axis in a group. The command
synchronously starts the last created motions for all specified axes and groups. If any of
referenced motions was not created, or has been started before, the command does not
affect this axis/group but does affect all other specified axes/groups. For example:
PTP/w (0,1), 1000,1000 Create the motion, but do not start it
PTP/w 2, 8000 Create the motion, but do not start it
GO (0,1) Start both motions synchronously

4.1.8 HALT Command

The HALT command terminates a motion using a deceleration profile. The deceleration value
is specified by the DEC variable (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide).
Syntax:
HALT axes_specification
In simple cases axes_specification is a single axis like 0 or 13, or a string consisting of axis
enclosed in parentheses and separated by commas, for example: (0, 2, 13), or the keyword: all
for all axes.
The following possibilities are supported:
 Terminating single-axis motion
A HALT command specifies one axis that is not included in any group. The command
terminates the currently executed motion for the same axis. If no motion is executed, the
command has no effect.
 Terminating common motion
A HALT command specifies a leading axis in a group. The command terminates the
currently executed motion in the same axis group. If no motion is executed, the command
has no effect.
 Terminating several motions
A HALT command specifies several axes. Each axis in the specification must be either a
single axis not included in any group or a leading axis in a group. The command terminates
currently executed motions in all specified axes and groups.

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If any of referenced axes are idle, the command does not affect this axis/group but does
affect all other specified axes/groups.

4.1.9 BREAK Command

The BREAK command provides premature termination of a motion with smooth transition to
the next motion. The command executes differently in the following two cases:
1. The next motion already waits in the motion queue. The BREAK command terminates the
current motion and starts the next motion immediately. The controller provides smooth
velocity profile of transition from motion to motion.
2. There is no next motion in the motion queue. The BREAK command has no immediate
effect. The current motion continues until the next motion appears in the motion queue. At
that moment the controller breaks the current motion and starts the next as described above.
If the current motion finishes before the next motion comes to the queue, the command has
no effect.
Syntax:
BREAK axes_specification
In simple cases axes_specification is a single axis like 0 or 13, a string consisting of axis
enclosed in parentheses and separated by commas, for example: (0, 2, 13), or the keyword: all
(specifies all available non-dummy axes).

Note
The BREAK command is not supported in path or master-slave motion.

The following possibilities exist:

 Terminating single-axis motion
A BREAK command specifies one axis that is not included in any group. The command
terminates the currently executed motion for the same axis. If no motion is executed, the
command has no effect.
 Terminating multi-axis motion
A BREAK command specifies a leading axis in a group. The command terminates the
currently executed motion in the axis group. If no motion is executed, the command has no
effect.

Caution
In multi-axis motion, smooth vector velocity profiles do not always
assure smooth motion of the coordinates. The user application must
provide nearly tangent motion trajectories in the junction point to
avoid jumps in coordinate velocity, which may cause damage to
equipment.

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 Terminating several motions

A BREAK command specifies several axes. Each axis in the specification must be either
a single axis not included in any group or a leading axis in a group. The command
terminates currently executed motions in all specified axes and groups. If any of referenced
axes are idle, the command does not affect this axis/group but does affect all other specified
axes/groups.

4.1.10 IMM Command

The IMM command provides on-the-fly changes of the motion parameters: velocity,
acceleration, deceleration, jerk, and kill deceleration.
Syntax:
IMM motion_var=command
Only the following variables can be specified as motion_var:
VEL Velocity
ACC Acceleration
DEC Deceleration
JERK Jerk
KDEC Kill deceleration

Although the IMM command resembles the ASSIGNMENT command, execution of the IMM
command differs from normal assignment to the same variables.
As in conventional assignment, execution of the IMM command starts from calculation of the
right-side expression. The calculated right-side value is assigned to the left-side variable.
Execution of flat assignment finishes at this point.
The difference between the conventional ASSIGNMENT and the IMM commands becomes
apparent when the command executes while a motion is in progress. The ASSIGNMENT
command does not affect the motion in progress or any motion that was already created and is
waiting in a motion queue. Only the motions created after the ASSIGNMENT command is
executed will use the motion parameters changed by the command. The IMM command, on the
other hand, not only changes the specified variable, but also affects the motion in progress and
all motions waiting in the corresponding motion queue. To change a motion on-the-fly, the
IMM command must change a variable of the axis that is a single axis of the motion or a leading
axis if the motion is in axis group.

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4.2 Point-to-Point Motion

This section covers the commands and relevant ACSPL+ standard variables for Point-to-Point
(PTP) motion.

4.2.1 PTP Command

The PTP command provides for positioning to a specified target point.
Syntax:
PTP[/switch] axis_designation, target_point [,velocity]
Where switch can be one or a combination of:
e Wait for motion termination before executing next command.
f Allow specification of non-zero final velocity.
m Use the maximum motion profile values in the axis group as a whole rather than those
of the leading axis.
r Consider the target point value as relative to the start point.
v Use the specified velocity instead of the default velocity.
w Create the motion, but do not start until the GO command is issued.

In the simplest case the ptp command looks like this:

PTP 0, 1000

If the axis is moving when the command is issued, the controller creates the motion and inserts
it into the axis motion queue. The motion waits in the queue until all motions before it finish,
and only then starts.
This command creates a motion of the 0 axis to the absolute target point of 1000. If the axis is
idle when the command is issued, the motion starts immediately.
If the e switch is specified, the controller will wait until the motion terminates before executing
the next command. The e switch is a convenient substitute for following the PTP command
with another command that waits for motion termination, for example, the command:
PTP/e 2,1000

is equivalent to:
PTP 2,1000
TILL ^AST(1).#MOVE

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Appending the w switch to the PTP command prevents the motion from starting immediately
even if the axis is idle. The command:
PTP/w 0, 1000

creates a motion to the absolute target point 1000, but the motion will not start until the GO 0
command is issued.
In the two examples above the value 1000 is an absolute target point. To specify a relative value
you use the r switch:
PTP/r 0, 1000

This command creates a motion to a relative target point, which will be defined exactly only
when the motion starts. When the motion starts, the target point is calculated as the instant axis
position plus the specified value. For example, the following two commands
PTP 0, 1000
PTP/r 0, 1000

are equivalent to
PTP 0, 1000
PTP 0, 2000

In the previous examples the motion executed using the default velocity VEL(0) for the
specified axis. To override the default velocity you use the v switch, as shown in the following
example:
PTP/v 0, 1000, 15000

The motion created will ignore the default velocity VEL(0) and execute at a velocity of 15000.
The default value VEL(0) remains unchanged.
You can combine several switches in one command. For example, the command
PTP/rv 0, 1000, 15000

creates a motion to relative target point 1000 using velocity 15000.

The examples shown above specified a single-axis motion. However, the axis, as specified in
the PTP command, can be either a single axis or an axis group, which means that it can define
a multi-axis move. The command
PTP (0,2,4), 1000,2000,3000

creates a temporary axis group that includes axes 0, 2 and 4 and executes motion in one group.
Temporary axis groups are automatically created and split-up by the controller. A group is
automatically split-up if the following motion does not address all the axes in the group.

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The controller normally takes the motion parameter values from the leading axis. However this
can be overridden by using the /m switch, which causes the controller to calculate the maximum
allowed common motion velocity, acceleration, deceleration and jerk, for example:
PTP/m (0,1), 1000, 2000

The calculation examines the VEL, ACC, DEC, JERK parameters of the axes involved and
the projections of the motion vector to the axes.

Note
If the m switch is combined with the v switch, the m switch is ignored for the
velocity and the velocity specified in the command is used. However,
common acceleration, deceleration, and jerk are still calculated.

4.2.2 MPTP, POINT, MPOINT, and ENDS Commands

These commands are used for programming a sequence of multi-point motion.
Syntax:
MPTP[/switch] axis_designators [,dwell_time]
POINT axis_designators, coordinate [,coordinate] [,velocity]
MPOINT axis_designators, point_matrix, number_of_points
ENDS
Where switch can be one or a combination of:
w Create the motion, but do not start until the GO command has been issued.
v Use the velocity specified in the command instead of the default velocity.
r Treat points as relative.
c Use the point sequence as a cyclic array: after positioning to the last point do
positioning to the first point and continue.

4.2.2.1 MPTP Command

Use the MPTP command to specify axis and dwell time:
MPTP 0, 1000

This command creates a multi-point motion of the 0 axis and specifies a dwell time of 1000
msec at each point. If dwell is not required, dwell_time may be omitted. The MPTP command
itself does not specify any point, so the created motion starts only after the first point is
specified. The points of motion are specified by the POINT or MPOINT commands that
follow the MPTP command.

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Consider the following program fragment:

MPTP (0,1) Create multipoint motion in group (0,1) with no
dwell time.
POINT (0,1), 0, 100 Add first point.
POINT (0,1), 100, 200 Add second point.
POINT (0,1), 200, 100 Add third point.
POINT (0,1), 100, 0 Add fourth point.
ENDS (0,1) End the point sequence.

The MPTP command creates the multipoint motion. However, the motion does not start until
a point is defined. After the first POINT command the motion starts if all involved axes are idle
(not involved in some previous motion), or waits until a motion that is in progress ends, and
then starts. The four POINT commands specify the following sequence:

The controller performs sequential positioning to each point. The ENDS command informs the
controller that no more points will be specified for the current motion. The motion cannot finish
until the ENDS command executes. If the ENDS command is omitted, the motion will stop at
the last point of the sequence and wait for the next point. No transition to the next motion in the
queue will occur until the ENDS command executes.
Normally, multi-point motion starts with the first POINT command, and the next POINT
command executes while the motion is already in progress. However, sometimes you may need
to delay starting the motion until all points are defined. You use the w switch to prevent the
motion from starting until a go command executes. The motion created by the command:
MPTP/w 0, 1000

will not start until a GO 0 command is issued.

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Adding the r switch to the MPTP command causes all points to be treated as relative. The first
point is relative to the position when the motion starts, the second point is relative to the first,
and so on. The previous example, using the MPTP/r command, will look like this:
PTP (0,1), 0, 100 Create PTP motion to the first point (this serves
as the reference point).
MPTP/r (0,1) Create multipoint motion in group (0,1) with
no dwell time.
POINT (0,1), 100, 100 Add point.
POINT (0,1), 100, -100 Add point.
POINT (0,1), -100, -100 Add point.
ENDS (0,1) End the point sequence.

The MPTP command uses the default velocity VEL for positioning to each point. The v switch
allows using a specific velocity for each positioning. The desired velocity must be specified in
the POINT command after the point coordinates. The previous example is modified for using
different velocities:
MPTP/v (0,1) Create multipoint motion in group (0,1) with
no dwell time.
POINT (0,1), 0, 100, 30000 Move to first point at velocity 30000.
POINT (0,1), 100, 200, 10000 Move to second point at velocity 10000.
POINT (0,1), 200, 100, 5000 Move to third point at velocity 5000.
POINT (0,1), 100, 0, 10000 Move to fourth point at velocity 10000.
ENDS (0,1) End the point sequence.

Several suffixes can be appended to one command. For example, the command:
MPTP/rv 0, 1000

creates a multi-point motion with dwell time of 1000msec. The points will be specified by
relative coordinates, and velocity will be specified for each point.

4.2.2.2 POINT Command

The POINT command adds a destination point to multi-point or arbitrary motion paths.
The POINT command does not require a specific value for all axes involved in a multi-point
motion. If an axis is not specified in a POINT command, the axis remains idle and retains the
previous value. Similarly, if a multi-point motion is created with the v switch, the velocity
argument in a POINT command can be omitted, and the velocity of the previous segment will
be used. If velocity is omitted for the first point, the default velocity VEL will be used.
Consider the following example:
MPTP/v (0,1) Create multipoint motion in group (0,1) with
no dwell time.
POINT (0,1), 100, 0, 30000 Move to first point at velocity 30000.
POINT 1, 100 Move to second point at velocity 30000.

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POINT 0, 200 Move to third point at velocity 30000.

POINT 1, 0, 10000 Move to fourth point at velocity 10000.
ENDS (0,1) End the point sequence.

The four POINT commands specify the following sequence:

4.2.2.3 MPOINT Command

The MPOINT command adds an array of points to either multi-point or arbitrary path motion.
The arguments of the MPOINT command are:
 axis_designators – must specify the same axes in the same order as in the axes-
specification of the corresponding mptp or path command.
 point_matrix – name of declared two dimensional array.
 number_of_points – specifies how many points are added to the motion by the command.
Before the MPOINT command can be executed, an array must be declared and filled with the
point coordinates. Each row of the array contains coordinates of one point.

Note
point_matrix must be a two-dimensional array, each column of which
containing the specification of one point. The matrix must contain at least
number_of_points columns. If the matrix contains more columns, the extra
columns are ignored.

If the corresponding motion command is MPOINT without the v switch or PATH without the
t switch (see Section 4.8 - PATH Command), a column of the matrix must contain the
coordinates of the point. Therefore, if the axis_designators includes M axes, the matrix must
contain exactly M rows.
If the corresponding motion command is MPTP/v, the matrix must contain M+1 rows. An
additional value in each column specifies the desired velocity for transition from the previous
to the current point. The velocity is specified in position units per second.

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If the corresponding motion command is PATH/t, the matrix must contain M+1 rows. An
additional value in each column specifies the time interval between the previous and the current
point. The time is specified in milliseconds.
The following example illustrates how the MPOINT command can be used for adding points
on-the-fly. The example also shows a simple approach to synchronization between the host
computer that calculates the points and the controller that executes the motion.
The host computer calculates the desired points and transmits the coordinates via the Ethernet
link. The motion involves 6 axes. Therefore, each point specification contains 6 real numbers.
Because transmitting each point separately would be very ineffective in the Ethernet, the host
calculates the desired points in advance and transmits them in batches of 50 points. The
controller executes the motion. As soon as the controller is ready to accept the next batch of
points and the host is ready to send the batch, the next transmission occurs, and so on. The pace
of the host and the controller may be very different. However, the host is assumed fast enough
to calculate the next 50 points before the controller has moved through the previous 50 points.
The controller executes the following program:
real Points(50)(6) Declare an array of 50 points for each of six
axes. The host will write the coordinates to the
array.
int Sync Declare synchronization variable.
MPTP (0,1,2,4,5) Create multi-point motion for axes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5.
WHILE Sync >= 0 Continue until the host writes negative number
to Sync.
TILL Sync Wait until the points are received. Once the
host has filled the Points array, it writes the
Sync variable with a number of points written
to the Points array.
IF Sync > 0 Sync < 0 indicates that the host has finished the
point generation.
MPOINT (0,1,2,4,5), Points, Sync Add points from the Points matrix.
Sync = 0 The controller informs the host that the next
batch is expected. At this moment the motion
through the accepted points has not finished,
but the controller is ready to receive more
points.
END End if.
END End while.
ENDS (0,1,2,4,5) End mptp.
STOP End program.

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The program running on the host in pseudo-code looks like this:

double HPoints(50)(6);
int N, HSync, NBuf;
HANDLE Com;

open communication, start program in buffer NBuf of the controller;

while (Continue)
calculate N (<= 50) points in array HPoints;

acsc_WriteReal(Com, NBuf, "Points", 0, N-1, 0, 6, HPoints, 1000) ;

acsc_WriteInteger(Com, NBuf, "Sync", -1, -1, -1, -1, &N, 0);
do
acsc_ReadInteger(Com, NBuf, "Sync", -1, -1, -1, -1, &HSync, 0);
while HSync;
reset Continue to zero if all points have been calculated;
end;

N = -1
acsc_WriteReal(Com, NBuf, "Points", 0, N-1, 0, 6, HPoints, 0) ;

Synchronization between the host and the controller is provided by the Sync variable. When the
host has finished transmitting the next batch of points to the controller, it writes to Sync the
number of points in the batch. The controller waits for non-zero Sync and then adds the points
to the motion. When the controller has added the points, it writes zero to Sync, which signals
to the host to transmit the next batch of points.
When the host comes to the end, it writes -1 to Sync to indicate the end of the motion.

4.2.3 The GRTIME Variable

The ACSPL+ GRTIME variable is an 8 element real, read-only array. GRTIME displays the
time in milliseconds remaining until the end of motion. The GRTIME value is valid in PTP
and TRACK motion. For other motion types, the GRTIME value is not valid. GRTIME
behavior is as follows:
 Each element of GRTIME refers to one axis. In a multi-axis motion, only the GRTIME
element of the leading axis is updated; the elements of other involved axes are zero.
 If an axis is idle, its GRTIME element is zero.
 At the beginning of motion, GRTIME is not valid and is assigned a large value.
 In Firmware versions previous to Version 4.50, GRTIME was invalid during motion
phases 1 and 2 (see Figure 7). In Firmware Version 4.50, the invalid period is shorter, but
its exact duration is not guaranteed. Normally, the period of invalid GRTIME is from one
to five milliseconds. In the worst case, the period may span phases 1 and 2.
Figure 7 illustrates the GRTIME behavior in PTP or TRACK motion.

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RVEL
Phase Phase Phase

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

GRTIME Big Value

Correct Value

GRTIME in PTP or TRACK

Figure 7 GRTIME Behavior in PTP or TRACK Motion

4.2.4 Modulo Axis

Bit 29 (#MODULO) of the MFLAGS variable specifies modulo axis. If the bit is one, the axis
feedback changes between the specified minimal and maximal positions as specified below:
 The ACSPL+ SLPMIN variable specifies the lower limit of modulo axis.
 The ACSPL+ SLPMAX variable specifies the upper limit of modulo axis.
The reference position RPOS of the modulo axis changes in the range from SLPMIN to
SLPMAX inclusively.
Physically, the motion of the modulo axis is not limited, but each time when the RPOS comes
out from range SLPMIN..SLPMAX, the controller brings RPOS into the range by changing
the internal offset EOFFS. Note the following conditions:
 If the axis goes down and crosses the SLPMIN value, the controller adds value SLPMAX-
SLPMIN to EOFFS. Assume the axis comes down to value SLPMIN-. Correcting
EOFFS, the controller brings RPOS to value SLPMAX-.
 If the axis goes up and crosses SLPMAX value, the controller subtracts value SLPMAX-
SLPMIN from EOFFS. Assume the axis comes up to value SLPMAX+. Correcting
EOFFS, the controller brings RPOS to value SLPMIN+.
 Changing EOFFS immediately affects also feedback position FPOS. However, there is a
slight difference between FPOS and RPOS behavior. RPOS always remains within the
SLPMIN..SLPMAX interval. As FPOS differs from RPOS by position error, the
corresponding FPOS may occur beyond the interval.
In the case of a default connection, the modulo operation also affects the APOS value
(APOS=RPOS).

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Note
SLPMIN and SLPMAX variables can be changed only when the motor is
disabled.

4.3 JOG Command

The JOG command defines Jog motion, which is a motion with constant velocity and no
defined end point. The motion continues until the next motion command stops it, or the motion
fails because of limit switch activation or other condition.
Syntax:
JOG[/switch] axis_designator [,direction] [,velocity]
Where switch can be one or a combination of:
w Create the motion, but do not start until the go command has been issued.
v Use the velocity specified in the command instead of the default velocity.

and direction is indicated by:

+ Motion is in the positive direction.
- Motion is in the negative direction.

The simplest JOG command is:

JOG 0

This command creates a jog motion of the 0 axis in positive direction using the default velocity
VEL(0).
Motion direction may be specified in the command:
JOG 0, -

This command creates a jog motion of the 0 axis in negative direction using the default velocity
VEL(0).
The command:
JOG 0, +

is the same as:

JOG 0

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The v switch allows a specific velocity to be used instead of the default velocity VEL. The
command:
JOG/v 0, 30000

ignores the default velocity and creates a jog motion with a velocity of 30000.
As with other types of motion, jog motion may be terminated by the HALT, KILL, or BREAK
commands. Unlike any other motion, jog motion also terminates when the next motion
command for the same axis executes. For example, the following program fragment:
JOG 0, +
WAIT 500
JOG 0, -

provides jogging in the positive direction for 500msec and then switches to the negative
direction. The controller automatically ensures a smooth transition from motion to motion.
Jogging can also occur in an axis group. For example, the following program fragment
JOG (0,1,4), -++

creates jogging in three axes: 0 in the negative direction, and 1 and 4 in the positive direction.
The motion uses the default velocity VEL(0) as a vector velocity for the three-axis motion.

4.4 TRACK Command

Track motion enhances throughput by generating a move automatically if the target position is
changed.
The TRACK command initiates a track motion. In a track motion, a new move is generated to
a new target position whenever the TPOS (target position) variable changes.
Syntax:
TRACK[/w] axis_designator
The w switch causes the command to create the motion, but wait to start until a go command is
issued.
The following command creates tracking motion of the 0 axis:
TRACK 0 Create track motion of 0 axis

If the axis is idle, the track motion is activated immediately. If the axis is moving, the controller
creates the motion and inserts it into the axis motion queue. The motion waits in the queue until
all previous motions in the queue are executed, and then starts.
When the track motion starts, the controller copies the current value of the reference position
(RPOS) element to target position (TPOS) element. For example, when the command is
executed, RPOS(0) is copied to TPOS(0). No change of RPOS and no physical motion occur
at this time.

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Afterwards, the axis waits until the TPOS element is assigned a different new value. As soon
as the program executes:
TPOS(0) = NewTarget Assign a value to the TPOS element

the controller generates a PTP motion to the point designated by the value of the NewTarget
user variable. After the 0 axis reaches NewTarget, the axis waits for the next change of TPOS.
The next assignment to TPOS(0) automatically activates the next PTP motion and so on.
Therefore, track motion is executed as a sequence of PTP motions.
The motion state bits AST.#MOVE, AST.#ACC, MST.#MOVE, and MST.#ACC reflect the
state of each PTP motion in the track sequence exactly as they do for ptp motion. Between PTP
motions, while the axis waits for the next TPOS assignment, the motion bits are zero (with the
exception of the MST.#MOVE bit, which can be 1 if the position error exceeds the
TARGRAD limit).
The following ACSPL+ program fragment defines sequential positioning to points 1000, 2000,
10000, 11000:
TRACK 2 Create track motion of axis 2
TPOS(2) = 1000 Move to point 1000
TILL ^AST(2).#MOVE Wait till the motion ends
TPOS2 = 2000 Move to point 2000
TILL ^AST(2).#MOVE Wait till the motion ends
TPOS2 = 10000 Move to point 10000
TILL ^AST(2).#MOVE Wait till the motion ends
TPOS2 = 11000 Move to point 11000
TILL ^AST(2).#MOVE Wait till the motion ends
HALT 2 Terminate track motion

The result is similar to the following fragment:

PTP 2,1000 Move to point 1000
PTP 2,2000 Move to point 2000
PTP 2,10000 Move to point 10000
PTP 2,11000 Move to point 11000

While the code with the PTP commands looks shorter and simpler, there are applications where
track motion is preferable to point-to-point motion.
Track motion is not terminated automatically. If TPOS is not changed, the axis track motion
remains at the last target point until TPOS is assigned a new value, and then the motion
continues.
Use a HALT or KILL command to terminate track motion.
Any subsequent motion command (except another TRACK command) for the same axis also
terminates the tracking motion. In this respect track motion is similar to the jog motion.

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The motion profile while in Track mode, like in a standard PTP motion, is defined by the
ACSPL+ variables VEL, ACC, DEC and JERK. The track command accepts the values of
these variables at the beginning of each component PTP motion within the track motion.
Therefore, if an application assigns a new value to VEL, ACC, DEC or JERK, while track
mode is in effect, then the new value will be used the next time that the application initiates a
motion (by assigning a new value to TPOS).
The following ACSPL+ program fragment sets a specific velocity for each PTP motion:
TRACK 1 Create track motion of axis 1
VEL(1) = 20000 Set motion velocity 20000 units/sec
TPOS(1) = 1000 Move to point 1000
TILL ^AST(1).#MOVE Wait till the motion ends
VEL1 = 5000 Set motion velocity 5000 units/sec
TPOS1 = 2000 Move to point 2000
TILL ^AST(1).#MOVE Wait till the motion ends
VEL1 = 10000 Set motion velocity 10000 units/sec
TPOS1 = 110000 Move to point 11000
TILL ^AST(1).#MOVE Wait till the motion ends
HALT 1 Terminate tracking motion

In the example above the application updates TPOS only after the previous PTP motion ends.
In the following example the application updates TPOS while the motion is still in progress:
TRACK 0 Create tracking motion of X axis
TPOS(0) = 2000 Move to point 2000
TILL GPHASE(0) >= 6 Wait till the motion comes to phase 6
(deceleration to final point)
TPOS(0) = 2500 Correct the final point
TILL ^AST(0).#MOVE Wait till the motion ends
HALT 0 Terminate tracking motion

In this case, the controller does not execute two separate motions. As soon as TPOS is changed
to 2500 (before the controller reaches 2000), the controller changes the move on-the-fly to the
new target position of 2500. The on-the-fly change is done smoothly, similar to end-point
correction on-the-fly.
The same result is provided by the following fragment:
PTP 0, 2000 Move to point 2000
TILL GPHASE(0) >= 6 Wait till the motion comes to phase 6
(deceleration to final point)
BREAK 0 Terminate the current motion and provide
smooth transition to the next motion
PTP 0,2500 Move to point 2500

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The TRACK command may also be used for programming multi-axes motion, for example, the
command
TRACK (0,2,3)

creates track motion of 0, 2 and 3 axes. The multi-axis track motion is executed as a sequence
of PTP motions. A new PTP motion starts each time when one or more elements of TPOS that
correspond to the involved axes are changed. Consider the following example:
TRACK 0;TRACK 2;TRACK 3 Create track motion of the 0, 2 and 3 axes
TPOS(0)=0; TPOS(2)=0; TPOS(3)=0 Move to point 0=0, 2=0, 3=0
TILL ^AST(0).#MOVE Wait till the motion ends
TPOS(2)=1000 Move to point 0=0, 2=1000, 3=0
TILL ^AST(0).#MOVE Wait until the 0 motion ends
TPOS(0)=100;TPOS(3)=200 Move to point 0=100, 2=1000, 3=200
HALT (0,2,3) Terminate track motion

In the following example TPOS is updated while the previous motion is still in progress:
TRACK (0,3) Create track motion of the 0 and 3 axes
TPOS(0)=2000; TPOS(2)=1000 Move to point 0=2000, 2=1000
TILL GPHASE(0) = 4 Wait until the motion reaches constant velocity
(phase 4)
TPOS(3)=0 Set a new final point 0=2000, 3=0
TILL ^AST(0).#MOVE Wait until the motion ends
HALT 0 Terminate tracking motion

In the above case, the controller does not execute two separate motions. As soon as TPOS is
updated, the controller changes on-the-fly from PTP motion towards 0=2000, 3=1000 to PTP
motion towards 0=2000, 3=1000. The transition from the first motion to the second is done
smoothly. While each PTP motion follows a straight trajectory, the transition between the
motion is not straight, as shown in the following diagram:

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4.5 Segmented Motion

Segmented Motion moves axes along a continuous path. The path is defined as a sequence of
linear and arc segments on the plane. Although segmented motion follows a flat path, it may
involve any number of axes because the motion plane can be connected to the axes at any
projection transformation.

4.5.1 Understanding Slaved Segmented Motion

Motion generation for segmented motion may be considered as a two-stage process. In the first
stage the controller generates a smooth motion diagram as a function of time:
S = F(T)
where S is a distance along the segmented path, T stands for time, and F is a function
independent of the specified segments.
In the second stage the controller separates the S path into the involved axes:
0 = FX(S)
1 = FY(S)
The second stage supplies the current values of the involved axes. The functions FX, FY depend
only on the specified segments. Only the second stage builds the shape of the path in the XY
plane. The first stage provides the motion progress along the path. If the function F of the first
stage is modified, this affects the motion velocity and time, but does not alter the final shape of
the path.
The including the s or p switch with the MSEG command affects the first stage of the motion
generation process by causing the distance S to follow the value MPOS (Axis Master) of the
leading axis in the group. For position lock (p switch), following is strict:
S = MPOS

For velocity lock (s switch), following allows a constant offset:

S = MPOS + C

In both cases the second stage of the motion generation remains unchanged and depends only
on the specified segment sequence.
Segment commands specify a path on the plane, and the MPOS value of the leading axis
defines motion progress along the path.
Formulas that calculate the MPOS value must be defined before using the master command.

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4.5.2 MSEG, LINE, ARC1, ARC2, STOPPER Commands

These commands are employed to define segment motion.
Syntax:
MSEG[/switch] axis_group, initial_start_point [,initial_start_point, initial_start_point]
[,projection matrix_designator]
LINE[/switch] axis_group, final_point [,final_point, final_point]
ARC1[/switch] axis_group, center_point, final_point, rotation_direction [,velocity]
ARC2[/switch] axis_group, center_point, rotation_angle, rotation_direction [,velocity]
STOPPER axis_group
ENDS axis_group
Where switch can be one or a combination of:
w Create the motion, but do not start until the go command
v Use the velocity specified for each segment instead of the default velocity
c Use the segment sequence as a cyclic array: after the last segment return to the first
segment and so on.
s Slaved motion - the motion advances in accordance to the master value of the leading
axis (velocity lock).
p Position lock - slaved motion, strictly conforming to the master value.
e Extrapolated - if a master value travels beyond the specified path, the last or the first
segment is extrapolated.
t Stalled - if a master value travels beyond the specified path, the motion stalls at the
last or first point.

The e and t switches are relevant only for slaved motion and must be used with s or p suffix.
For discussion of slaved motion see Section 4.7.2 - SLAVE Command.
Segmented motion can be executed in an axis group with any number of controller axes.
The MSEG command specifies axis group and the initial starting point:
MSEG (0,1), 1000, 1000

This command creates a segmented motion of the X axis group and specifies the coordinates of
initial point on the plane. The MSEG command itself does not specify any segment, so the
created motion does not start immediately. A LINE or ARC command must follow the MSEG
command to specify the segment sequence.
Consider the following program fragment:
MSEG (0,1),1000,1000 Create segmented motion in group (0,1),
coordinates of the initial point are (1000,1000).
ARC1 (0,1), 1000,0,1000,-1000,- Add arc segment with center (1000,0), final point
(1000,-1000), clockwise rotation.

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LINE (0,1),-1000,-1000 Add line segment with final point (-1000,-1000).

ARC2 (0,1),-1000,0,-3.141529 Add arc segment with center (-1000,0) and
rotation angle - radians.
LINE (0,1),1000,1000,50000 Add line segment with final point (1000,1000).
ENDS (0,1) End the segment sequence

The MSEG command creates the segmented motion. The motion does not start, because no
segment is defined yet. After the first ARC1 command the motion starts if the axis group is idle
(not involved in some previous motion). If the group is not idle, motion will start when the
previous motion stops. The four segment commands specify the following path (where X is the
direction of the 0 axis and Y is the direction of the 1 axis):

Y
Start
(-1000,1000)
X

(-1000,1000)
(1000,-1000)

ARC1 and ARC2 differ only by the required arguments. ARC1 requires the coordinates of the
center point, final point, and the direction of rotation. ARC2 requires the coordinates of the
center point and the rotation angle (in radians). Each command produces the same result, so
selection of either ARC1 or ARC2 depends on the available data. If you know the coordinates
of the center point, coordinates of the final point and the direction of rotation, ARC1 is
preferable. If you know the coordinates of the center point and rotation angle, ARC2 is
preferable.
The rotation_direction argument can be:
 + (plus) – for counter clockwise
 - (minus) – for clockwise rotation
The entire sequence of segmented motion must be terminated with an ENDS command. The
ENDS command informs the controller that no more segments will be specified for the
specified motion. The motion cannot finish until the ENDS command executes. If the ENDS
command is omitted, the motion will stop in the last point of the sequence and wait for the next
point. No transition to the next motion in the queue will occur until the ENDS command is
executed.
Segmented motion usually starts with the first segment command (LINE, ARC1, or ARC2).
The next segment command therefore executes while the motion is already in progress. This is
generally not a problem, because the program execution rate is higher than typical motions
time. However, sometimes you may need to delay starting the motion until all points are

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defined. In this case you append the w switch to the command to prevent the motion from
starting until the GO command is issued. The motion, created by the command
MSEG/w (0,1),1000,1000

will not start until the GO (0,1) command is issued.

The r switch is not allowed with segmented motion. All coordinates in the line, ARC1 and
ARC2 commands are absolute in the plane. However, the whole path is relative to the point
where the axes are located when the segmented motion starts. In other words, all coordinates
are absolute in the plane, but the plane is relative to the starting point. Note that the initial point,
specified in the MSEG command, is also absolute in the plane. Therefore, the initial point does
not cause any motion to that point, but only supplies starting coordinates for the first segment.
The motion program should provide a motion to the desired initial point before executing the
MSEG command. The following fragment illustrates a typical activation of the segmented
motion:
PTP (0,1), 0, 100 This command causes a physical motion to the point (0,100) that will
be an absolute starting point for the following segmented motion.
MSEG (0,1), 100, 100 Defines the starting coordinates for the first segment, which are
absolute in the plane. The whole plane is located in such a way that
the starting point in the plane (100,100) coincide with the present
position of the motors (0,100).

The MSEG command uses the default velocity VEL for each segment. The v switch overrides
the default velocity and allows you to define a specific velocity for each segment. The desired
velocity must be specified in the LINE, ARC1 and ARC2 segment commands after all other
arguments. If the velocity argument is omitted in a segment command, the velocity from the
previous segment is used. If the velocity argument is omitted in the first segment, the default
VEL is used. The previous example is modified for using individual velocities:
MSEG/v (0,1),1000,1000 Create segmented motion in group (0,1),
coordinates of the initial point are (1000,1000).
ARC1 (0,1), 1000,0,1000,-1000,- Add arc segment with center (1000,0), final
,30000 point (1000,-1000), clockwise rotation, vector
velocity 30000.
LINE (0,1),-1000,-1000 Add line segment with final point (-1000,-
1000). Vector velocity is not specified,
previous value 30000 will be used.
ARC2 (0,1),-1000,0,-3.141529,10000 Add arc segment with center (-1000,0),
rotation angle of -, vector velocity 10000.
LINE (0,1),1000,1000,5000 Add line segment with final point (1000,1000),
vector velocity 50000.
ENDS (0,1) End the segment sequence

Several suffixes can be attached to one command. For example, the command
MSEG/vw (0,1), 1000, 1000

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creates a segmented motion with individual velocity for each segment. The motion does not
start until the GO (0,1) command is issued.

4.5.3 PROJECTION Command

The PROJECTION command is an expansion to the MSEG …ENDS set of commands that
allows the controller to perform a three dimensional segmented motion such as creating arcs
and lines on a user-defined plane. The method for this 3D segmented motion is to set a
transformation matrix that defines a new plane for the segmented motion.
Syntax:
PROJECTION axes, matrix_table
Arguments

axes List of axes.

matrix_table Coordinates defining the new plane.

As mentioned above, all coordinates, specified in the segment commands, are absolute in the
working plane. Projection is a matrix that connects the plane coordinates and the axis values as
specified in the mseg command. If the axis group contains two axes, and no PROJECTION
command is specified, the controller provides a default projection that corresponds to a 2x2
matrix:
1 0
0 1

The matrix directly connects the first coordinate of the working plane to the first axis of the axis
group and the second coordinate to the second axis.
The matrix can also define rotation and scaling. The full transform also includes an implicit
offset. The controller calculates the offset automatically in such a way that the initial
coordinates specified in the mseg command match the desired axis values at the moment when
the motion starts. The offset provides the full path to be relative to the starting point.
If an axis group contains N axes, the controller extends the default matrix to N lines. The
additional lines are filled by zeros:
1 0
0 1
0 0
… …
0 0

The matrix connects only the first two axes to the plane coordinates. Therefore the segmented
motion will involve only the first two axes in the group.

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If N = 1, the MSEG command applies to a single axis, and the matrix contains the first line only:
1 0

In this case the axis will follow the first coordinate of the working plane.
You can replace the default matrix with the PROJECTION command.
Example:
real M(3)(2) !Define Matrix

M(0)(0)=1;M(0)(1)=0
M(1)(0)=0;M(1)(1)=1
M(2)(0)=0;M(2)(1)=2.74 !Set the transformation
!matrix values.
VEL(0)=1000;ACC(0)=10000;DEC(0)=10000 !Axis motion parameters
ENABLE (0,4,5) !Required command.
GROUP (0,4,5) !Required command.
SET FPOS(0)=0;SET FPOS(4)=0;SET FPOS(5)=0 !Set axes’ FPOS=0
MSEG (0,4),0,0 !Define original plane.
PROJECTION (0,4,5),M !PROJECTION of the 0, 4 and 5
!axes by matrix M
ARC2 (0,4),750,0,6,24 !ARC2 performed on new plane.
ENDS (0,4) !Concludes MSEG.
STOP !End Program

If the group contains N axis, the matrix in the projection command must be of size Nx2.

4.5.4 Arguments as Expression

Any argument in the LINE, ARC1, ARC2 commands can be specified by expression.
Using an expression instead of axis specification allows the involved axes to be calculated in
the execution time as opposed to the programming time (axis-independent programming). The
calculation must result in an integer between 0 and 7, corresponding to the eight axes.
Expression in place of coordinate allows calculating the segments on the fly. Consider the
following program fragment:
real P, K, S Declare the real variables P, K and S.
P = 3.14159; K = 100 / P; S = P / 1000 Calculate P K and S.
PTP (0,1), -100, 0 Perform a point-to-point motion in the XY plane (X
being the direction of the 0 axis and Y being the
direction of the 2 axis) to the point: (-100,0).
MSEG (0,1), -100, 0 Create a segmented motion.
LOOP 2000 Perform the loop 2000 times.
P = P + S
LINE (0,1), P*K*cos(P), P*K*sin(P) Execute a linear segment based on a calculation.

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END End loop.

ENDS (0,1) End segment motion.

The program executes the line command 2000 times. The line segments build up a curve close
to the Archimedean spiral:

4.5.5 STOPPER Command

The controller builds the motion so that the vector velocity follows a smooth velocity diagram.
If all segments are connected smoothly, axis velocity is also smooth. However, if you have
defined a path with an inflection point, axis velocity jumps at this point. The jump might cause
a motion failure due to the acceleration limit. Even if a failure does not occur, the abrupt change
in velocity impairs accuracy and may be harmful to the machine.
The STOPPER command is used to avoid velocity jump in the inflection points. If a
STOPPER command is specified between two segments, the controller provides smooth
deceleration to zero before the stopper and smooth acceleration to specified velocity after the
stopper. Consider the following program fragment:
PTP (0,1), 1000, 1000 Go to initial point.
MSEG (0,1), 1000, 1000 Create a segmented motion.
LINE (0,1), 1000, -1000 Execute linear segment.
STOPPER (0,1) Slow down to zero.
LINE (0,1), -1000, -1000 Execute linear segment.
STOPPER (0,1) Slow down to zero.
LINE (0,1), -1000, 1000 Execute linear segment.
STOPPER (0,1) Slow down to zero.
LINE (0,1), 1000, 1000 Execute linear segment.
ENDS (0,1) End the segment sequence.

The program provides a rectangular path without velocity jumps:

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4.5.6 Cyclic Motion

The c switch provides cyclic execution of segmented motion. The MSEG/c command creates
a motion that after executing the last segment, the motion begins again continues with the same
sequence. The final point of the last segment is therefore the starting point of the first segment.

Note
Cyclic segmented motion does not automatically finish. You must use one of
the commands HALT, KILL, or BREAK to stop cyclic motion.

The following is an example of the coding for cyclic motion:

ENABLE (0,1)
MSEG/c (0,1),1000,1000 ! Create segmented motion in group X, coordinates of
! the initial point are (1000,1000)

ARC1 (0,1), 1000,0,1000,–1000,– ! Add arc segment with center (1000,0), and
! final point (1000,-1000), clockwise rotation

LINE (0,1),–1000,–1000 ! Add line segment with final point (-1000,- 1000)

ARC2 (0,1),–1000,0,–3.141529 ! Add arc segment with center (-1000,0) and

! a rotation angle of -

LINE (0,1),1000,1000 ! Add line segment with final point (1000,1000)

ENDS (0,1) ! End the segment sequence

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4.5.7 Slaved Motion at Extreme Points

Additional switches define behavior of slaved motion at extreme points, when the motion
approaches the final point of the last segment or the starting point of the first segment. This
occurs, when the MPOS master value falls out of the interval (0, L), where L is the overall
length of the path. There are four possibilities, depending on the switch employed in the
command:
 c – Cyclic motion
The path is closed. The motion passes from the last segment to the first or from the first to
the last as if they were adjacent.
 e – Extrapolated motion
If the distance S is slaved to the MPOS master value becomes greater than the overall
length of the path, the motion continues along the extrapolated last segment. If the distance
S slaved to the MPOS master value becomes less than zero, the motion continues along the
extrapolated first segment. If the extrapolated segment is a circular arc, the motion will
follow along the extrapolated circle.
 t – Stalled motion
When the motion approaches the extreme point, the slave comes out from synchronism and
stalls in the point until the MPOS master value allows to regain synchronism. For velocity
lock synchronism is achieved when the MPOS changes its direction; after regaining the
offset c may have a different value than before approaching the extreme point. For position
lock synchronism regains when the MPOS falls into the interval (0, L) again. The
controller ensures smooth approaching the extreme points and smooth return to
synchronism.
 No switch – Bounded motion
The motion finishes when the slave approaches any extreme point. The controller activates
the next motion in the queue (if any). If the MPOS master value changes only in positive
direction, the behavior is very close to non-slaved motion. The difference is that non-slaved
motion is based upon the time value and slaved motion is based upon the MPOS master
value.

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4.6 Extended Segmented Motion

Extended Segmented Motion (XSEG...ENDS) with look-ahead capabilities has been
introduced in Version 2.15.
Extended Segmented Motion provides the following new capabilities that are not supported by
Segmented Motion (MSEG …ENDS):
 Corner detection
 Detection of segments, where required velocity violates axis velocity/acceleration limits
 Velocity limitation at corners and problematic segments
 Building up velocity profile using multi-segment look-ahead algorithm
In future versions, Extended Segmented Motion will provide more capabilities, including
corner geometry and 3D extensions.
Details of the XSEG...ENDS command are given in Section 4.6.7.

4.6.1 Corner Processing

For each two adjacent segments, the controller calculates the tangent vector to each segment in
the junction point. If the two vectors are equal, the segments are tangent, and no special
processing is required. If not, the two segments build a corner. In a corner, the controller
behavior follows the corner processing option selected by the user for XSEG motion. In
Version 2.15, the only option supported is: Exact path, where no deviation from the specified
path is permitted. The user specifies two additional parameters: threshold angle and corner
velocity. The controller compares the corner angle and the threshold angle. If the corner angle
is smaller, the controller ignores the corner and tries to move as if the junction is smooth (the
threshold angle cannot be large, otherwise passing the junction at working velocity can produce
mechanical jerk). If the corner angle is greater, the controller executes deceleration to achieve
the junction point with the specified corner velocity (as shown in Figure 8).

Figure 8 Corner Processing - Exact Path Option

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4.6.2 Automatic Corner Processing

If neither threshold angle or corner velocity are specified, the controller provides automatic
calculation of the corner parameters. In a corner, even with a very small corner angle, the axis
velocity shows discontinuity:

The size of the velocity jump depends on vector velocity and geometry of the corner. For
example, for X axis:
Vx = Vcos1 - Vcos0
where:
V is the vector velocity
0 and 1 are the tangent vector angles before and after the corner ( = 1 - 0 is the corner
angle). The velocity jump is zero in two cases:
 The vector velocity is zero in the corner
 The corner angle is zero
However, in real life the velocity jump does not occur in zero time. The controller calculates
the required position in discrete time moments, with sampling period CTIME:

Change of axis velocity can be considered as an accelerated motion, with equivalent axis
acceleration: V/CTIME

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The controller algorithm of automatic corner processing works as follows:

1. The controller detects a corner on the path.
2. The controller calculates the equivalent acceleration V/CTIME for all involved axes.
3. If for any involved axis, the absolute value of equivalent acceleration is less than allowed
acceleration ACC for the axis, the controller ignores the angle and passes the angle without
deceleration.
4. Otherwise, the controller calculates the vector velocity that for any involved axis provides
the equivalent acceleration equal to or less than the allowed acceleration ACC. The
controller provides deceleration to the calculated velocity before the corner using the look-
ahead algorithm.
The allowed acceleration deceleration is defined by ACC only. The DEC parameter is not used
by the algorithm.

4.6.3 Velocity Control and Look-ahead Algorithm

The required velocity for extended segment motion is either specified in the XSEG...ENDS
block or is taken from the VEL value of the leading axis. In a simple case, a third-order vector
velocity profile looks as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9 Third-Order Velocity Profile

The motion starts from zero velocity, accelerates to the required velocity, goes through the
specified segments at the required velocity, and then decelerates approaching the final point of
the last segment with zero velocity and acceleration. The diagram in Figure 9 also explains that
the required velocity actually defines maximal velocity through the path; on specific intervals
the velocity is lower than required.
A number of factors can affect the velocity diagram. The following conditions apply additional
restrictions to velocity in specific points or on intervals:
 The user specifies a new required velocity in a segment definition. The new velocity
remains active for the specified segment and for all subsequent segments.

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 The user specifies lower (or zero) velocity in the segment final point. The specification
defines velocity in one point, but doesn’t change required velocity for subsequent
segments.
 The user specifies required velocity greater than axis velocity (VEL value) of one or more
involved axes. On some segments the required vector velocity can be achieved, on others
the axis velocity would be surpassed. The controller reveals such segments, and limits the
vector velocity accordingly.
 The controller detects a corner while an exact-path option is selected. The controller uses
threshold angle and corner velocity values to define required velocity in the corner point.
 The controller reveals an arc segment that requires centripetal acceleration greater than
axis acceleration (ACC value) of one or more involved axes. The controller reduces
velocity on this segment to comply with all axis acceleration values.
After all velocity restrictions are exposed, the controller builds a third-order velocity profile that
never exceeds the required velocity.

Note
Frequently, acceleration/deceleration intervals appear longer than the
related segment. When a CAD system calculates the motion segments, the
resulting motion often contains numerous small segments. In this case, the
acceleration/deceleration interval may span a number of segments. To
calculate proper velocity profile, the controller needs to analyze segments
well ahead of the current segment, reveal changes in required velocity in
advance, and then trace the segments back to find starting points of
deceleration in velocity profile.

4.6.4 Dynamic Velocity Profile Generation

If all motion segments were specified before the motion start, the whole path is already known,
and the whole velocity profile can be calculated from the beginning.
However, in a typical case, the controller starts executing XSEG motion while the program or
host continues adding segments. A newly added segment can change the velocity profile of the
previous segments. For example, a new segment specifies lower required velocity. The lower
velocity is efficient from the first point of the segment; therefore the controller provides
deceleration profile on the previous one or more segments.
The controller provides dynamic calculation and, if necessary, recalculation of the motion
profile each time once a new segment is added.
To make look-ahead calculation possible, the program or host has to add segments in advance,
before they are actually reached in the motion. This is not a problem, if segments are added from
ACSPL+ program. However, if segments arrive from the host through a communication
channel, the host may fail to supply a segment in time; a condition referred to as “segment
starvation”. If segment starvation occurs, the controller raises the AST.#STARV flag and
executes a special algorithm that prevents motion discontinuity. The algorithm avoids

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mechanical jerks, but moves at a slower rate as long as starvation continues; once the host
begins supplying segments at sufficient rate, the controller returns to normal execution.

4.6.5 Controller Usage Considerations

As it is described in Section 4.6.4, the XSEG command implements “on-the-fly” approach of
velocity profile calculation. The calculations require significant processing time that in some
cases, listed below, might cause the controller overusage fault. The following cases require
significant processing time:
 Adding extremely short segments, when total execution time of the segment where the
specified velocity is less than 5 milliseconds
 Segment starvation conditions
 “On-the-fly” change of velocity by executing the IMM command (see Section 4.6.14),
where the specified velocity is lower than the previously defined velocity
If the application may cause such cases as these, it is recommended using ACS Motion Control
products with more powerful processors, such as SPiiPlus NTM-32-H or SPiiPlus NTM-64-H.
If the application does not cause any of the case listed above, the XSEG command may also be
used on the following ACS Motion Control products:
 SPiiPlus NTM-08-S
 SPiiPlus NT-LT-x-8, SPiiPlus NT-HP-x-8, SPiiPlus NT-LD-x-8
 SPiiPlus CMnt-1-08, SPiiPlus CMnt-2-08, SPiiPlus CMnt-3-08

Model
When using one of the above products, the product should be configured such
that the controller time (CTIME) equals 1 millisecond and not more than 1
XSEG motion is to be executed simultaneously.

4.6.6 Approaches for Adding Segments

4.6.6.1 Adding Segments In Advance

If the application calculates the whole (or part of) trajectory path in advance, the segments can
be added once they are calculated.
From within the ACSPL+ buffers the segments are added using the corresponding segment
commands (LINE, ARC1, ARC2). The ACSPL+ program need not take care of whether there
is free space in the internal segments buffer or not.
If the buffer has free space, the segment is accepted and immediately inserted into the buffer;
if the buffer is full, the ACSPL+ program waits on the corresponding line until a segment buffer
has free space.
If segments are added from the host program, the host program should first query GSFREE in
order to know how many cells are free in the segment buffer.

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This approach is simpler in implementation and ensures more optimal trajectory passing time,
as starvation is avoided. However, the trajectory cannot be quickly changed on the fly as all
already added segments should be executed first.

4.6.6.2 Adding Segments Only When Requested

The other approach to add segments when the application is not able to calculate the segments
in advanced or the trajectory path can be changed only at the last moment is to add segments
only when requested.
The controller answers the needs of this approach by providing the AST.#NEWSEGM flag,
which is raised when the controller requires a new segment to be added. In this case the
application can wait until the flag is raised and then add the segment.
From within ACSPL+ program the waiting for the flag is implemented using the TILL
command:
TILL AST(axis).#NEWSEGM

If the segments are added from the host application, the application polls the bit and when it is
raised, the segment is added.
In order to avoid the starvation, the user application is able to configure when the #NEWSEGM
flag is raised by including the starvation_margin optional argument in the XSEG command.

4.6.7 XSEG...ENDS
A new ACSPL+ command block: XSEG...ENDS has been added to support Extended
Segmented Motion. XSEG...ENDS enables the user to incorporate the following into the
motion application:
 Corner detection
 Detection of segments, where required velocity violates axis velocity/acceleration limits
 Velocity limitation at corners and problematic segments
 Building a velocity profile using multi-segment look-ahead algorithm
The following commands are used within the block to define the segmented motion:
 ARC1 - adds an arc segment to a segmented motion and specifies the coordinates of center
point, coordinates of the final point, and the direction of rotation
 ARC2 - Adds an arc segment to a segmented motion and specifies the coordinates of center
point, rotation angle and direction.
 LINE - Adds a linear segment to a segmented motion.
 ENDS- terminates the motion sequence
XSEG updates the following motion-related parameters:
 Motion and Axis Statuses: AST, MST
 Vector velocity, acceleration and jerk: GVEL, GACC, GJERK
 Axis velocity: GVEC

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 Motion queue status and motion type: GMQU, GMTYPE

 Trajectory vector distance from the beginning of the first segment: GPATH
 Elapsed motion time: GETIME
 Current executed segment and segments buffer status: GSEG, GSFREE
XSEG builds the algorithm upon the following axis motion parameters as axis constraints:
VEL, ACC, JERK

Note
The deceleration (DEC) parameter is not used by the XSEG command.

Syntax
XSEG [/switches] (axis_list), initial_position_axis1,initial_position_axis2
[,velocity][,end_velocity][,junction_velocity][,angle] [,starvation_margin
[,segments_buffer]]
Arguments
axis_list Single axis or axis group, valid numbers are: 0, 1, 2, ... up to the number of
axes in the system minus 1.
initial_position_axis1 Initial position of the first axis.
initial_position_axis2 Initial position of the second axis.
velocity [Optional, only used with /v switch]
Defines required velocity instead of default velocity (VEL). See Switches
for details.
end_velocity [Optional, only used with /f switch]
Defines required velocity at the end of each segment.
junction_velocity [Optional, only used with /j switch]
Defines required velocity at the junction.
angle [Optional, only used with /a switch]
The junction will be treated as a corner if actual junction angle is more than
defined.
starvation_margin [Optional] Starvation margin in milliseconds. The controller sets the
AST.#NEWSEGM bit starvation_margin millisecond before the
starvation condition occurs.
By default, if the argument is not specified, the starvation margin is 500
milliseconds.
segments_buffer [Optional] One-dimensional user defined real array. The controller uses this
array to store adding segments. By default, if the argument is not specified,
the controller allocates internal buffer for storing 50 segments only. The
argument allows the user application to reallocate the buffer for storing
larger number of segments. The larger number of segments may be required
if the application needs to add many very small segments in advanced.

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Switches
The following optional /switches may be used singularly or in combination with the XSEG
command:
/w Do not start until the GO command.
If the switch is not specified, the motion starts immediately after the first motion segment
is defined.
/v Specify required velocity.
The switch requires additional parameter that specifies required velocity.
If the switch is not specified, the required velocity is derived from the leading axis
parameters.
/m Use maximum velocity under axis limits.
With this switch, no required velocity should be specified.
The required velocity is calculated for each segment individually on the base of segment
geometry and axis velocities (VEL values) of the involved axes.
/f Decelerate to the end of each segment.
The switch requires an additional parameter that specifies end velocity. The controller
decelerates to the specified velocity in the end of each segment. The specified value should
be less than the required velocity; otherwise the parameter is ignored.
If the switch is not specified, deceleration in each segment is not required. However, in
specific segments deceleration might occur due to corner processing or other velocity
control conditions.
/j Decelerate to corner.
The switch requires an additional parameter that specifies corner velocity. The controller
detects corner on the path and decelerates to the specified velocity before the corner. The
specified value should be less than the required velocity; otherwise the parameter is
ignored.
If switch j is not specified while switch a is specified, zero value of corner velocity is
assumed.
If switches j and a are not specified, the controller provides automatic calculation of the
corner processing (see Section 4.6.2).
/a Do not treat junction as a corner, if junction angle is less than or equal to the specified value
in radians.
The switch requires an additional parameter that specifies negligible angle in radians.
If switch a is not specified while switch j is specified, the controller accepts default value
of 0.01 radians, that is, about 0.57 degrees.
If switches j and a are not specified, the controller provides automatic calculation of the
corner processing (see Section 4.6.2).

Note
XSEG without suffixes does not require any additional parameters except
the initial point coordinates, for example, XSEG (0,1),0,0 creates
segmented motion for axes 0 and 1 with initial point (0,0) with required
velocity derived from the axis 0.

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Related ACSPL+ Commands

GO – Starts the physical motion if XSEG/w is specified.
HALT – Stops the motion prematurely, even if not all segments have finished.
IMM – Changes the motion velocity, acceleration, or jerk. The new value takes effect
immediately
Comments
XSEG without switches does not require any additional parameter, except initial point
coordinates. For example, the command: XSEG (0,1),0,0 creates Extended Segmented Motion
for axes 0 and 1 with initial point (0,0) and required velocity derived from the axis 0.
Some switches, however, require an additional parameter to be specified. If more than one
parameter is required, the parameters should be separated by comma, and the order of
parameters is fixed in the following order:
1. Required velocity (used with /v)
2. Final velocity (used with /f)
3. Corner velocity (used with /j)
4. Angle (used with /a)
Examples are:

XSEG (1,0),0,0 Segmented motion for axes 1 and 0. Required velocity

is derived from the axis 1, i.e., the VEL(1) value. No
deviation from the path is permitted. If the path
contains a corner, and the junction angle is more than
default value 0.01 radians, the velocity decelerates to
zero in the corner point.

XSEG/vf (0,1),0,0,100,50 Segmented motion for axes 0 and 1 with initial point
(0,0) with required velocity 100 units/sec; at the end of
each segment, the motion should decelerate to 50
units/sec.

XSEG/vja (1,2),1000,1000, 100,20,0.05 Segmented motion for axes 1 and 2 with initial point
(1000,1000) and required velocity is 100 units/sec. If
the path contains a junction, and the junction angle is
more than 0.05 radians, the velocity decelerates to 20
unit/sec in the junction point.

4.6.8 ARC1
Description
ARC1 has been modified for incorporation in Extended Motion and in this form must be
initialized with XSEG...ENDS. Use ARC1 to specify the center point and final point
coordinates of an arc and the direction of rotation. Direction is designated by a plus sign (+) or
(–) for clockwise or counterclockwise rotation depending on the encoders’ connections.

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Syntax
ARC1 [/switches] (axis_list), center_point_axis1,center_point_axis2,
destination_point_axis1,destination_point_axis2,direction,
[,velocity][,end_velocity][,values, variables[,index [,masks]]]
Arguments
axis_list Defines one or two axes, specified as axes numbers separated by comma or
as axes names separated by comma. The axes should only be those axes
specified in the corresponding XSEG command.
center_point_axis1 Center point position for the first axis
center_point_axis2 Center point position for the second axis
destination_point_axis1 Destination position of the first axis
destination_point_axis2 Destination position of the second axis
direction Direction is specified as + or -. It defines clockwise or counterclockwise
rotation depending on the encoder connection: “+” for motion in the
direction of increasing encoder counts, or “-” for motion in the direction
decreasing encoder counts.
velocity [Optional, only used with /v switch]
Defines required velocity for the current and for all subsequent segments.
See Switches explanation for details.
end_velocity [Optional, only used with /f switch]
Defines required velocity at the end of the current segment. See Switches
explanation for details.
values [Optional, only used with /o switch]
Defines the values to be written to variables array at the beginning of the
current segment execution. values is a one-dimensional user defined array
of integer or real type with maximum size of 10 elements .
variables [Optional, only used with /o switch]
Defines the user-defined array, which will be written with values data at the
beginning of the current segment execution. variables is a one-dimensional
user defined array of the same type and size as the values array.
index [Optional, only used with /o switch]
Defines the first element (starting from zero) of the variables array, to which
values data will be written. If argument is omitted, values data is written to
the variables array starting from the first element (index 0).
masks [Optional, only used if values and variables are integer]
Defines the masks that are applied to values before the values are written to
variables array at the beginning of the current segment execution. masks is
a one-dimensional user-defined array of integer type and the same size as
the values array. The masks are only applied for integer values:

variables(n) = values(n) AND mask(n)

If argument is omitted, all values bits are written to variables.

If values is a real array, the masks argument should be omitted.

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Switches
The following optional /switches may be used singularly or in combination with the ARC1
command:
/v Specify required velocity.
The switch requires an additional parameter that specifies the required velocity. The switch
changes the required velocity for the current segment and for all subsequent segments.
If the switch is not specified, the required velocity does not change.
/f Decelerate to the end of segment.
The switch requires an additional parameter that specifies the end velocity. The controller
decelerates to the specified velocity at the end of segment. The specified value should be
less than the required velocity; otherwise the parameter is ignored. The switch affects only
one segment.
The switch also disables corner detection and processing at the end of segment.
If the switch is not specified, deceleration is not required. However, in special cases the
deceleration might occur due to corner processing or other velocity control conditions.
/o Synchronize user variables with segment execution. The switch requires additional two or
three parameters that specify values, user variable and mask. See details in Arguments for
explanation.

4.6.9 ARC2
Description
ARC2 has been modified for incorporation in Extended Motion and in this form must be
initialized with XSEG...ENDS. Use ARC2 to specify the center point and rotation angle in
radians of an arc segment. Designate direction by positive or negative rotation angle, depending
on the encoders’ connections.
Syntax
ARC2 [/switches] (axis_list), center_point_axis1,center_point_axis2, rotation_angle,
[,velocity][,end_velocity][,values, variables[,index[,masks]]]
Arguments
axis_list Defines one or two axes, specified as axes numbers separated by comma or
as axes names separated by comma. The axes should only be those axes
specified in the corresponding XSEG command.
center_point_axis1 Center point position for the first axis
center_point_axis2 Center point position for the second axis
rotation_angle Defines central angle of the arc, signed according to rotation direction: plus
for a counter-clock-wise arc, minus for a clock-wise arc.
velocity [Optional, only used with /v switch]
Defines required velocity for the current and for all subsequent segments.
See Switches explanation for details.
end_velocity [Optional, only used with /f switch]
Defines required velocity at the end of the current segment. See Switches
explanation for details.

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values [Optional, only used with /o switch]

Defines the values to be written to variables array at the beginning of the
current segment execution. values is a one-dimensional user defined array
of integer or real type with maximum size of 10 elements .
variables [Optional, only used with /o switch]
Defines the user-defined array, which will be written with values data at the
beginning of the current segment execution. variables is a one-dimensional
user defined array of the same type and size as the values array.
index [Optional, only used with /o switch]
Defines the first element (starting from zero) of the variables array, to which
values data will be written. If argument is omitted, values data is written to
the variables array starting from the first element (index 0).
masks [Optional, only used if values and variables are integers]
Defines the masks that are applied to values before the values are written to
variables array at the beginning of the current segment execution. masks is
a one-dimensional user-defined array of integer type and the same size as
the values array. The masks are only applied for integer values:

variables(n) = values(n) AND mask(n)

If argument is omitted, all values bits are written to variables.

If values is a real array, the masks argument should be omitted.

Switches
The following optional /switches may be used singularly or in combination with the ARC2
command:
/v Specify required velocity.
The switch requires an additional parameter that specifies the required velocity. The switch
changes the required velocity for the current segment and for all subsequent segments.
If the switch is not specified, the required velocity does not change.
/f Decelerate to the end of segment.
The switch requires an additional parameter that specifies the end velocity. The controller
decelerates to the specified velocity at the end of segment. The specified value should be
less than the required velocity; otherwise the parameter is ignored. The switch affects only
one segment.
The switch also disables corner detection and processing at the end of segment.
If the switch is not specified, deceleration is not required. However, in special cases the
deceleration might occur due to corner processing or other velocity control conditions.
/o Synchronize user variables with segment execution. The switch requires additional two or
three parameters that specify values, user variable and mask. See details in Arguments for
explanation.

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4.6.10 LINE
Description
LINE has been modified for incorporation in Extended Motion and in this form must be
initialized with XSEG...ENDS. Use LINE to add a linear segment that starts at the current
point and ends in the destination point to the motion path.
Syntax
LINE [/switches] (axis_list), destination_point_axis1[,destination_point_axis2] 
[,velocity][,end_velocity][,values, variables[,index[,masks]]]
Arguments
axis_list Defines one or two axes, specified as axes numbers separated by comma or
as axes names separated by comma. The axes should only be those axes
specified in the corresponding XSEG command.
destination_point_axis1 Destination position of the first axis
destination_point_axis2 Destination position of the second axis
velocity [Optional, only used with /v switch]
Defines required velocity for the current and for all subsequent segments.
See Switches explanation for details.
end_velocity [Optional, only used with /f switch]
Defines required velocity at the end of the current segment. See Switches
explanation for details.
values [Optional, only used with /o switch]
Defines the values to be written to variables array at the beginning of the
current segment execution. values is a one-dimensional user defined array
of integer or real type with maximum size of 10 elements .
variables [Optional, only used with /o switch]
Defines the user-defined array, which will be written with values data at the
beginning of the current segment execution. variables is a one-dimensional
user defined array of the same type and size as the values array.
index [Optional, only used with /o switch]
Defines the first element (starting from zero) of the variables array, to which
values data will be written. If argument is omitted, values data is written to
the variables array starting from the first element (index 0).
masks [Optional, only used if values and variables are integer]
Defines the masks that are applied to values before the values are written to
variables array at the beginning of the current segment execution. masks is
a one-dimensional user-defined array of integer type and the same size as
the values array. The masks are only applied for integer values:

variables(n) = values(n) AND mask(n)

If argument is omitted, all values bits are written to variables.

If values is a real array, the masks argument should be omitted.

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Switches
The following optional /switches may be used singularly or in combination with the LINE
command:
/v Specify required velocity.
The switch requires an additional parameter that specifies the required velocity. The switch
changes the required velocity for the current segment and for all subsequent segments.
If the switch is not specified, the required velocity does not change.
/f Decelerate to the end of segment.
The switch requires an additional parameter that specifies the end velocity. The controller
decelerates to the specified velocity at the end of segment. The specified value should be
less than the required velocity; otherwise the parameter is ignored. The switch affects only
one segment.
The switch also disables corner detection and processing at the end of segment.
If the switch is not specified, deceleration is not required. However, in special cases the
deceleration might occur due to corner processing or other velocity control conditions.
/o Synchronize user variables with segment execution. The switch requires additional two or
three parameters that specify values, user variable and mask. See details in Arguments for
explanation.

4.6.11 Use of Switches with ARC1, ARC2 and LINE

For ARC1, ARC2, and LINE some switches require an additional parameter to be specified.
If more than one parameter is required, the parameters should be separated by a comma, and
the order of parameters is fixed in the following order:
1. Required velocity (used with /v)
2. Final velocity (used with /f)
3. /o switch parameters
Examples are:

LINE/v (1,0), 1000, -1000, 500 Add line segment with end point (1000, -
1000) and segment velocity 500.

arc1/vf (0,1), 0, 0, 100, 100, +, 500, 100 Add arc segment with center (0,0), end point
(100,100), clockwise direction, segment
velocity 500 and end velocity 100

int Value(1) Add arc segment with center (0,0) and 180
int Mask(1) degree (π) angle. At the beginning of the
Value(0) = 1; Mask(0) = 5 segment execution, sets bit 0 and reset bit 2
ARC2/o (0,1), 0, 0, 3.141529, Value, OUT, 2, Mask of digital outputs OUT(2).

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4.6.12 Example
The following is a simple program example employing Extended Segmented Motion:

XSEG (0,1),1000,1000 !Create segment motion in axes XY with initial point

!(1000,1000)

ARC1 (0,1),1000,0,1000,–1000,– !Add arc segment with center (1000,0), final point (1000,
!1000), clockwise rotation

LINE (0,1),–1000,-1000 !Add line segment with final point ( 1000, 1000)

ARC2 (0,1),–1000,0,–3.141529 !Add arc segment with center ( 1000,0) and rotation
!angle of -

LINE (0),1000 !Add line segment with final point (1000,1000)

ENDS (0,1) !End the segment sequence

The XSEG command creates the segment motion. The motion does not start at this moment.
Actual motion starts once the previous motion ends and one or more segments are added. The
four segment commands specify the following path:

Note
The LINE command may specify one axis that actually moves in this
segment. Other axes specified in XSEG hold their positions while the linear
segment is in progress.

The ARC1 and ARC2 commands always specify two axes.

The ARC1 and ARC2 commands differ by the required arguments. The ARC1 command
specifies the coordinates of the center point, coordinates of the final point and the direction of

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rotation (+ for counter-clockwise, – for clockwise rotation). The ARC2 command specifies the
coordinates of the center point and rotation angle (positive for counter clockwise, negative for
clockwise rotation). The ARC1 and ARC2 commands may produce the same result, so the user
may select the one that suits the available data. If the user knows the coordinates of the center
point, coordinates of the final point and the direction of rotation, ARC1 is preferable. If the user
knows the coordinates of the center point and rotation angle, ARC2 is preferable.
The ENDS command informs the controller that no more segments will be specified for the
motion.

4.6.13 New AST Bits

Two new bit statuses have been added to the AST (Axis State) variable to support the XSEG
motion command:

Bit Name No. Description

#NEWSEGM 16 The controller sets the bit to inform that a new segment is required to be
provided by the application. The bit is set starvation_margin ms before the
starvation condition occurs. The starvation condition is indicated by
#STARV bit.
#STARV 17 The controller sets the bit to indicate starvation condition. The starvation
condition means that there are not enough further segments to continue the
motion with required velocity. In this case, the controller starts decelerating
the motion with ½ jerk in order to prevent motion discontinuity and avoid
mechanical jerks. Once the application begins supplying segments at a
sufficient rate, the controller returns the motion back to normal condition.
Note, that often the starvation condition causes inefficient velocity
generation and increases the time required for completing the required
motion path.

4.6.14 The IMM Command

The IMM command specifies new values of velocity, acceleration, deceleration, and jerk. In
typical case, the command is issued while a motion is in progress, and specifies new desired
velocity. The new velocity is expected to take effect immediately, not waiting for the current
motion termination.
The following considerations must be taken into account when issuing the IMM command in
conjunction with XSEG.

Note
If the IMM command occurs either before the start XSEG, or after XSEG
termination, its action follows standard rules of IMM action in idle mode (or
other motion whichever is executed in the moment of IMM command).

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If the IMM command is issued, and XSEG motion is at a specific point of execution, all XSEG
segments can be subdivided as follows:
 Segments before the current segment; these segments has been passed and are of no
interest.
 Current segment the current point belongs to.
 Segments after the current segments already included in segment queue and processed by
look-ahead algorithm.
 Future segments not included yet in segment queue.
If the IMM command specifies a new velocity, the velocity is expected to affect all XSEG
segments after the current point, including the section of current segment after the current point.
However, there are some limitations:
 Individual velocity can be specified for any segment. Individual velocity should not be
exceeded; actual velocity is required to be equal or (in some cases) less than the specified
one.
 The look-ahead algorithm may apply additional limitations to velocity on a segment or in
a junction point. The limitations are not eliminated by imm command.
Taking the above considerations into account, the velocity specified by the IMM command is
not a strict velocity setting from this point on; rather it operates as additional limitation that
affects actual velocity along with other limitations.
If the IMM command specifies a new velocity while XSEG motion is in progress, the
controller response includes the following actions:
 The specified velocity replaces the required velocity for the rest of the XSEG motion.
Therefore, the new value will act as the required velocity for a segment, if no individual
velocity is specified.
 The specified velocity defines velocity restriction for the rest of the XSEG motion. The
velocity restriction will take part in any velocity calculation; so that actual velocity can
appear equal or lower, but not higher than the specified velocity.
 The velocity profile for the queued segments, including the section of the current segment
after the current point, is recalculated taking into account the new required velocity and
velocity restriction. This way, operation of imm command is identical for queued and
future segments.
If the IMM command specifies new acceleration or jerk, the new value replaces the required
value for the rest of the XSEG motion. However, unlike the velocity case, the queued segments
are not recalculated. Therefore the new acceleration or jerk takes effect with some unspecified
delay.
There is an additional restriction that if the newly specified velocity is greater than the current
required velocity, the new velocity is not effective for already queued segments; it is effective
for the future segments only. In other words, lower velocity takes effect immediately; greater
velocity takes effect with some unspecified delay.

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4.7 Master/Slave Motion

4.7.1 MASTER Command

The MASTER command defines a formula for calculating the axis master value (MPOS – see
SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide).
Syntax:
MASTER MPOS(axis_index)=value
Only one component of the MPOS (master position) variable is allowed as
MPOS(axis_index).
In the simplest case the master value follows the feedback of another axis:
MASTER MPOS(0) = FPOS(1)

When the command executes, the controller stores the formula specified to the right of the
equals sign, and then calculates the master value MPOS(0) according to this formula (in the
example above, it simply assigns the current FPOS(1) value to MPOS(0)). The controller does
this calculation every controller period, independent of program execution. Even if the program
that executed the MASTER command terminates, the controller continues calculating the last
specified master expression, until the another master command for the same axis executes.
The master value can be redefined at any time by the application. If the program that executed
the above command then executes the command.
A more sophisticated use of the MASTER command connects the axis to another axis feedback
with a scale factor:
MASTER MPOS(0) = 2.3 * FPOS(1)

The following example defines axis 2 to follow the RPOS (reference position) of axis 0
translated through a conversion table (cam motion):
MASTER MPOS(2) = MAPBY1(RPOS(0), Table)

In this example Table is a user-defined array that contains a table for conversion.
Similarly, the master value may be connected to other sources such as the sum of two or more
axes, or to an analog input.

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4.7.2 SLAVE Command

The slave command creates a motion slaved to the master value of the specified axis.
Syntax:
SLAVE[/switch] axis_designation [,start_interval, end_interval]
Where switch can be:
w Create the motion, but do not start until the go command has been issued.
p Use position lock instead of velocity lock (see Section 4.7.2.2 - Velocity Lock vs.
Position Lock).
t Stall when approaching interval boundary (see Section 4.7.2.3 - Stalled Motion).

Slave motion is governed by the variables of the slaved axis. These include:
XSACC Maximal allowed acceleration of the synchronous motion. If the master
acceleration exceeds this value, the slave comes out from synchronism.
SYNV Allowed difference in master and slave velocities. Used in asynchronous
motion to determine if the synchronism can be re-established.
JERK Default jerk. The slave uses this variable only in asynchronous motion to
overtake the master.
ACC Default acceleration. The slave uses this variable only in asynchronous
motion to overtake the master.
VEL Default velocity. The slave uses this variable only in asynchronous motion
to overtake the master.

Once started, slaved motion terminates only if a failure occurs, or one of the commands HALT,
KILL, or BREAK is executed. The HALT and KILL commands provide deceleration to zero
and then the next motion starts. If no next motion was created, the axis becomes idle. The
BREAK command provides smooth transition to the next motion without stopping, if a next
motion is waiting in the queue.

4.7.2.1 Synchronization
In slaved motion the slave is usually synchronized to the master, meaning that the APOS axis
reference follows the MPOS master value strictly or with a constant offset. However, there are
two cases when synchronism is not attainable:
 The slaved motion starts, and positions (position lock) or velocities (velocity lock) of the
master and slave differ. The motion starts as asynchronous.
 The motion was synchronized, but the acceleration of the master exceeds the allowed limit
(the XSACC variable of the axis) for the slave. The slave comes out of synchronization.
In both cases, the motion continues asynchronously, and the correspondence between APOS
and MPOS appears broken. The controller tries to regain synchronization by having the slave
pursue the master within the maximal allowed motion parameters. When the slave overtakes
the master, synchronization is re-established and the motion continues as synchronous.
Only individual axes are allowed to be used in a SLAVE command. Groups are not allowed.
The created motion starts immediately if the axis is idle; otherwise the motion waits in the

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motion queue until all motions created before for the axis finish. The following command
creates a slaved motion of the 0 axis:
SLAVE 0

Note
The slave axis in a master-slave motion may show its state (through the AST
variable) as accelerating and in motion even when the master axis is
motionless. This reflects the fact that the axis is set to follow the motion of
the other axis and is not following a motion profile of its own.

4.7.2.2 Velocity Lock vs. Position Lock

In velocity lock the slave velocity follows the master velocity. A constant offset between the
master and slave position is allowed. In position lock the slave position strictly follows the
master position.
The SLAVE command without the p switch activates a velocity-lock mode of slaved motion.
When synchronized, the APOS axis reference follows the MPOS with a constant offset:
APOS(0) = MPOS(1) + C

Where C is constant in velocity lock mode and is zero in position lock mode.
When the MSEG command includes the p switch (see Section 4.5.2 - MSEG, LINE, ARC1,
ARC2, STOPPER Commands), this activates the position lock mode of slaved motion. When
synchronized, the APOS axis reference follows the MPOS strictly:
APOS(0) = MPOS(1)

When the motion is asynchronous for any reason (see above), the controller tries to regain
synchronism by having the slave pursue the master with the maximal allowed motion
parameters. The difference between position lock and velocity lock manifests itself at the
moment of regaining synchronization:
 Velocity lock motion switches to synchronized when the slave velocity reaches the master
velocity (with allowed error defined by the SYNV variable of the slaved axis). At this
moment the difference between the master position and the slave position is latched as the
constant offset C, which then remains unchanged as long as the motion is synchronous.
 Position lock motion switches to synchronized when the slave position overtakes the
master position, i.e., when APOS = MPOS.
Note that each time the motion loses and regains synchronization, the velocity lock offset C
may latch a different value. Under the same conditions, the position lock motion each time re-
establishes the strict equality APOS = MPOS.

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4.7.2.3 Stalled Motion

When the SLAVE command does not include the t switch, the command applies no limits to
the slaved axis. The axis follows the master everywhere, unless a failure, such as limit switch
activation, occurs.
The SLAVE command with the t switch requires two additional parameters that define a
permitted interval for the slaved axis motion. For example, the command:
SLAVE/t 0, -1000, 2000

allows 0 axis motion only within the interval (-1000, 2000).

When the APOS axis reference approaches either of the two interval limit points, the slave
comes out from synchronism and stalls at that point until the MPOS master value allows
restoration of synchronism. In velocity lock, synchronization is regained when the MPOS
changes its direction. After regaining the offset, C may have a different value than before
approaching the extreme point. For position lock, synchronization is restored when the MPOS
comes back into the permitted interval. The axis stalls when the master leaves the permitted
range and regains synchronization when the master returns into the permitted range. The
controller ensures a smooth approach to the extreme points and a smooth return to
synchronization.

4.8 PATH Command

The PATH command is similar to MPTP in that it generates multi-point motion, but in this
case it creates an arbitrary path motion.
Syntax:
PATH[/switch] axis_designators [,time_interval]
POINT axis_designators, coordinate [,coordinate] [,velocity] [,time_interval]
MPOINT axis_designators, point_matrix, number_of_points [,time_interval]
ENDS

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Where switch can be one or a combination of:

r The point coordinates are relative to the previous point.
w Create the motion, but do not start until the go command.
c Use the point sequence as a cyclic array, that is, after positioning to the last point
return to the first point and repeat.
t Non-uniform time interval; the time interval is specified for each point along with the
point coordinates.

Points for arbitrary path motion are defined by POINT and MPOINT commands (see
Section 4.2.2 - MPTP, POINT, MPOINT, and ENDS Commands).
The ENDS command terminates the point sequence. After the ENDS command, no POINT or
MPOINT commands for this motion are allowed.
The trajectory of the motion follows through the defined points. Each point presents the instant
desired position at a specific moment. Time intervals between the points are uniform, or non-
uniform as defined by the t switch.
Motion generated by the PATH command does not use the standard motion profile. Typically,
the time intervals between the points are short, so that the array of the points implicitly specifies
the desired velocity in each point. For this reason, variables VEL, ACC, DEC, JERK have no
affect on this motion.
If the time interval does not coincide with the controller cycle, the controller provides linear
interpolation of the points.
Commands HALT, KILL, KILLALL (see Section 4.1.8 - HALT Command and
Section 4.1.3 - KILL and KILLALL Commands) are executed in a specific way with this
type of motion; as with other motion types, the controller provides a smooth deceleration profile
using DEC (HALT command) or KDEC (KILL, KILLALL commands) for the leading axis.
However, unlike other motions types, the controller does not provide following the motion
trajectory during deceleration.
Arbitrary path motion created without the t switch implies uniform intervals between the
points. If PATH is not specified with the t switch, the time_interval argument has to be
included. The argument defines time interval between the motion points in milliseconds.
If PATH is specified with the t switch, it must not have time_interval specification. Instead,
the time_interval must be specified for each point as an additional argument for the point
command or as additional array column in the mpoint command.

Note
The BREAK command (see Section 4.1.9 - BREAK Command) is not
supported when using the PATH command.

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4.9 Spline Motion

4.9.1 Spline Motion Theory

General theory of spline interpolation is a topic of numerous books and articles. A classical
introduction is A Practical Guide to Splines by Carl De Boor.
This section contains only basic facts required for understanding spline implementation in the
SpiiPlus controller.

4.9.1.1 Main Definitions

PV (position-velocity) and PVT (position-velocity-time) refer to a motion mode that constructs
the motion trajectory from spline segments. You specify the end position (P) and the end
velocity (V) for each segment of motion. The difference between PV and PVT is that PVT
motion also requires specification of the time interval for each segment, whereas PV motion
uses a predefined constant time interval.
In PV/PVT mode the controller provides cubic spline interpolation between the
specified points. As a spline mode, it minimizes the amount of data that the host-based
program (or ACSPL+ program) needs to generate to produce the multi-axis arbitrary
profile and provides precise trajectory generation.
A spline is a special function defined piecewise by polynomials. The spline is a
piecewise polynomial function spread over an interval [a,b] consists of polynomial
pieces, such that:
a = t0 < t1 < t2 < ...< tk-2 < tk-1 = b
The points: ti are called knots. The vector is called a knot vector for the spline. If the
knots are equidistantly distributed in the interval [a,b], we say the spline is uniform,
otherwise we say it is non-uniform.
In many cases functional dependence between two or more values cannot be expressed as an
analytic formula. The most common presentation of those functions is a table of function values
in specific points.
For example, a machine axis was graduated with an external laser interferometer. The result of
graduation is a table like the following:

Commanded 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 …

position (x)

Actual position 103 199 294 402 500 598 705 …

(p)

The table defines a functional dependence p=f(x) that cannot be expressed analytically.
The argument values for x in the definition table are knots, and the function values for p are
control points.

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A 3rd order polynomial spline provides an approximation of the table-driven function that can
provide the function value not only in the knots, but at any point. Between each two knots the
spline is expressed as:

3
p  a0  a1 x  a2 x 2  a3 x 3   ai x i
i 0

where coefficients a0, a1, a2, a3 have different values at different intervals.
The SPiiPlus controller also supports two-dimensional splines. In this case, the definition table
is a two-dimensional matrix. Knot points are defined for two arguments x and y, and the matrix
contains corresponding p values. Knot values divide the XY plane into rectangular cells. The
matrix defines the function values in the cell vertices. Within each cell, the interpolating spline
is expressed as:

3
p a
i , j 0
ij xi y j

Many different spline approximations can be provided for one definition table. The SPiiPlus
controller supports two kinds of splines: Catmull-Rom and B-Splines (see description below).
If the distance between the knots in the table is constant, the spline is called uniform. On the
contrary, a non-uniform spline corresponds to a table that contains function values in arbitrary
points. However, the definition table always arranges the knot values in ascending order, so that
xi < xi+1.
All knot points constitute the definition range of the spline. Figure 10 illustrates definition
range of a function defined with six non-uniform knots:

Definition Range

x0x1 x2 x3 x4 x5
Figure 10 Spline Definition Range
In a two-dimensional case, definition range is a rectangular area, as illustrated in Figure 11:

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y3
Definition
y2 Range

y1
y0

x0 x1 x2 x3 x4 x5

Figure 11 Two-Dimensional Spline Definition Range

4.9.1.2 One-Dimensional Catmull-Rom Spline

Assume a definition table provides N control points p0, p1, p2… pN-1 in knots x0, x1, x2… xN-1.
The Catmull-Rom construction process is described as follows:
 At each internal knot xi (1 < i < N-2) calculate the derivative:
vi = (pi+1 - pi-1)/(xi+1 - xi-1)
 At the first and last knots assume zero derivative: v0 = vN-1 = 0.
 In interval i (1 < i < N-2), build a 3rd order polynomial p=f(x) that satisfies four bound
conditions pi, vi, pi+1, vi+1.
 Beyond the definition range the spline is defined as follows:
p = p0 if x < x0
p = pN-1 if x > xN-1
Figure 12 illustrates a Catmull-Rom spline that interpolates a 5-component definition table.

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Definition
range
v1

p1
p2
v2 p4 v4
p0
v0 p3
v3

x0 x1 x2 x3 x4

Figure 12 5-Point Catmull-Rom Spline

Features of the Catmull-Rom spline:
 The spline is C1-continuous, meaning the curve and its first derivative are continuous
functions. The second derivative has discontinuities in the knot points.
 The curve interpolates all control points; meaning that the curve goes through each control
point.
 At internal control point number i, the first derivative vector is parallel to the line connecting
control points i-1 and i+1.
 At the first and the last control points, the first derivative is zero.
 The spline yields a constant value equal to p0 on the interval from - to x0.
 The spline yields constant value equal to pN-1 on the interval from xN-1 to + .

4.9.1.3 One-Dimensional B-spline

Assume a definition table provides N control points p0, p1, p2… pN-1 in knots x0, x1, x2… xN-1.
Unlike the Catmull-Rom spline, a B-Spline does not go through the control points. Actually, it
approximates the control points as illustrated in Figure 13.

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B- spline value changes beyond the definition range

Definition range

p1
p2
p4

p0
p3

x0 – ( x1 – x0) x0 x1 x2 x3 x4 x4 +( x4 – x3)
b spline
Figure 13 B-Spline - Approximation of Points
Compared to a Catmull-Rom spline, a B-Spline generates a smoother curve. Used in the
controller, a B-spline provides continuous velocity and acceleration; where Catmull-Rom
spline provides continuous velocity only, and acceleration may change by jumping at the
control points.
Features of the B-Spline:
 The spline is C2-continuous, meaning the curve, its first and second derivatives are all
continuous functions.
 The curve approximates the control points; and does not go through each control point.
 The spline yields changing value in the interval from x0 – (x1 – x0) to xN-1+(xN-1 – xN-2).
 The spline yields constant value equal to p0 in the interval from- to x0 – (x1 – x0).
 The spline yields constant value equal to pN-1 in the interval from xN-1+ (xN-1 – xN-2) to +.
Not-passing the control points is not always a drawback. If values p0, p1, p2… pN-1 are obtained
from some measuring process, the values include measuring error that has a stochastic
component. B-Spline tends to filter out the stochastic error, thereby improving overall
accuracy.

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4.9.1.4 Two-Dimensional Splines

The SPiiPlus NT controllers support two-dimensional Catmull-Rom and B-Splines.
A two-dimensional spline approximates a definition table that provides NxM control points p00,
p01, …p0,M-1, p10, p11,… pN-1,M-1 on the grid defined by knots x0, x1, x2… xM-1 and y0, y1, y2…
yN-1.
A two-dimensional spline is defined as tensor product of two one-dimensional splines. Two-
dimensional splines share many features with the corresponding one-dimensional splines, for
example:

Catmull-Rom Spline Surface B-Spline Surface

C1-continuous C2-continuous

Interpolates control points Approximates control points

A section of a two-dimensional spline surface along any direction provides a curve, which is a
corresponding one-dimensional file. For example, a two-dimensional Catmull-Rom spline is
cut on the grid line that corresponds to knot y2. The section is a one-dimensional Catmull-Rom
spline built upon control points p20, p21, p22, … p2,M-1.
The behavior of a two-dimensional spline beyond the definition range is more complex than in
the case of a one-dimensional spline. Figure 14 illustrates the Catmull-Rom spline beyond the
definition range:

pN- 1,0 pn (x )= p(x, y ) p N- 1,M-1

yN-1

pw (y )= p(x-1, y) Definition range p e (y )= p(xM -1 , y)

p(x, y)

y0
p 00 ps (x )= p(x, y-1) p0,M- 1

x -1 x0 x1 x M-2 xM-1 x0
Figure 14 Catmull-Ron Spline Beyond the Definition Range

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The behavior of Catmull-Rom depends on the area as follows:

 Within definition range: function of two arguments p(x, y).
 Southeast to definition range: constant value equal to control point p00.
 Northeast to definition range: constant value equal to control point pN-1,0.
 Northwest to definition range: constant value equal to control point pN-1,M-1.
 Southwest to definition range: constant value equal to control point p0,M-1.
 South to definition range: function of x, ps(x) = p(x, y0)
 North to definition range: function of x, pn(x) = p(x, yN-1)
 West to definition range: function of y, pw(y) = p(x0, y)
 East to definition range: function of y, pe(y) = p(xM-1, y)
Similar to one-dimensional B-spline, two-dimensional B-spline has an extended range of result
change. To specify the extended range, let us define four artificial knot points:
x-1= x0 – (x1 – x0)
xM = xM-1 + (xM-1 – xM-2)
y-1 = y0 – (y1 – y0)
xN = xN-1 + (xN-1 – xN-2)
Then, the extended range spans from x-1 to xM and from y-1 to yN.
Area map of a B-spline is similar to the Catmull-Rom spline, but the extended range takes
place of the definition range:

pN,- 1 pn (x )= p(x, yN ) pN,M

yN
yN-1
yN-2
pw (y )= p(x-1 , y ) Extended range pe (y )= p(xM, y)
p(x , y)
y1
y0
y-1
p-1,- 1 ps (x )= p(x , y - 1 ) p- 1,M

x-1 x0 x1 xM-2 xM-1 xM

map_ b_ spline

Figure 15 B-Spline Map

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4.9.2 PVSPLINE Command

The PVSPLINE command is used to create spline motion.
Syntax:
PVSPLINE[/switch] axis_designators [,time_interval]
POINT axis_designators, coordinate, [coordinate,] velocity [,time_interval]
MPOINT axis_designators, point_matrix, number_of_points [,time_interval]
ENDS
Where switch can be one or a combination of:
r The point coordinates are relative to the previous point.
w Create the motion, but do not start until the go command.
c Use the point sequence as a cyclic array, that is, after positioning to the last point
return to the first point and repeat.
t Non-uniform time interval; the time interval is specified for each point along with the
point coordinates.

Points for PV and PVT motion are defined by the POINT and MPOINT commands (see
Section 4.9.2.1 - POINT Command and Section 4.9.2.2 - MPOINT Command).

Note
The POINT and MPOINT commands serve the same function for defining
points along the path as the POINT and MPOINT commands for multiple
point-to-point motion (see Section 4.2.2 - MPTP, POINT, MPOINT, and
ENDS Commands); however, the controller employs a different algorithm
when calculating the spline motion.

The ENDS command terminates the point sequence. After the ENDS command, no POINT or
MPOINT commands for this motion are allowed.
The trajectory of the motion follows through the defined points. Time intervals between the
points are uniform, or non-uniform as defined by the t switch.
Motion generated by the PVSPLINE command does not follow the standard motion profile.
Variables VEL, ACC, DEC, JERK have no effect on this motion. The motion profile is
defined exclusively by the positions and velocities specified by the POINT and MPOINT
commands.
The HALT command (see Section 4.1.8 - HALT Command) is executed in a specific way
with this type of motion. As with other motion types, the controller provides a smooth
deceleration profile with the DEC value of the leading axis. However, unlike other motions
types, the controller does not follow the motion trajectory during deceleration.
Spline motion created without the t switch implies uniform intervals between the points. If
PVSPLINE does not include the t switch, the time_interval argument has to be included. The
argument defines time interval between the motion points in milliseconds.

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If PVSPLINE does not include the t switch, the time_interval argument must not be included.
Instead, the time interval must be specified for each point as an additional argument for the
POINT command or as additional array row in the MPOINT command.
The PVSPLINE command itself does not specify any point, so the created motion starts only
after the first point is specified. The points of motion are specified by the point or mpoint
commands that follow the pvspline command.

4.9.2.1 POINT Command

The POINT command for the spline interpolation specifies two values per axis that is involved:
the first value defines the coordinate of the end point of the segment; the second value specifies
the velocity at the end point. The coordinate is specified in the user units of the axis; the velocity
is specified in user units per second.
The following fragment illustrates adding a point with PV spline motion.
PVSPLINE (0,1,3),10 Create PV spline motion for axes 0, 1, and 3.
Points are given at 10 millisecond intervals.
POINT Add a point with coordinates 0=200, 1=100,
(0,1,3),200,100,300,1000,2000,1500 3=300; velocities at the point are V0=1000,
V1=2000, V3=1500.

For each segment the controller constructs a third-order polynomial and calculates the reference
coordinates using the polynomial.
The spline provides exact track through the specified points and exact specified velocity at the
points. The spline also provides continuous velocity at all intermediate points.
In general the spline does not guarantee acceleration continuity at the connection points.
However, the acceleration can be continuous if the proper velocity values are specified, and
many host-based programs that prepare data for PV-interpolation actually calculate velocity
values that will provide continuous acceleration.
The time interval between the points may be either uniform or non-uniform. In both cases the
time interval is not required to be an integer or to be equal to an integer number of controller
cycles. The controller uses the exact specified time interval to calculate the interpolated
reference positions.
The following drawing illustrates the PV spline interpolation:

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T 2T 3T 4T 5T 6T 7T 8T

T – the controller cycle,

– the specified motion points,
 – the specified velocity values,
– the interpolated reference points

In the POINT command the axis_designators must specify the same axes in the same order as
in the axis_designators of the corresponding PVSPLINE command.
The other arguments contain different values depending on corresponding PVSPLINE
command.
If the related motion command is PVSPLINE without the t switch for M axes, there has to be
2*M arguments: 2 arguments per axis involved. The arguments specify the end point
coordinates and the coordinate velocities at the end point in the following order:
 The end point coordinate for each axis involved (M values)
 The velocity at the end point for each axis involved (M values)
Each coordinate is specified in user units of the corresponding axis, each velocity is specified
in user units per second.
If the related motion command is PVSPLINE/t for M axes, there have to be 2*M+1 arguments:
2*M arguments specify the end point coordinates and velocities, and the last argument specifies
the time interval between the previous and the current point. The time is specified in
milliseconds.

4.9.2.2 MPOINT Command

The MPOINT command adds an array of points to PV or PVT spline motion.
The arguments of the MPOINT command are:
 axis_designators - must specify the same axes in the same order as in the axes-
specification of the corresponding mptp or path command.
 point_matrix - name of declared two dimensional array.
 number_of_points - specifies how many points are added to the motion by the command.

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Before the mpoint command can be executed, an array must be declared and filled with
the point coordinates. Each row of the array contains coordinates of one point.
If the related motion command is PVSPLINE without the t switch, for M axes the matrix must
contain 2*M rows, 2 rows per axis involved. The values in each column specify:
 in row 1: the end point coordinate for each axis involved (M values)
 in row 2: the velocity at the end point for each axis involved (M values)
Each coordinate is specified in user units of the corresponding axis, each velocity is specified
in user units per second.
If the related motion command is PVSPLINE/t, for M axes the matrix must contain 2*M+1
rows:
 M rows for end point coordinates
 M rows for end point velocities
 plus additional row for the time interval between the points. The time is specified in
milliseconds.

4.9.3 Spline Motion Variables

As mentioned, the spline motion does not use the values of the VEL, ACC, DEC, JERK
variables for motion profile construction. The motion profile is constructed using the
coordinates and velocities specified in the segment end points.
While the motion is in progress the controller updates the following read-only variables every
controller cycle.
 APOS and RPOS are updated as for any other motion and read the motion result.
 Bits in AST, MST are updated as for any other motion and read the motion state.
 GSEG is updated for the leading axis with the number of the currently executed segment.
 GSFREE is updated for the leading axis with the number of free cells in the segment
queue. If GSFREE is zero, the segment queue is full and the next coming point or mpoint
command will be delayed until the required number of cells will be freed.
 GVEC is updated with the instant velocity for each axis involved. The GVEC values build
up a vector of instant velocity and also can be used for retrieving a tangent vector.
 GPATH, GVEL, GACC, GJERK, GPHASE, GRTIME are not updated while the
motion is in progress.
The following example illustrates how the pvspline command can be used for adding points
on-the-fly. The example also shows a simple approach to synchronization between the host-
based program that calculates the points and the controller that executes the motion.
The host-based program calculates the desired points and transmits the coordinates via Ethernet
link. The motion involves 6 axes. Therefore, each point specification contains 12 real numbers
(6 coordinates and 6 velocities).
Because transmitting each point separately would be a very inefficient use of the Ethernet, the
host calculates the desired points in advance and transmits them in batches of 50 points. The

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controller then executes the motion. As soon as the controller is ready to accept the next batch
of points and the host is ready to send that batch, the next transmission occurs, and so on.
The pace of the host and the controller do not have to be identical. However, the host is assumed
to be fast enough to calculate the next 50 points before the controller has moved through the
previous 50 points.
The controller executes the following program:
real Points(12)(50) Declare an array of 50 points. The host will write
the coordinates and velocities to the array.
int N,HSync,NBuf Declare a synchronization variable (initiated to
zero by default).
PVSPLINE (0,1,2,3,4,5,6), 10 Create PV for axes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Points are
given at 10-millisecond intervals.
WHILE Sync >= 0 Continue until the host writes negative number to
Sync.
TILL Sync Wait until the points are received. Once the host has
filled the Points array, it writes the Sync variable
with a number of points written to the Points array.
IF Sync > 0 Sync greater than 0 indicates that the host has
finished the point generation.
MPOINT (0,1,2,3,4,5,6), Points, Sync Add points to the Points matrix.
Sync = 0 The controller informs the host that the next batch
is expected. The motion through the points already
received from the host has not completed, but the
controller is ready to receive more points.
END End if.
END End while.
ENDS (0,1,2,3,4,5,6) End PVSPLINE.
STOP

The program running on the host looks like the following pseudo code:

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double HPoints(12)(50);
int N, HSync;
HANDLE Com;

open communication, start program in buffer NBuf of the controller;

while (Continue)
calculate N (<= 50) points in array Hpoints;

acsc_WriteReal(Com, NBuf, "Points" , 0, 11, 0, N-1, HPoints, 0) ;

acsc_WriteInteger(Com, NBuf, "Sync", -1, -1, -1, -1, &N, 0);

do
acsc_ReadInteger(Com, NBuf, "Sync", -1, -1, -1, -1, &HSync, 0);
while HSync;
reset Continue to zero if all points have been calculated;
end;

N = -1
acsc_WriteInteger(Com, NBuf, "Sync", -1, -1, -1, -1, &N, 0);

Synchronization between the host and the controller is provided by the Sync user variable.
When the host has finished transmitting the next batch of points to the controller, it writes to
Sync the number of points in the batch. The controller waits for non-zero Sync and then adds
the points to the motion. When the controller has added the points, it writes zero to Sync, which
signals to the host to transmit the next batch of points.
When the host comes to the end, it writes -1 to Sync, to indicate the end of the motion.

4.10 Open-Loop Operation (Torque Control)

The open-loop motor mode is often referred as a torque-control mode. The following table
summarizes differences between three motor modes:
Table 7 Motor Modes
Mode Disabled Open-loop Enabled
State of the Drive Off On On
Enable output
Calculation of control No No Yes
loop algorithm
Correspondence of RPOS follows RPOS follows RPOS is calculated according to the
Reference Position FPOS FPOS commanded motion.
(RPOS) and Feedback FPOS follows the RPOS as
Position (FPOS) provided by control loop algorithm.
Position Error (PE) Zero Zero The control algorithm calculates
PE = RPOS - FPOS
Voltage at the drive Zero Proportional to As calculated by the control
output DCOM algorithm

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Bit 1 in the MFLAGS variable enables or disables open-loop mode. The following diagram
explains transition between the three modes:

Disabled
Mode

Command Command
DISABLE DISABLE
Command Command
ENABLE if ENABLE if
MFLAGS.1=1 MFLAGS.1=0

Command
MFLAGS.1 = 0
Open-loop Enabled
Mode Mode

Command
MFLAGS.1 = 1

The circles in this diagram represent the motor modes and the arrows with rectangles show the
controller commands that switch the controller from one mode to another.
As shown in the diagram, a motor can be switched from the enabled mode to the open-loop
mode and back without changing to the disabled mode. The controller provides a smooth
transition between the modes. Even if the motor experiences uncontrolled movement while in
the open-loop mode, switching back to the enabled mode does not cause any motor jump.
However, be careful if you execute a motion while the controller is in open-loop mode. Once
the command switches back to enabled mode, the controller continues the motion from the
point where it finds the motor. No motor jump occurs, but the motion trajectory and the final
point may be shifted by the value of uncontrolled offset in the open-loop mode.
While in open-loop mode, the controller calculates the drive voltage output based on the
DCOM variable. The DCOM variable sets the drive output as a percentage of the maximum
available drive output voltage. For example, the SPiiPlus PCI 4/8 provides differential drive
output in the range from -10V to +10V. Therefore, assigning 100 to DCOM provides +10V on
the drive output, assigning -100 provides -10V, and assigning 0 provides 0V.
The following program fragment shows an example of torque control implementation through
the open-loop mode.
ENABLE 0 Enable the 0 motor.
PTP/f 0,400,100 Move to the point where the contact search
begins. Provide low (search) velocity of 100
count/sec in the final point.

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JOG/v 0,100 Move to the contact point using the search

velocity.
TILL IN0.4; KILL 0; MFLAGS0.1=1; Wait for the signal from the contact sensor. Kill
DCOM0=30 the motion. Switch to open-loop mode. Apply
30% of the maximum torque.
WAIT 50; DCOM0=10 Wait 50 milliseconds and then change torque to
10% of the maximum torque.
WAIT 100; MFLAGS0.1=0; PTP 0,400 Wait 100 milliseconds, then switch off the
open-loop mode and move away from the
contact point.

4.11 Step Velocity Profile (Non-Zero Minimal Velocity)

Many applications with step motors require the motion velocity to be restricted from below. In
this case, the motion profile has non-zero start and finish velocity. To handle this case you can
use the NVEL variable (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide) that specifies
minimal velocity for each axis. If an application sets a non-zero NVEL for some axis, the
controller uses the value as start and finish velocity in any motion related to the axis except for
an axis that is governed by the PATH or PVSPLINE command.

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4.11.1 The NVEL Variable

NVEL is an array of 8 real values, one per axis. A non-zero value in any NVEL element
determines that the motion of the corresponding axis will be executed with non-zero start and
finish velocities.

If an NVEL element is zero, the normal motion profile starts from zero velocity and finishes at
zero velocity. If an element is non-zero, in the beginning of motion the velocity immediately
jumps to the value specified in the NVEL element and then continues normal motion profile.
In the end, the motion approaches the final point at velocity specified in the NVEL element,
then the velocity immediately drops to zero.

In a typical application, the step motor does not require acceleration build-up phases; the
motion profile is trapezoidal:

GPHASE = 0 2 4 6
VEL

NVEL

Time

KILL and HALT commands are also affected, i.e., they slow down the velocity to the value
specified in the NVEL element and then the velocity drops to zero.

4.11.2 Special NVEL Cases

4.11.2.1 Specified Velocity Less Than NVEL

If the absolute value of the VEL value is less than the NVEL value, the VEL value is ignored.
In this case the motion profile is rectangular:

GPHASE = 0 4

NVEL

Time

Also ignored are the velocity specified in a motion command or in an IMM command if its
absolute value is less than NVEL. In all cases, the actual motion velocity is not less than NVEL.

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4.11.2.2 Multi-Axis Motion

Multi-axis motion is not typical for an axis with non-zero minimal velocity. If, however, the
axis is involved in multi-axis motion, the controller uses NVEL as follows:
 If the axis is a leading axis in the motion, its NVEL is used as a minimal vector velocity in
the motion profile
 If the axis is not leading, its NVEL is ignored.

In both cases, the axis velocity can be lower than the NVEL value. Therefore, be careful in
defining multi-axis motion that involves both stepper motors and servo motors.

4.11.2.3 NVEL and Non-Default Connection

If a non-default connection is specified (see Section 8.12 - Non-Default Connections), the axis
and the motor are different entities. In this case, NVEL refers to the axis, but not to the motor.
For example, if NVEL0 is set to 500, the velocity of any motion of the X axis will be limited
from below to 500 units per second irrespective of which motor is affected by the motion.

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5 Inputs and Outputs

The controller includes digital and analog inputs and outputs. This chapter discusses the
following:
 General purpose digital inputs and outputs
 General purpose analog inputs and outputs
Safety inputs and digital encoder implementations are discussed in other sections of this guide
(see Chapter 6 - Fault Handling).
The controller provides a set of general-purpose inputs and outputs that have no predefined
function. You can assign a function to any input/output as required by your application.
The exact number of general purpose digital inputs and outputs depends on the controller
configuration.

5.1 Digital Inputs and Outputs

Digital Inputs - A digital input is a binary signal in the form of low or high voltage that the
controller accepts from an external source such as a switch or a relay.
Digital Outputs - A digital output is a binary signal that the controller provides to an external
acceptor such as a LED or actuator.

5.1.1 Addressing Digital I/Os

Digital Inputs are presented by the ACSPL+ read-only integer array variable: IN. Digital
Outputs are presented by the ACSPL+ integer array variable: OUT.
Each member of the array is a bitmask of input or output states, respectively. During the system
configuration process, array members are bound to a certain unit, according to amount of I/O
that the unit supports.

Note
When you are operating a system whose configuration is currently unknown,
you can use the Terminal command: #SI (see SPiiPlus ACSPL+ Command
& Variable Reference Guide for details on Terminal commands) to find out
the correlation between the IN/OUT array indexes and I/O.

You address a digital I/O using the following format:

IN(port_#).bit_# or INport_#.bit_# – Input
OUT(port_#).bit_# or OUTport_#.bit_# – Output

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Where:
IN Integer array IN, a read-only array
OUT Integer array OUT
port_# The port number to which the bits belong. The controller’s digital
input/output ports are numbered from 0 to N-1, where N is the number
of controller ports (see the controller’s Hardware Guide for the number
of input/output for your controller).
.bit_# The specific bit within the port. Each port is divided into 32 bits that
are numbered from 0 to 31. For example:
IN0.1 – input 1 of port 0
IN3.19 – input 19 of port 3
OUT0.5 – output 5 of port zero
OUT3.19 – output 19 of port 3

Rather than explicitly designating the port number, you can use an integer user-defined variable
that equates to the number. In this case you have to include the parentheses, for example:
IN(u_var).1 - where u_var is an integer variable the value of which equates to the port number.

Note
If the controller provides only 32 inputs or less, all inputs/outputs are
located in port zero. In this case the port number can be omitted, and input
is referred as: IN.0 (for input 0), IN.22 (for input 22), OUT.0 (for output 0),
OUT.2 (for output 2), etc.

5.1.2 Querying Digital I/Os

The IN and OUT arrays can be queried like any other variable in the SPiiPlus MMI Application
Studio Communication Terminal. Each element of the array is read as a 32-bit binary number.
Example:

: ?IN0 What is the status of input 0

10111001,00011010,00000100,00000000
: ?IN0.1,IN0.2 What is the status of bits 1 & 2 of input 0
0
1
: ?OUT(0,3) What is the status of outputs 0 and 3
10111001,00011010,00000100,00000000 10111001,00011010,00000100,00000000
10111001,00011010,00000100,00000000 10111001,00011010,00000100,00000000

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5.1.3 Assigning Outputs

You can assign only OUT elements. The IN array is read-only.
Each digital input/output is treated as one binary bit. The low voltage level corresponds to zero
(or “clear”) and high voltage level corresponds to one or (“set”).
Examples of assignment to the elements of an OUT are shown below:
OUT0.1 = 0 Set output OUT0.1 to zero
OUT0.1 = 1 Set output OUT0.1 to one
OUT0.1 = V0 If V0 = 0, set OUT0.1 to zero. Otherwise, set
OUT0.1 to 1
OUT0.15 = IN0.10 Copy state of input IN0.10 to output OUT0.15
OUT0.15 = ~ IN0.10 Copy inverse state of input IN0.10 to output
OUT0.15
OUT6.1 = IN0.0 & IN0.1 Set OUT6.1 to logical AND of inputs IN0.0 and
IN0.1
OUT0 = 0x0101 Set signals OUT0.0 and OUT0.8 to one. Set all
other bits of OUT0 to zero
OUT0 = OUT0 | 0x0101 Set signals OUT0.0 and OUT0.8 to one. Do not
alter other bits of OUT0
OUT0 = OUT0 & ~0x0101 Set signals OUT0.0 and OUT0.8 to zero. Do not
alter other bits of OUT0.
OUT0 = (OUT0 & ~0x0101)|(V1 & 0x0101) Copy bits 0 and 8 from V1 to OUT0. Do not alter
other bits of OUT0

5.1.4 Digital I/O in Conditional Commands

Commands such as if, while and till are always followed by a logical expression. Using I/O in
the logical expression provides program branching options that are I/O state-dependent.
Examples:
if ^IN0.1 goto L Go to label L only if IN0.1 is zero
while IN0.1 & IN0.2 Execute the subsequent commands up to command end while both
IN0.1 and IN0.2 are one
till IN0.10 Wait until IN0.10 becomes one
till IN0 & 0x0101 Wait until at least one of IN0.0 and IN0.8 becomes one.

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5.1.5 PLC Implementation

The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is often used to manage digital inputs and outputs.
SPiiPlus controllers provide implementation of PLC without separate PLC hardware. The
techniques described in this section provide implementation of PLC functionality by the
controller. This approach provides an easy integration of PLC program with motion control. For
example, a motion can be started when a condition calculated by the PLC program is satisfied,
and an output can be activated when a motion starts or terminates.
There are several options for implementing a PLC program:
 Implement the PLC program in a separate buffer. This is the most suitable approach if the
PLC program must not interfere with motion, and has few connections to motion programs.
The PLC program runs in parallel with motion programs in other buffers, and any desired
connections are provided via global variables.
 Mix motion programs and PLC program in the same buffers. This approach provides a very
close interaction between PLC and motion programs, resulting in faster reaction time, but
in general has a more complex structure.
 Split the PLC program into two different parts running in two different buffers. This
approach is most suitable when a time-critical part of the program has to operate faster than
the rest of the program. PLC programs run at either a fast or slow scanning rate, and you
must assign a greater priority one buffer using the PRATE variable.
 Implement a part of the PLC program as a set of autoroutines. This approach provides a
very fast and interrupt-like response to critical conditions, because the autoroutine
condition is checked each controller cycle.
The following is an example of a PLC program implemented in a separate buffer using
autoroutines for fast response:

1 real T1
2 int Bits
3 Start:
4 OUT0.0 = MST0.#INPOS
5 if T1 <= TIME
6 if Bits.0 T1 = T1 + 30000 else T1 = T1 + 15*60000 end
7 Bits.0 = ^Bits.0
8 end
9 OUT0.4 = IN0.4 & Bits.0
10 goto Start
11 on IN0.15; killall; ret

Line1 – Definition of local variable T1 that is used to store the next switch time. T1 may be
defined as integer, but as a real, it can provide continuous running for an extended period
without overflow. The program relies on the automatic initialization of all local variables to
zero when they are declared.
Line2 – Definition of a local variable: Bits. In this program only one bit of Bits is used. One
temporary integer variable can be used for storing 32 temporary bits.

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Line3 – A label: Start. A typical case in PLC programming is a long program cycle that
executes to the end and returns to the beginning. In the example shown above, the execution
period is quite short even with default rate of ‘one Line per each controller cycle’. In a long
program, the execution cycle can reach hundreds of milliseconds.
This is a good reason to divide a typical PLC program into slow and fast sections.
Line 4 – OUT0.0 reflects the ‘in position’ state of the motor. If the motor is not in position, the
output is 0. If it is in position, the output is 1.
Lines 5-9 – OUT0.4 controls a periodic activity that must be executed every 15 minutes for a
30-second period. It is executed only if IN0.4 is active. In a typical application, the output might
be connected to lubrication pump.
Line10 – Returns the motion to the Start point.
Line11 – An autoroutine that provides extra fast response to IN0.15, typically an emergency
input. The whole autoroutine is implemented in one line providing an immediate kill of all
motions within one controller cycle when input port 0 bit 15 is 1.

5.1.6 Digital I/O in Autoroutines

You may use digital I/O as conditions for autoroutines (see Section 3.8.3 - Autoroutines). The
autoroutine can be very useful for PLC implementation and fault handling.
For example:
ON IN0.0 ! When input#0=0
OUT0.4=1 ! Set output#4 to 1
disp “Activates motor”
RET ! Ends the autoroutine

5.1.7 Using HSSI I/O Extension

Use the High-Speed Synchronous Serial Interface (HSSI) channels available in the SPiiPlus
controllers for connecting additional inputs and outputs. ACSPL+ supports access to HSSI
through the standard arrays EXTIN and EXTOUT.
The arrays can be queried, indexed and used in expressions like other ACSPL+ variables. For
detailed information about the HSSI interface see the HSSI Modules Hardware Guide.

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5.2 Analog Inputs and Outputs

The controller provides a set of analog inputs and outputs. This section discusses the general
purpose analog I/Os whose number is controller dependent.
Analog input - accepts analog signal from an external source, such as a sensor or a
potentiometer.
Analog output - provides analog signal to an external receiver, such as an actuator or a
measuring device.
Analog inputs/outputs have no predefined function in the controller. You can connect signals
to inputs/outputs and process them as required by the application.

5.2.1 Addressing Analog I/Os

Analog Inputs are presented by the ACSPL+ read-only integer array variable: AIN. Analog
Outputs are presented by the ACSPL+ integer array variable: AOUT.
Each member of the array is a value of input or output, respectively. During the system
configuration process, array members are bound to a certain unit, according to amount of IO,
that the unit supports.

Note
When you are operating a system whose configuration is currently unknown,
you can use the Terminal command: #SI (see SPiiPlus ACSPL+ Command
& Variable Reference Guide for details on Terminal commands) to find out
the correlation between the AIN/AOUT array indexes and I/O.

You address an analog I/O using the following format:

AIN(port_#)[.bit_#] or AINport_#[.bit_#] – Input
AOUT(port_#)[.bit_#] or AOUTport_#[.bit_#] – Output
Where:
AIN Integer array AIN, a read-only array
AOUT Integer array AOUT
port_# The port number to which the bits belong. The controller’s input/output
ports are numbered from 0 to N-1, where N is the number of controller
ports (see the controller’s Hardware Guide for the number of
input/output for your controller).
.bit_# The specific bit within the port. Each port is divided into 32 bits that
are numbered from 0 to 31. For example:
AIN0.1 – input 1 of port 0
AIN3.19 – input 19 of port 3
AOUT0.5 – output 5 of port zero
AOUT3.19 – output 19 of port 3

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The range of the AIN and AOUT arrays depends on the type of the input or output and the bit
resolution of the Analog-to-Digital or Digital-to-Analog conversions.
 Example: For ±10V analog outputs with 16-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion resolution,
the AOUT range is from -32768 (for –10V) to +32767 (for +10V).
 Example: For ±1.25V analog inputs with 14-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion resolution,
the AIN range is from -8192 (for –1.25V) to +8192 (for +1.25V).

Note
If an analog output is connected to a drive, it has a dedicated destination and
cannot be used as a general purpose analog output.

For model-dependent analog I/O information (for example, the number and range of inputs and
outputs) see the controller’s Hardware Guide.

5.2.2 Assigning Analog Outputs

You can assign any variable (ACSPL+ or user-defined) to an entity of AOUT. For example,
ACSPL+ variables:
 FPOS – Feedback position
 FVEL – Feedback velocity
 FACC – Feedback acceleration

Note
FVEL is calculated by digital differentiation of FPOS.
FACC is calculated by digital differentiation of the FVEL variable.
The ACSPL+ FVFIL variable defines a power of the smoothing filter used
in the FVEL calculation (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference
Guide).

Example:
The following ACSPL+ program assigns X-axis feedback position to output #3 and
acceleration to output #1. In the example the user variables: SF1 and SF2 are scale factors.
real SF1, SF2;
SF1=0.01 ; SF2=0.001; !Define scaling factors
While 1;
AOUT3 = FPOS0 * SF1;
AOUT1 = FACC0 * SF2;
END

If the acceleration signal is too noisy, increase FVFIL.

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6 Fault Handling
Fault handling is not only a concern for isolating motion faults, it is also a vital concern to
personal and equipment safety.
Safety features are necessary to protect both the equipment and you from potential injury.
SPiiPlus controllers include numerous safety-related features, but the final responsibility for the
safe use of the controller in a particular application lies with you. Before you create your
application make sure that you thoroughly read and understand this chapter.
This chapter addresses:
 Safety Controls
 Working with Fault Procedures

6.1 Safety Control

Warning
Some alarms, limits, and errors involve protection against potentially
serious bodily harm and equipment damage. Be aware of the
implications before changing or disabling any alarm, limit, or error.

Safety control is one of the highest-priority tasks of the controller. The controller continually
monitors safety conditions each controller cycle, in parallel to its other activities.
The controller sets one of the fault bits of the ACSPL+ FAULT variable when it detects a
malfunction. The response to a fault may vary from sending a fault message to complete
termination of all activities. For each fault type you can enable/disable the default controller
response or define your own autoroutine response.

6.1.1 Types of Malfunctions

The controller monitors numerous safety conditions that may indicate different hardware or
software malfunctions (faults). The most frequent causes of faults are given in Table 8:
Table 8 Types of Malfunctions (page 1 of 2)
Type of Fault Examples
User error Defining a required velocity that is invalid or beyond the
limits.
Improper or broken wiring A loose connection in the feedback encoder wiring.
Power amplifier malfunction The power amplifier malfunctions and sends a fault signal to
the controller.
Motor malfunction A motor overheats.

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Table 8 Types of Malfunctions (page 2 of 2)

Type of Fault Examples
Controlled plant malfunction The Emergency Stop input is activated.
Controller hardware malfunctions The Main Processor Unit (MPU) and the Servo Processors
(SPs) work together to detect malfunctions in the controller.
Examples include the servo processor alarm and the servo
interrupt.

6.1.2 How the Controller Detects Malfunctions

To detect malfunctions the controller monitors safety inputs, such as limit switches, and internal
safety conditions, such as comparing the reference position with the software limits.
Internal safety conditions may consist of a static formula, such as checking the acceleration
limit, or may include time dependencies, such as measuring the time interval between two
interrupts to detect servo interrupt faults.
Some safety conditions are a mixture of both techniques. For example, position error control is
based on both a static condition, whether a motor is positioned at a certain location, and a time
dependency, how long the motor is positioned at the location.

6.1.3 Faults
When the controller detects a malfunction, it raises a specific fault bit. Fault bits are grouped
into ACSPL+ FAULT and S_FAULT variables.
In certain cases, you may want to define which fault conditions are examined in a specific
application. The ACSPL+ FMASK and S_FMASK variables specify which fault conditions
must be examined in a particular application.
See SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide for complete details of these variables.

6.1.3.1 The FAULT Variable

The FAULT variable is an integer array containing eight elements (corresponding to the
number of motors), where each element is made up of a set of bits. Each bit indicates a motor
fault. Motor faults are related to a specific motor, power amplifier, or Servo Processor.
Examples include tracking error and motor overheat.

6.1.3.2 The S_FAULT Variable

S_FAULT is a scalar variable, where each bit represents the aggregate status of a particular
fault. The bits of S_FAULT are divided into two categories:
 Aggregated motor faults – Once the controller raises a bit in any element of FAULT, it
immediately raises the corresponding bit of S_FAULT. Therefore, each bit of S_FAULT
is an OR aggregate of the corresponding bits in all elements of FAULT.
 System faults such as Emergency Stop and Time Overuse that are not related to any
specific motor.

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6.1.4 Controller Response

The controller response to a fault can vary according to the requirements of your application:
 No response.
 Default response – One or more predetermined actions. You can disable the default
response for any fault.
 Autoroutine response – User-defined actions implemented in an autoroutine. In the
autoroutine you select a controller fault and controller responses to the fault. An
autoroutine can replace the default response or supplement it with additional actions.

6.2 Safety Control Summaries

A fault is a critical error for which the controller provides a default response. You can control
the response: deactivating it or changing it.

6.2.1 Summary of Faults and Default Responses

A fault can be either a motor or system fault. Motor faults refer to a specific motor, power
amplifier, or Servo Processor and affect the state of the corresponding bit for that element of
the FAULT variable. System faults do not refer to a specific motor. The corresponding bits are
located in the S_FAULT variable.
For most controller-detected faults there is a default response, which is normally executed
automatically when the fault occurs. Your ACSPL+ application can simply allow the default
response for a fault or you can do either or both of the following:
 Disable the default response by using ACSPL+ variables FDEF and S_FDEF.
 Create an autoroutine (implementing your preferred response) activated by the occurrence
of the fault. If desired, you can leave the default response enabled so that it will execute
together with the autoroutine.
In addition to the above, each motor fault is either:
1. Latched in the MERR variable (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide)
indicating that the motor is disabled or killed, in which case you can build a little routine
that checks the value of MERR and resets it by running the FCLEAR or ENABLE
(ENABLEALL) command, or
2. Set in the MERR variable only so long as the fault condition exists.
Table 9 provides a brief rundown of the faults reported by the ACSPL+ fault variables, as well
as those latched in MERR.

Note
In the table Right Limit restricts the motion in the positive direction and the
Left Limit in the negative direction.

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Table 9 Faults and the Controller's Default Response (page 1 of 4)

Bit Designator Type Fault Description Default Response
0 #RL Motor RIGHT LIMIT. The controller The controller kills the
raises the fault bit when the violating motor.
right limit switch is activated. As long as the fault is active,
the controller kills any motion
that tries to move the motor in
the direction of the limit.
Motion to return to the allowed
range of motion is allowed.
1 #LL Motor LEFT LIMIT. The controller The controller kills the
raises the fault bit when the left violating motor.
limit switch is activated. As long as the fault is active,
the controller kills any motion
that tries to move the motor in
the direction of the limit.
Motion to return to the allowed
range of motion is allowed.
2 #NT Network NETWORK ERROR. The The controller disables all axes
controller raises the fault bit until a valid network Sync
when a loss of network is signal is received.
detected.
5 #SRL Motor SOFTWARE RIGHT LIMIT. The controller kills the
The controller raises the fault violating motor. As long as the
bit when the motor reference fault is active, the controller
position (RPOS) is greater than kills any motion that tries to
the software right limit margin move the motor in the
(SRLIMIT). direction of the limit. Motion
in the direction away from the
limit is allowed.
6 #SLL Motor SOFTWARE LEFT LIMIT. The controller kills the
The controller raises the fault violating motor. As long as the
bit, when the motor reference fault is active, the controller
position (RPOS) is less than the kills any motion that tries to
software left limit margin move the motor in the
(SLLIMIT). direction of the limit. Motion
in the direction away from the
limit is allowed.
7 #ENCNC Motor ENCODER NOT The controller disables the
CONNECTED. The controller violating motor. The error
raises the fault bit when the code is latched in the MERR
primary encoder is not variable and remains active
connected. until you resolve the problems
and enable the motor again or
issue the FCLEAR command.

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Table 9 Faults and the Controller's Default Response (page 2 of 4)

Bit Designator Type Fault Description Default Response
8 #ENC2NC Motor ENCODER 2 NOT No default response.
CONNECTED. The controller The error code is latched in the
raises the fault bit when the MERR variable, and remains
secondary encoder is not active until you resolve the
connected. problems and enable the motor
again or issue the FCLEAR
command.
9 #DRIVE Motor DRIVE ALARM. The The controller disables the
controller raises the fault bit violating motor.
when the signal from the drive
reports a failure.
10 #ENC Motor ENCODER ERROR. The The controller disables the
controller raises the fault bit violating motor. The error
when the primary encoder code is latched in the MERR
malfunctions. variable and remains active
until you resolve the problems
and enable the motor again or
issue the FCLEAR command.
11 #ENC2 Motor ENCODER 2 ERROR. The The controller disables the
controller raises the fault bit violating motor. The error
when the secondary encoder code is latched in the MERR
malfunctions. variable and remains active
until you resolve the problems
and enable the motor again or
issue the FCLEAR command.
12 #PE Motor NON-CRITICAL POSITION None.
ERROR. The controller raises
the fault bit when the position
error (PE) limit is exceeded.
The limit depends on the motor
state and is defined by the
following variables:
 ERRI if the motor is idle
(not moving)
 ERRV if the motor is
moving with constant
velocity
 ERRA if the motor is
accelerating or
decelerating

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Table 9 Faults and the Controller's Default Response (page 3 of 4)

Bit Designator Type Fault Description Default Response
13 #CPE Motor CRITICAL POSITION The controller disables the
ERROR. The controller raises violating motor.
the fault bit when the position
error (#PE) exceeds the value
of the critical limit. Whereas
#PE errors occur during normal
operation, #CPE is assumed to
occur outside normal operation
parameters and #CPE is greater
than #PE.
The critical limit depends on the
motor state and is defined by the
following variables:
 CERRI if the motor is idle
(not moving)
 CERRV if the motor is
moving with constant
velocity
 CERRA if the motor is
accelerating or
decelerating
14 #VL Motor VELOCITY LIMIT. The The controller kills the
controller raises the fault bit violating motor.
when the absolute value of the
reference velocity (RVEL)
exceeds the limit defined by the
XVEL variable.
15 #AL Motor ACCELERATION LIMIT. The The controller kills the
controller raises the fault bit violating motor.
when the absolute value of the
reference acceleration (RACC)
exceeds the limit defined by the
XACC variable.
16 #CL Motor CURRENT LIMIT. The The controller disables the
controller raises the fault bit, violating motor.
when the RMS current
calculated in the Servo
Processor exceeds the limit
value defined by the XRMS
variable.
17 #SP Motor SERVO PROCESSOR The controller disables the
ALARM. The controller raises violating motor. The error
the fault bit when the axis Servo code is latched in the MERR
Processor loses its variable and remains active
synchronization with the main until you resolve the problems
processor. The fault indicates a and enable the motor again or
fatal problem in the controller. issue the FCLEAR command.

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Table 9 Faults and the Controller's Default Response (page 4 of 4)

Bit Designator Type Fault Description Default Response
20 #HSSINC Motor HSSI NOT CONNECTED. The None.
controller raises the fault bit if
the HSSI expansion module is
not connected.
25 #PROG System PROGRAM FAULT. The The controller kills all motors.
controller raises the fault bit
when a run time error occurs in
one of the executing ACSPL+
programs.
26 #MEM System MEMORY FAULT. The user The controller kills all motors.
application requires too much
memory.
27 #TIME System TIME OVERUSE. The user No default response.
application consumes too much
time in the controller cycle.
28 #ES System EMERGENCY STOP. The The controller disables all
controller raises the fault bit motors.
when the ES signal is activated.
29 #INT System SERVO INTERRUPT. The The controller disables all
servo interrupt that defines the motors.
controller cycle is not
generated. The fault indicates a
fatal controller problem.
30 #INTGR System INTEGRITY VIOLATION. No default response
The controller raises the fault
bit when an integrity problem is
detected.

6.2.2 Summary of Safety Inputs

Safety inputs and internal safety conditions are the building blocks for safety control. Safety
inputs receive binary signals (low, represented by “0”, or high voltage, represented by “1”),
from external sources such as a switch or a relay. Unlike general-purpose inputs that have no
predefined function, each safety input is dedicated to specific function.
There are six different motor safety inputs and one system safety input. The controller provides
a complete set of safety inputs for each motor. For example there are eight left limit inputs: one
per motor.
The state of the motor safety inputs is stored in the ACSPL+ SAFIN variable, while the current
state of the Emergency Stop input is stored in the ACSPL+ S_SAFIN variable. A high level of
a physical signal (voltage) raises the corresponding bit and a low level drops the corresponding
bit.
The safety inputs occupy the same bit numbers in SAFIN and S_SAFIN as the corresponding
faults in FAULT and S_FAULT. Therefore, the same constants are used for bit addressing.

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The physical signal connected to a safety input may indicate a safety violation with either high
or low level. For instance on one axis, the right limit switch may indicate a safety violation with
high voltage, and the left limit switch with low voltage. Use the ACSPL+ SAFINI and
S_SAFINI variables to define which level is active, thereby eliminating the need for hardware
inverters.
Table 10 Safety Inputs
Bit Fault Fault Category Fault Description
0 #RL Motor RIGHT LIMIT SWITCH
1 #LL Motor LEFT LIMIT SWITCH
9 #DRIVE Motor DRIVE ALARM - alarm signal from
a drive.
28 #ES System EMERGENCY STOP - alarm signal
from the controlled plant.

6.2.3 Summary of Safety-Related Variables

The FAULT, S_FAULT, SAFIN, S_SAFIN variables are read-only (SAFIN, S_SAFIN can
be assigned values, but these apply only when the Simulator is used). The SAFINI, S_SAFINI,
FMASK, S_FMASK, FDEF, S_FDEF variables are protected and can be assigned only in
protected mode (see Section 6.2.6 - Application Protection).

Table 11 Safety-Related Variables (page 1 of 2)

Name Size Access Remarks
FAULT 8 (one per axis) Read-only MOTOR FAULTS. Each motor fault occupies
one bit. Not all bits are occupied by faults. Only
those bits that correspond to motor faults are
meaningful.
FDEF 8 (one per axis) Read-write FAULT DEFAULT MASK. The variable bits
(protected mode) control availability of the default responses to
motor faults. The default value for all the bits,
1, enables the default response. If a bit is 0, the
default response is disabled.
Only those bits that correspond to motor faults
are meaningful.
FMASK 8 (one per axis) Read-write MOTOR FAULT MASK. The variable bits
Protected control whether the controller checks for motor
faults. The default value 1 causes the controller
to check for the fault associated with that bit.
Only those bits that correspond to motor faults
are meaningful.
S_FAULT Scalar Read-only SYSTEM FAULTS. Each system fault and
each aggregated motor fault occupies one bit.
Only those bits that correspond to the faults are
meaningful.

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Table 11 Safety-Related Variables (page 2 of 2)

Name Size Access Remarks
S_FDEF Scalar Read-write SYSTEM FAULT DEFAULT MASK. The
(protected mode) variable bits control availability of the default
responses to system faults. The default value
for all the bits, 1, enables the default response.
If a bit is 0, the default response is disabled.
S_FMASK Scalar Read-write SYSTEM FAULT MASK. The variable bits
(protected mode) control whether the controller checks for
system faults. The default value 1 causes the
controller to check for the fault associated with
that bit. Only those bits that correspond to
system faults are used.
S_SAFIN Scalar Read-only SYSTEM SAFETY INPUTS. Bit #ES reads
(read/write for the current state of the Emergency Stop input.
Simulator) Other bits are meaningless.
S_SAFINI Scalar Read-write SYSTEM SAFETY INPUTS INVERSION.
(protected mode) Bit #ES defines which value of S_SAFIN.#ES
bit causes a fault. Other bits are not used.
SAFIN 8 Read-only MOTOR SAFETY INPUTS. Each meaningful
(one per axis) (read/write for bit reads the current value of a motor safety
Simulator) input. Only those bits that correspond to the
motor safety inputs are meaningful.
SAFINI 8 Read-write MOTOR SAFETY INPUTS INVERSION. A
(one per axis) (protected mode) bit of the variable defines which value of the
corresponding SAFIN bit causes a fault.
Only those bits that correspond to the
meaningful SAFIN bits are used.

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6.2.4 Integrity Control

Integrity Control validates the firmware and the user application stored in the controller. The
following groups of files are stored in the internal file system of the nonvolatile memory:
 Firmware: files SB4.EXE, SB4.BIN, SBAUTO.BT
 Default configuration values: files PAR.### and PARn.### , where n = 0, 1…
 Default ACSPL+ programs: files ACSPLnn.###, where nn = 00, 01, 02…
 Default Servo Processor programs: files SP.### and/or SPn.###, where n = 0, 1…
 Saved configuration values: files PAR.$$$ and PARn.$$$ , where n = 0,1…
 Saved ACSPL+ programs: files ACSPLnn.$$$, where nn = 00, 01, 02…
Firmware and the default files are present in the controller from the beginning and can be
replaced only by the Upgrade and Recovery Wizard of the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio.
The saved files compose the user application. Saved files are created or replaced by the memory
management commands (See SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide).
Integrity Control is active for the all files specified above. The controller stores the size and
checksum of each file, existing or created. The controller then compares the stored
size/checksum with size/checksum of the actual file to expose damaged files. Validation is
performed automatically on power-up. After power-up you can use the IR command to validate
files (see Section 6.2.4.2 - Integrity Report Command).

6.2.4.1 Integrity Violation Fault

The bit of the Integrity Violation fault resides in the S_FAULT variable, and can be addressed
as: S_FAULT.#INTGR or S_FAULT.30.
The fault has no default response. The masks S_FMASK and S_FDEF do not affect processing
of the bit.
The controller automatically validates integrity on power-up before loading the user
application. Therefore, you are able to define an AUTOEXEC program that checks the
Integrity Violation fault and reports the error as required.

6.2.4.2 Integrity Report Command

The #IR Communication Terminal command activates integrity validation and provides a
report of current integrity state.
If any integrity problem is detected, the command raises fault bit S_FAULT.#INTGR.
The report displays a list of files. Each list entry displays a file name, expected file size and
checksum of the file and actual file size and checksum.

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The following is an example of an integrity report:

#IR
Size Checksum
Registered Actual Registered Actual
C:\
sb1218pc.frm 001DA050 001DA050 DF4F97F0 DF4F97F0
model.inf 000014C3 000014C3 C5CC6B93 C5CC6B93
array.txt 00000010 00000010 00D4FF89 00D4FF89
1.prg 000002CB 000002CB D19BF636 D19BF636
ECAT.XML 00052B0A 00052B0A 4D35D447 4D35D447
C:\SB4\SP\
sp.### 0004FF0C 0004FF0C BCBB37F5 BCBB37F5
ADJ0.$$$ 0000017D 0000017D 8E1A3690 8E1A3690
sp.##1 0003DC8E 0003DC8E 0B678F5D 0B678F5D
c:\sb4\startup\
Acspl_e.$$$ 0000010B 0000010B 6C441150 6C441150
Par.$$$ 000001E9 000001E9 704245FA 704245FA
Par0.$$$ 00000D7C 00000D7C 21F7589A 21F7589A
Par1.$$$ 00000D7C 00000D7C 471078B2 471078B2
Par2.$$$ 00000D7D 00000D7D 12FA61B8 12FA61B8
Par3.$$$ 00000D7C 00000D7C 9142BBDC 9142BBDC
Par4.$$$ 00000D7C 00000D7C B65BDCF2 B65BDCF2
Par5.$$$ 00000D7C 00000D7C DB74FE08 DB74FE08
Par6.$$$ 00000D7C 00000D7C 008E1F1E 008E1F1E
Par7.$$$ 00000D7C 00000D7C 25A74034 25A74034
Par8.$$$ 00000D7C 00000D7C 4BC06150 4BC06150
Par9.$$$ 00000D7C 00000D7C 70D98266 70D98266
Par10.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 8142E4DE 8142E4DE
Par11.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 A561FBF9 A561FBF9
Par12.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 C3801414 C3801414
Par13.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 E79F2A2F E79F2A2F
Par14.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 0BBE414A 0BBE414A
Par15.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 2FDD5865 2FDD5865
Par16.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 53FC6F80 53FC6F80
Par17.$$$ 00000DF3 00000DF3 2D5F0297 2D5F0297
Par18.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 9C3A9DB6 9C3A9DB6
Par19.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 C059B4D1 C059B4D1
Par20.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 966603F5 966603F5
Par21.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 BA851B10 BA851B10
Par22.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 DEA4322B DEA4322B
Par23.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 02C34946 02C34946
Par24.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 26E26061 26E26061
Par25.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 4B01777C 4B01777C
Par26.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 6F208E97 6F208E97
Par27.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 933FA5B2 933FA5B2
Par28.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 B75EBCCD B75EBCCD
Par29.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 DB7DD3E8 DB7DD3E8
Par30.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 B18A230C B18A230C
Par31.$$$ 00000DF1 00000DF1 D5A93A27 D5A93A27
Acspl01.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl02.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl03.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl04.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl05.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl06.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl07.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl08.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl00.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl09.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl10.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl11.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl12.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl13.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl14.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
Acspl15.$$$ 00004E27 00004E27 6F167A54 6F167A54
C:\sb4\user\
oleg 00000024 00000024 4144536B 4144536B
I 00000330 00000330 011453BC 011453BC
V 00002EF0 00002EF0 414453A7 414453A7
System Integrity is OK
:

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6.2.5 Report of Realtime Usage Command

The #U Terminal command provides a report of Real Time Usage. The controller continuously
measures the time taken by realtime tasks. For details on realtime tasks see Section 2.1.3 -
Realtime and Background Tasks.
When the #U command is received, the controller analyzes the measured times during the last
50 controller cycles and calculates minimal, maximal and average time. The results are reported
in percentages.

Note
You can also use the ACSPL+ USAGE variable (see SPiiPlus Command &
Variable Reference Guide) to monitor the usage. This variable is
particularly useful in autoroutines for halting a program if the MPU usage
is excessive.

6.2.6 Application Protection

The following Terminal commands switch between protected mode and configuration mode:
 #PROTECT
The #PROTECT command applies application protection (puts the controller in protected
mode). The command can be followed by a password, where the password can be any
sequence of ASCII characters enclosed in quotes (“”). The sequence can contain any
printable or non-printable character, except the quotes, for example:
#PROTECT “123MyPassword”

 #UNPROTECT
The #UNPROTECT command disables application protection (returns the controller to
configuration mode).

Note
If #PROTECT was applied with a password, the same password must
accompany the corresponding #UNPROTECT command. If a password
was not included in the #PROTECT command, the #UNPROTECT
command does not need a password.

If the controller is in protected mode, #RESET can be applied to delete a password-protected

application if the password is unknown. In this case, the application cannot be viewed or saved,
but the controller will be reset to the factory-defaults.
Once you have put the application in the Protected mode, you have the option of locking the
value of any ACSPL+ standard read-write variable by applying the SETPROTECTION
command. This command converts the specified variable to read-only and the variable’s value
that you set cannot be changed, for example:

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SETPROTECTION VEL = 1!The VEL variable will retain the value of 1

!throughout the life of the application.

For a description of the application protection commands see SPiiPlus Command & Variable
Reference Guide.

6.2.7 Report Safety Configuration

The #SC command reports the current safety system configuration.
The controller response includes the following:
 active safety groups
 the configuration of each fault for each motor
For example:
#SC
Bit Code Fault 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 #RL Right Limit K K K K K K K K
1 #LL Left Limit K K K K K K K K
2 #NT Network error D D D D D D - -
3 #FAN Cooling Fan Fault - - - - - - - -
4 #HOT Overheat - - - - - - - -
5 #SRL Software Right Limit K K K K K K K K
6 #SLL Software Left Limit K K K K K K K K
7 #ENCNC Encoder Not Connected D D D D D D D D
8 #ENC2NC Encoder2 Not Connected - - - - - - - -
9 #DRIVE Drive Alarm KD KD KD KD KD KD KD KD
10 #ENC Encoder Error D D D D D D D D
11 #ENC2 Encoder 2 Error - - - - - - - -
12 #PE Position Error
13 #CPE Critical Position Error KD KD KD KD KD KD KD KD
14 #VL Velocity Limit K K K K K K K K
15 #AL Acceleration Limit K K K K K K K K
16 #CL Overcurrent KD KD KD KD KD KD KD KD
17 #SP Servo Processor Alarm D D D D D D D D
25 #PROG Program Error K K K K K K K K
26 #MEM Memory Overuse
27 #TIME Time Overuse
28 #ES Emergency Stop KD KD KD KD KD KD KD KD
29 #INT Servo Interrupt D D D D D D D D
30 #INTGR Integrity Violation D D D D D D D D
31 #FAILURE Component Failure D D D D D D D D

The following designations are used in the report:

 --- – fault detection is disabled (FMASK=0)
 (blank) – fault response is disabled (FDEF=0) or no default response is defined
 K – response is kill
 D – response is disable
 KD – response is kill-disable
 + – generalized fault

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6.3 Working with Faults

6.3.1 Addressing the Fault Bits

Faults are represented as bits in the ACSPL+ variables FAULT and S_FAULT.
FAULT is an integer array containing eight elements (corresponding to the number of motors),
where each element is made up of a set of bits. Each bit indicates one motor fault. Motor faults
are related to a specific motor, power amplifier, or Servo Processor. Examples include Tracking
Error, and Motor Overheat.
To address a specific motor fault bit, start with the specification of the FAULT element,
followed by the bit selection operator (dot) and then the corresponding fault designator.
For example:
FAULT(2).#LL Addresses the left limit fault bit of axis 2. The bit is raised if the 2 left
limit switch is activated.
FAULT(3).#DRIVE Addresses the drive fault bit of axis 3. The bit is raised if the 3 drive safety
input is active.

S_FAULT is a scalar variable with two categories of bits:

 Aggregated motor faults. Once the controller raises a bit in any element of FAULT, it
immediately raises the corresponding bit of S_FAULT. Therefore, each bit of S_FAULT
is an OR aggregate of the corresponding bits in all elements of FAULT.
 System faults that are not related to any specific motor, such as Emergency Stop and Time
Overuse.
The aggregated motor fault bits occupy the same bit positions as the corresponding motor fault
bits in the FAULT variable. Use the designators of the motor faults to address the aggregated
motor fault bits.
Examples:
S_FAULT.#LL Addresses the aggregated Left Limit fault bit. The bit is raised if the Left
Limit switch of any motor is activated.
S_FAULT.#DRIVE Addresses aggregated Drive fault bit. The bit is raised if the Drive safety
input of any motor is active.

Use the bit designators of the system faults to address the system fault bits.
Examples:
S_FAULT.#ES Addresses the Emergency Stop fault bit. The bit is raised when the Emergency
Stop safety signal is active.
S_FAULT.#PROG Addresses the Program fault bit. The bit is raised when any program has failed
due to a run-time error.

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6.3.2 Querying Faults

The variables FAULT and S_FAULT are queried like any other variable. The controller
reports the status of each meaningful bit.
Example:
?S_FAULT
0 OFF Right Limit (#RL)
1 ON Left Limit (#LL)
2 OFF Network error (#NT)
3 OFF Cooling Fan Fault (#FAN)
4 OFF Overheat (#HOT)
5 OFF Software Right Limit (#SRL)
6 OFF Software Left Limit (#SLL)
7 OFF Encoder Not Connected (#ENCNC)
8 OFF Encoder 2 Not Connected (#ENC2NC)
9 OFF Driver Alarm (#DRIVE)
10 OFF Encoder Error (#ENC)
11 OFF Encoder 2 Error (#ENC2)
12 OFF Position Error (#PE)
13 OFF Critical Position Error (#CPE)
14 OFF Velocity Limit (#VL)
15 OFF Acceleration Limit (#AL)
16 OFF Overcurrent (#CL)
17 OFF Servo Processor Alarm (#SP)
20 OFF HSSI Not Connected (#HSSINC)
25 OFF Program Error (#PROG)
26 OFF Memory Overuse (#MEM)
27 OFF Time Overuse (#TIME)
28 OFF Emergency Stop (#ES)
29 OFF Servo Interrupt (#INT)
30 OFF Integrity Violation (#INTGR)
31 OFF Component Failure (#FAILURE)

The number in the left column is the bit number, followed by an ON/OFF indicator and the fault
description and the bit name in parentheses. In the above example all the faults are OFF except
for the Left Limit fault of one or more axes.
Note that the S_FAULT variable indicates that there is a motor fault, but does not specify
which motor has failed. To determine which motor has failed, query the FAULT variable, or
use ?$ to query the state of all motors.
Fault bits can be queried individually:
?S_FAULT.#LL
1
?FAULT(0).#LL, FAULT1.#LL
0
1

The controller answers a query of an individual bit by showing the numerical value of the bit:
either 0 or 1.

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6.3.3 Using the Fault Bits in if, while, till Commands

Using the fault variables in the condition of commands if, while, or till provides a decision
making mechanism that is based on the present state of the faults.
Examples:
if FAULT(0).#HOT Activate an output (OUT.6) if X motor is
OUT(0).6 = 1 overheated
end
if FAULT(0).#LL | FAULT(0).#RL Display a warning if any limit switch of X motor is
disp "X limit switch" active
end
till ^FAULT(0).#LL Wait until the X Left limit switch is released
if S_FAULT disp "Failure";end Display a warning if any fault is active

The condition if S_FAULT is satisfied if S_FAULT is non-zero, i.e., if any bit of S_FAULT
is raised. Any fault, either system or motor, raises a bit in S_FAULT. Therefore a non-zero
S_FAULT indicates that one or more faults are active.
The variables FAULT and S_FAULT display the current state of the faults. A conditional
command based on these variables uses the fault state at the instant when the command is
executed. For example, if the X left limit was activated but then released, FAULT0.#LL is
zero, and the command if FAULT0.#LL considers the condition unsatisfied.

6.3.4 Creating Fault-Processing Autoroutines

To create an autoroutine that processes a fault, specify the fault bit in the autoroutine condition.
Example:
on FAULT(0).#LL Start the autoroutine when an 0 axis Left Limit fault
occurs

A fault-processing autoroutine can reside in any program buffer. When the buffer is compiled,
the controller checks the autoroutine condition each controller cycle. When the condition is
satisfied, the controller interrupts the program that is currently executing in the buffer that the
autoroutine resides in, and starts the autoroutine execution.
A fault-processing autoroutine can supplement or replace the default response to a fault. If the
corresponding FDEF or S_FDEF bit enables the default response, the autoroutine starts and
executes in parallel with the default response. If the corresponding FDEF or S_FDEF bit is
zero, the default response is disabled, and the autoroutine is the only controller response.

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Note Programming Note

The controller examines all autoroutine conditions each controller cycle.
However, if an autoroutine is executing in a buffer, and a condition of the
second autoroutine in the same buffer is satisfied, the second autoroutine
will start only after termination of the subroutine currently executing.
Therefore, if an application includes a time-consuming autoroutine, avoid
placing safety autoroutines that require short response times in the same
buffer with the time-consuming autoroutine.

Examples:
The following autoroutine displays a message when the Drive Alarm signal becomes active for
the 0 axis motor:
on FAULT(0).#DRIVE
disp "Axis 0 Drive Alarm"
ret

In the following autoroutines, the 0 and 2 axes motors must be disabled simultaneously.
Therefore, if one of the drives fails, the second must be disabled as well. The default response
disables the 0 axis motor if the 0 Drive Alarm occurs and disables the 2 axis motor if the 2 Drive
Alarm occurs. The following pair of autoroutines supplements the default response by disabling
a motor if the other motor fails:
on FAULT(0).#DRIVE disable 2; ret
on FAULT(2).#DRIVE disable 0; ret

When a 0 axis drive fault occurs, the following autoroutine terminates the controller activity for
all motors:
on FAULT(0).#DRIVE When 0 axis drive fault occurs
disableall Disable all motors
stopall Stop all other programs
stop Stop the current program
ret End of autoroutine

The S_FAULT variable contains the bits of the aggregated motor faults. These bits provide a
convenient alternative to the motor faults if an application requires common processing of a
motor fault irrespective of which motor caused the fault.
For example, the following autoroutine displays a message when the Left Limit switch of any
motor is activated:
on S_FAULT.#LL
disp "One of the Left Limit Switches is Activated"
ret

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Autoroutine conditions can contain more than one fault bit, as is shown in the first line of the
example below:
on S_FAULT.#LL | S_FAULT.#RL
disp "Some Limit Switch Activated"
ret

The S_FAULT variable (used without a bit extension) indicates whether a fault has been
detected by the controller. The following example shows an autoroutine that provides an alarm
message if any fault occurs in the controller:
on S_FAULT
disp "Something happened"
ret

The controller activates an autoroutine when the condition of the autoroutine changes from
false to true. If the condition remains true, the autoroutine is not activated again until the
condition becomes false, and then true again. Therefore the above autoroutine displays the
alarm message only on the first fault. If one fault bit is already raised, and another fault occurs,
the second fault does not generate an alarm message.
The following autoroutine displays a fault message each time a fault occurs:
int LastFault
on LastFault <> S_FAULT
if (LastFault ~ S_FAULT) & S_FAULT
disp "Something happened"
end
LastFault = S_FAULT
ret

In the above example the local variable LastFault stores the current value of S_FAULT. The
exclusive OR (~) of LastFault and S_FAULT detects the bits of S_FAULT that changed. The
AND (&) with S_FAULT retains only the bits that changed from zero to one, and not from one
to zero.

6.3.5 Disabling Fault Processing

Warning
Certain safety variables provide protection against potential serious
bodily injury and damage to equipment. Be aware of the implications
before disabling any alarm, limit or error.

The ACSPL+ variables define which faults are examined and processed. If a bit of FMASK or
S_FMASK is zero, the corresponding fault is disabled and the bit of FAULT or S_FAULT is
not raised.
FMASK and S_FMASK are queried like any other variable, and the controller reports the
status of each meaningful bit.

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Example:
?FMASK(0)
0 ON Right Limit (#RL)
1 ON Left Limit (#LL)
2 ON Network error (#NT)
4 ON Overheat (#HOT)
5 ON Software Right Limit (#SRL)
6 ON Software Left Limit (#SLL)
7 ON Encoder Not Connected (#ENCNC)
8 ON Encoder 2 Not Connected (#ENC2NC)
9 ON Driver Alarm (#DRIVE)
10 OFF Encoder Error (#ENC)
11 OFF Encoder 2 Error (#ENC2)
12 ON Position Error (#PE)
13 ON Critical Position Error (#CPE)
14 ON Velocity Limit (#VL)
15 ON Acceleration Limit (#AL)
16 OFF Overcurrent (#CL)
17 OFF Servo Processor Alarm (#SP)
20 OFF HSSI Not Connected (#HSSINC)

?S_FMASK
25 ON Program Error (#PROG)
26 OFF Memory Overuse (#MEM)
27 OFF Time Overuse (#TIME)
28 ON Emergency Stop (#ES)
29 OFF Servo Interrupt (#INT)
30 OFF Integrity Violation (#INTGR)
31 OFF Component Failure (#FAILURE)

Normally, you enable or disable fault detection through the Adjuster wizard of the SPiiPlus
MMI Application Studio (see the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio User Guide) when initially
configuring the controller. The configured values of FMASK and S_FMASK are then stored
in the flash memory and left unchanged during the application lifetime.
Changes to safety variables after initial controller configuration may affect your application.
The following section is relevant only if you need to enable or disable faults after initial
configuration.
Example:
?FAULT(0).#DRIVE , SAFIN(0).#DRIVE Display the status of the 0 drive alarm fault, and the
safety signal
1 Drive Alarm fault bit is set.
1 Drive Alarm safety signal is set.
FMASK(0).#DRIVE = 0 Disable 0 axis Drive Alarm fault
?FAULT(0).#DRIVE , SAFIN(0).#DRIVE Display the status of the 0 axis Drive Alarm fault,
and the safety signal
0 Drive Alarm fault bit is reset.
1 Drive Alarm safety signal is still set.

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6.3.6 Defining the Active Level of Safety Input

Safety inputs receive physical signals from various sources, such as limit switches and relays.
Each safety signal is sent in one of two forms (binary):
 High voltage level, no current in the controller input circuit.
 Low voltage level, outflowing current in the controller-input circuit.
By default, the high voltage level is defined as the active state of the signal, i.e., the state that
triggers a fault. This is called the normal polarity.
By using the ACSPL+ variables SAFINI and S_SAFINI, which define what level is active for
each safety input, you can change the default defining the low voltage level as active for a
specific safety input. The low voltage level will now trigger a fault. This is called inverse
polarity. If a bit of SAFINI or S_SAFINI is zero (default value), the corresponding input
accepts the high level as active.
Note that the bits of SAFIN and S_SAFIN reflect the physical states of the signals, while the
bits of SAFINI and S_SAFINI define the logical processing of the signals. SAFINI and
S_SAFINI variables have no effect on the physical signal, and the bits of variables SAFIN and
S_SAFIN, which display the raw values of the safety inputs are unaffected by the bits of
SAFINI, S_SAFINI
The variables SAFINI and S_SAFINI are queried like any other variable. The controller
reports the status of each meaningful bit that corresponds to a safety signal.
Example:
?SAFINI(0)
0 ON Right Limit (#RL)
1 ON Left Limit (#LL)
4 OFF Overheat (#HOT)
9 OFF Driver Alarm (#DRIVE)

?S_SAFINI
28 OFF Emergency Stop (#ES)
31 OFF Component Failure (#FAILURE)

In the above example, the fact that the response to the SAFINI(0) query shows that RL and LL
are ON (bits 0 and 1) indicates that you have defined inverse polarity (low active level) for
signals #RL, #LL of the 0 axis.
Normally, you define the signal polarity through the Adjuster wizard of the SPiiPlus MMI
Application Studio (see the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio User Guide) when initially
configuring the controller. The configured values of SAFINI and S_SAFINI are then stored in
the flash memory and are not changed during the application's lifetime.
Example:
?FAULT(0).#LL , SAFIN(0).#LL Display the status of Left Limit and the Left Limit
Safety signal for the 0 axis.
1 Left Limit fault bit is raised.
1 Left Limit safety signal is high.
SAFINI(0).#LL = 1 Set inverse polarity

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?FAULT(0).#LL , SAFIN(0).#LL Display the status of Left Limit and the Left Limit
Safety signal for the 0 axis.
0 Left Limit fault bit changes to zero.
1 Left Limit safety signal remains high.

6.3.7 Fault Processing Modes

The controller defines two modes of behavior after a failure: regular and strict. Bit #FCLEAR
of the S_FLAGS variable selects the fault processing mode:
 If S_FLAGS.#FCLEAR = 0 (default) the controller is in regular mode
 If S_FLAGS.#FCLEAR = 1 the controller is in strict mode.
The difference between the modes manifests when a fault occurs that kills a motor:
 In the regular mode the next motion command simply clears the reason for the previous kill
for all involved motors and starts the new motion.
 In the strict mode the next motion command cannot activate the motion and fails. The
motion cannot be activated as long as the reason for the previous kill is non-zero for any
involved motor.
The reason for a kill operation is stored in the MERR variable. In the strict mode as long as a
MERR element is non-zero, the corresponding motor cannot be put in motion. Commands
ENABLE and FCLEAR clear the MERR elements for the specified motors and enable the
next motion.
The same rules apply to the results of a KILL command with non-zero second argument (the
reason for the kill - see Section 4.1.3 - KILL and KILLALL Commands). The reason is
stored in the MERR element and in the strict mode the next motion cannot be activated until
the reason is cleared.
In the regular mode the behavior is simple and totally compatible with previous versions.
However, you may prefer the strict mode, especially during application development. The
following example gives a hint why the strict mode may be preferable:
Reciprocated:
PTP/r 0,10000
PTP/r 0,-10000
GOTO Reciprocated

Under normal conditions the motor continuously moves forward and backward by 10,000 units.
Assume, however, that the first motion brings the motor to the right limit switch. The first
motion terminates prematurely, because the motor is killed. However, the program continues
running and executes the second motion command. In the regular mode the second motion
starts successfully because it is directed out of the limit. Then the first motion command again
brings the motor to the limit. Therefore, in the regular mode the reciprocated motion continues
and there is no clear indication of abnormal condition.
Assume further, for the same application, that a broken connection to the right limit switch
causes the controller to mistakenly continuously detect that the right limit has been passed. The
first motion fails immediately after start, but the second one executes. The result is that the
motors move in a negative direction by steps of 10,000 units.

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In the strict mode, the behavior is more predictable. After the first motion failed, the second one
cannot start and the program itself terminates with error. You can check the information in
MERR and PERR to disclose the reason for the failure.
If at any point of the application a fault is an expected condition and the program must continue,
the program in the strict mode must analyze the MERR element and execute the FCLEAR
command before activating the next motion.

6.4 Network Faults

There are 3 types of possible faults:
 Initialization failure – the EtherCAT stack could not start properly
 Network failure during the normal work – SP software keeps running
 SP software in a slave does not run properly or in reset state

6.4.1 Axis Network-Related Faults

Each axis has two network-related faults:
 FAULTx.2 - Network Fault
 FAULTx.17 - Servo Processor Alarm
The possible reasons for Network Fault are:
 Reset of EtherCAT slave chip
 Physical Ethernet line disconnection
 Power Down of a single slave
The Servo Processor Alarm is set whenever the handshake counter between the master and the
slave is different from CTIME*20, i.e., the SP worked exactly CTIME*20 times between two
consequent MPU cycles.
The possible reasons for Servo Processor Alarm are:
 Communication loss with SP for any reason
 SP SW failure (Network might keep working OK)
 SP SW over usage
 Loss of synchronization between MPU and SP
 SP reset by Watch Dog or Power down
Both faults have a default response of disabling the axes that are affected. If there is a Network
Fault on an axis, it will be always followed by Servo Processor Alarm. Malfunction of a single
node will raise the Network Fault bit in all axes, in order to give the ability of immediate
reaction.

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6.4.2 Initialization Failure

The stack may fail to start up for several reasons. The ACSPL+ ECST variable shows different
stages of stack initialization. As long as the stack has not reached full network initialization
followed by successful load of an SP program, all axes of the corresponding SP will be in
constant Servo Processor Alarm.
In this case, ECST and ECERR will show the cause of the failure.

6.4.3 Network Failure During Operation

In the event of a loss of communication, for example, due to broken cable, power down, poor
contact, etc., after successful initialization, the Firmware will analyze which nodes are out of
order and will activate the Network Fault on related axes. If the SP program is valid and running
(for example in case of cable out), the SP recognizes that the master is not controlling the bus
and disables all its axes; in addition the handshake SYNC counter is frozen.
After successful reconnection, the SP sees that the master has sent a recent SYNC value and
returns to normal functioning. FCLEAR or ENABLE will reset the Network Fault and Servo
Processor Alarm and allow normal axis operation.

6.4.4 SP Software Failure

In case of node reset due to watchdog or power down or in case of an unpredictable SP
malfunction, the Servo Processor Alarm will always be activated on the related axes. In most
cases it will also cause Network Fault. There is no way to clear this fault, because the SP does
not have a valid program and it is not properly synchronized with the MPU.
To overcome this, run #HWRES (Reboot controller) in the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio
Communication Terminal, or perform a complete power down, and then power up to reset this
node.

Note
Other nodes may keep functioning, if their response to Network Fault is
masked.

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6.5 Detailed Description of Faults

This section provides a detailed description of each fault, including a description of the bits
involved, the default response, and examples of autoroutines.

6.5.1 Limit Switches: #LL, #RL

The exact usage of limit switches depends on the application. A specific axis may require only
one pair of limit switches or no limit switches at all. The following diagram illustrates a typical
use of two pairs of limit switches:

LEFT HARD WORK AREA RIGHT HARD

= Hazardous Area

= Prohibited Area

=Preliminary Limit Switch

=Limit Switch

Figure 16 The Use of Limit Switches

Fault bits FAULT.#LL, FAULT.#RL (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#LL, FMASK.#RL (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals SAFIN.#LL, SAFIN.#RL (in each element of SAFIN)
Inversion bits SAFINI.#LL, SAFINI.#RL (in each element of SAFINI)
Internal safety condition None
Default response bits FDEF.#LL, FDEF.#RL (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller kills the violating motor.
As long as the fault is active, the controller kills any motion that tries
to move the motor in the direction of the limit. Motion to return to the
allowed range of motion is allowed.

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Autoroutine examples:
The first example supplements the default processing of X limit faults with alarm messages:
ON FAULT(0).#LL When a Left Limit fault occurs in the 0 axis motor.
DISP "0 Left Limit switch activated" Display the message: 0 Left Limit switch activated.
RET
ON FAULT(0).#RL When a right limit fault occurs in 0 axis motor.
DISP "0 Right Limit switch activated" Display the message: 0 Right Limit switch
activated.
RET

The example below implements an autoroutine that disables the motor rather than the default
response of killing the motion in case of a right limit or left limit fault. This response may be
superior to the default response if the motor is equipped with a brake that is activated by the
disable command because the brake may stop the motor faster than a kill command.
ON FAULT(2).#RL | FAULT(2).#LL. When there is a right limit or left limit fault in the 2
axis motor.
DISABLE 2 Disable axis 2
RET

6.5.2 Network Fault: #NT

Fault bits FAULT.#NT

Mask bits FMASK.#NT
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits
Internal safety condition
Default response bits None
Default response Disables the axis

6.5.3 Software Limit Switches: #SLL, #SRL

Fault bits FAULT.#SLL, FAULT.#SRL (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#SLL, FMASK.#SRL (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition See explanation below.

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Fault bits FAULT.#SLL, FAULT.#SRL (in each element of FAULT)

Default response bits FDEF.#SLL, FDEF.#SRL (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller kills the violating motor. As long as the fault is active,
the controller kills any motion that tries to move the motor in the
direction of the limit. Motion in the direction out of the limit is allowed.

Software limit switches use the following ACSPL+ variables:

 SLLIMIT –Software Left Limit (Lower limit of working area)
 SRLIMIT –Software Right Limit (Upper limit of working area)
The condition for software limit switches is based on the motor reference RPOS variable, not
the motor feedback FPOS variable. Therefore, the fault provides protection against errors in the
ACSPL+ application, not against hardware malfunctions.
The controller monitors the reference position RPOS and reference velocity RVEL and
implements the following verifications:
 If RPOS < SLLIMIT, the controller detects #SLL fault.
 If RPOS > SRLIMIT, the controller detects #SRL fault.
 If RPOS is within the range and RVEL is non-zero, the controller calculates the distance
required to decelerate RVEL to zero using KDEC deceleration. If the final point of the
calculated deceleration process is < SLLIMIT, the controller detects #SLL fault. If the
final point of the calculated deceleration process is > SRLIMIT, the controller detects a
#SRL fault.
This logic provides the moving edge of the software limit fault, depending on the instant
velocity. As the controller kills the motor when the fault is detected, the termination point of
the kill process will be very close to the corresponding software limit point.
The termination point is not exactly the software limit point because the controller checks the
condition every controller cycle, i.e., at discrete time points. The termination point complies
with the following conditions:
 The termination point lies beyond the corresponding software limit.
 Overrun is not more than 2*Vel*Cycle,
where Vel is an instant velocity and Cycle is the controller cycle.
For example, if the FAULT(0).#SRL fault is detected, the requested velocity of 0 axis is
10,000 count/sec and the controller cycle is 1 msec. The controller will overrun the software
right limit for not more than 2*10000*0.001 = 20 counts.

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Autoroutine examples:
The following autoroutines supplement the default processing of X software limit faults with
an alarm messages:
ON FAULT(0).#SLL
DISP "0 Software Left Limit violated"
RET

ON FAULT(0).#SRL
DISP "0 Software Right Limit violated"
RET

6.5.4 Non-Critical Position Error: #PE

Fault bits FAULT.#PE (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#PE (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition See explanation below.
Default response bits FDEF.#PE (in each element of FDEF)
Default response None

Use the #PE fault to detect non-critical violation of position accuracy, and the #CPE (see
Section 6.5.5 - Critical Position Error: #CPE) fault to detect uncontrolled, excessive error
that indicates loss of control.
The following ACSPL+ variables are associated with position errors:
 ERRI – Maximum position error while the motor is idle (not moving)
 ERRV – Maximum position error while the motor is moving with constant velocity
 ERRA – Maximum position error while the motor is accelerating or decelerating
 DELI – Delay on transition from ERRA to ERRI
 DELV – Delay on transition from ERRA to ERRV
The controller raises the FAULT.#PE bit if the position error exceeds the maximum specified
value, which is equal to ERRI, ERRV or ERRA depending on the motion state.
The variables DELI and DELV are used in a similar manner with the #CPE fault.
The following diagram illustrates the use of these variables for a typical motion profile that
includes acceleration, constant velocity and deceleration:

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V
PE > ERRI PE > ERRA PE > ERRV PE > ERRA PE > ERRI

DELV DELI

Figure 17 Use of Variables in a Typical Motion Profile

The allowed position error limit is:
 ERRI if the motor is idle
 ERRV if the motor is moving with constant velocity
 ERRA if the motor is accelerating or decelerating
 DELV defines delay on transition from ERRA to ERRV.
 DELI defines delay on transition from ERRA to ERRI.
Autoroutine examples:
The following autoroutine supplements the default response to a position error with an alarm
message.
ON FAULT(1).#PE
DISP "Accuracy violation - the motion was killed"
RET

The next example corrects the motion conditions by reducing the velocity (VEL1) until the
error returns to within limits, instead of killing the motion.
ON FAULT(1).#PE When there is a position error fault in the 1 axis
motor.
WHILE FAULT(1).#PE As long as there is a position error.
IMM VEL(1) = 0.9 * VEL(1) Reduce the velocity of the 1 axis motor by 10%.
WAIT 10 Delay.
END
RET

The controller automatically provides a smooth transition to the new velocity.

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An application that incorporates the above autoroutine must satisfy the following conditions:
 All motions of the 1 axis are single-axis, or 1 is a leading axis in a group. If another axis is
leading, all motions will use the velocity of that axis, and the command VEL(1) = … will
have no effect.
 All motions of the 1 axis use the default velocity VEL(1) and do not specify individual
velocity.
 The specific error monitored is the position error only while the motor is moving with
constant velocity. To avoid the fault while the motor is idle or moves with acceleration, you
have to initialize the variables ERRI(1) and ERRA(1) to sufficiently large values.

Note Programming Note:

The above autoroutine executes an undefined number of loops with delays in
each loop. Therefore, the execution time may be significant. As long as the
autoroutine executes, no other autoroutine in the same buffer can be
activated. Do not place this autoroutine in the same buffer that contains any
time-critical autoroutine.

6.5.5 Critical Position Error: #CPE

Fault bits FAULT.#CPE (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#CPE (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition See explanation below.
Default response bits FDEF.#CPE (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller disables the violating motor.

Use #PE fault (see Section 6.5.4 - Non-Critical Position Error: #PE) to detect non-critical
violations of position accuracy, and the #CPE fault to detect uncontrolled, excessive error that
indicates loss of control. #CPE should be greater than #PE.
The following ACSPL+ variables are associated with critical position error:
 CERRI - Critical position error if the motor is idle (not moving)
 CERRV - Critical position error if the motor is moving with constant velocity
 CERRA - Critical position error if the motor is accelerating or decelerating
 DELI - Delay on transition from CERRA to CERRI
 DELV - Delay on transition from CERRA to CERRV
The variables DELI and DELV are used also in the condition for the #PE fault.

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The controller raises the fault bit if the position error exceeds the critical value. The critical
value is equal to CERRI, CERRV or CERRA depending on the motion stage. The following
diagram illustrates the use of these variables for a typical motion profile that includes
acceleration, constant velocity and deceleration:

V
CPE > CERRI CPE > CERRA CPE > CERRV CPE > CERRA CPE > CERRI

DELV DELI

The Critical limit for position error is:

 CERRI if the motor is idle
 CERRV if the motor is moving with constant velocity
 CERRA if the motor is accelerating or decelerating.
 DELV defines delay on transition from CERRA to CERRV.
 DELI defines delay on transition from CERRA to CERRI.
A #CPE fault implies a serious problem in motor control. Do not disable the default response
unless it is absolutely necessary in your application, i.e., keep FDEF.#CPE = 1.
Autoroutine examples
The following autoroutine supplements the default response with an alarm message:
ON FAULT(3).#CPE
DISP "Axis 3 shows abnormal error. The motor was disabled."
RET

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6.5.6 Encoder Error: #ENC, #ENC2

Fault bits FAULT.#ENC, FAULT.#ENC2 (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#ENC, FMASK.#ENC2 (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition The controller latches fault #ENC if the phase shift between the signals
of the primary encoder is lost, indicating a faulty encoder or noisy
environment.
The controller latches fault #ENC2 if the phase shift between the
signals of the secondary encoder is lost, indicating a faulty encoder or
noisy environment.
Default response bits FDEF.#ENC, FDEF.#ENC2 (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller disables the violating motor. The faults remain active
until the user resolves the problems and enables the motor again or
executes the fclear command.

Unlike most faults, #ENC and #ENC2 faults are latched. The fault bits remain raised even after
the cause of the fault has been eliminated. Only the next enable command resets the fault bits.
Occurrence of an #ENC fault indicates a serious problem in motor control. Do not disable the
default response unless it is absolutely necessary in your application, i.e., keep
FDEF.#CPE = 1.
Autoroutine examples
The following autoroutine supplements the default response with an alarm message:
ON FAULT(2).#ENC
DISP "Encoder Error in 2 axis. The motor was disabled."
RET

6.5.7 Encoder Not Connected: #ENCNC, #ENC2NC

Fault bits FAULT.#ENCNC, FAULT.#ENC2NC (in each element of

FAULT)
Mask bits FMASK.#ENCNC, FMASK.#ENC2NC (in each element of
FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition The controller raises fault bit #ENCNC if a primary encoder is not
connected.
The controller raises fault bit #ENC2NC if a secondary encoder is not
connected.
Default response bits FDEF.#ENCNC, FDEF.#ENC2NC (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller disables the violating motor.

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If the controller detects a pair of differential encoder inputs that are not in opposite states (high
and low level), it raises the fault because this may indicate a problem such as a short circuit or
unconnected wire.
An #ENCNC fault indicates a serious problem in motor control. Do not disable the default
response unless it is absolutely necessary in your application, i.e., keep FDEF.#CPE = 1.
Autoroutine examples
The following autoroutine supplements the default response with an alarm message:
ON FAULT(0).#ENCNC
DISP "Axis 0: Encoder Not Connected. The motor was disabled."
RET

6.5.8 Drive Alarm: #DRIVE

Fault bits FAULT.#DRIVE (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#DRIVE (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals SAFIN.#DRIVE (in each element of SAFIN)
Inversion bits SAFINI.#DRIVE (in each element of SAFINI)
Internal safety condition The controller never sets the fault bit while the motor is disabled. The
controller starts monitoring the fault condition when the period of time
defined by variable ENTIME elapses after the motor has been enabled.
Default response bits FDEF.#DRIVE (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller disables the violating motor.

The condition involves the following ACSPL+ variable:

ENTIME – Motor’s enable time in milliseconds
Even if the SAFIN.#DRIVE bit is in an active state, the controller never raises the fault bit
while the motor is disabled. When the enable command is issued, the controller waits for the
period of time defined by the ENTIME variable, and only then starts monitoring the
SAFIN.#DRIVE bit. If the Drive Alarm signal is still active at that time, the fault condition is
satisfied.
The controller continues monitoring the fault condition until the motor is disabled by a disable
command or a fault that disables the motor.
Occurrence of a #DRIVE fault indicates a serious problem in the motor control. Do not disable
the default response unless it is absolutely necessary in your application, i.e., keep
FDEF.#CPE = 1.
General autoroutine example:
The following autoroutine supplements the default response with an alarm message:
ON FAULT(2).#DRIVE
DISP "Axis 2 Drive Alarm. The motor was disabled"
RET

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6.5.9 Motor Overheat: #HOT

Fault bits FAULT.#HOT (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#HOT (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals SAFIN.#HOT (in each element of SAFIN)
Inversion bits SAFINI.#HOT (in each element of SAFINI)
Internal safety condition None
Default response bits FDEF.#HOT (in each element of FDEF)
Default response None

Autoroutine examples:
The first autoroutine activates the OUT(0).1 output, which could be wired to switch on an
additional motor ventilation fan. The second routine switches off the fan when the fault is no
longer active:

ON FAULT(1).#HOT
OUT(0).1 = 1
RET

ON ^FAULT(1).#HOT
OUT(0).1 = 0
RET

6.5.10 Velocity Limit: #VL

Fault bits FAULT.#VL (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#VL (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition If abs(RVEL) > XVEL, raise FAULT.#VL
Default response bits FDEF.#VL (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller kills the violating motor.

The condition involves the following ACSPL+ variable:

XVEL – Maximum allowed velocity for each motor
#VL uses the motor reference velocity RVEL, not the motor feedback velocity FVEL.
Therefore, the fault bit is raised if an application command calls for excessive velocity, even if
the motor has not reached this velocity. The fault can also be used for program testing without
physical motion, while motors are disabled.

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Autoroutine example:
The autoroutine informs you about the violation.
ON FAULT(2).#VL
DISP "Axis 2 velocity limit was exceeded"
RET

6.5.11 Acceleration Limit: #AL

Fault bits FAULT.#AL (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#AL (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition If ABS(RACC) > XACC, raise FAULT.#AL
Default response bits FDEF.#AL (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller kills the violating motor.

Acceleration limit uses the following ACSPL+ variable:

XACC – Maximum allowed acceleration for each motor
#AL uses the motor reference acceleration RACC, not the motor feedback acceleration FACC.
Therefore, the fault bit is raised if an application command calls for excessive acceleration,
even if the motor has not reached this acceleration. The fault also can be used for a program
testing without motion, while motors are disabled.
Autoroutine example:
The following autoroutine supplements the default response with an alarm message:
ON FAULT(0).#AL
DISP "Axis 0 Acceleration limit exceeded. The motor was disabled."
RET

6.5.12 Current Limit: #CL

Fault bits FAULT.#CL (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#CL (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition If RMS current > XRMS, raise FAULT.#CL
Default response bits FDEF.#CL (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller kills the violating motor.

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The current limit fault is based on the Servo Processor algorithm that calculates the RMS value
of the motor current. When the calculated RMS current exceeds the allowed value the Servo
Processor reports an error that the MPU translates into a current limit fault.
Current limit processing uses the following ACSPL+ variables:
 XRMS – Maximum allowed RMS current for each motor
 XCURI – Maximum instantaneous current if the motor is idle (not moving)
 XCURV – Maximum instantaneous current if the motor is moving
Use the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Safety and Faults Configurator to configure the
specified variables.
Autoroutine example:
The following autoroutine kills the motion (and displays an alarm message) instead of the
motor. (The default response can be disabled by adding FDEF.#CL = 0 to the ACSPL+
program.)

ON FAULT(1).#CL
KILL 1
DISP "Axis 1 RMS current limit exceeded. Motor halted."
RET

6.5.13 Servo Processor Alarm: #SP

Fault bits FAULT.#SP (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#SP (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition If the Servo Processor lost synchronization with MPU, raise
FAULT.#SP
Default response bits FDEF.#SP (in each element of FDEF)
Default response The controller kills the violating motor.

#SP indicates that communication between the MPU and one of the servo processors failed.
The occurrence of the #SP fault indicates a serious hardware problem.
Do not disable the default response unless it is absolutely necessary in your application, i.e.,
keep FDEF.#SP = 1.
This fault may be caused by a problem in the SP program. If the SP program hangs, the fault
remains permanent. If the SP program time exceeds the tick time (50 sec), the fault is
intermittent.
The disable reason reported by the controller is 5027 'Servo Processor Alarm'.

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Autoroutine example:
The following autoroutine supplements the default response with an alarm message.
ON FAULT(1).#SP
DISP "Axis 1 Servo Processor Alarm"
RET

6.5.14 HSSI Not Connected: #HSSINC

Fault bits FAULT.#HSSINC (in each element of FAULT)

Mask bits FMASK.#HSSINC (in each element of FMASK)
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition The controller raises fault bit #HSSINC if HSSI is not connected.
Default response bits FDEF.#HSSINC (in each element of FDEF)
Default response None

See also Section 5.1.7 - Using HSSI I/O Extension.

Autoroutine example:
The following autoroutine displays an alarm message.
ON FAULT(0).#HSSINC
DISP "Axis 0: HSSI not connected."
RET

6.5.15 Emergency Stop: #ES

Fault bits S_FAULT.#ES

Mask bits S_FMASK.#ES
Based upon safety signals S_SAFIN.#ES
Inversion bits S_SAFINI.#ES
Internal safety condition None
Default response bits S_FDEF.#ES
Default response The controller disables all motors.

Autoroutine example:
The following autoroutine kills all motions but does not disable the motors (this assumes that
the default response has been disabled by S_FDEF.#ES = 0).
ON S_FAULT.#ES
KILLALL
RET

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6.5.16 Program Error: #PROG

Fault bits S_FAULT.#PROG

Mask bits S_FMASK.#PROG
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition The controller latches the fault when any ACSPL+ program encounters
a run-time error.
Default response bits S_FDEF.#PROG
Default response The controller kills all executed motions.

Unlike most faults, the #PROG fault is latched. Once raised, the bit remains raised until the
controller resets it on execution of any command that compiles or starts a program in any buffer.
Autoroutine examples:
The following autoroutine supplements the controller's default response, terminating all
concurrent programs and displaying an alarm message.
ON S_FAULT.#PROG
STOPALL
DISP "Run-time error"
RET

Note that a run time error in a buffer stops all activity in the buffer. Therefore, the above
autoroutine cannot intercept an error that occurred in the buffer where the autoroutine is
located. However, it intercepts an error in any other buffer.
This autoroutine can supplement the default response (S_FDEF.#PROG = 1) or can replace it
(S_FDEF.#PROG = 0).
The following autoroutine does the same (stops all programs) and also provides a diagnostic
message.
ON S_FAULT.#PROG
STOPALL
I0 = 0
LOOP IO
IF PERR(I0) >= 3020
DISP "Program ", I0, " failed. Error ", PERR(I0)
END
IO = 1O + 1
END
RET

The ACSPL+ PERR variable contains the termination codes of the ACSPL+ programs. Each
element of PERR contains a termination code for a different buffer. At power-up all elements
of PERR are reset to 0. When a program in any buffer finishes or terminates for any reason, the
corresponding element of PERR is assigned with a code that specifies the termination reason.

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The element resets to zero again once the corresponding buffer is compiled or its program
execution starts.
Termination codes from 3000 to 3020 indicate normal termination. Codes greater than or equal
to 3020 indicate run-time errors (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide for a
complete breakdown of the termination codes).

6.5.17 Memory Overflow: #MEM

Fault bits S_FAULT.#MEM

Mask bits S_FMASK.#MEM
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition The controller latches the fault bit when the user application requires
more memory than is available in the controller.
Default response bits S_FDEF.#MEM
Default response The controller kills all executed motions.

Unlike most faults, the #MEM fault is latched. Once raised, the bit remains raised until the
controller resets it on execution of any command that compiles or starts a program in any buffer.
Because the controller uses dynamic memory handling, the amount of the memory available for
a specific user application cannot be exactly determined. If an application raises this fault, you
need to reduce the size of the application or add memory.
The following recommendations may be useful in eliminating the error:
 Reduce the length of ACSPL+ programs.
 Reduce the volume of user local and global variables. Pay special attention to arrays.
 Limit the length of commands that are sent to the controller. Do not use commands that
exceed 2032 characters.
 Simplify the formulae used with the CONNECT and MASTER commands.
Autoroutine example:
The following autoroutine terminates all executing programs and displays an error message
when the fault occurs.
ON S_FAULT.#MEM
STOPALL
DISP "Memory overflow"
RET

This routine can supplement the default response (S_FDEF.#PROG = 1) or can replace it
(S_FDEF.#PROG = 0).

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6.5.18 Time Overuse: #TIME

Fault bits S_FAULT.#TIME

Mask bits S_FMASK.#TIME
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition The user application demands too much processing time.
Default response bits S_FDEF.#TIME
Default response The controller kills all executed motions.

The controller raises the fault bit when the user application consumes too much processing time
and S_FMASK.#TIME bit is raised.
The structure of the controller’s realtime cycle is discussed in Section 2.1.3 - Realtime and
Background Tasks.
As the realtime processing time varies between cycles, the fault may occasionally occur and
requires no special attention. However, frequent or permanent occurrence of the fault requires
measures to correct the situation.
The controller has no default response to the fault. To monitor this fault, you must define your
own autoroutine.
The following recommendations may be useful in reducing real time processing time, thereby
eliminating the fault:
 Reduce the number of concurrently executed programs.
 Reduce the program execution rates (variables PRATE, ONRATE).
 Reduce the number of command specified in one program line.
 Reduce the number of autoroutines.
 Simplify the conditions in the autoroutines.
 Reduce the number of concurrently executed motions.
 Avoid short-time motions.
 Use segmented motion instead of a series of short PTP motions.
 Simplify the formula used in the connect and master commands.
Autoroutine example:
The following autoroutine accumulates statistics on the fault. The routine measures a time of
1000 fault occurrences and then displays the average time between faults. The routine relies on
zero initialization of the local variables.
Local int N Declare local variable for counting the
number of faults.
Local real ATIME Declare local variable that will show
the time of 1000 faults.

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on S_FAULT.#TIME Activate routine when the TIME fault

occurs.
N = N + 1 Increment the number of faults
If N >= 1000 If 1000 faults were accumulated…
DISP "#TIME occurs once per ", (TIME - ATIME) Display average time between faults.
/ N, " ms"
ATIME = TIME Prepare for the next accumulation
N = 0 Zero to prepare for the next
accumulation
END
RET

6.5.19 Servo Interrupt: #INT

Fault bits S_FAULT.#INT

Mask bits S_FMASK.#INT
Based upon safety signals None
Inversion bits None
Internal safety condition The controller raises the fault bit when the servo interrupt is not
generated or is irregular.
Default response bits S_FDEF.#INT
Default response The controller disables all motors.

Caution
The Servo Interrupt fault indicates a serious failure. Do not disable the
default response unless it is absolutely necessary in your application,
i.e., keep FDEF.#INT = 1.

The MPU sets the fault if the 1ms interrupt is not received. The probable cause is a hardware
problem. The controller response to the fault is to disable all motors. The disable reason
reported by the controller is 5029 'Servo Interrupt'.
Autoroutine example:
The following autoroutine supplements the default response with termination of all ACSPL+
programs and an alarm message.
ON S_FAULT.#INT
STOPALL
DISP "Main interrupt is missing"
RET

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6.5.20 Component Failure Faults: #FAILURE

Some components other than Drive, for example, power supply, I/O extension card or encoder
card, may have fault outputs that are common for all components. The controller provides
system faults that by default disable all axes if fault occurs.

The controller provides special functions that retrieve the card malfunctioned information
(according to address on the I2C bus) and the fault reason. This allows to user to write an
ACSPL+ application that provides user-defined responses for different component faults. The
components that have such outputs provide a special jumper that connects or disconnects the
fault output to the controller.

6.5.20.1 Safety Variables

Model
Currently only MC4U systems support these variables.

Component Failure fault is treated as any other system fault. There is a dedicated bit 31
(#FAILURE) for this fault in S_FAULT, S_FMASK, S_SAFIN, S_SAFINI and S_FDEF.

S_FAULT.#FAILURE Indicates if there is fault or not.

(or S_FAULT.31) 1 = An MC4U hardware component other than the drive, such as the
Power Supply, I/O card, or encoder card, has failed.
S_FMASK.#FAILURE (or Defines if the Component Failure Fault will be examined by the
S_FMASK.31) controller.
1 = Enables S_FAULT.#FAILURE.
S_FDEF.#FAILURE You use this variable for triggering a response that you have
(or S_FDEF.31) programmed.
1 = An MC4U hardware component other than the drive, such as the
Power Supply, I/O card, or encoder card, has failed.
S_SAFIN.#FAILURE Indicates the actual status of the Component Failure controller input -
(or S_SAFIN.31) see Section 6.6.3 - Examining System Fault Conditions.
S_SAFINI.#FAILURE (or Used for inverting the Component Failure input logic.
S_SAFINI.31)

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6.5.20.2 Component Failure Fault Handling in ACSPL+

The GETCONF(247,<axis>) function serves for retrieving the component malfunction
information (according to address on the I2C bus) and the fault reason. Using the 247 key
triggers the function to retrieve a 32-bit integer number containing the following information
about the failed component: Error Code, Card Address and Card Type. Figure 18 shows the
structure of the error data number. In the event that more than one component failed, Bit 15 is
set to “1”. The malfunctioning device is automatically reset.

31 24 23 16 15 14 0

More than one failed

Card Type I2C Address Error Code
component

Figure 18 32-bit Error Data Number

The following ACSPL+ example shows how to treat the return value of the
getconf(247,<axis>) function:
# Local variables
INT res, error, i2c_addr, dev, nexterr
ON S_FAULT.#FAILURE
REP:
res = GETCONF(247, 0)
error = res & 0x7FFF
nexterr = res.15
i2c_addr.0 = res.16
i2c_addr.1 = res.17
i2c_addr.2 = res.18
dev.0 = res.24
dev.1 = res.25
dev.2 = res.26
dev.3 = res.27
dev.4 = res.28
dev.5 = res.29
dev.6 = res.30
dev.7 = res.31
DISP “ERROR =”,error
DISP “I2C ADDRESS =”,i2c_addr
DISP “DEVICE =”,dev

IF(nexterr)
GOTO REP
RET

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6.6 Detailed Description of Safety Controls

This section explains the details of safety control implementation in the controller software.
Read this section if you want a deeper understanding of how the controller analyzes safety
inputs, examines safety conditions and processes faults.

Note
The SAFIN and S_SAFIN variables are normally read-only. However, they
can be written to when working with the Simulator, to simulate safety inputs.

6.6.1 Examining Fault Conditions - Flow Chart

Figure 19 illustrates how the controller examines fault conditions:

Axis Safety Inputs

X axis
Variable SAFINI Variable SAFIN

Internal Safety
Conditions
XOR

Variable FMASK

AND

Variable FAULT

System Safety Inputs

OR

Variable S_SAFIN Variable S_SAFINI

Internal Safety
Conditions XOR
Variable S_FMASK

AND

Variable S_FAULT

Figure 19 Fault Examination Flow Chart

The upper part of the diagram shows how motor faults are examined. The list of faults is
identical for each motor and the controller repeats the process for each motor. The end product
is the ACSPL+ FAULT variable.
The lower part of the diagram shows the elements that go into constructing the S_FAULT
variable. Part of its bits are set as the OR-aggregate of the FAULT elements, and other bits are
determined by examining the system faults.

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6.6.2 Examining Motor Fault Conditions

The controller monitors motor fault conditions each controller cycle for each axis. There are
two sources of motor faults:
 Motor safety inputs
 Internal safety conditions
The controller samples motor safety inputs each controller cycle and stores the values in the
SAFIN variable. High voltage of a signal is stored as one in the corresponding bit of SAFIN.
Low voltage is stored as zero. Only the following bits of SAFIN are meaningful:
 #LL - Left Limit
 #RL - Right Limit
 #LL2 - Preliminary Left Limit
 #RL2 - Preliminary Right Limit
 #HOT - Overheat
 #DRIVE - Drive Fault
For example the command:
IF SAFIN(0).#DRIVE V0 = 1 ELSE V0 = -1 END

assigns a value of 1 to variable V0 if the Drive Alarm signal of the 0 axis motor is high and -1
if low.
The SAFINI configuration variable defines which level of motor safety input causes a fault. In
the above diagram XOR is a bit-wise operation. Therefore, if a bit of SAFINI is zero, high
voltage of the corresponding signal causes fault. If a bit of SAFINI is 1, low voltage causes
fault. Only those bits of SAFINI that correspond to the meaningful bits of SAFIN are used in
fault processing. Other bits have no effect.
In addition to the safety inputs, the controller examines a number of internal safety conditions
for each motor each controller cycle. The faults caused by the motor safety inputs and the faults
detected by internal conditions provide a set of motor faults.
A detected motor fault is stored in a bit of variable FAULT only if the corresponding bit of
variable FMASK is 1. If a bit of FMASK is zero, the controller does not raise the
corresponding fault bit even if the fault condition or safety input is true. If a bit of FMASK is
set to 1, the corresponding bit of FAULT is immediately set when the fault occurs. The bit rises
to 1 or drops to zero in the same controller cycle as the corresponding safety input or internal
safety condition shows change in the fault state.
Only those bits of FAULT that correspond to the motor faults are meaningful.
When a bit is raised, it activates the default response to the fault. An Autoroutine that processes
the fault must use the bit of FAULT in as the condition.

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6.6.3 Examining System Fault Conditions

System safety inputs and internal system safety conditions are monitored similarly to motor
fault conditions.
There are three sources of S_FAULT bits:
 Aggregated motor faults
 System safety inputs
 Internal system safety conditions
Aggregated motor faults are implemented as a combination of motor faults for all axes. For
example, if bit FAULT.#LL is one, bit S_FAULT.#LL also rises to one. Bit S_FAULT.#LL
drops to zero only if the #LL bits in all FAULTs for all motors are zero. Each meaningful bit
of FAULT has its counterpart in S_FAULT.
Emergency Stop is the only system safety input. The controller samples the input each
controller cycle and stores the value in the S_SAFIN variable. Therefore, only one bit,
S_SAFIN.#ES, is meaningful. High voltage of the signal is stored as one in the bit, low voltage
is stored as zero. An application uses S_SAFIN if a raw immediate value of Emergency Stop
input is required.
The configuration variable S_SAFINI defines which level of Emergency Stop input causes a
fault. In Figure 19 the XOR is a bit-wise operation. Therefore, if bit S_SAFINI.#ES is zero,
high voltage of Emergency Stop causes a fault. If bit S_SAFINI.#ES is one, low voltage causes
fault. Only one bit of S_SAFINI is used in fault processing. Other bits have no effect.
Each controller cycle the controller examines a number of internal system safety conditions.
The aggregated motor faults, the Emergency Stop fault and the faults detected by internal
conditions provide a set of system faults.
A system fault is stored in a bit of variable S_FAULT only if the corresponding bit of variable
S_FMASK is one. If a bit of S_FMASK is zero, the controller does not raises the
corresponding S_FAULT bit even if the fault is detected. If a bit of S_FMASK is one, the
corresponding bit of S_FAULT follows the current state of the fault. The bit rises to one or
drops to zero in the same controller cycle as the corresponding fault changes its state.
Only those bits of S_FAULT that correspond to the aggregated motor faults and to the system
faults are meaningful.
When a bit of S_FAULT is raised, it activates the default response to the fault. An autoroutine
that processes the fault must use the bit of S_FAULT as the condition.

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6.7 Extended Fault Configuration

Warning
The controller's default safety configuration and responses fit the
needs of most applications.
Only an experienced user should make modifications to the safety
configuration. Improper configuration may result in unsafe operation,
may damage the equipment, and may constitute a hazard to
personnel.

As mentioned earlier in this chapter, the controller response to a fault can be modified with the
ACSPL+ FDEF/S_FDEF variables and with autoroutines.
The #SC terminal command reports the current safety system configuration (see Section 6.2.7
- Report Safety Configuration).
There are several other options for safety system configuration:
 Safety groups
Two or more axes can be combined in a safety group. All axes belonging to the safety
group respond to any fault synchronously. If a fault affects one axis in the group, it
immediately affects all the other axes in the group (refer to the SAFETYGROUP
command in the SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide).
 Kill -disable response
In response to a fault, the controller executes KILL, decelerates the motor to zero velocity,
and then disables the motor.
 Changing response without an autoroutine
An axis can respond to a fault in one of the following basic ways:
• No response
• Kill response
• Disable response
• Kill-disable response
For each type of fault, the controller defines a default response, which can be overridden
with an autoroutine. The SAFETYCONF command (refer to the SAFETYCONF
command in the SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide) switches an axis
between the four basic fault responses. An autoroutine is only required if the desired
response is not one of the these.
 Fault generalization
The fault response for a specific fault and a specific axis can be generalized to affect all the
axes. For example, by default the 0 Drive Alarm fault disables the 0 axis motor, but has no
affect on the 1 axis motor or any other motor. However, if you generalize the Drive Alarm
fault for axis 1, the 1 axis motor will be affected by a Drive Alarm fault on any axis.

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 Specific motor configuration

The default configuration for all axes is identical. For example, the default response to a
Limit Switch fault is to kill motion. However, the response can be modified individually
for each motor. For example, if a Limit Switch fault occurs, the 0 axis motor can be killed
while the 1 axis motor is disabled.

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7 Connection to the Plant

This chapter details the connection between the motion controller and the controlled plant.

7.1 General Diagram

All connections between the controller and the controlled plant are provided through the SP
processors as shown in the following diagram:

Figure 20 SPiiPlus-Plant Connections and Related Parameters

The ACSPL+ variables that provide access from your application to the control object are
shown to the left. The following variables are available:
 RPOS – Reference Position, array of eight elements, contains the desired motor position
calculated by the controller.
 FPOS – Feedback Position, array of eight elements, reads the current motor position.
 IND – Index Position, array of eight elements, reads the position of the last encountered
encoder index.
 MARK – Mark Position, array of eight elements, reads the position of the last encountered
Mark signal.

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 M2ARK – Secondary Mark Position, array of eight elements, reads the position of the last
encountered Mark2 signal.
 FAULT – Faults, array of eight elements, the bits of the variable report the axis-related
faults detected by the safety control
 S_FAULT – System Faults, scalar, the bits of the variable report the system faults detected
by the safety control.
 IN – General Purpose Inputs, array of eight elements, each bit reports the state of one
general-purpose input.
 OUT – General Purpose Outputs, array of eight elements, each bit defines the state of one
general-purpose output.
 AIN – Analog Inputs, array of 16 elements, each element reads the numerical value of the
voltage supplied to one analog input. The number of analog inputs varies depending on the
controller model.
 AOUT – Analog Outputs, array of 16 elements, each element defines the voltage generated
by one analog output. The number of analog inputs varies depending on the controller
model.
 EXTIN – Extended Inputs, array of eight elements, each bit represents a bit in the input or
HSSI register.
 EXTOUT – Extended Outputs, array of eight elements, each bit represents a bit in the
HSSI register

7.2 User-Defined Units

The controller allows you to define the units used for motion programming and monitoring.
This is done by setting the value of the EFAC variable.
During the configuration stage, you can set the value of the EFAC variable to specify the ratio
between the desired unit and an encoder count for each axis. For example, if the encoder
resolution is 1000 counts per millimeter, and you desire to program in millimeters, the
corresponding EFAC element must be set to 0.001.
The user-defined units apply to all motion commands, so that all position-related arguments
must be specified in user-defined units. The user-defined units also affect all position-related
standard variables. For example, if the user-defined units are millimeters, then the unit of
RPOS, FPOS, APOS, MPOS, IND, MARK, etc., will be in millimeters.
The user unit also affects velocity, acceleration and jerk variables. For example, if the EFAC
value defines the unit as millimeter, then the units of VEL, RVEL, FVEL, XVEL, etc., will all
be millimeters per second. The unit of the variables ACC, DEC, KDEC, RACC, FACC, etc.,
will be millimeters per second as well as the unit of the variables JERK, GJERK.
You can define the same or different units for each axis, irrespective of the encoder resolution.
Example (rotary motor):
EFAC(0) = 360 / (2000x4)

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Where:
Feedback resolution 2000 lines/rotation
Internal Multiplier x4
User units 360 degrees per rotation
EFAC value 0.045 (i.e., 360/(2000*4))

Example (linear motor):

EFAC(0) = 1 / (500*4)

Where:
Feedback resolution 2 micron (500 lines/mm)
Internal Multiplier x4
User units mm
EFAC value 0.005 (i.e., 1/(500*4))

Example (linear motor, sin-cos encoder)

EFAC(0) = 1 /(500*64)

Where:
Feedback resolution 500 lines/mm
Internal Multiplier x64
User units mm
EFAC value 0.00003125 (i.e., 1/(500*64))

Example (rotary motor connected to ball screw)

EFAC(0) = 1 / (2000*4*(1/0.5))

Where:
Feedback resolution 2000 lines/ rotation
Gear ratio 1 motor rotation=0.5mm motion of load
Internal Multiplier x4
User units mm
EFAC value 0.000625 (i.e., 1/(2000*4*(1/0.5)))

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7.3 Direct and Feedback Transform

The SPiiPlus controller accepts the encoder signals and calculates the feedback position in
encoder counts. All servo algorithms in the SPiiPlus controller are based on encoder counts, not
user units. Therefore, when reading the feedback position from the SP, the controller executes
feedback transforms according to the formula:
FPOS = FP*EFAC + EOFFS
where FPOS is the controller feedback position in user units, FP is an SP-calculated feedback
position in encoder counts, EFAC is a user-defined value of the corresponding EFAC factor,
and EOFFS represents an offset.
EOFFS is a read-only standard variable that provides the offset between the SP-calculated
position and the controller feedback position. The value of EOFFS changes when the set
command defines a new origin for an axis.
When writing the reference position to the SP, the controller executes a direct transform given
by the formula:
RP = (RPOS – EOFFS) / EFAC
where RPOS is the controller reference position in user units, and RP is the SP reference
position in encoder units.

7.4 Index and Mark Values

Index and Mark processing is based on the SP hardware latch of the encoder reading when the
index or mark input signal occurs. The latched position is accurate to within one encoder count
at speeds of up to 5 million counts per second.
The following input signals are used for position latching:
 Encoder Index – One index signal is available per axis.
 MARK and MARK2 – These signals are available only for axes 0, 1, 2, and 3.
Each of the three signals has an independent circuit and a separate latch register. The circuit
latches the encoder reading in the register on the positive edge of the corresponding signal.
The controller further processes the latched signal. In this example we will use the index to
explain the process. Processing the mark values is similar.
When the index signal latches the encoder reading, the controller raises a flag (the bit
IST.#IND), converts the value into user units (scale and offset), and stores the value in the IND
variable. Afterwards, as long as the IST.#IND bit is set, the controller ignores any new index
occurrences. Therefore, the IND variable does not change even if a new index was encountered.
To reactivate the index latching, you must explicitly reset the IST.#IND bit.

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Note
The above is only accurate for Digital encoders.In the case of SIN-COS
encoders, FPOS(0) is an interpolated value that contains a position in
between zero-crossing of the SIN-COS signals.
Interpolation is done in the software and the hardware has the ability of
latching only the zero crossings of the sine-cosine.So when you reset
IST(0).#IND on the rising edge of the pulse, it latches the current value of
the zero-crossing counter.
This is a low resolution counter that counts the quadrants of the SIN-COS.
If the rising edge is detected a little bit before the zero crossing, the counter
still has the previous zero-crossing position as shown in the following
diagram:

The latching is done on the “Quad” signal that has a coarse resolution.So
IND holds the zero-crossing position of SIN-COS only.

The following program fragment reports the index value each time that the index is
encountered:
IST0.#IND = 0 Reset any index encountered previously
INDREP Start of the loop
TILL IST0.#IND Wait until the index is latched
DISP IND0 Report the index position
IST0.#IND = 0 Reactivate index latching
GOTO INDREP Go to the start of the loop

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Note
Maximum index/mark detection frequencies by an ACSPL+ programfor
different Controller Cycle Time (CTIME) values:
• 1 msec: 50Hz
• 0.5 msec: 100Hz
• 0.2 msec: 250Hz

7.5 Safety Inputs

The following safety inputs are available for each axis:
 Left Limit – Signal from Left Limit switch.
 Right Limit – Signal from Right Limit switch.
 Drive Alarm – Alarm signal from the drive; normally is on when the drive is disabled, and
is off when the drive is enabled.
 Network – Loss of network connectivity has been detected.
 Overheat – Signal from a temperature sensor (not supported in all controller models).
The following safety input is not related to a particular axis and indicates a general failure of
the control object:
 Emergency Stop – General failure of the control object.
The controller processes each safety input and raises the corresponding fault bit in the FAULT
or S_FAULT variable accordingly. The following bitmapped variables are involved in the
processing of the safety inputs:
 SAFIN and S_SAFIN, read-only variables (except when used with Simulator) – Indicate
the raw state of safety inputs before any processing.
 SAFINI and S_SAFINI, configuration variables – Define the active state of each signal,
specifying inversion of a signal if required.
 FMASK and S_FMASK, configuration variables – Enable or disable using each signal in
the safety control.
 FAULT and S_FAULT, read-only variables – Indicate the faults detected by the safety
control.
 FDEF and S_FDEF, configuration variables – Enable or disable the controller default
response when the fault occurs.

7.6 Digital Inputs/Outputs Repetitive

A digital input accepts a binary signal from an external source, such as a switch or a relay. A
digital output provides a binary signal to an external acceptor such as an LED or actuator.
Unlike the safety inputs, a digital input or digital output has no predefined function in the

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controller. You can connect signals to inputs or outputs and process them as required by the
application.
The inputs are represented by the integer array: IN. The outputs are represented by the integer
array: OUT. Each digital input or output is treated as one binary bit. The low voltage level
corresponds to zero and high voltage level corresponds to one. Each element of the IN and
OUT arrays is a 32-bit integer number that can represent up to 32 inputs or outputs. In all
current SPiiPlus models, the number of inputs and outputs is less than 32; therefore all actual
inputs and outputs are represented in IN0 and OUT0. All other elements of IN and OUT are
reserved for future extension. For the exact number of inputs/outputs see the specifications of
the controller model.
The following example shows an autoroutine that changes the state of output 5 once the state
of input 3 changes from 0 to 1.

ON IN0.3 Activate autoroutine on positive edge of input 3.

OUT0.5 = ^OUT0.5 Invert the state of output 5.
RET End of the autoroutine

7.7 Analog Inputs/Outputs

An analog input accepts analog signal from an external source, such as a sensor or a
potentiometer. An analog output provides analog signal to an external receiver, such as an
actuator or a measuring device. Analog inputs and outputs have no predefined function in the
controller. You can connect signals to inputs and outputs and process them as required by the
application.
The analog inputs are represented by the integer array: AIN and the analog outputs are
represented by the integer array: AOUT. Each analog input/output is represented by one array
element. The range of the AIN and AOUT arrays depends on the type of the input or output and
the bit resolution of the ADC or DAC.
Example, for ±10V analog outputs with 16-bit DAC resolution, the AOUT range is from
-32768 (for -10V) to +32767 (for +10V).
Example: For ±1.25V analog inputs with 14-bit DAC resolution, the AIN range is from -8192
(for -1.25V) to +8192 (for +1.25V).
If an analog output is connected to a drive, it has a dedicated destination and cannot be used as
a general-purpose analog output.
For model-dependent analog I/O information (for example, the number and range of inputs and
outputs) see the controller's Hardware Guide.
The following example represents an autoroutine in SPiiPlus PCI-4/8 that displays a message
when the voltage in the 3rd analog input rises above +.75V:
ON AIN3 > 4096 Activate autoroutine once the value of AIN3 exceeds 4096 (+.75V)
DISP “AIN3 >.75V” Display a message
RET End of the autoroutine

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7.8 High-Speed Synchronous Serial Interface

The High-Speed Synchronous Serial Interface (HSSI) provides a simple interface for various
external devices.
The HSSI provides up to 256 input bits and up to 256 output bits. Not every controller model
supports all 512 bits. For the exact number of inputs and outputs supported, see the controller
model’s Hardware Guide.
The HSSI bits are represented by an integer array: EXTIN or EXTOUT. Each HSSI bit
corresponds to one bit in one element of the EXTIN and EXTOUT array.
The HSSI bits have no predefined function in the controller. You are free to use HSSI as
required in the application. In the simplest case, the HSSI bits can be used for an extension of
the digital inputs/outputs. In a more sophisticated application, any sensor or actuator including
encoders and drives can be connected through the HSSI.
The HSSI interface is described in detail in the HSSI Expansion Modules Guide.

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8 Advanced Features
This chapter describes various advanced ACSPL+ programming features that are available to
you. Topics covered are:
 Data Collection
 Position Event Generation (PEG) and MARK
 Sin-Cos Encoder Multiplier Configuration
 Interrupts
 Dynamic Braking
 Constant Current Mode
 Hall Sensor Commutation
 Communicating with the SPiiPlus C Library
 Communicating with Non-ACS Devices
 TRIGGER Command
 Dynamic TCP/IP Addressing
 Non-Default Connections
 Input Shaping
 DRA Algorithm
 BI-Quad Filter

8.1 Data Collection

Data collection is useful in the following applications:
 Troubleshooting
 Adjusting servo control loops
 Applications that require detailed information about internal controller processes
 Teach-and-Go applications

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8.1.1 DC Command
Description
The DC command is used for executing data collection.
Syntax
DC[/switch] [axis], array_name, #_of_samples, period, list_of_variables
STOPDC[/switch] [integer]
Where switch can be one or a combination of:
s Start data collection synchronously to a motion.
w Create the synchronous data collection, but do not start until a go command is issued.
w can only be used with the s switch.
t Temporal data collection: sampling period is calculated automatically according to
collection time.
c Start cyclic data collection (can be used with switches s and w).

 Data collection started by the DC command without the s switch is called system data
collection.
 Data collection started by the DC/s command is called axis data collection.
 Data collection started by the DC/c command is called cyclic data collection.
Unlike the standard data collection that finishes when the collection array is full, cyclic
data collection does not self-terminate. Cyclic data collection uses the collection array as a
cyclic buffer and can continue to collect data indefinitely. When the array is full, each new
sample overwrites the oldest sample in the array. Cyclic data collection can only be
terminated by the STOPDC Command.
Arguments

axis Axis to which the data collection must be synchronized. The parameter is required
only for axis data collection (s switch).
array_name Array that stores collected data. The array must be previously defined as global,
integer or real. The array size must be compatible with the number of samples and
number of stored variables (see Section 8.1.4 - Understanding System Data
Collection).
#_of_samples The number of data samples to collect.

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period Sampling period in milliseconds. Actual sampling period may differ from this
value, because the controller rounds it to an integer number of controller periods.
For example if you set the period to 3.3 milliseconds, the controller will round it
to 3 milliseconds. If switch t is included in the command, the parameter defines a
minimal period (see explanation of temporal data collection below).
list of variables Up to eight variable names, whose values are to be collected. Each variable can be
a scalar variable, or an element of an array. Both local and global variables can be
specified. Irrespective of the storage array type, any combination of integer and
real variables is allowed - the controller automatically executes type conversion if
required.

8.1.2 SPDC - High-Speed Data Collection

Description
The SPDC command starts data collection from an Servo Processor variable for a given Servo
Processor.
Syntax

SPDC [/r] Array, number_of_samples, sampling_period, SP_number, SP_Address1,

[SP_Address2]
Arguments

Array Array name, up to XARRSIZE variable value.

By default, Array is assumed to be an integer array, if the /r switch is
added, it defines the array as real.
number_of_samples The number of samples to collect, the maximum value depends on the size
of the array.
sampling_period The time, in millisecords, that each sample is taken.
SP_number The number of the Servo Processor to be sampled
SP_Address1 The address of the Servo Processor variable in the Servo Processor to
sample,
SP_Address2 As an option, you can add another address of an other Servo Processor
variable in the Servo Processor to sample,

The minimum sampling period is 0.05 millisecond, which defines a sampling frequency of
20kHz.

The maximum sampling period is limited by CTIME value. By default, CTIME is 1

millisecond, which restricts sampling period to 1 millisecond maximum.

The controller rounds the specified period to an integer number of minimal periods and restricts
it to the permitted range.

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8.1.3 ACSPL+ Variables Involved in Data Collection

Data collection uses the following ACSPL+ variables:
AST Axis State – Bit #DC in this bit-mapped variable is ON while an axis (started with
/s) data collection for the corresponding axis is in progress. The bit is OFF if no
axis collection for the axis is executed.
DCN DC Number of Samples (axis variable) – While an axis data collection is in
progress the variable displays the index of the array element that stores the next
sample. When an axis data collection for the corresponding axis terminates, the
variable stores the number of actually collected samples. If the data collection
terminates automatically, the variable is always equal to the requested number of
samples specified in the DC command. If the data collection terminates due to the
STOPDC command, the variable may be less than the requested number of
samples.
DCP DC Period (axis variable) – When an axis data collection for the corresponding
axis terminates, the variable stores the sampling period. Unless a temporal data
collection was executed, the variable is always equal to the requested period
specified in the DC command. For temporal data collection (/t) the variable may
be greater than the requested minimal period.
S_DCN General DC Number of Samples – While a system data collection is in progress
the variable displays the index of the array element that stores the next sample.
When a system data collection terminates, the variable stores the number of
actually collected samples. If the data collection terminates automatically, the
variable is always equal to the requested number of samples specified in the dc
command. If the data collection terminates due to the STOPDC command, the
variable may be less than the requested number of samples. For cyclic data
collection S_DCN displays the current number of collected samples and changes
as follows:
1. At the start of data collection S_DCN is assigned with zero
2. Each sampling tick S_DCN is incremented until it reaches the size of the
sample array
3. S_DCN then remains unchanged (the new sample overwrites the oldest and
the total number of samples remains the same)
As long as the cyclic data collection is in progress, the application cannot use the
sample array. After the cyclic data collection finishes, the controller repacks the
sample array so that the first element represents the oldest sample and the last
element represents the most recent sample.
S_DCP System DC Period – When a system data collection terminates, the variable stores
the sampling period. Unless a temporal data collection was executed, the variable
is always equal (see explanation of the period parameter above) to the requested
period specified in the dc command, unless it was rounded to the controller cycle.
For temporal data collection (/t) the variable may be greater than the requested
minimal period.
S_ST System State – Bit: #DC in this bit-mapped variable is ON while a general (started
without /s) data collection, either standard or cyclical, is in progress. The bit is
OFF if no general collection is executed.

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8.1.4 Understanding System Data Collection

Note
Data collection is disabled when the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio
Scope is operating.

When the controller executes the DC command, it starts a separate real-time data collection
process that progresses in parallel with ACSPL+ programs and motion execution. Each
sampling period the process latches the values of all specified variables and stores them in the
specified array. The process continues until the specified number of samples is stored, or the
command STOPDC is executed. After process termination the array contains a time series of
the specified variables that may then be used for data analysis.
This is shown in the following example:
global real DCA(2)(1000)
DC DCA, 990, 3, FPOS(0), FPOS(1)

 In the first line, a matrix consisting of two columns and 1,000 lines is set up for data
collection
 The second line starts the data collection of the Feedback Position values for axes 0 and 1.
990 samples are to be collected, with a period of three milliseconds. The first step of the
data collection stores the current value of FPOS0 in DCA(0)(0) and FPOS1 in DCA(1)(0).
The second step stores FPOS0 in DCA(0)(1) and FPOS0 in DCA(1)(1).
Each variable is stored in one line of the array. Therefore the first dimension of the array (the
number of lines) must be equal or greater than the number of variables. If the number of lines
is greater than the number of variables, the extra array lines remain unaffected by the data
collection. If only one variable is specified for data collection, a one-dimensional array is
allowed.
Each sample of data collection fills up one column of the array. Therefore the second dimension
of the array (number of columns) must be equal or greater than the requested number of
samples. If the number of columns is greater than the number of samples, the extra array
columns remain unaffected by the data collection. The following examples show incorrect
usages of the DC command.
The following DC command is not allowed because the number of variables exceeds the
number of array lines:
global int IA, IC(1000)
DC IC,1000, 1, IA, FPOS(0)

The following DC command is not allowed, because the number of required samples exceeds
the number of array columns:
global int IA, IC(1000)
DC IC,1001, 1, IA

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If /s is not specified, the system data collection process starts immediately after executing the
dc command. Normally, data collection stops automatically after <number of samples> x
<period> milliseconds. If the STOPDC command executes while the data collection is in
progress, the data collection stops prematurely, and the remaining array columns remain
unaffected. To terminate system data collection, the STOPDC command must contain no
parameters.

Note
The variable S_DCN provides the number of samples stored during data
collection

The following are examples of DC commands:

global int IA, IC(1000) Set up a one-dimensional 1000-line array for collecting
data about a user-defined integer variable.
global real RA(2)(2000) Set up a two dimensional array with two columns and
2000 lines for collecting data about a real user-defined
variable.
DC IC, 1000, 1, AOUT(0) Collect 1000 samples of AOUT on the 0 axis at a rate of
one per millisecond.
DC RA, 2000, 2.5, IA, FPOS(7) Collect 2000 samples of FPOS on axis D, at a rate of 3 per
millisecond (it should be noted that the command calls for
2.5 milliseconds, but the controller rounds it up to the
nearest whole number).
DC RA, 500, 1, TIME Collect 500 samples of the ACSPL+ variable TIME at a
rate of one per millisecond

8.1.5 Axis Data Collection

When switch s is included in the DC command, data collection starts synchronously with a
motion. The first parameter must specify an axis with which the data collection is synchronized.
If the axis is idle at the moment when the DC/s command executes, no synchronization is
provided and the data collection starts immediately just as if the DC command was executed
without the switch. If the axis or axis group is in motion when the DC command executes, the
data collection lines up in the motion queue and waits for all motions that were planned before
it, to finish. When the motion queue comes to the data collection, the data collection starts, and
immediately the next motion in the motion queue starts. Data collection therefore introduces no
delay in the motion queue and does not affect motion execution.
Having started, data collection continues in parallel to the executed motion. Data collection
finishes when the specified number of samples is stored, or the STOPDC command executes.
Data collection initiated by the DC command with no associated parameters is stopped by the
STOPDC command with no associated parameters. To stop synchronous data collection
initiated by the DC/s command, the STOPDC command must also include the s switch and the
axis specification.

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The DC/s command synchronizes the data collection start to the motion of an axis, but is not
limited to collecting data only of that axis. Any parameter for any other axis may be specified
for data collection. For example, the command
global real Array(2)(5)
dc/s 0,Array,500,1,FPOS(0),FPOS(1)

synchronizes data collection to the start of motion of axis 0, but collects data on both axes 0 and
1.
Only one data collection process, started by the DC command, can execute at a time. The next
DC command can execute only after the data collection started by the previous DC command
finishes. However, data collection, initiated by the DC/s command, may progress in parallel
with the data collection initiated by the dc command. Moreover, several data collection
processes initiated by the DC/s command may progress in parallel, providing they refer to
different axes or axis groups. For example these two commands are executed serially:
DC/s 0, Array,500,1,FPOS(0)
DC/s 0, Array,500,1,FPOS(1)

While these commands are executed in parallel (unless the 0 and 1 axes belong to the same axis
group):
DC/s 0,Array,500,1,FPOS(0)
DC/s 1,Array,500,1,FPOS(1)

The following is a full example of using the DC/s command:

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GLOBAL REAL DC_DataX(2)(15000)

GLOBAL REAL DC_DataY(2)(15000)

GLOBAL REAL DC_DataA(2)(15000)

GLOBAL REAL DC_DataAsync(3)(10000)

ENABLE 0; ENABLE 1; ENABLE 2

!MASTER MPOS(1) = RPOS(0)+200

!SLAVE/p 1

DISP "DCN = %D, %D, %D", DCN(0), DCN(1), DCN(2)

!DC/s X, DC_DataX, 15000, 1, APOS(0), RPOS(0) ! commented

DC/s Y, DC_DataY, 15000, 1, APOS(1), RPOS(1)

DC/s A, DC_DataA, 15000, 1, APOS(4), RPOS(4)

!DC DC_DataAsync,

DISP "DCN = %D, %D, %D", DCN(0), DCN(1), DCN(2)

wait 1000000

PTP/re X, 10

DC/s X, DC_DataX, 15000, 1, APOS(0), RPOS(0) ! added

STOPDC

8.1.6 STOPDC Command

Description
The STOPDC command is also applicable to cyclic data collection.
An additional integer argument can be specified in the STOPDC command; STOPDC without
arguments terminates the data collection immediately. STOPDC with an argument creates
delayed termination of the data collection. For example:
STOPDC 50 Collect additional 50 samples and then finish.

It should be noted that the syntax of STOPDC that terminates synchronous data collection has
been changed. If your application uses synchronous data collection, slight changes may be

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required. To terminate a synchronous data collection that was commanded by a DC/s

command, the STOPDC command must also have switch s. For example:
DC/s 0,ARR,50,10,VAR1 Start synchronous data collection by axis 0 to a global real array ARR
of size 50, sampling period 50, collect global variable VAR1.
STOPDC/s 0 Terminate synchronous data collection by axis 0.

8.2 Position Event Generation (PEG) and MARK

The purpose of the Position Event Generator (PEG) mechanism is to generate accurate high
speed position-based events.

Note
For details of the structure of PEG engines in NT systems, see SPiiPlus NT
PEG and MARK Operations Application Notes.

The SPiiPlus EtherCAT-based motion controllers provide the user with up to 6 identical PEG
engine units. Each PEG engine can operate in one of the following two modes:
 Incremental PEG mode - provides the ability to generate a fix width pulse whenever a
fixed position interval has passed, starting at a predefined start point and ending at a
predefined end point
 Random PEG mode - provides the ability to control a PEG pulse and a four-bit vector at
pre-defined positions, which are stored as a 256/1024 member user-defined array

Note
1024 member user-defined array is supported by CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320
and UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320 units only.

Each PEG engine can generate 1 PEG pulse: PEGx_PULSE (both in Incremental and Random
modes) signal and 4 state signals: PEGx_STATEy - a 4-bit output vector, on each random
position PEG event. State signals are set to a defined logical level or set to generate a pulse on
transition, as defined by a 256/1024 member PEGx_STATE_ARRAY integer array.
The PEG engines can be configured to be triggered by a position of any of the controller
Encoders, with certain restrictions that result from the board’s architecture.
The PEG engine outputs can be assigned to 10 physical interface outputs and the PEG pulse
width and polarity are programmable.

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8.2.1 Running Incremental PEG

Incremental PEG is defined by the first point P0, last point P1 and interval I. Incremental PEG
generates the first pulse in position P0 and then repeats the pulse in positions P0+I, P0+2*I,
P0+3*I, etc. The interval can be either positive or negative. The software terminates the PEG
when the motor crosses position P1.
If the interval is small and the time between events is less than the controller cycle, additional
pulses may be generated at points beyond position P1.
The Incremental PEG is set and activated by issuing the following commands:
1. Configuring specific PEG engines to specific encoders through the STARTPEG command.
2. Assigning the physical output pins through the STARTPEG command.
3. Setting Incremental PEG for the specific axis using PEG_I axis, width, first_point, interval,
last_point
4. Waiting for PEGREADY to be ‘1’ before activating PEG.
5. Starting PEG.
PEG firing is initiated if the specific PEG engine is configured properly by ASSIGNPEG
and PEG_I is issued. PEG continues to be fired periodically until last_point is reached.
Incremental PEG is activated periodically starting from the first_point position event, and
stops at the last_point position event. All pulses, including the last pulse, are of equal
duration (width).
PEG is generated only after first_point is reached. If first_point is not reached during the
motion, PEG will not be generated.
It is recommended that first_point position be the maximum current position for movement
in the positive direction and the minimum current position for movement in the negative
direction, before PEG engine activation.
6. Stopping the PEG motion with STOPPEG (optional)
STOPPEG is a synchronous delayed command which stops the PEGs from firing.
Since the Incremental PEG mechanism does not keep track of the direction of the
movement, you may have to issue STOPPEG after last_point has been reached. This is
needed in order to avoid unintentional PEG firing due to a rapid reversal of a movement’s
direction once last_point has been passed.
If STOPPEG has been executed before last_point has been reached, you can use
STARTPEG to continue PEG from the current position.

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8.2.2 Running Random PEG

The Random PEG is set and activated by issuing the following commands:
1. Setting the event position array: PEGx_POS_ARRAY. The array has a maximum of
256/1024 members.
2. Setting the output states array: PEGx_STATE_ARRAY. This array contains the state
vectors which are to be issued per position event of the PEGx_POS_ARRAY.
3. Assigning the specific PEG engine to a specific encoder through the STARTPEG
command.
4. Assigning the physical output pins through the STARTPEG command.
5. Setting Random PEG for the specific axis using PEG_R axis, width, mode, first_index,
last_index, POS_ARRAY, STATE_ARRAY.
6. Waiting for PEGREADY to be ‘1’ before activating PEG.
7. Starting PEG.
PEG firing is initiated if the specific PEG engine is configured properly by ASSIGNPEG
and ASSIGNPOUTS and PEG_R is issued. PEG continues to be fired upon position match
until last_point is reached.
8. Stopping PEG with STOPPEG (optional)
STOPPEG stops the PEGs from firing. If STOPPEG has been issued and the motion has
not reached last_point, you can use STARTPEG to continue PEG from the current
position.

8.2.3 Loading Random PEG Arrays

The Random PEG Arrays are loaded by issuing the following commands:
1. Load arrays.
2. Activate PEG.
3. Start movement.
The movement will cause the PEG signals to be fired each time a position match event
occurs. Following the last_point event, the sequence above is repeated with the movement
activated in the opposite direction.
This still allows loading 3 axes of the same Servo Processor in parallel, for example:
PEG_R AXIS0, 1, 0x4444, 0, 255, Y_ARR, Y_STAT
PEG_R AXIS1, 1, 0x4444, 0, 255, Y_ARR, Y_STAT
PEG_R AXIS2, 1, 0x4444, 0, 255, Y_ARR, Y_STAT

TILL AST(AXIS0).#PEGREADY
TILL AST(AXIS1).#PEGREADY
TILL AST(AXIS2).#PEGREADY

4. In contrast to SPiiPlusCM/SPiiPlusSA/SPiiPlus 3U, the PEG pulse is inversed. Use

PEG_R/i or PEG_I/i to overcome this issue.

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Table 12 shows the typical times for loading PEG engines.

Table 12 Typical Times to Load PEG Engines

Number Typical Time to Load 1 Typical Time to Load 2 Typical Time to Load 3
of PEG Engine PEG Engines PEG Engines
Points [msec * CTIME] [msec * CTIME] [msec * CTIME]
to load without with without with without with
specifying specifying specifying specifying specifying specifying
PEG PEG PEG PEG PEG PEG
States States States States States States
1 16 17 24 25 29 30
2 17 18 26 28 31 33
4 19 21 30 34 37 42
8 23 27 38 46 49 60
16 31 39 55 70 73 100
32 48 64 87 119 122 169
64 81 112 151 216 218 315
128 146 210 281 410 413 605
256 276 406 539 798 800 1185
512 537 796 1056 1573 1576 2350
1024 1060 1579 2090 3124 3127 4677

Note Since the priority of loading PEG engine command is low, it is

recommended not to use ‘SETSP’ / ‘GETSP’ commands and change tuning
parameters in parallel with the loading process, otherwise loading times can
be higher than the times mentioned in the table.

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8.2.4 ASSIGNPEG
The ASSIGNPEG function is used for engine-to-encoder assignment as well as for the
additional digital outputs assignment for use as PEG pulse outputs. The parameters are different
from the original SPiiPlus definitions.
Syntax
ASSIGNPEG axis, engines_to_encoders_code, gp_out_assign_code
Arguments
axis Any axis designators of the same unit.
engines_to_encoders_ Bit code for engines-to-encoders mapping according to Table 13 and
code Table 14 for SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x, Table 15
for SPiiPlus CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048/CMba-x-
320/CMhp-x-320/UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320/UDMnt-x-A/B/C, or
Table 16 for SPiiPlusUDMlc-x-048/UDIlt-x/UDIhp-x.
gp_out_assign_code General Purpose outputs assignment to use as PEG pulse outputs
according to Table 17 and Table 18 for SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LDx/
SPiiPlus SAnt-x, Table 19 for CMnt-2-x-320/UDMpm-x-320 units, or
Table 20 for UDMnt-x-A/B/C units.

Note
The axis parameter actually serves for determining which Servo Processor
is used.

Table 13 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlusSAnt-x Mapping PEG Engines to

Encoders (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Servo Processor 0
Code Encoder 0(X) Encoder 1(Y) Encoder 2(A) Encoder 3(B)
000 PEG0 PEG1 PEG2 no
(default)
001 PEG0 PEG1 no PEG2
010 PEG0 PEG1 no no
PEG2
011 PEG0 PEG1 no no
PEG2
100 PEG0 no no no
PEG1
PEG2
101 no PEG0 no no
PEG1
PEG2

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Table 14 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping PEG Engines to

Encoders (Servo Processor 1)
Bit Servo Processor 1
Code Encoder 4(Z) Encoder 5(T) Encoder 6(C) Encoder 7(D)
000 PEG4 PEG5 PEG6 no
(default)
001 PEG4 PEG5 no PEG6
010 PEG4 PEG5 no no
PEG6
011 PEG4 PEG5 no no
PEG6
100 PEG4 no no no
PEG5
PEG6
101 no PEG4 no no
PEG5
PEG6

Table 15 CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048/CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/
UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320/UDMnt-x-A/B/C Mapping PEG Engines to
Encoders (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code Servo Processor 0
Encoder 0(X) Encoder 1(Y) Encoder 2(A) Encoder 3(B)
000 (default) PEG0 PEG1 PEG23
001 PEG0 PEG1 no PEG21, 3
010 PEG0 PEG1 no
PEG23
011 PEG0 PEG1 no
PEG23
100 PEG0 no no
PEG1
PEG23
101 no PEG0 no
PEG1
PEG23
110 PEG02, 3
PEG12, 3
PEG22, 3
111 PEG02, 3 PEG11, 3
PEG22, 3
1
These combinations are supported by CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320 only.

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2
These combinations are not supported by UDMpc-x-048.
3
These combinations are not supported by UDMnt-x-A/B/C.

Table 16 UDMlc-x-048/UDIlt-x/UDIhp-x Mapping PEG Engines to Encoders

(Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code Servo Processor 0
Encoder 0(X) Encoder 1(Y) Encoder 2(A) Encoder 3(B)
000 (default) PEG0 no no no
001 no PEG0 no no
010 no no PEG0 no
011 no no no PEG0
100 no no no no
101 no no no no
110 no no no no

Note that in Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15 the Bit Code affects all of the connectors in the
row. For example, the Bit Code: 001 for an axis associated with Servo Processor 0 performs
the following assignments:
PEG0  Encoder 0
PEG1  Encoder 1
PEG2  Encoder 3
Or for CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320:
PEG0  Encoder 0(X)
PEG1  Encoder 1(A)
For an axis associated with Servo Processor 1 it performs the following assignments:
PEG4  Encoder 4
PEG5  Encoder 5
PEG6  Encoder 7

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Table 17 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x General Outputs

Assignment for Use as PEG Pulse Outputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code Servo Processor 0
GP Out 0 GP Out 1 GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0000 (default) GP Out 0 GP Out 1 GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0001 PEG0_PULSE GP Out 1 GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0010 GP Out 0 PEG2_PULSE GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0011 GP Out 0 GP Out 1 PEG1_PULSE GP Out 3
0100 GP Out 0 GP Out 1 GP Out 2 Reserved
0101 GP Out 0 PEG2_PULSE GP Out 2 Reserved
0110 PEG0_PULSE GP Out 1 PEG1_PULSE GP Out 3
0111 PEG0_PULSE PEG2_PULSE PEG1_PULSE Reserved
1000 - 1111 Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved

Table 18 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x General Outputs

Assignment for Use as PEG Pulse Outputs (Servo Processor 1)
Bit Code Servo Processor 1
GP Out 4 GP Out 5 GP Out 6 GP Out 7
0000 (default) GP Out 4 GP Out 5 GP Out 6 GP Out 7
0001 PEG4_PULSE GP Out 5 GP Out 6 GP Out 7
0010 GP Out 4 PEG6_PULSE GP Out 6 GP Out 7
0011 GP Out 4 GP Out 5 PEG5_PULSE GP Out 7
0100 GP Out 4 GP Out 5 GP Out 6 Reserved
0101 GP Out 4 PEG6_PULSE GP Out 6 Reserved
0110 PEG4_PULSE GP Out 5 PEG5_PULSE GP Out 7
0111 PEG4_PULSE PEG6_PULSE PEG5_PULSE Reserved
1000 - 1111 Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved

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Table 19 General CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320 Outputs Assignment for Use as

PEG Pulse Outputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code Servo Processor 0
GP Out 0 GP Out 1 GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0000 (default) GP Out 0 GP Out 1 GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0001 PEG0_PULSE GP Out 1 GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0010 GP Out 0 PEG1_PULSE GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0011 GP Out 0 GP Out 1 PEG2_PULSE GP Out 3
0100 GP Out 0 GP Out 1 GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0101 GP Out 0 PEG1_PULSE GP Out 2 GP Out 3
0110 PEG0_PULSE GP Out 1 PEG2_PULSE GP Out 3
0111 PEG0_PULSE PEG1_PULSE PEG2_PULSE GP Out 3
1000 - 1111 Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved

Table 20 UDMnt-x-A/B/C General Purpose Outputs Assignment for Use as

PEG Pulse Outputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code Servo Processor 0
GP Out 0 GP Out 1
0000 (default) GP Out 0 GP Out 1
0001 PEG0_PULSE GP Out 1
0010 GP Out 0 PEG1_PULSE
0011 PEG1_PULSE GP Out 1
0100 GP Out 0 PEG0_PULSE
0101 PEG0_PULSE PEG1_PULSE
0110 - 1111 Reserved Reserved

Note that in Table 17, Table 18, Table 19 and Table 20 the Bit Code affects the entire row.
For example, for an axis associated with Servo Processor 0, 0110 switches GP Out 0 to
PEG0_PULSE and GP Out 2 to PEG1_PULSE.
The same Bit Code applied to an axis associated with Servo Processor 1 switches GP Out 4 to
PEG4_PULSE and GP Out 6 to PEG5_PULSE.
All other GP Out assignments are unchanged.
Comments
ASSIGNPEG is a blocking command in the sense that the ACSPL+ progam moves to the next
line or command only after this command has been fully executed or an error is generated.
The axis parameter can be any of the axes controlled by the same servo processor, the result
will be the same.

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8.2.5 ASSIGNPOUTS
Description
The ASSIGNPOUTS function is used for setting Fast General Purpose output pins assignment
and mapping between FGP_OUT signals to the bits of the ACSPL+ OUT(x) variable, where
x is the index that has been assigned to the controller in the network during System
Configuration.

Note
The assignments can be obtained by running #SI in the SPiiPlus MMI
Appication Studio Communication Terminal. For example, the following
is a fragment from the response to this command:
Axes Assignment: 8,9,10,11
Inputs/Outputs Assignment:
Digital inputs (IN): 1.0,1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4,1.5,1.6,1.7
Digital outputs (OUT): 1.0,1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4,1.5,1.6,1.7

OUT is an integer array that can be used for reading or writing the current state of the General
Purpose outputs - see SPiiPlus ACSPL+ Command & Variable Reference Guide.
Each PEG engine has 1 PEG pulse output and 4 state outputs for a total of 5 outputs per PEG
engine and a total of 30 outputs for the whole PEG generator. The controller supports 10
physical output pins that can be assigned to the PEG generator. The user defines which 10
outputs (of the 30) of the PEG generator are assigned to the 10 available physical output pins.
Some of the output pins are shared between the PEG and the HSSI.
The tables below define how each of the 30 outputs of the 6 PEG engines can be routed to the
10 physical output pins - 4 PEG out signals, 3 PEG state signals, and 3 HSSI signals. It needs
to be noted that some of the signals cannot be routed to the physical pins.
Syntax
ASSIGNPOUTS axis, output_index, bit_code
Arguments
axis Any axis designators of the same unit.
Starting from Version 2.15, axis parameter can be any axis number of the same unit.
output_index 0 for OUT_0, 1 for OUT_1, ..., 9 for OUT_9
bit_code Bit code for engine outputs to physical outputs mapping according to Table 21 and
Table 22 for SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x, Table 23 and
Table 24 for CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048, and Table 25, Table 26
for CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320, and Table 27 for
UDMnt-x-A/B/C.

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Table 21 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping of Engine

Outputs to Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code OUT_4 OUT_3 OUT_2 OUT_1 OUT_0
(HSSI1_DO) (T_PEG) (Z_PEG) (Y_PEG) (X_PEG)
000 HSSI1_DO PEG5_pulse PEG4_Pulse PEG1_pulse PEG0_Pulse
(default)
001 PEG0_OUT1 PEG0_OUT0 PEG2_Pulse PEG1_OUT0 PEG4_OUT0
010 PEG2_OUT1 PEG2_OUT0 PEG1_OUT1 Reserved Reserved
011 Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved
100 Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved

111 Reserved FGP_OUT3 FGP_OUT2 FGP_OUT1 FGP_OUT0

Table 22 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping of Engine

Outputs to Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 1)
Bit Code OUT_9 OUT_8 OUT_7 OUT_6 OUT_5
HSSI0_CON HSSI0_DO X_STATE2 X_STATE1 X_STATE0
000 HSSI0_CON HSSI0_DO PEG0_OUT2 PEG0_OUT1 PEG0_OUT0
(default)
001 PEG0_OUT0 PEG0_OUT2 PEG2_OUT0 PEG1_OUT1 PEG1_OUT0
010 PEG2_OUT1 PEG5_OUT0 PEG6_Pulse PEG5_Pulse PEG4_Pulse
011 PEG6_OUT1 Reserved PEG4_OUT1 PEG4_OUT0 Reserved
100 Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved
111 Reserved Reserved FGP_OUT6 FGP_OUT5 FGP_OUT4

Table 23 CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048 Mapping of Engine Outputs

to Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code OUT_1 OUT_0
(Y_PEG) (X_PEG)
000 PEG1_Pulse PEG0_Pulse
(default)
001 Encoder X Encoder X 
Phase B Phase A
010 Encoder Y Encoder Y 
Phase B Phase A
011 Reserved Reserved
100 Reserved Reserved

111 FGP_OUT1 FGP_OUT0

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Table 24 CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048 Mapping of Engine Outputs

to Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code OUT_6 OUT_5
(X_STATE1) (X_STATE0)
000 PEG0_OUT1 PEG0_OUT0
(default)
001 PEG1_OUT1 PEG1_OUT0
010 PEG2_OUT1 PEG2_OUT0
011 Encoder X Encoder X 
Phase B Phase A
100 Encoder Y Encoder Y 
Phase B Phase A
101 Encoder X Encoder X
INDEX INDEX
110 Encoder Y Reserved
INDEX
111 Reserved Reserved

Table 25 CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320 Mapping of

Engine Outputs to Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code OUT_4 OUT_3 OUT_2 OUT_1 OUT_0
(Y_STATE2) (Y_STATE1) (Y_STATE0) (Y_PEG) (X_PEG)
000 PEG1_OUT2 PEG1_OUT1 PEG1_OUT0 PEG1_pulse PEG0_pulse
(default)
001 PEG0_OUT2 PEG0_OUT1 PEG0_OUT0 Encoder X Encoder X 
Phase B Phase A
010 PEG2_OUT2 PEG2_OUT1 PEG2_OUT0 Encoder Y Encoder Y 
Phase B Phase A
011 Encoder A Encoder A  Encoder A Encoder A Encoder A 
INDEX Phase B Phase A Phase B Phase A
100 Reserved Reserved Reserved PEG2_Pulse Reserved

101 Reserved Reserved Reserved PEG2_Pulse or PEG0_Pulse or

PEG1_Pulse PEG2_Pulse
110 Reserved Reserved Reserved PEG0_Pulse or PEG0_Pulse or
PEG1_Pulse or PEG1_Pulse or
PEG2_Pulse PEG2_Pulse
111 Reserved Reserved FGP_OUT2 FGP_OUT1 FGP_OUT0

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Note
For Bit Codes 101 and 110, the OUT_0 (X_PEG) and OUT_1 (Y_PEG)
mappings are supported for default PEG pulse polarity only.

Table 26 CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320 Mapping of

Engine Outputs to Physical Outputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code OUT_9 OUT_8 OUT_7 OUT_6 OUT_5
(Y_STATE3) (X_STATE3) (X_STATE2) (X_STATE1) (X_STATE0)
000 PEG1_OUT3 PEG0_OUT3 PEG0_OUT2 PEG0_OUT1 PEG0_OUT0
(default)
001 PEG0_OUT3 PEG1_OUT3 PEG1_OUT2 PEG1_OUT1 PEG1_OUT0
010 PEG2_OUT3 PEG2_OUT3 PEG2_OUT2 PEG2_OUT1 PEG2_OUT0
011 PEG2_OUT0 Encoder Y Encoder Y Encoder X Encoder X
Phase B Phase A Phase B Phase A
100 PEG2_OUT1 Encoder Y Reserved EncoderY  Encoder Y
INDEX Phase B Phase A
101 Reserved Reserved Reserved Encoder X Encoder X
INDEX INDEX
110 Reserved PEG2_Pulse PEG2_Pulse Encoder Y PEG2_Pulse
INDEX
111 Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved

Table 27 UDMnt-x-A/B/C Mapping of Engine Outputs to Physical Outputs

(Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code OUT_6 OUT_5
(X_STATE1) (X_STATE0)
000 (default) PEG1_PULSE PEG0_PULSE
001 Encoder X Phase B Encoder X Phase A
010 Encoder Y Phase B Encoder Y Phase A
011 PEG0_ STATE0 PEG1_ STATE0
100 PEG1_ STATE0 PEG0_ STATE0

101 Reserved Reserved

110 Reserved Reserved

111 FGP_OUT1 FGP_OUT0

The Bit Code: 111, both for Servo Processor 0 and Servo Processor 1, is used for switching the
physical output pins to Fast General Purpose Outputs: FGP_OUT0 to FGP_OUT6. The state

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of the Fast General Purpose Outputs can be read or changed using the ACSPL+ OUT(x)
variable. The Fast General Purpose Outputs are mapped as follows:
FGP_OUT0 is mapped to bit 16 of the ACSPL+ OUT(x) variable
FGP_OUT1 is mapped to bit 17 of the ACSPL+ OUT(x) variable
FGP_OUT2 is mapped to bit 18 of the ACSPL+ OUT(x) variable
FGP_OUT3 is mapped to bit 19 of the ACSPL+ OUT(x) variable
FGP_OUT4 is mapped to bit 20 of the ACSPL+ OUT(x) variable
FGP_OUT5 is mapped to bit 21 of the ACSPL+ OUT(x) variable
FGP_OUT6 is mapped to bit 22 of the ACSPL+ OUT(x) variable
Comments
ASSIGNPOUTS is a blocking command in the sense that the ACSPL+ progam moves to the
next line or command only after this command has been fully executed or an error is generated.
Examples
The following examples illustrate using the ASSIGNPOUTS in order to use PEG outputs as
GP outputs
Example 1:
ASSIGNPOUTS 0, 2, 0b111

This defines the Z_PEG output as FGP_OUT2 and maps it to the bit 18 of the ACSPL+ OUT
variable (see Table 21).
If you run, for example,
OUT(x).18 = 1

Where x is the index assigned to the controller during System Configuration, FGP_OUT2
output will be activated.
Then if you run:
OUT(x).18 = 0

FGP_OUT2 will be deactivated.

Example 2:
ASSIGNPOUTS 4, 7, 0b111

This defines the X_STATE2 output as FGP_OUT6 and maps it to the bit 22 of the ACSPL+
OUT variable (see Table 22).

Note
A separate command should be set for every GP output.

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8.2.6 STARTPEG
Description
The STARTPEG command initiates the PEG process on the specified axis. The command is
used in both the Incremental and Random PEG modes.
Syntax
STARTPEG axis
Arguments
axis Any axis designators of the same unit.

Comments
STARTPEG is a blocking command in the sense that the ACSPL+ program moves to the next
line or command only after this command has been fully executed or an error is generated.

8.2.7 STOPPEG
Description
The STOPPEG command terminates the PEG process immediately on the specified axis. The
command is used in both the Incremental and Random PEG modes.
Syntax
STOPPEG axis
Arguments
axis Any axis designators of the same unit.

Comments
STOPPEG is a blocking command in the sense that the ACSPL+ program moves to the next
line or command only after this command has been fully executed or an error is generated.

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8.2.8 PEG_I
Description
The PEG_I command is used for setting the parameters for the Incremental PEG mode.
Syntax
PEG_I [/wi] axis, width, first_point, interval, last_point
Arguments
axis Any axis designators of the same unit.
width Width of the Pulse.
first_point First point for the PEG generation.
interval The distance between PEG events.
last_point Last point for PEG generation.

Comments
If the switch: /w is included, the execution of the command is delayed until the execution of the
STARTPEG command.
If the switch: /i is included, the PEG pulse output signal is inverted.
The parameters that can be set by the command are identical to those that can be set for
SPiiPlusCM/SPiiPlusSA/SPiiPlus 3U controllers except for time-based-pulses and time-based-
period the setting of which is not supported.
Example

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In this example PEG pulses are fired on axis 6 based on axis encoder 7.
GLOBAL AXIS6
GLOBAL AXIS7
AXIS6=6 ! Axis assignment
AXIS7=7

assignpeg AXIS6, 0b001, 0b0

! Refer to Table 14: last column indicates that Encoder 7 is assigned to PEG6.
! 0b0 indicates that the digital outputs are at their default value according
! to Table 18, thus not used as PEG signals.

assignpouts AXIS6, 7, 0b010

! Axis6 being assigned. Output 7 is used. 0b010 indicates PEG6_Pulse is being
! fired (from Table 22).

ST:
peg_i AXIS6,0.5,-100,-200,-10000
TILL AST(AXIS6).#PEGREADY
!Wait till command executes and configuration is set, in order to ensure
!proper PEG engine's execution prior to start of movement
ptp/e AXIS6,-12000
stoppeg AXIS6 ! Prevent PEG pulses' firing on the 'way back'
ptp/e AXIS6,0
goto ST

stop

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8.2.9 PEG_R
Description
The PEG_R command is used for setting the parameters for the Random PEG mode.
Syntax
PEG_R [/wi] axis, width, mode, first_index, last_index, POS_ARRAY, STATE_ARRAY
Arguments
axis Any axis designators of the same unit.
width Width of the Pulse.
mode PEG state output signals configuration according to Table 28.
Bits 0-3 relates the PEG State 0 of the specific PEG engine
Bits 4-7 relates the PEG State 1 of the specific PEG engine
Bits 8-11 relates the PEG State 2 of the specific PEG engine
Bits 12-15 relates the PEG State 3 of the specific PEG engine
The most commonly used value is 0x4444 - PEG State Outputs 0-3 are
configured with the ‘State” option (bits 2, 6, 10, 14 are ON).
first_index Index of first entry in the array for PEG generation
last_index Index of last entry in the array for PEG generation
POS_ARRAY The Random Event Positions array, maximum of 256/1024 members
STATE_ARRAY The Outputs States array defining the four PEG output states, maximum
of 256/1024 members

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Table 28 PEG State Output Signals Configuration

Bit Signal Description Default
Value
0 Pulse polarity 0- Output-0 positive pulse ‘0’
1- Output-0 negative pulse
1 State polarity 0- Output-0 positive state ‘0’
1- Output-0 negative state
2-3 Output type 00- Output-0 three state ‘00’
01- Output-0 State
10- Output-0 Pulse
11- Output-0 Pulse&State
4 Pulse polarity 0- Output-1 positive pulse ‘0’
1- Output-1 negative pulse
5 State polarity 0- Output-1 positive state ‘0’
1- Output-1 negative state
7-6 Output type 00- Output-1 three state ‘00’
01- Output-1 State
10- Output-1 Pulse
11- Output-1 Pulse&State
8 Pulse polarity 0- Output-2 positive pulse ‘0’
1- Output-2 negative pulse
9 State polarity 0- Output-2 positive state ‘0’
1- Output-2 negative state
11-10 Output type 00- Output-2 three state ‘00’
01- Output-2 State
10- Output-2 Pulse
11- Output-2 Pulse&State
12 Pulse polarity 0- Output-3 positive pulse ‘0’
1- Output-3 negative pulse
13 State polarity 0- Output-3 positive state ‘0’
1- Output-3 negative state
15-14 Output type 00- Output-3 three state “00”
01- Output-3 State
10- Output-3 Pulse
11- Output-3 Pulse&State

PEG state output types:

“Three state” - PEG state output is not in use
“State” - PEG state output will be changed according to the STATE_ARRAY values
“Pulse” - PEG state output will be changed according to PEG pulse value
“Pulse & State” - PEG state output will be changed according to the result of AND operation
between STATE_ARRAY values AND PEG pulse value

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Pulse Polarity:
If positive or negative pulse is used as PEG pulse value for the specific “PEG State Output”
State Polarity:
If positive or negative state is used as PEG pulse value for the specific “PEG State Output”
Comments
If the switch: /w is included, the execution of the command is delayed until the execution of the
STARTPEG command.
If the switch: /i is included, the PEG pulse output signal is inverted.
The parameters that can be set by the command differ from those that could be set for
SPiiPlusCM/SPiiPlusSA/SPiiPlus 3U controllers with the addition of the new first_index and
last_index parameters. The setting of parameters: time-based-pulses and time-based-period,
however, which could be set for SPiiPlusCM/SPiiPlusSA/SPiiPlus 3U controllers is not
supported.

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Example
In this example PEG pulses are fired on axes 0, 1, and 2 according to encoder of axis 0.

GLOBAL AXIS0
GLOBAL AXIS1
GLOBAL AXIS2

GLOBAL REAL ARR(16) !Definition of a 16 point position array

ARR(0)=100;ARR(1)=150;ARR(2)= 200;ARR(3)=250;
ARR(4)=300;ARR(5)=350;ARR(6)=400;ARR(7)= 450;
ARR(8)=500;ARR(9)=550;ARR(10)= 600;ARR(11)=650;
ARR(12)=700;ARR(13)=750;ARR(14)=800;ARR(15)=1000;

GLOBAL INT STAT(16) !Definition of 16 point state array. 

!The values define PEGx_STATEy
STAT(0)=0b0001;STAT(1)=0b0100;STAT(2)=0b1111;STAT(3)=0b1110;
STAT(4)=0b0101;STAT(5)=0b0001;STAT(6)=0b0100;STAT(7)=0b1111;
STAT(8)=0b1110;STAT(9)=0b0101;STAT(10)=0b0001;STAT(11)=0b0100;
STAT(12)=0b1111;STAT(13)=0b0001;STAT(14)=0b0100;STAT(15)=0b1111;

AXIS0=0
AXIS1=1
AXIS2=2

assignpeg AXIS0, 0b100, 0b0

assignpouts AXIS0, 0, 0b000 !Assign bit code 000 from Table 21 to AXIS0, 
!at Pin0
assignpouts AXIS1, 1, 0b000
assignpouts AXIS2, 2, 0b001

ST:
peg_r AXIS0,0.5,0x4444,0,15,ARR,STAT !Activate random PEG for axis 0
peg_r AXIS1,0.5,0x4444,0,15,ARR,STAT
peg_r AXIS2,0.5,0x4444,0,15,ARR,STAT

!Wait till command executes and configuration is set, in order to

!ensure proper PEG engine's execution prior to start of movement
TILL AST(AXIS0).#PEGREADY
TILL AST(AXIS1).#PEGREADY
TILL AST(AXIS2).#PEGREADY

ptp/e AXIS0,5000
stoppeg AXIS0 ! Prevent PEG pulses' firing on the 'way back'
ptp/e AXIS0,0
goto ST
stop

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8.2.10 ASSIGNMARK
Description
The ASSIGNMARK function is used for Mark inputs-to-encoder assignment. It allows
mapping available physical Mark inputs pins to different encoders..
Syntax
assignmark axis, mark_type, inputs_to_encoder_bit_code
Arguments
Axis Axis index

mark_type 1 for Mark-1

2 for Mark-2

inputs_to_encoder_bit_code Bit code for inputs-to-encoders mapping according to Table 29

and Table 30 for SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x
units, or Table 31 for CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048
/CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320 units.

Table 29 Mark-1 Inputs to Encoders Mapping for SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x

/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Units
Bit code Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder
0(X) 1(Y) 4(Z) 5(T) 2(A) 3(B) 6(C) 7(D)
00000 0(X) 1(Y) 4(Z) 5(T) - - - -
(default)
00001 1(Y) 4(Z) 5(T) 0(X) - - - -
00010 4(Z) 5(T) 0(X) 1(Y) - - - -
00011 5(T) 0(X) 1(Y) 4(Z) - - - -
00100 - 1(Y) 4(Z) 5(T) 0(X) - - -
00101 0(X) - 4(Z) 5(T) - 1(Y) - -
00110 0(X) 1(Y) - 5(T) - - 4(Z) -
00111 0(X) 1(Y) 4(Z) - - - - 5(T)
01000 - - 4(Z) 5(T) 0(X) 1(Y) - -
01001 0(X) 1(Y) - - - - 4(Z) 5(T)
01010 0(X) - - - - 1(Y) 4(Z) 5(T)
01011 - 1(Y) - - 0(X) - 4(Z) 5(T)
01100 - - 4(Z) - 0(X) 1(Y) - 5(T)
01101 - - - 5(T) 0(X) 1(Y) 4(Z) -
01110 - - - - 0(X) 1(Y) 4(Z) 5(T)
01111 - - - - 1(Y) 4(Z) 5(T) 0(X)
10000 - - - - 4(Z) 5(T) 0(X) 1(Y)
10001 - - - - 5(T) 0(X) 1(Y) 4(Z)

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Table 30 Mark-2 Inputs to Encoders Mapping for SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x

/SPiiPlusSAnt-x Units
Bit code Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder Encoder
0(X) 1(Y) 4(Z) 5(T) 2(A) 3(B) 6(C) 7(D)
00000 GP IN6 GP IN7 GP IN4 GP IN5 - - - -
(default)
00001 GP IN7 GP IN4 GP IN5 GP IN6 - - - -
00010 GP IN4 GP IN5 GP IN6 GP IN7 - - - -
00011 GP IN5 GP IN6 GP IN7 GP IN4 - - - -
00100 - GP IN7 GP IN4 GP IN5 GP IN - - -
00101 GP IN6 - GP IN4 GP IN5 - GP IN7 - -
00110 GP IN6 GP IN7 - GP IN5 - - GP IN4 -
00111 GP IN6 GP IN7 GP IN4 - - - - GP IN5
01000 - - GP IN4 GP IN5 GP IN6 GP IN7 - -
01001 GP IN6 GP IN7 - - - - GP IN4 GP IN5
01010 GP IN6 - - - - GP IN7 GP IN4 GP IN5
01011 - GP IN7 - - GP IN6 - GP IN4 GP IN5
01100 - - GP IN4 - GP IN6 GP IN7 - GP IN5
01101 - - - GP IN5 GP IN6 GP IN7 GP IN4 -
01110 - - - - GP IN6 GP IN7 GP IN4 GP IN5
01111 - - - - GP IN7 GP IN4 GP IN5 GP IN6
10000 - - - - GP IN4 GP IN5 GP IN6 GP IN7
10001 - - - - GP IN5 GP IN6 GP IN7 GP IN4

Note In Table 29 and Table 30, the Bit code affects all of the inputs in the row.
For example, Bit code: 00010 performs the following assignments for these
inputs:
Mark-1 4(Z)—Encoder 0(X)
Mark-1 5(T)—Encoder 1(Y)
Mark-1 0(X)—Encoder 4(Z)
Mark-1 1(Y)—Encoder 5(T)

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Table 31 Mark-1 and Mark-2 Inputs to Encoders Mapping for for CMnt-x-320/
UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048/CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/UDMba-x-320/
UDMhp-x-320 Units
Bit Encoder 0(X) Encoder 1(Y) Encoder 2(A) Encoder 3(B)
code Mark-1 Mark-2 Mark-1 Mark-2 Mark-1 Mark-2 Mark-1 Mark-2
Input Input Input Input Input Input Input Input
000 Mark-1 Mark-2 Mark-1 Mark-2 Mark-1 GP IN6 Mark-1 GP IN7
(deafult) 0(X) 0(X) 1(Y) 1(Y) 0(X) 1(Y)
001 GP IN6 Mark-1 Mark-1 Mark-1 Mark-2 Mark-1 Mark-1 Mark-1
1(Y) 0(X) 1(Y) 0(X) 1(Y) 0(X) 1(Y)
010 - Mark-2 GP IN4 GP IN5 GP IN6 Mark-2 GP IN6 -
1(Y) 1(Y)
011 - GP IN7 GP IN6 GP IN7 - GP IN7 - -

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8.2.11 ASSIGNFINS
Description
The ASSIGNFINS function is used for setting input pins assignment and mapping between
FGP_IN signals to the bits of the IN variable.

Note The axis and input/output assignments of a unit can be obtained by running
#SI in the SPiiPlus MMI Appication Studio Communication Terminal. For
example, the following is a fragment from the response to this command:
Axes Assignment: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Inputs/Outputs Assignment:
Digital inputs (IN): 0.0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6,0.7
Digital outputs (OUT): 0.0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6,0.7
Analog inputs (AIN): 0,1,2,3
Analog outputs (AOUT): 0,1,2,3
HSSI channels: 4
Ext. inputs (EXTIN): 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15
Ext. outputs (EXTOUT): 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15

Syntax
ASSIGNFINS axis, input_index, bit_code
Arguments
axis Any axis number of the same unit.

input_index 0 for IN_0, 1 for IN_1, ..., 9 for IN_9.

bit_code Bit code for mapping engines inputs to physical inputs according to Table 32 and
Table 33 for SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x, Table 34 for
SPiiPlus CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048/CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-
320/UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320 units, and Table 35 for UDMlc-x-
048/UDIlt-x/UDIhp-x/UDMnt-x-A/B/C.

Table 32 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping of Engine

Inputs to Physical Inputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code IN_3 IN_2 IN_1 IN_0
MARK-1 Y MARK-1 X
000 None None None None
(default)
111 Reserved Reserved FGP_IN1 FGP_IN0

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Table 33 SPiiPlusNT/DC-LT/HP/LD-x/SPiiPlus SAnt-x Mapping of Engine

Inputs to Physical Inputs (Servo Processor 1)
Bit Code IN_7 IN_6 IN_5 IN_4
MARK-1 T MARK-1 Z
000 None None None None
(default)
111 Reserved Reserved FGP_IN3 FGP_IN2

Table 34 CMnt-x-320/UDMpm-x-320/UDMpc-x-048/CMba-x-320/CMhp-x-320/
UDMba-x-320/UDMhp-x-320 Mapping of Engine Inputs to Physical
Inputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code IN_3 IN_2 IN_1 IN_0
MARK-1 Y MARK-1 X
000 None None None None
(default)
111 Reserved Reserved FGP_IN1 FGP_IN0

Table 35 UDMlc-x-048/UDIlt-x/UDIhp-x/UDMnt-x-A/B/C Mapping of Engine

Inputs to Physical Inputs (Servo Processor 0)
Bit Code IN_3 IN_2 IN_1 IN_0
MARK-1 T MARK-1 Z MARK-1 Y MARK-1 X
000 None None None None
(default)
111 FGP_IN3 FGP_IN2 FGP_IN1 FGP_IN0

Note The Bit Code: 111, both for Servo Processor 0 and Servo Processor 1, is
used for switching the physical input pins to Fast General Purpose Inputs:
FGP_IN0 to FGP_IN3. The state of the Fast General Purpose Inputs can be
read or changed using the ACSPL+ IN(x) variable. The Fast General
Purpose Inputs are mapped as follows:
FGP_IN0 is mapped to bit 16 of the IN(x) variable
FGP_IN1 is mapped to bit 17 of the IN(x) variable
FGP_IN2 is mapped to bit 18 of the IN(x) variable
FGP_IN3 is mapped to bit 19 of the IN(x) variable
All other physical input pins are unaffected. Bit Codes 001-110 are not used.

Comments
ASSIGNFINS is a blocking command in the sense that the ACSPL+ program moves to the next
line or command only after this command has been fully executed or an error is generated.

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8.3 Sin-Cos Encoder Multiplier Configuration

The sin-cos encoders are encoders with analog outputs.
For convenient modification of encoder related variables, use the SPiiPlus MMI Application
Studio: Toolbox  Setup System and Faults Configurator, see SPiiPlus MMI Application
Studio User Guide for details..

8.3.1 Sin-Cos Encoder Multiplier

The sin-cos encoder multiplier provides a combination of high speed and high resolution that
cannot be achieved with an external encoder multiplier producing a digital quadrature signal.
Sin-cos encoder multiplier is an optional feature. You need to specify the number of sin-cos
encoder multipliers when you order the controller.

8.3.1.1 Technical Data

 Maximum multiplication factor: 65536 counts per encoder sine signal period.
 Maximum velocity: 42*109 counts/sec or 641*103 sine periods/sec.
 Maximum acceleration: 65536*108 counts/sec2 or 108 sine periods/sec2.
 The encoder-related controller features: index, Mark, and PEG, do not support the full
resolution of the multiplier. Resolution for these features is limited to 4 counts per encoder
sine signal period.

8.3.1.2 Configuring the Sin-Cos Multiplier

You specify the sin-cos encoder multiplier as a feedback source using the ACSPL+ E_TYPE
variable (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide). The variable is an array sized
according to the number of axes. If an element in E_TYPE is set to 4, the corresponding axis
will use the sin-cos encoder multiplier as a feedback source. You can select any axis to use the
sin-cos encoder multiplier, but the total number of multipliers is limited to the number ordered
with the controller (the allowed number is hardwired in the PAL). If you try to select more
multipliers than allowed, the controller issues error 1148.
The ACSPL+ variable E_SCMUL (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide)
specifies the desired value of multiplication as a power of 2. The maximum value of 16
corresponds to a multiplication of 65536 = 216. The minimum value of 2 corresponds to a
multiplication of 4 = 22.
An axis that uses the sin-cos encoder multiplier is not different from any other axis in the
controller. Any motion can involve the multiplier axis. The multiplier and non-multiplier axes
can be used simultaneously in one multi-axis motion.
The following example shows how the encoder multiplier affects the EFAC (see Section 7.2 -
User-Defined Units) calculation:
Assume the encoder has 250 lines per mm and you assign E_SCMUL the value 10, which
provides multiplication x1024 (i.e., 210). The desired programming unit is millimeter. In this
case you have to specify EFAC as:

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1/(250*1024) = 0.00000390625
Encoder-related features: index, Mark, PEG use the same user unit. However, actual resolution
of these functions is lower than the resolution of encoder feedback. As mentioned above, the
resolution of index, mark and PEG corresponds to 4 counts per encoder sine period. In the
former example the resolution will be 1/(250*4) = 0.001mm.
The controller continuously checks the integrity of the encoder multiplier feedback. If any error
occurs, the controller activates the Encoder Error fault.

8.4 Interrupts
Typically, you work with the SPiiPlus interrupts using the SPiiPlus C Library and do not need
the low-level details specified in this section. Refer to the SPiiPlus C Library Reference
document for explanation of the interrupt managing functions.

8.4.1 Hardware Interrupts

The hardware interrupt status registers contain the following bits:
Bit Description
3 PEG 0
4 PEG 1
5 PEG 3
6 PEG 4
7 MARK 1 0
8 M2ARK 0
9 MARK 1 2
10 M2ARK 2
11 MARK 1 3
12 M2ARK 3
13 MARK 1 4
14 M2ARK 4
15 Emergency Stop

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8.4.2 Software Interrupts

The software interrupt status register contains the following bits:
Bit Description
16 Physical motion end
17 Logical motion end
18 Motion failure (Motion interruption due to a fault)
19 Motor failure (Motor disable due to a fault)
20 Program termination
21 ACSPL+ interrupt with user parameter (by
INTERRUPTEX command)
22 ACSPL+ interrupt (by INTERRUPT command)
23 Digital input
27 New motion segment is required to be provided by the
application
28 System error (the controller raises this interrupt if system
error occurred)
29 EtherCAT error (the controller raises this interrupt if
EtherCAT error occurred)
30 Controller cycle (the controller raises this interrupt in the
beginning of each controller cycle)
31 Communication interrupt (the controller raises this
interrupt after sending a complete message to the FIFO)

When a software interrupt occurs, the corresponding tag contains detailed information about the
interrupt source. For example, the tag of the Physical Motion End interrupt specifies the axes
that caused the interrupt. When a specific software interrupt has occurred, the next interrupt of
the same type can be generated only after the host drive reads both interrupt status register and
writes zero to the corresponding tag.

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8.4.3 Software Interrupt Tags

The following tags are available:
Bit Description
16 Details of Physical motion end interrupt.
Bit 0 specifies that axis 0 has finished, bit 1 - axis 1, and so on.
17 Details of Logical motion end interrupt.
Bit 0 specifies that axis 0 has finished, bit 1 - axis 1, and so on.
18 Details of Motion failure interrupt.
Bit 0 specifies that axis 0 has failed, bit 1 - axis 1, and so on.
19 Details of Motor failure interrupt.
Bit 0 specifies that axis 0 has failed, bit 1 - axis 1, and so on.
20 Details of Program termination interrupt.
Bit 0 specifies that buffer 0 has finished, bit 1 - buffer 1, and so on.
21 Details of ACSPL+ interrupt with user parameter (by INTERRUPTEX
command).
Bits 0..63 specify the user parameter.
22 Details of ACSPL+ interrupt (by INTERRUPT command).
Bit 0 specifies interrupts from buffer 0, bit 1 - buffer 1, and so on.
23 Details of Digital input interrupt.
Bit 0 specifies interrupts from input 0, bit 1 - input 1, and so on.
27 Details of new motion segment interrupt.
Bit 0 specifies that a new motion segment must be provided by the
application for axis 0, bit 1 - axis 1, and so on.
28 Details of system error interrupt.
Bits 0..63 specify the error that occurred.
29 Details of EtherCAT error interrupt.
Bits 0..63 specify the error that occurred.

8.4.4 Interrupt Configuration Variables

The following ACSPL+ variables enable/disable interrupts from a specific source:
 IENA - Scalar variable that enables/disables all interrupts that belong to a specific
interrupt status bit.
 ISENA - Array that enables/disables interrupts within a specific interrupt status bit. Each
elements corresponds to one interrupt status bit and specifies which axes or
buffers or inputs are enabled to cause interrupt.

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8.4.4.1 IENA Variable

The IENA variable contains the following bits:
Bit Description
3 Enable PEG axis 0 interrupt
4 Enable PEG axis 0 interrupt
5 Enable PEG axis 2 interrupt
6 Enable PEG axis 2 interrupt
7 Enable MARK 1axis 0 interrupt
8 Enable M2ARKaxis 0 interrupt
9 Enable MARK 1 axis 1 interrupt
10 Enable M2ARK axis 1 interrupt
11 Enable MARK 1 axis 2 interrupt
12 Enable M2ARK axis 2 interrupt
13 Enable MARK 1 axis 3 interrupt
14 Enable M2ARK axis 3 interrupt
15 Enable Emergency Stop interrupt
16 Enable Physical motion end interrupt
17 Enable Logical motion end interrupt
18 Enable Motion failure (Motion interruption due to a fault) interrupt
19 Enable Motor failure (Motor disable due to a fault) interrupt
20 Enable Program termination interrupt
21 Enable ACSPL+ interrupt with user parameter (by INTERRUPTEX
command)
22 Enable ACSPL+ interrupt (by INTERRUPT command)
27 Enable new motion segment interrupt
28 Enable system error interrupt
29 Enable EtherCAT error interrupt

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8.4.4.2 ISENA Variable

The ISENA variable is an array containing the following elements:
Bit Description
16 Controls Physical motion end interrupt.
Bit 0 enables interrupts from axis 0, bit 1 - axis 1, and so on.
17 Controls Logical motion end interrupt.
Bit 0 enables interrupts from axis 0, bit 1 - axis 1, and so on.
18 Controls Motion failure interrupt.
Bit 0 enables interrupts from axis 0, bit 1 - axis 1, and so on.
19 Controls Motor failure interrupt.
Bit 0 enables interrupts from axis 0, bit 1 - axis 1, and so on.
20 Controls Program termination interrupt.
Bit 0 enables interrupts from buffer 0, bit 1 - buffer 1, and so on.
22 Controls ACSPL+ interrupt (by INTERRUPT command).
Bit 0 enables interrupts from Buffer 0, bit 1 - buffer 1, and so on.
23 Controls Digital input interrupt.
Bit 0 enables interrupts from input 0, bit 1 - input 1, and so on.
27 Controls new motion segment interrupt.
Bit 0 enables interrupt that new motion segment is required to be provided
by the application for axis 0, bit 1 – for axis 1, and so on.

8.5 Dynamic Braking

The dynamic brake reduces the motor runoff if the motor becomes disabled during motion. In
dynamic braking the controller short-circuits the motor armature.
If dynamic braking is enabled for an axis, the controller applies the braking when the feedback
velocity falls below the value specified by the VELBRK parameter (default - 0).
The MFLAGS.#BRAKE bit enables dynamic braking (default - off).

8.6 Constant Current Mode

The Constant Current mode provides extra safety. When the mode is activated, and the
emergency stop signal is on, the motor is kept at a standstill by the drive.
 The function, SETCONF (133, 1, 1) enables constant current mode for axis 1. The
function, SETCONF (133, 1, 0) disables constant current mode for axis 1.
 To retrieve the Constant Current mode status for axis 1, GETCONF (133, 1) is used. It
retrieves a non-zero value if Constant Current mode is on and zero if Constant Current
mode is off.
The drive activates constant current mode only if all of the following conditions are true:
 Emergency Stop (ES) signal is on.
 All axes are disabled.
 Dynamic brake mode is off (MFLAGS(Axis).#BRAKE = 0).

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Only once these conditions are true can the constant current mode be enabled by the function
SETCONF (133, 1, 1). If any of the conditions is changed, it will deactivate the constant
current mode.
To set/get the current level used for constant current mode, the following
SETCONF/GETCONF parameters are used:
 SETCONF (130, {1|5}, current level), where current level defines that the constant
current level as a percentage of the maximum current for the specified axis (1 or 5 only).
The default maximum value that can be set is 16% for axis 1 and 30% for axis 5 (this value
can be changed, see description of key 131 below).
 GETCONF (130, {1|5}) retrieves the present value of current level for the specified axis.
The default value of current level is 0, so it must be defined before constant current mode can
be used.
To set/get the maximum value that can be set with SETCONF (130, . . .), the following
SETCONF/GETCONF parameters are used:
 SETCONF (131, {1|5}, max_current_level), where max_current_level defines the
maximum allowable value of the current level as a percentage of the maximum current for
the specified axis (1 or 5 only).
 GETCONF (131, {1|5}) retrieves the present maximum allowable current level for the
specified axis.
The following ACSPL+ program illustrates how to implement constant current mode:
! Constant current mode implementation
on S_FAULT.#ES
disableall
wait 100
MFLAGS(1).#BRAKE = 0; MFLAGS(5).#BRAKE = 0 !Disable Brake Mode for
!axes 1, 5
setconf(130, 1, 10) ! set constant current level (10%) for axis 1
setconf(130, 5, 20) ! set constant current level (20%) for axis 5
setconf(133, 1, 1) ! enable constant current mode
ret
on ^S_FAULT.#ES | S_FAULT.#DRIVE
setconf(133, 1, 0) ! disable constant current mode
ret

8.7 Hall Sensor Commutation

 Hall sensor commutation requires a first time adjustment from the commutation dialog in
the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Adjuster wizard (see SPiiPlus MMI Application
Studio User Guide for details).
 In subsequent power-ups, the motor will start moving according to the Hall sensors until it
encounters the first change in the Hall sensors. At this point, commutation will switch to
full sinusoidal commutation.
 The quality of commutation relies on the physical alignment of the Hall sensors relative to
the magnetic field of the motor, and in most cases is done very accurately by the motor
manufacturers. Using this method, factors like high friction, vertical load, etc. have no
effect on the commutation quality.

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 The connection sequence of the three Hall sensors is not important. Simply verify that the
three sensors are connected, and that the Hall counter counts 0,1,2,3,4,5. It does not matter
if the Hall counters count is opposite of the encoder. This situation is identified and dealt
with during the initial adjustment.
Table 36 lists the variables and functions for supporting Hall operations

Table 36 Variables and Functions for Hall Support

Variable/Function Description
SLCHALL Holds the Hall shift. The Adjuster Wizard commutation
program calculates this parameter and saves it. Do not change
this parameter manually.
MFLAGS.27 If this bit = 1, commutation will be based on the Hall sensors.
MFLAGS.28 Hall direction inversion. The Adjuster Wizard commutation
program calculates this parameter and saves it. Do not change
this parameter manually.
1 = Controller inverts Hall direction.
GETCONF(110, Index) Returns the Hall counter of the axis specified by Index. The Hall
direction bit is not taken into account. This function is used by the
Adjuster commutation program.
GETCONF(111, Index) This function is used by the Adjuster Wizard during
commutation.
GETCONF(262, Index) Returns the current Hall state, which can be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, of
the axis given by Index (a number: 0, 1, 2, ... up to the number of
axes in the system minus 1). It returns -1 for invalid states

Note
1. After hardware reset, if the Hall commutation was successful, the
firmware automatically sets bit MFLAGS.9 = 1, if MFLAGS.27 = 1.
2. For proper Hall commutation, the encoder resolution and number of
poles should be defined correctly. The current loop should be adjusted.

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8.8 Communicating with the SPiiPlus C Library

This section provides an overview of the SPiiPlus C Library communication channels.

8.8.1 Remote Connection

The C Library installed on a specific computer supports not only applications running on the
same computer, but also applications on remote computers. The only requirement is for a
TCP/IP connection between the computers.
Figure 21 illustrates the simultaneous connection of two local and one remote applications.

Figure 21 Simultaneous Connection for Remote Support

8.8.2 Callbacks in all Communication Channels

The Callback mechanism provides the fastest response to the controller events. The
implementation is transparent for user applications. In all communication channels, the
callback API consists of the functions, SetCallback and SetCallbackExt.

8.8.2.1 Timing

Callback operations include sending/receiving a message that requires much more time.
Specific rates depend on the communication channel rate.

From the viewpoint of callback mechanism, all communication channels are functionally
equivalent, but differ in timing.

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8.8.2.2 Software Interrupts

The following interrupts are generated by the controller firmware and therefore are called
software interrupts:
 Physical motion end
 Logical motion end
 Motion failure (Motion interruption due to a fault)
 Motor failure (Motor disable due to a fault)
 Program termination
 Command execution
 ACSPL+ interrupt (by INTERRUPT command)
 Digital input
 Logical motion start
 Motion phase change
 Trigger

8.8.2.3 Hardware Interrupts

The following interrupts are generated by the controller hardware and therefore are called
hardware interrupts:
 Emergency stop
 Mark 1 (axes 0, 1, 2, 3)
 Mark 2 (axes 0, 1, 2, 3)
 PEG (axes 0, 1, 2, 3)
Table 37 describes hardware interrupt callback conditions in different communication
channels.

Table 37 Hardware Interrupt Callback Conditions

Callback Condition of Alert Message
Emergency stop The message is sent when bit S_FAULT.#ES changes from zero to one.
The message is disabled if S_FMASK.#ES is zero.
Mark 1 and Mark 2 The message is sent when corresponding IST.#MARK or IST.#MARK2 bit
changes from zero to one.
PEG The message is sent when the corresponding AST.#PEG bit changes from one to
zero.

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8.8.3 TCP/IP Port Assignment for Remote Connection

The C Library installed on a specific computer supports not only applications running on the
same computer, but also applications on remote computers. The only requirement is for a
TCP/IP connection between the computers.

8.8.3.1 TCP/IP Port Assignment

Note
For a description of all the UMD functions see SPiiPlus Utilities User
Guide.

To establish a remote connection using TCP/IP, select Enable Access from Remote
Application on the User Mode Driver (UMD) Remote Connection tab.
If the default port is not busy, no communication error messages are encountered, and no
problem is anticipated. In this case, use the function acsc_SetServerExt with the
ACSC_DEFAULT_REMOTE_PORT parameter to set the remote port address from the user
application.
If the default port (9999) is busy, the UMD will return the following error message:
Requested port 9999 is in use by another application. Select another port in the Remote
Connection tab.
In this case, proceed as follows:
1. From the Remote Connection tab, select Change from the Remote Port Connection list.
2. Enter the remote port address in the Enter valid port number dialog.
3. From the Remote Connection tab, select Enable Access from Remote Application. As
soon as the check box is selected, communication with the remote port is attempted. If
communication does not succeed, the following error message appears:
Requested port [port number] is in use by another application. Select another port in the
Remote Connection tab.
4. Repeat Steps 1-3 until communications are established. When communications are
successfully established, the UMD stores the settings.
5. Click OK and then Close.
6. In the user application, use the function acsc_SetServerExt and specify the same port
number that was entered in the UMD GUI.

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Note
Every time the User Mode Driver (UMD) initializes, the availability of the
specified port is checked. If the system configuration or port number have
changed, the UMD generates an error message and the Enable Access from
Remote Application on the UMD Remote Connection tab check box will be
cleared.

8.8.3.2 Disabling Remote UMD Connections

After installation, the remote connection is disabled.
To enable the remote connection, select Enable Access from Remote Application on the
UMD Remote Connection tab. The remote application can now connect to the UMD, until it
is disabled.
Disable the remote connection as follows:
1. Clear Enable Access from Remote Application on the UMD Remote Connection tab.
2. Restart the UMD for the changes to take effect.

8.8.3.3 UMD Log Types

The UMD logs constantly at run-time. The data is stored in binary format in an internal cyclic
buffer and is translated to text just before it is written to file.
You may choose one of two mutually exclusive log types:
 Dump on Request – all the binary data that is stored in the internal binary buffer and is
flushed by explicit request to the file, see acsc_FlushLogFile.
 Continuous – this is a background thread that takes care of periodic file updates. It reads
the binary buffer and performs text formatting to the file.
Perform the Dump on Request as follows:
1. From the UMB Log Settings tab, select Dump on request as the Log File Mode.
2. Select the Log file path
Refer to Figure 22 and note that Dump button appears and that Maximum logging time is
disabled.

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Figure 22 UMD Log Settings - Dump on Request

Perform a Continuous Log File as follows:
1. From the UMD Log Settings tab, select Continuous as the Log File Mode.
2. Select the Log file path
Refer to Figure 23 and note that the Start Log button appears and that Maximum logging
time is enabled.
3. Set Maximum logging time. Possibilities range from one hour to One week.

Note
The Infinite setting is not recommended because of a possible disk overflow
situation.

4. Click Start Log.

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Figure 23 UMD Log Settings - Continuous

After clicking Start Log, and the log is active, and the Stop Log button appears.

8.8.3.4 Unloading the UMD from Memory

Unload the UMD from memory as follows:
1. Right click the UMD icon in the status area
2. Click Unload.
3. Click OK on the confirmation message. The UMD is then unloaded from the memory.

8.9 Communicating with Non-ACS Devices

Another use of the SETCONF and GETCONF functions (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable
Reference Guide) relates to external communication channels. The functions are used to
facilitate the following tasks:
 Connection to user panel (teach pendant, console) that make use of special communication
protocols (Modbus, etc.)
 Connection to devices with special interfaces (laser interferometer, intelligent drives, etc.)

Note
Currently only serial channels can be connected to devices such as these. All
functions described below are implemented for RS232 serial channels only.

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8.9.1 Channel Configuration Report

The #CC terminal command reports the current configuration of communication channels.
The controller responds with a table that specifies the configuration for each supported
communication channel.

Note
For any specific hardware configuration, not all listed channels may be
physically available.

The following example illustrates the report:

#CC
Channel Type Command/Special
1 Serial Command Rate:115200
2 Serial Special Rate:9600 Parity:Even
10 TCP/IP Command Connection:point-to-point Peer:10.0.0.96

The report describes the following channels:

 1 - COM1, in command interpretation mode, rate 115200 kbps, no special options, i.e. no
parity bit, normal stop bit, no break.
 2 - COM2, in special mode, rate 9600 kbps, even parity bit, normal stop bit, no break.
 10 – Ethernet (TCP/IP protocol), in command interpretation mode, point-to-point
connection, currently connected to peer address 10.0.0.96.

8.9.2 Assigning COM Channel for Special Input

The SETCONF function with key 302 assigns a communication channel for special input as
follows:
SETCONF(302, channel, {0|1})
Where:
channel Indicates the assigned COM channel, it can be one of the following values:
 1 – COM1
 2 – COM2

The values that can be used in connection with the channel are:
 1 – assigns the channel for special input
 0 – returns the channel to regular command processing.
If a channel is assigned for special input, the controller does not process commands from this
channel. Any input from this channel can be processed only by the inp function (see

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Section 8.9.4 - INP Function). Output to the channel is provided by regular DISP and SEND
commands (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide).

Note
While a channel can be set to special communication mode by the
SETCONF command through the same communication channel, the
channel cannot be returned to normal mode through the same channel. The
reason is that in special communication mode the channel does not process
commands and therefore cannot execute SETCONF. You have to use
another channel to return the channel to the regular command processing
mode

The getconf function with key 302 retrieves the state of a communication channel as follows:
getconf(302, channel)
The function returns:

 0 – if the channel is in normal command-processing mode

 1 – if the channel is in special-communication mode

8.9.3 Setting Communication Parameters

Currently, the SETCONF function with key 303 is supported only for serial channels (channel
number 1 or 2). The function configures the communication rate for the specified channel as
follows:
SETCONF(303, channel, baud)

Where:
channel Indicates the assigned COM channel, it can be one of the following values:
 1 – COM1
 2 – COM2
baud Specifies the communication rate in the channel.

The most popular communication rates are the following (kbps):

 115200
 57600
 19200
 9600
 4800
 2400
 1200
 600
 300

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The function GETCONF with key 303 retrieves the communication rate of the specified
channel as follows:
GETCONF(303, channel)

8.9.4 INP Function

Description
The INP function reads data characters from the specified channel and stores them into integer
array.
Syntax
int INP(channel [,variable] [,start_index] [,number] [,timeout])
Arguments
channel Indicates the assigned COM channel, it can be one of the following values:
 1 – COM1
 2 – COM2
variable Name of user-defined integer array.
start_index Index of the array.
number Specifies number of characters to read.
timeout Maximum waiting time (in milliseconds) for response from the channel.

The function returns the number of actually assigned characters.

If the variable argument is omitted, the function dumps all characters received before in the
channel. If the variable argument is specified, the function accepts one or more characters from
the specified channel and assigns them to the sequential elements of the variable array.
Each ASCII character is represented by its numerical value and is stored in a separate element
of the array.
If start_index is specified, the first received character is assigned to the array element with the
specified index. If start_index is omitted, the assignment starts from the first element of the
array.
If number is specified, the function does not return until the exact number of characters is
received. Any received character, including carriage return and other non-printable characters,
is stored in the array. In this case the function return value is strictly equal to number.
If number is omitted, the function continues receiving characters until the last element of array
is assigned or the carriage return character is received. The received carriage return is not stored
in the array. The function return indicates the number of assigned array elements.
If timeout is specified, the function waits for input not more than the specified number of
milliseconds. If timeout is omitted, the waiting time is not limited.

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8.9.5 String Handling Commands

Text handling commands are used for sending text to the host for purposes of displaying on the
monitor or for recording in a log.

8.9.5.1 DISP Command

Description
The DISP command builds an ASCII output string and sends it to a communication channel.
Upon receipt, the host displays the message on the monitor.
Syntax
DISP expression | "string" [,expression | "string". . .]
Arguments
expression ACSPL+ expression (can be a single variable)
string A string, which must be enclosed with double quotation marks.

A string argument has the format of:

"[text] [escape-sequence] [format-specifier] . . ."
Where:
text Any ASCII text characters
escape-sequence The escape-sequence can be:
 \r - Carriage return 0x0d
 \n - New line 0x0a
 \t - Horizontal tabulation 0x09
 \xHH - Any character. The two hexadecimal digits, HH, represent the
character's ASCII code.
format-specifier The format specification syntax adheres to a restricted version of the C language
syntax:
% [width] [.precision] type
 width - Optional number that specifies the minimum number of characters
in the output.
 .precision - Optional number that specifies the maximum number of
characters printed for all or part of the output field, or the minimum number
of digits printed for integer values
 type - Required character that determines whether the associated argument
is interpreted as a character, a string, or a number (see Table 38).

Table 38 String Format Type (page 1 of 2)

Character Output Format
d Signed decimal integer.
I Signed decimal integer.
o Unsigned octal integer.

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Table 38 String Format Type (page 2 of 2)

Character Output Format
u Unsigned decimal integer.
x Unsigned hexadecimal integer, using "abcdef."
X Unsigned hexadecimal integer, using "ABCDEF."
e Signed value having the format: [ - ]d.dddd e [sign]ddd
Where:
 d is a single decimal digit
 dddd is one or more decimal digits
 ddd is exactly three decimal digits
 e indicates exponent
 sign is + or -.
E Identical to the e format except that E rather than e indicates the exponent.
f Signed value having the format: [ - ]dddd.dddd
Where dddd is one or more decimal digits. The number of digits before the decimal
point depends on the magnitude of the number, and the number of digits after the
decimal point depends on the requested precision.
g Signed value printed in f or e format, whichever is more compact for the given value
and precision. The e format is used only when the exponent of the value is less than -4
or greater than or equal to the precision argument. Trailing zeros are truncated, and the
decimal point appears only if one or more digits follow it.
G Identical to the g format, except that E, rather than e, introduces the exponent (where
appropriate).

If an input string argument contains n format specifiers, the specifiers apply to the n subsequent
expression arguments.
The DISP command processes the arguments from left to right. The processing is as follows:
 Expressions:
The expression is evaluated and the ASCII representation of the result is placed in the
output string. The format of the result is determined by a formatting specification (if any)
in the input string.
 Input strings:
Text is sent as-is to the output string. Escape sequences are replaced by the ASCII codes
that they represent. Formatting specifications are applied to the results of any expressions
that follow the string.
Examples:
DISP "%15.10f",FPOS(0) Display value of FPOS(0) in 15 positions with 10 digits
after the decimal point
DISP "%1i",IN0.2 Display current state of IN0.2 as one digit 0 or 1.
DISP "FVEL(0)=%15.10f",FVEL(0) Display value FVEL(0) with 10 decimal points, e.g.,
displayed output is: FVEL(0)= 997.2936183303

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DISP "IN0 as hex: %04X",IN0 Display value of IN0 in hex, e.g., displayed output is: IN0
as hex: 0A1D
disp "IN0.0-3 as binary: Display values of bits 0-3 of IN0 as binary, e.g., displayed
%1U%1u%1u%1u", output is: IN0.0-3 as binary: 0110
IN0.0,IN0.1,IN0.2,IN0.3

The output string is sent to a communication channel. The channel is specified by the current
value of standard DISPCH (default channel) variable. The following values are available:
 1– Serial communication channel COM1.
 2– Serial communication channel COM2.
 6– Ethernet network (TCP).
 7– Ethernet network (TCP).
 8– Ethernet network (TCP).
 9– Ethernet network (TCP).
 10 – Ethernet Point-to-Point network. (UDP)
 -1 – No default channel is specified, the DISP command uses the last channel activated
by the host.
 -2 – All channels.
In order to receive unsolicited messages by a host application, perform the following:
1. Set DISPCH to -2.
2. Set bit 4 of COMMFL to 1.
3. Send SETCONF(306,-1,1) from the same communication channel where unsolicited
messages are expected to be received.
In order to stop the receipt of unsolicited messages by a host application:
Send SETCONF(306,-1,0) from the same communication channel where there is no need any
more to receive unsolicited messages.

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8.9.5.2 SEND Command

Description
The SEND command is the same as the DISP command but also specifies the communication
channel for the output string. The communication channel is the first argument.
Syntax
SEND channel-number, disp-arguments
Where:
channel-number is an integer identifying the communication channel to which the message
will be sent (see Table 39).
Table 39 Channel Number Argument
Channel # Description
1 Serial communication channel COM1
2 Serial communication channel COM2
6 Ethernet network (TCP)
7 Ethernet network (TCP)
8 Ethernet network (TCP)
9 Ethernet network (TCP)
10 Ethernet Point-to-Point network. (UDP)
-1 No default channel is specified, uses the last channel activated by the host
-2 All channels

disp-arguments are the same as those detailed for the DISP command (see Section 8.9.5.1 -
DISP Command).

8.9.5.3 Differences between Query Commands and the DISP/SEND

Commands
 Query commands are executed immediately and cannot be stored in a program buffer. The
DISP and SEND commands can be executed either immediately or can be stored in a
buffer and executed as a part of program.
 Query commands can address any variable: ACSPL+ standard, global or local. The DISP
and SEND commands can address any ACSPL+ or global variable. Among the local
variables, only the local variables defined in the same buffer where the command is located
are accessible to the DISP command.
 Query commands can address whole arrays or sub-arrays. The DISP and SEND
commands must specify a calculable expression, i.e., only single elements of array may be
involved.
 Query commands cannot contain expressions. The DISP and SEND commands can
contain expressions.
 The controller sends the reply to a query command to the same channel from which the
command was received. Results of the DISP command are sent to the communication

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channel defined by the DISPCH variable (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference
Guide). Results of the SEND command are sent to the communication channel defined by
the communication channel argument (channel-number).

8.9.5.4 STR Function

Description
The STR function converts an integer array to a string.
Syntax
string STR(variable [,start-index] [,number])
Arguments
variable Name of user-defined integer array.
start_index Index of the array.
number Specifies number of characters.

Return value
The function returns a string composed of the array elements interpreted as characters.
Comments
Each element of the variable array is interpreted as an ASCII character. If an element value is
in the range from 0 to 255, it is directly converted to the corresponding ASCII character.
Otherwise, the value’s modulo 256 is converted.
If neither start_index nor number is specified, the conversion takes all elements of the array.
If only start_index is specified, the conversion takes all characters from the specified index to
the end of array. Specifying number limits the number of characters in the resulting string.
The function can be used within the SEND or the DISP command.
Example
The following example provides a mirror for channel 2, so that any received character is sent
back:
int Char(1)
INP(2,Char,,1)
SEND 2,str(Char)

8.9.5.5 DSTR Function

Description
The DSTR function converts a string to an integer array.
Syntax
int DSTR(string, variable [,start-index] [,number])

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Arguments
string String of characters enclosed in double quotation marks
variable Name of user-defined integer array.
start_index Index of the array.
number Specifies number of characters.

Return value
The function returns the number of actually assigned characters.
Comments
The function decomposes string into individual characters and assigns the characters to the
sequential elements of the variable array.
Each ASCII character is represented as its numerical value and stored in a separate element of
the array.
If start_index is specified, the first character is assigned to the array element with the specified
index. If start_index is omitted, the assignment starts from the first element of the array.
If number is omitted, the function assigns all characters of the string. If number is specified,
the function assigns the specified number of characters. In both cases the assignment stops
when the last array element is reached.

8.10 TRIGGER Command

Description
The TRIGGER command is used for specifying conditions for general purpose triggering.
Syntax
TRIGGER channel [,expression] [,timeout]
Arguments
channel Specifies an integer number from 0 to 7. The number defines the triggering
channel, selects the AST element where the triggering bit will be set and defines
the bit in the interrupt tag.
expression Specifies the triggering condition. After the command is executed, the
controller calculates the expression each controller cycle. Triggering occurs
when the expression changes its value from zero to non-zero. If the argument is
omitted, the command disables triggering in the specified channel.
timeout Specifies triggering timeout in milliseconds. A positive number specifies how
much time the controller waits for triggering. Once the timeout has elapsed, and
triggering has not occurred, the controller raises the trigger bit unconditionally.
After any triggering, the controller starts timeout counting from zero. If the
argument is omitted, the triggering works without timeout.

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Comments
One TRIGGER command can cause triggering many times. The controller continues
calculating the expression until another TRIGGER command is executed in the same channel.
Each time when the expression changes its value from zero to non-zero, the controller raises the
trigger bit and produces the interrupt.
The following table specifies triggering bit and interrupt tag for each triggering channel:

Table 40 Trigger Bit and Interrupt for each Channel

Channel Triggering Bit Interrupt tag (Software interrupt 10), hexadecimal
0 AST0.11 0x00000001
1 AST1.11 0x00000002
2 AST2.11 0x00000004
3 AST3.11 0x00000008
4 AST4.11 0x00000010
5 AST5.11 0x00000020
6 AST6.11 0x00000040
7 AST7.11 0x00000080

8.11 Dynamic TCP/IP Addressing

8.11.1 TCP/IP Variable

The firmware supports both static and dynamic assignments of TCP/IP addresses.
The TCP/IP address is defined by the TCPIP variable. If TCPIP has a non-zero value, the
controller uses the value as its TCP/IP address. In this case, other configuration parameters
receive the following default values:
 Subnet mask - 255.255.255.0
 Gateway address - no gateway, i.e. no routing is supported
If TCPIP is zero, the controller uses the DHCP protocol to receive the network configuration
from the DHCP server. The network configuration received from the DHCP server includes the
following parameters:
 Controller's TCP/IP address
 Subnet mask
 Gateway address
To retrieve the assigned address in an ACSPL+ program, use the GETCONF function (see
SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide) with key 310.
To find all SPiiPlus controllers in the network segment, use the C Library function:
acsc_GetEthernetCards.

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8.11.2 Using GETCONF/SETCONF to Access TCP/IP Address

The GETCONF and SETCONF functions with key 310 provide access to the controller
TCP/IP address.
GETCONF(310, 0) returns an integer value that contains the TCP/IP address currently
assigned to the controller. The index argument (second argument) of the function should be
zero. If a TCP/IP protocol is not configured, or not supported, the return value is zero.
SETCONF(310, 0, address) configures the TCP/IP address for the controller. The index
argument (second argument) of the function should be zero. If the address argument is zero,
SETCONF activates a new execution of the DHCP protocol and obtains a new TCP/IP address
from the host (the host may configure the same address as before). SETCONF does not change
the TCPIP parameter. After power-up, the controller is initialized with the TCP/IP address set
in the TCP/IP parameter.
The address value is a 32-bit integer that contains four bytes. Each byte represents one part of
the TCP/IP dot address. The bytes follow in computer order. For example:
SETCONF(310, 0, 0x6400000a) Assigns address 10.0.0.100
?x/GETCONF(310,0) Executed from the terminal returns the hexi-
decimal value: 6400000a

There are several limitations when using SETCONF(310):

 If the TCPIP variable stored in the flash is zero, SETCONF(310) must be used only with
zero address argument. In other words, if the controller is configured for dynamic
addressing, assigning static address is not allowed.
 If the TCPIP variable stored in the flash is not zero, SETCONF(310) must be used only
with non-zero address arguments. In other words, if the controller is configured for static
addressing, switching to a dynamic address is not allowed.
 SETCONF(310) has a long execution time. During this time, communication with the
controller is impossible using any communication channel. Use SETCONF(310) only
within the controller initialization sequence. Avoid attempts to communicate with the
controller and the motor ENABLE command or motion commands while
SETCONF(310) is in progress.

8.11.3 Addressing Scenarios

There are four scenarios of assigning TCP/IP addresses to the controller:
1. Static Addressing
• Configure the appropriate TCP/IP address in the TCPIP variable and store it in the
flash.
• After start-up, the controller adopts the address and answers to the corresponding
telegrams.
For using static addressing in a local network, the system administrator needs to reserve
this address to avoid identical addresses in the network segment.
2. Quasi-dynamic Addressing
• Configure any non-zero TCP/IP address in the TCPIP variable and store it in the flash.

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• After start-up, use SETCONF with a non-zero address argument to assign an actual
address to the controller.
This approach makes sense, if the controller is assigned with an address dependent on some
condition available only at run time. For example, the controller may select its TCP/IP
address on the basis of digital input states.
3. Dynamic Addressing
• Configure a zero TCP/IP address in the TCPIP variable and store it in the flash.
• After start-up, the controller initiates DHCP communication with the DHCP server and
obtains the TCP/IP address and other network information.
To use this method, the DHCP server should be accessible at the time of controller start-up.
If the DHCP server is not accessible, the controller repeats the request several times. If all
attempts fail, the controller disables Ethernet channel support and continues initialization.
4. Delayed Dynamic Addressing
Use this method, if the DHCP server is not available at the time of controller start-up. It
may occur, for example, if the controller and the computer running DHCP server are
activated at the same time, and nobody knows which is ready first.
• Configure zero TCP/IP address in the TCPIP variable and store it in the flash.
• Create an initialization routine in one of the buffers, and store it in the flash:

AUTOEXEC:
WHILE GETCONF(310,0) = 0
SETCONF(310,0,0)
END
! continue initialization

As a result, the controller waits at the beginning of initialization until the DHCP server
succeeds to in supplying a TCP/IP address.

8.12 Non-Default Connections

This section covers handling non-default connections.

Note
It should be noted that many applications require switching between non-
default or default connections within the process of operations. You can
return to a default connection by setting the MFLAGS.#DEFCON (bit 17,
Default Connection) to 1. This automatically resets the connect formula,
updates dependence and equates corresponding APOS to RPOS (see
Chapter 7 - Connection to the Plant).

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8.12.1 ROFFS Variable

The ROFFS variable is an 8 element array, one element per axis, that reads the offset calculated
by the controller in the connect formula. As long as the motor is in the default connection
(MFLAGS.#DEFCON = 1), offset ROFFS is zero. However, once you have specified a
CONNECT (see Section 8.12.3 - CONNECT Command) formula:
CONNECT RPOS(axis) = F(…)
the controller calculates offset ROFFS(axis) to prevent any immediate change of RPOS(axis)
that may cause a jump of the motor. Then the controller calculates formula:
RPOS(axis) = F(…) + ROFFS(axis)

for each controller cycle.

The controller recalculates the offset to prevent motor jump when any of the following
commands is executed:
 CONNECT
 SET
 ENABLE
 DISABLE
 KILL

ROFFS reads the current value of the offset. Watching the offset value facilitates development
and debugging of application with complex kinematics.

8.12.2 DAPOS Variable

The DAPOS variable is an 8 element array, one element per axis, that reads the Axis Position
synchronous with the Reference Position. The variable supplements the existing APOS
variable. The problem of the APOS variable is that the axis position is not synchronous with
the RPOS and FPOS. For this reason watching APOS against RPOS or FPOS in the SPiiPlus
MMI Application Studio Scope is inconvenient.

DAPOS reads the same values of axis position, but synchronously with RPOS and FPOS.
Using synchronous axis position facilitates analysis and debugging of the CONNECT formula.

Use only DAPOS for watching the axis position in the Scope.

Use only APOS in the connect formula and in ACSPL+ program.

8.12.3 CONNECT Command

The CONNECT command defines the relation between motors and axes.

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Note
The CONNECT command cannot be executed as long as the default
connection bit (MFLAGS.#DEFCON) is raised.

Syntax:
CONNECT RPOS(axis) = expression
Where RPOS(axis) is an axis RPOS variable (for example, RPOS(0)), which receives the
value of the expression.
For more information about RPOS and other common motion variables refer to the SPiiPlus
Command & Variable Reference Guide.
The connect command is not an assignment command (see Section 3.8.1 - Assignment
Command). It does not simply assign the result of the formula on the right side to the axis
RPOS. The formula is not evaluated when the connect command is executed (which would be
the case for an assignment command); instead, the formula is stored and then evaluated by the
controller every controller cycle to calculate the corresponding RPOS.
After power-up the controller always starts with the default connection. The default connection
means the following for each axis:
 Bit MFLAGS.#DEFCON is raised.
 The default connect formula is defined as connect RPOS = APOS.
 APOS and RPOS are linked, i.e., explicit (through the set command see Section 4.1.5 -
SET Command) or implicit change of one of these variables causes the same change in
the other one.
Once an application resets MFLAGS.#DEFCON, it can then execute a connect and (typically)
a DEPENDS command. At this point, the motor is considered to be in non-default connection.
Consider the following examples:
The commands
MFLAGS(1).#DEFCON = 0
CONNECT RPOS(1) = APOS(0)
DEPENDS 1, 0

connect the 1 axis motor position to the 0 axis reference. If the 0 axis motor is also connected
to the 0 axis reference, this provides gantry-like motion of two motors.
The command
PTP 0, 1000

will provide synchronous motion of both 0 and 1 axes motors.

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The command:
connect RPOS(0) = APOS(0) + AIN(1)

connects the 0 axis motor position to the 0 axis reference plus analog input 1. In this case the 0
axis provides a motion and the analog input (for example, an external sensor) supplies a
correction for the 0 axis motor.
The following commands
MFLAGS(2).#DEFCON = 0
connect RPOS(2) = APOS(2) + APOS(3)
depends 2, (2,3)

connect the 2 axis motor to the sum of 2 and 3 axes. The axes can each execute an independent
motion, with the 2 axis motor following the sum of the two motions. Or the axes can participate
in a single multi-axis motion.
The following illustrate uses of the connect command.

Note
The connect command is normally followed by a depends command (see
Section 8.12.4 - DEPENDS Command).

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 Using a Non-Default Connection

Listed below are some of the tasks that can be resolved using the appropriate connect
formula:
• Introduce a gear ratio between a logical axis and a physical motor.
• Compensate for encoder errors and backlash.
• Compensate for non-orthogonality of machine slides.
• Compensate for undesired mutual interference between machine coordinates.
• Implement gantry axes
• Define the physical motion as a sum of a logical motion and a compensating signal.
• Define the physical motion as a sum of two or more logical motions.
• Inverse kinematics, such as programming in Cartesian coordinates a machine that
actually has polar kinematics.
Typically, the connect command for a specific motor is executed only once in an ACSPL+
application.
A typical location for a connect command is after the homing process in the code that
follows an AUTOEXEC label (see Section 3.1.4 - Names: Variable and Label). The
following pseudocode executes homing of X and Y axes and configures them as a gantry
pair that follows the motion on the X axis:
AUTOEXEC: The controller automatically starts the program
from the AUTOEXEC label after power-up.
. . . Execute homing of 0 and 1 axes.
MFLAGS1.#DEFCON=0 Reset the #DEFCON bit.
CONNECT RPOS(1)=APOS(0) Set gantry-like connection (1 axis motor
follows 0 axis).
DEPENDS 1,0 Specify dependence (1 axis motor depends on
0 axis).
SET APOS(0)=0,RPOS(0)=0,RPOS(1)=0 Set origin.
. . . Continue.

A more sophisticated application may require changing the connection in the middle of
operations. The controller applies no limitations regarding when a connection can be
changed. In a typical case, changing connection requires three commands:
CONNECT RPOS(0)=… Specify connection of 0 axis motor.
DEPENDS 0,… Specify dependence of 0 axis motor.
SET APOS(0)=…,RPOS(0)=… Set origin of 0 axis and 0 axis motor.

To return to default connection use the following commands:

CONNECT RPOS(0)=APOS(0) The 0 axis motor will follow the 0 axis.
MFLAGS(0).#DEFCON=1 Set the #DEFCON bit.
SET RPOS(0)=… Set origin of 0 axis motor (if #DEFCON=1,
APOS is set to the same value).

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 Offset in Connect Formula

If a motor is in a non-default connection, the APOS and RPOS variables are not linked and
may contain different values.
The connect command specifies a basic formula that the controller uses to calculate the
RPOS. However, in the process of RPOS calculation the controller also adds an implicit
offset which is not specified in the connect formula.
The controller calculates the offset automatically and recalculates it in the following
circumstances:
• Execution of connect RPOS=… command for the motor.
• Execution of set RPOS=… or set FPOS=… command for the motor.
• Execution of set APOS=… command for any axis that the motor depends on.
• Execution of enable command for the motor.
When a CONNECT command is executed, the offset is adjusted so that the RPOS
specified on the left side of the connect formula and any APOS specified on the right side
retain their current values. For this reason the CONNECT command can be executed
while the motor is enabled and does not cause a motor jump. Using this implicit offset the
controller ignores any explicit offset specified in the CONNECT formula. For example,
the following commands have exactly the same effect:
CONNECT RPOS(0) = 0.5*APOS(0) + 1000

and
CONNECT RPOS(0) = 0.5*APOS(0) + 2000

because the explicit offset is ignored.

When an ENABLE command is executed, the offset is adjusted so that the connection
formula calculation yields the desired value (RPOS retains its value).
The set RPOS=… or set FPOS=… command immediately changes the values of RPOS
and FPOS. The offset is recalculated so that the connection formula calculation yields the
new desired value.
The set APOS=… command immediately changes the value of axis position APOS. In
order to retain the current values of all RPOS components, the controller recalculates the
offsets of all motors that depend on the axis.

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8.12.4 DEPENDS Command

Description
The DEPENDS command complements the connect command, specifying dependence
between a motor and axes.

Note
The DEPENDS command cannot be executed as long as the default
connection bit (MFLAGS.#DEFCON) is raised.

Syntax
DEPENDS dependent_axis, axes_specification
Comments
The dependent_axis argument specifies an axis and the axes_specification argument specifies
one or more axes on which the motor depends.
Typically, a DEPENDS command will follow a CONNECT command. Whereas a
CONNECT command can define a mathematical correspondence between a motor’s reference
position (RPOS) and one or more axis positions (APOS), a DEPENDS command specifies the
logical dependence between a motor and axes.
The DEPENDS command is necessary because generally the controller is not capable of
deriving the dependence information from the CONNECT formula alone. For this reason, once
a CONNECT command is executed, the controller resets the dependence information of the
motor; the motor depends only on the corresponding axis.
Dependence information, as specified using a DEPENDS command, is required in the
following cases. If the dependence information is not provided correctly, the controller may
display strange behavior.
 A motor/axis query (for example, ?0) returns the non-default dependence for that motor.
 When initiating a motion, the controller verifies if each motor dependent on the axes
involved is enabled. If one or more motors are disabled, the motion does not start.
 If in the process of motion a motor is disabled or killed due to a fault or due to a DISABLE
or KILL command, the controller immediately terminates all motions involving the axes
that the motor depends on.
 Once a SET APOS=… command is executed, the controller adjusts offsets in the
connection formula of the motors that depend on the specified axis.

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8.12.5 MATCH Function

Description
The MATCH function calculates the axis position that matches current Reference Position of
the same axis with zero offset.
Syntax
MATCH (axis, from, to)
Arguments
axis Specifies the axis to be matched.
from/to Restricts the range within which the matching value is
searched.

Comments
The function is useful in the case of non-default connections if a motor depends only on the
same axis, a typical example is error compensation. For example, the following connection:
CONNECT RPOS(1) = APOS(1) + MAPBY1(APOS(1), ErrorTable)
DEPENDS 1,1

defines 1-to-1 dependence. In this case, the command:

SET APOS(1) = match(1, -1000, 1000)

can be used to find matching APOS(1) in the range -1000 to +1000 and to set offset ROFFS1
to zero. In mathematical terms, the function finds the root of equation:

RPOS = F(x)

where RPOS is the current value of the RPOS variable and F(x) is the connect formula
specified by you with APOS substituted for x.

The function succeeds if the unique root exists in the specified range. If there are several roots
in the range, the function returns one of them. If the root does not exist, the function result is
incorrect. It is your responsibility to restrict the range so that the function provides proper result.

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8.13 Input Shaping

Input Shaping is a feed-forward control technique for reducing vibrations in computer
controlled machines. The SPiiPlus controller implements an Input Shaping algorithm patented
by Convolve, Inc.
Input Shaping support is an optional feature in the SPiiPlus controller. To use the feature,
specify the option in the controller order code, as described in the product data sheet.

8.13.1 INSHAPE Function

Description
The INSHAPE function implements the input shaping algorithm and its result is a dynamic
output signal equal to the convolution of the input signal and the convolution pulses.
Syntax
real INSHAPE(real Input_val, int NP, real T_array, real Amp_array, real Buf)
Arguments
Input_val Input signal.
NP Number of convolution pulses.
T_array One-dimensional array specifying the times of each convolution in
milliseconds.
Amp_array One-dimensional array specifying the amplitudes of each convolution pulse.
Buf One-dimensional array designating a buffer for internal use.

Comments
For correct calculation, the function must be called each controller cycle.
Vectors T_array and Amp_array define characteristics of the convolution pulses. If the vector
size is greater than NP, only the first NP elements are used for the function calculation.
Vector T_array contains real numbers, so fractional numbers can be specified. However, the
position of each pulse is rounded to a multiple of the controller cycle. If the controller cycle is
one millisecond, the numbers in T_array are rounded to integers.
The elements of T_array must be arranged in ascending order.

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Buf is used for the internal calculation in the function. You do not need to fill the buffer before
the function call. The size of the vector must be not less than the maximum time of convolution
pulses divided by the controller cycle. As T_array elements are sorted in ascending order, the
condition can be expressed as:
Size(Buf) = T_array[NP-1]/CTIME+1
where CTIME is the controller cycle in milliseconds.
INSHAPE detects the following error conditions:
 The size of vector T_array is less than NP.
 The size of vector Amp_array is less than NP.
 The size of Buf is not enough.

Note
You have to take a few precautions working with the axis that implements
input shaping:
1. Do not use KILL for the axis. Use HALT to terminate a motion.
2. Do not use a KILL response to the faults. Re-define any kill response to
a kill-disable response for the axis.
3. Execute any required set commands before input shaping is activated.
4. Use inshape in the CONNECT command for the required axis. Execute
CONNECT every time an axis is enabled.

Example
The following example illustrates implementation of input shaping for the 1 axis:

global real CnvT(4), CnvA(4), CnvB(500)!Definitions

SAFETYCONF 1,#RL,"KD"; SAFETYCONF 2,#LL,"KD"
SAFETYCONF 1,#AL,"KD"
SAFETYCONF 1,#PROG,"KD" !Redefine Limit Switches, Acceleration and
!Program fault responses to kill-disable.
!In the same manner, redefine all kill-
!type responses to kill-disable.
WRITE CnvT
WRITE CnvA
READ CnvT
READ CnvA !Read convolution data from the flash
!memory.
MFLAGS(1).DEFCON=0
SET APOS(1)=0, RPOS(1)=0
…
STOP

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MFLAGS(1).#DEFCON=0 !Reset default connection flag

SET APOS(1)=0, RPOS(1)=0 !Set origin - if required
... !Program actions
ON MST(1).#ENABLED !Execute auto routine once 1 axis is
!enabled
CONNECT RPOS(1)=inshape(APOS(1),4,CnvT,CnvA,CnvB)
!Define connection
DEPENDS 1,1 !Define Dependance
RET

8.13.2 Using the Convolve Web Site

This section describes the procedures used for designing Input Shapers™ using the Convolve,
Incorporated web site for designing Input Shapers™ located at:
http://inputshaping.convolve.com.
Access to the web site requires a user name and password.

Note
Use the name and password that you received from ACS Motion Control
along with the controller.

The first time you log into the web site, you will be required to review the licensing agreement
for use of the site. For each subsequent log-in you will be reminded of the licensing agreement
and remaining number of trials until expiration of the account will be displayed.

8.13.3 Data Entry Dialog

The Data Entry dialog, see Figure 24, is the primary means for entering the parameters to
design an Input Shaper™. The Data Entry dialog displays the current User ID, Name, and
Date. Use the form fields as follows:
 Constraint - Set to Digital Positive Mixed Constr.. This gives you the maximum freedom
for selecting other design parameters.
 Output Format - Set to Standard Format.
 Axis - Set the required axis
 Frequency or DeltaT - Set DeltaT value according to the controller parameter CTIME
(Cycle Time). CTIME defines the controller cycle in milliseconds, and DeltaT should be
defined in seconds; therefore, if CTIME=1, set DeltaT=0.001. Frequency is
automatically computed.
 Amplitude Sum - Set = 100000
 Measured Frequency and Damping entries - Enter from one up to six vibration
frequencies and the associated damping for each frequency. The vibration frequencies are
modeled as second order systems, which are normally characterized by a natural frequency
and damping ratio (or zeta).

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The damped natural frequency will be less than the natural frequency by the factor, 
2
1 – zeta
The frequencies are referred to as “measured frequencies” because the program performs
the calculations to convert them to “undamped natural frequencies”.
 Hardware ID, Location, Tooling ID and Notes - These are optional fields that can be
used to document a configuration for a specific machine. Text entered into these fields is
copied into the output file as a comment.
 Robust check box - This box should normally be selected to design a “robust” Input
Shaper™ for a range of ±15% of the nominal frequency. This box can be left unchecked
when the range of frequency variation is less than ±5%. Non-robust Input Shapers™ are
50% shorter in duration than a robust Input Shapers™. Please refer to the discussion on
Insensitivity Curves below for more information.
When all of the data has been entered, press the Calculate to start the calculation. It can take
several seconds to complete the calculation.

Figure 24 Data Entry Dialog

When the calculations are complete, the screen in Figure 25 appears.

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Figure 25 Screen at the Conclusion of Calculation

Click Download to access another window that contains the results of the calculation. A sample
output file is shown below for the design of an Input Shaper with the following parameters:
 Measured Vibration Frequency - 100 Hz
 Damping - 0.05
 Delta T for trajectory generation - 0.001 second
 Amplitude sum - 100000
 Robust was selected - (Constraint = 1)
Figure 26 illustrates this output.

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Figure 26 Window Accessed by Download

The output from the calculation is five impulses that characterize the Input Shaper™. The
delays are specified in terms of digital time steps and for Delta T =.001 second, the delays
would be at 0, 0.002, 0.005, 0.007 and 0.011 seconds.
The reported Time values should be used in the T argument of the inshape function. The
reported Amp values are multiplied by 100000. The following example shows how the inshape
arguments should be initialized to use the reported values:

global real CnvT(5), CnvA(5), CnvB(12)

!Definitions
CnvT(0)=0; CnvT(1)=2; CnvT(2)=5;CnvT(3)=7; CnvT(4)=11;
!Initialize CnvT array
CnvA(0)=0.18693; CnvA(1)=0.11701; CnvA(2)=0.29279;CnvA(3)=0.22495;
CnvA(4)=0.17832; !Initialize CnvA array
... !Program actions
stop
on MST(1).#ENABLED !Execute auto routine once the 1 axis is
!enabled

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MFLAGS(1).#DEFCON=0 !Reset default connection flag

connect RPOS(1)=inshape(APOS(1),5,CnvT,CnvA,CnvB)
!Define connection
depends 1,1 !Define Dependance
ret

The results from the calculation can be saved directly by using the web browser file command
File Save as …. Save the results as a text file (*.txt), so Input Shaper™ coefficients can be
downloaded into a controller. The same file will sent by email to the email account specified
when the account was created.
Click the Curve option (shown in Figure 25) to display the useful frequency range for the Input
Shaper™. A new window, Figure 27, opens to display the Insensitivity Curve. The following
plot is the Insensitivity Curve for the example shown above:

Figure 27 Insensitivity Curve Illustration

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The Insensitivity Curve displays the theoretical amount of residual vibration that results after
applying the Input Shaper™ to the system. The horizontal axis is the vibration frequency of the
system and the vertical axis is the percentage of remaining or residual vibration. When the
residual vibration = 0, for a perfect linear system, there should be no vibration after applying
the Input Shaper™. In the case shown above, the residual vibration should be 0 at a frequency
of 100 Hz, which was the design frequency.
If the frequency of the actual system is not equal to 100 Hz, there will be residual vibration
present. This level of vibration is expressed on a percentage basis. If the residual vibration
equals 100%, then the no vibration reduction has occurred. For the Input Shaper™ shown
above, the system vibration frequency could vary between 85 to 115 Hz and the residual
vibration should be less than 5% (or when compared to the case of not using the Input Shaper™,
the vibrations should be reduced by 95%).

Note
It should be remembered that the vibration reduction is expressed for a
“perfect” linear system. There are some examples of perfect, linear systems
in the real world that do achieve close to 100% cancellation. (One good
example of a “perfect” system is a simulation. Input Shaping usually
performs very well in simulation.) However for most physical systems, the
vibration reduction will usually be in the range of 95 to 98% of the original
vibrations.

The frequency range for the Insensitivity Curve can be changed by selecting new minimum
and maximum frequency values and then clicking New Curve. The damping ratio can also be
changed to determine the effect of changes in the estimated damping of the system. In general,
changes in damping in the range from 0.005 to 0.1 have a limited effect on the Insensitivity
Curve. When the system damping ratio is greater than 0.1, the effectiveness of the Input
Shaper™ will be improved by specifying a damping ratio that is close to that of the actual
system.
The Insensitivity Curve can also be used to examine the effect of selecting whether or not an
Input Shaper™ should be designed using the Robust selection. If Robust is not selected for a
particular frequency, the useful range of the Input Shaper™ will be reduced. For example the
following Insensitivity Curve, Figure 28, is for the same Input Shaper™ without Robust:

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Figure 28 Insensitivity Curve without Robust

In this case, the frequency range for 95% cancellation of the vibration is much smaller, 95 to
105Hz. However the benefit is that the duration of the Input Shaper™ will be 50% less.
It is possible to use non-robust setting to design an Input Shaper™ that will be effective over a
wider range of frequencies. Two frequencies can be specified to create a frequency band for
vibration cancellation.

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8.14 DRA Algorithm

The ACS proprietary Disturbance Rejection Algorithm (DRA) is used to improve the
disturbance rejection response of the servo, and helps to minimize the position error during the
settling phase and shorten the settling time.

The most common use of the algorithm is to improve the settling of systems mounted on passive
isolation platforms. Passive isolation is typically used to isolate systems from disturbances
transmitted from the floor. They employ a seismic mass supported on a soft spring made of
rubber, metal, or air. The spring’s damping action absorbs vibrations above the spring’s
resonance. For this reason, passive isolation manufacturers usually try to lower spring resonant
frequency to increase the effective isolation range. When a servo force is applied to generate
motion, it also acts on the isolated stationary base, causing it to vibrate. Because the frequency
is low (usually below 1 Hz, to 10 Hz) and damping is very light, the isolation system continues
vibrating long after the motion profile has ended. This vibration acts as disturbance to the servo
system, introduces position error, and extends the settling time.

The Disturbance Rejection algorithm is used to minimize the latter effect and improve the
position error during settling. This is demonstrated in Figure 29 and Figure 30. The green
graph shows the velocity command (in [mm/sec]) of a linear stage mounted on passive
isolation, with a resonant frequency of approximately 5 Hz. The red graph shows the position
error with a standard PIV algorithm. The 5Hz disturbance is clearly observed during settling.
The disturbance is relatively small (less than 1 micron), yet it may be critical if the required
settling window is very small (as an example, the resolution of semiconductor instruments is
approaching and in some cases going below 1nm). This disturbance can be minimized by
increasing the PIV gains (SLVKP, SLVKI, SLPKP - see SPiiPlus ACSPL+ Command and
Variable Reference Guide), yet it cannot necessarily be eliminated and if the values of the PIV
gains are too high this may lead to marginal stability. A better solution is using the DRA
algorithm. As it can be seen in the blue graph the disturbance is fully eliminated.

If tuned properly the algorithm has minimal effect on the servo stability margins.

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Figure 29 Example 1 of Using DRA

The meanings of the colors of the scope shot are:

 Green - Reference velocity (200 mm/sec per division)
 Red - Position error without DRA (1 division = 2 microns)
 Blue - Position error with DRA (1 division = 2 microns)

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Figure 30 Example 2 of using DRA (zoomed)

The meanings of the colors of the scope shot are:

 Green - Reference velocity (1 division = 100 mm/sec)
 Red - Position error without DRA (1 division = 1 microns)
 Blue - Position error with DRA (1 division =1 microns)

DRA has two parameters that have to be tuned:

 SLDRA - This is a frequency specified in [Hz]. It should typically be set to 1-2 times the
crossover frequency of the open loop FRF. In the example below (Figure 31) the open loop
crossover frequency was about 100Hz, so SLDRA was set to the same value.
 SLDRX - This parameter stands for maximum DRA correction and specified in units/sec.
As a rule-of-thumb, it should be set according to the maximal periodical velocity error
during the settling process. This can be deduced by observing the feedback velocity
(FVEL) variable in the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Scope, when SLDRX = 0. In
Figure 30, it is about 0.01 mm/sec. Based on the time domain response the value should
be further optimized to achieve the optimal response with minimal overshoot and minimal
settling time.

In order to disable DRA both parameters are set to zero (default).

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Note
DRA is usually not very effective if the vibration frequency is relatively high
(>10Hz), or the system bandwidth is very low.

Excessive values of SLRA, and SLDRX may cause servo instability, ringing and increased
standstill jitter. In such cases the parameters should be significantly reduced. With good
settings, you should usually be able to double the parameters without getting instability.

Figure 31 Example of Velocity Error

Velocity error (1 division = 0.02 mm/sec) during settling process of a linear axis. The maximal
value of the periodical error is used to determine the SLDRX parameter.

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8.15 BI-Quad Filter

A Bi-Quad filter is added to the velocity loop control in addition to the existing 2nd order Low-
pass and Notch filters.

The Bi-Quad filter is the most general 2nd order filter. It has two poles and two zeros. It can be
thought of as a high-pass filter in series with a low-pass filter. The transfer function of the Bi-
Quad filter is as follows:

H (s) 
s /  N 2  2 N s /  N   1
s /  D 2  2 D s /  D   1

Where:
 N and D are the numerator (high-pass filter zero) and denominator (low-pass filter pole)
frequencies, respectively.
 N and D are the numerator and denominator damping ratios, respectively.

The corresponding ACSPL+ parameters are:

 SLVB0NF, SLVB0DF - numerator and denominator frequencies in [Hz]. Range: 0.1 -
4000 [Hz].
 SLVB0ND, SLVB0DD - numerator and denominator damping ratios. Range: 0.01 - 1.
 MFLAGS bit 16 is used to activate the filter (by default the filter is off).

The Bi-Quad filter can be used to compensate mechanical resonances, improve stability
margins and system bandwidth.

The Bi-Quad filter can be configured as an additional Notch using the following formulas:
 Set the numerator and denominator frequencies equal to the Notch frequency in[Hz]:
SLVB 0 NF  SLVB 0 DF  SLVNFRQ [ Hz ]
 Set the numerator damping ratio equal to half the ratio between the Notch width and Notch
frequency:
SLVNWID [ Hz ]
SLVB 0 ND 
2  SLVNFRQ [ Hz ]

Maximal recommended ratio between width and frequency= 1/3.

 Set the denominator damping ratio equal the numerator damping ratio times the Notch
attenuation (in absolute value):
SLVB 0 DD  SLVB0 ND * SLVNATT

Below there are several examples that demonstrate the generality of the Bi-Quad filter.

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Figure 32 Bi-Quad Configured as a Notch Filter

SLVB0NF = SLVB0DF
SLVB0ND<SLVB0DD

Figure 33 Bi-Quad Configured as a 2nd Order Lead Filter

This kind of filter is used to improve the phase margin
SLVB0NF < SLVB0DF
In the example the damping ratios are equal:
SLVB0ND=SLVB0DD =0.707

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Figure 34 Bi-Quad Configured as a 2nd Order Lag Filter

This kind of filter is used to improve the gain margin
SLVB0NF > SLVB0DF
In the example the damping ratios are equal:
SLVB0ND=SLVB0DD =0.707

Figure 35 Bi-Quad Configured as a 2nd Order Low Pass Filter

SLVB0NF > SLVB0DF

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8.16 Feedback Routing

The new routing implementation in NT allows any axis to use any encoder input available.
Routing is effected through using the SLPROUT(position feedback), SLVROUT (velocity
feedback) and SLCROUT (commutation position feedback) variables (for details of these
variables see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide).
Feedback is displayed using the FPOS (associated with SLPROUT), FVEL (associated with
SLVROUT), and FACC (associated with SLCROUT) variables.
An encoder error in an encoder pointed to by SLPROUT will cause an encoder error in the axis.
An encoder error in an encoder pointed to by either SLVROUT or SLCROUT will cause an
encoder2 error to be reported.
Index and Mark inputs are also routed according to SLPROUT. Routing two axes to a single
input will cause undefined index and mark behavior and should be avoided.
The firmware will clear all encoders associated (SLPROUT, SLCROUT, SLVROUT) with an
axis following an encoder reset.

Note
Encoder variables (E_TYPE, E_SCMUL, SCCOFFS, SCSOFFS,
SCGAIN, and SCPHASE) are connected to the encoder feedback, not an
axis; therefor they are unaffected by routing.

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9 Generic EtherCAT Master

This chapter describes the generic interface of EtherCAT master functionality for the SpiiPlus
NT family. This interface allows configuring and controlling any EtherCAT-compliant slave
device via ACSPL+ commands and variables. Some devices, like qualified motion drives and
I/O, will have a special interfaces in addition; however the generic one is the base and can be
used for them too.

9.1 Stack Behavior

On the controller's start-up, the stack looks for the C:\ECAT.XML file. This file describes the
network setup completely according to EtherCAT standard. The stack performs the following
sequence of actions, if any of them is not successful, the sequence is stopped and the stack
reports failure to go operational.
1. Scan the network and verify the scanned results via the XML file. In case of inconsistency
stop
2. Initialize each slave
3. Initialize DC transmission
4. Set slaves to OP state
5. Initiate Master-Bus synchronization (if applicable) and wait for synchronization
6. Set Master state to OP

9.2 Interface Description

9.2.1 ACSPL+ Variables

9.2.1.1 ECST - EtherCAT State

The ECST is a one-byte variable the bits of which provide indications of the status of the
EtherCAT. The status stored in the bits is detailed in Table 41.

Table 41 ECST Bits

Bit Designator Description
0 #SCAN The scan process was performed successfully.
1 #CONFIG There is no deviation between XML and actual setup.
2 #INITOK All bus devices are successfully set to INIT state.
3 #CONNECTED Indicates valid Ethernet cable connection to the master.
4 #INSYNC If DCM is used, indicates synchronization between
master and the bus.
5 #OP The EtherCAT bus is operational.
6 #DCSYNC Distributed clocks are synchronized.

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Note
All bits (except #INSYNC in some cases) should be true for proper bus
functioning, for monitoring the bus state, checking the #OP bit is sufficient.
Any bus error will reset the #OP bit.

9.2.1.2 ECERR
Any EtherCAT error sets ECST.#OP to false and the error code is latched in the ECERR
variable. The only way to reset the error state and to clear the ECERR value is by calling
ECRESTART function.
The EtherCAT error codes are detailed in Table 42.

Table 42 EtherCAT Error Codes

Error Code Description
6000 General EtherCAT error.
6001 EtherCAT cable not connected.
6002 EtherCAT master is in incorrect state.
6003 Not all EtherCAT frames can be processed.
6004 EtherCAT Slave error.
6005 EtherCAT initialization failure.
6006 EtherCAT cannot complete the operation.
6007 EtherCAT work count error.
6008 Not all EtherCAT slaves are operational.
6009 EtherCAT protocol timeout.
6010 Slave initialization failed.
6011 Bus configuration mismatch

9.2.2 #ETHERCAT
The #ETHERCAT command is available for gaining complete information about the connected
EtherCAT slaves: The command is entered through the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio
Communication Terminal. The command provides the following:
 Slave number
 Vendor ID
 Product ID
 Revision
 Serial number
 EtherCAT physical address

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 DC support
 Mailbox support
Following the display of the above general data, a list of network variables is displayed. Each
variable is described with:
 Name (as in XML)
 Offset inside the telegram (magic number that is used for mapping)
 IN or OUT description
 Data size

9.3 EtherCAT Functions

9.3.1 Mapping Functions

9.3.1.1 ECIN
Description:
The ECIN function is used for mapping input variables to the EtherCAT network.
Syntax:
ECIN(int offset, Varname)
Arguments:

offset Internal EtherCAT offset of network variable (which can be seen by running the
#ETHERCAT command).
Varname Valid name of ACSPL+ variable, global or standard.

Comments:
Once the function is called successfully, the Firmware copies the value of the network input
variable at the corresponding EtherCAT offset into the ACSPL+ variable, every controller
cycle.
There is no restriction on number of mapped network variables.
The mapping is allowed only when stack is operational, that is, ECST.#OP is true.
In the event of incorrect parameters or stack state, the function will produce the corresponding
runtime error.

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9.3.1.2 ECOUT
Description:
The ECOUT function is used for mapping output variables to the EtherCAT network.
Syntax:
ECOUT(int offset, Varname)
Arguments:

offset Internal EtherCAT offset of network variable (which can be seen by running the
#ETHERCAT command).
Varname Valid name of ACSPL+ variable, global or standard.

Comments:
The Firmware copies the value of ACSPL+ variable into the network output variable at the
corresponding EtherCAT offset, every controller cycle.
There is no restriction on number of mapped network variables.
The mapping is allowed only when stack is operational, that is, ECST.#OP is true.
In the event of incorrect parameters or stack state, the function will produce the corresponding
runtime error.

9.3.1.3 ECUNMAP
Description:
The ECUNMAP is used for resetting all previous mapping defined by ECIN and ECOUT.
Syntax:
ECUNMAP
Comments:
The function call is legal only when stack is operational, that is, ECST.#OP is true.

9.3.1.4 ECCLRREG
Description
ESC Error Counters Registers Clear. The ECCLRREG function clears the contents of the error
counters registers.
Syntax
void ECCLRREG(index,offset)
Arguments

Index EtherCAT slave index.

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Offset Register offset in the Beckhoff memory.

Return Value
None
Comments
When the Offset value is -1, all error counters in all slaves are cleared. Otherwise, only the
specific register at the specified Offset is cleared.
After executing the ECCLRRG function, we recommend to execute the FCLEAR function
without parameters before running ECGETREG.
Example
Run the following code example in a Program Buffer.
ECCLRREG(0,0x310)
FCLEAR
STOP
You can also enter this code in the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Connection Terminal:
ECCLRREG(0,-1).

9.3.1.5 ECGETREG
Description
ESC Error Counters Registers (Beckhoff Memory). The ESCs have numerous error counters
that help you detect and locate errors. The ECGETREG function enables you to view the
contents of these registers.
Syntax
int ECGETREG(index,offset)
Arguments

Index EtherCAT slave index.

Offset Register offset in the Beckhoff memory.

Return Value
None
Comments
The following table lists supported error counter registers.

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Table 43 Supported Error Counter Registers

Offset Name Description
0x300 Port Error Counter (CRC A) Error Counted at the Auto-Forwarded (per port).
Each register contains two counters:
 Invalid Frame Counter: 0x300/2/4/6
 RX Error Counter: 0x301/3/5/7
0x302 Port Error Counter (CRC B)
0x304 Port Error Counter (CRC C)
0x306 Port Error Counter (CRC D)
0x308 Forwarded RX Error Counter Invalid frame with marking from previous ESC
(CRC A/B) detected (per port).
0x309 Forwarded RX Error Counter
0x30A Forwarded RX Error Counter
(CRC C/D)
0x30B Forwarded RX Error Counter
0x30C ECAT Processing Unit Error Invalid frame passing the EtherCAT Processing
Counter Unit (additional checks by processing unit).
0x30D PDI Error Counter Physical Errors detected by the PDI.
0x310 Lost Link Counter, Port A (IN) Link Lost events (per port).
0x311 Lost Link Counter, Port B
(OUT)
0x312 Lost Link Counter, Port C
0x313 Lost Link Counter, Port D

Note If a cable is unplugged, we recommend using the FCLEAR command before

using ECGETREG.
The mapping is allowed only when stack is operational.

Example
Run the following code example in a Program Buffer.
I0=ECGETREG(0,0x310)
STOP
You can also enter this code in the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Connection Terminal:
?ECGETREG(0,0x310).

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9.3.1.6 ECGETSLAVES
Description
This function is used to retrieve the number of slaves in an EtherCAT network.
Syntax
ECGETSLAVES
Arguments
None
Return Value
Number of EtherCAT slaves in the network.
Comments
If a slave was added or removed, the ECRESCAN command should be used before using
ECGETSLAVES again.

9.3.1.7 ECUNMAPIN
Description
This function is used to reset all previous mapping defined by ECIN to a specfic offset.
Syntax
ECUNMAPIN(ECOffset)
Arguments

ECOffset An integer providing the offset to which a variable was mapped using ECIN.

Return Value
None
Comments
The mapping is allowed only when stack is operational.
Example
Given the previous execution of ECIN(48,I0), ECUNMAPIN(48) will unmap only I0.

9.3.1.8 ECUNMAPOUT
Description
This function is used to reset all previous mapping defined by ECOUT to a specfic offset.
Syntax
ECUNMAPOUT(ECOffset)

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Arguments

ECOffset An integer providing the offset to which a variable has been mapped by
ECOUT.

Return Value
None
Example
Assuming previous execution of ECOUT(48,I0) and ECOUT(50,I1), executing
ECUNMAPOUT(48) will unmap only I0.

9.3.2 CoE Functions

CoE functions are required for SDO transfers in CoE. SDOs are part of the cyclic EtherCAT
data transfer. It is impossible to define a generic function for any kind of mailbox transfer, such
as protocols like EoE, FoE and VoE have their own definitions. So CoE is supported first.

Note
The #ETHERCAT command can be used to check if a slave has Mailbox
support.

9.3.2.1 COEWRITE
Description:
The COEWRITE function is used to write a value into a given slave.
Syntax:
COEWRITE[/size] (int slave,int Index,int Subindex,real Value)
Arguments:

size 1, 2 or 4 - the number of bytes in the OD or /f for floating.

slave Slave number (can be obtained from the #ETHERCAT command).
index Index in the OD.
subindex Subindex in the OD.
Value Value to be written.

Comments:
In case of wrong parameters, the corresponding runtime error will be generated. The function
cannot be used in the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication Terminal. The
function delays the buffer execution on its line until it is successful or fails the whole buffer
with timeout or other error.

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9.3.2.2 COEREAD
Description:
The COEREAD function is used to read a value from a given slave.
Syntax:
real COEREAD[/size] (int slave,int Index,int Subindex)
Arguments:

size 1, 2 or 4 - the number of bytes in the OD or /f for floating.

slave Slave number (can be obtained from the #ETHERCAT command).
index Index in the OD.
subindex Subindex in the OD.

Comments:
The function returns the received value or fails with runtime error.
In case of wrong parameters, the corresponding runtime error will be generated. The function
cannot be used in the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio Communication Terminal. The
function delays the buffer execution on its line until it is successful or fails the whole buffer
with timeout or other error.

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10 Errors & Diagnostics

Error detection can occur in three circumstances:
 An erroneous command is received through any communication channel
 An error occurs while the controller executes an ACSPL+ program
 The controller kills a motion or disables a motor because a fault was detected
This chapter provides a description of how error codes are generated. For the complete list of
error codes see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide.

10.1 Error Codes

Each error in the controller has a corresponding 4-digit error code. Regardless of how an error
is detected and reported, you can request the error description from the controller. A request for
error description consists of two question marks followed by the error code. For example, the
following communication may occur when the controller is in protected mode:
VEL(0) = 10000 Attempt of assignment to a protected variable.
?2085 The controller reports an error.
??2085 Request for error description.
Protection violation Error description

10.1.1 Error Code Ranges

Table 44 provides a breakdown of the error code ranges.

Table 44 SPiiPlus Error Code Ranges (page 1 of 2)

Range Type Description
0 - 999 Errors detected by Errors are detected by C Library without communication
SPiiPlus C Library with the controller. The controller itself never returns error
codes in this range.
A host application that calls a C Library function can
receive this code if a function call failed.
For explanation of the errors see the SPiiPlus C Library
Reference Guide.
1000 - 1999 Errors in terminal Errors in terminal commands are reported immediately in
commands the prompt that is displayed in response to the command.
2000 - 2999 ACSPL+ ACSPL+ compilation errors are reported either
compilation errors immediately when the erroneous line is inserted, or
subsequently, when the controller attempts to compile an
ACSPL+ program. If a program in a buffer undergoes
compilation and an error is detected, the error code is stored
in the corresponding element of the PERR array and the
erroneous line number is stored in the corresponding
element of the PERL array

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Table 44 SPiiPlus Error Code Ranges (page 2 of 2)

Range Type Description
3000 - 3999 ACSPL+ termination Codes from 3000 to 3019 do not indicate an error. For
codes example, code 3002 reports that the user has terminated the
program.
Codes from 3020 to 3999 indicate run-time errors.
If an error occurs in immediate execution of ACSPL+
command, the error is indicated immediately in the prompt.
If an error occurs when an ACSPL+ program is executed in
a buffer, no immediate indication is provided. Instead, the
error code and the line number are stored in the
corresponding elements of the PERR and PERL arrays.
5000 - 5999 Motion termination Codes from 5000 to 5008 do not indicate an error. They
codes and motor report normal motion termination.
disable codes Codes from 5009 and higher appear when a motion is
terminated or a motor is disabled due to a fault detected by
the controller.
When a motion terminates abnormally, or a motor is
disabled, the error code is stored in the MERR variable.
6000 - 6999 EtherCAT code Stored in the ECERR variable, and when occurs, sets
ECST.#OP to false.
> 9000 User-defined codes The user can execute commands KILL, KILLALL,
DISABLE, DISABLEALL with an argument that
specifies a user-defined error code.
The specified error code is stored in the MERR variable.

10.2 Error Indication

10.2.1 Errors in Received Commands

If the controller receives a correct command, it responds with the normal prompt (colon).
If a command cannot be executed for any reason, the controller responds with the error prompt.
The error prompt contains the “?” character and 4-digit error code. For example:
VEL(0) = 1000
: Normal prompt - the command was successful
FPOS(0) = 0
?2020 Error - attempt of assignment to a read-only variable

10.2.2 Errors in ACSPL+ Programs

If the controller executes an ACSPL+ program and an error occurs due to the program, the
controller does the following:
 Aborts the erroneous program
 Stores the error code in the corresponding element of the PERR array

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 Stores the line number that caused the error in the corresponding element of the PERL
array
 Activates the #PROG fault. The default controller response to the fault is to kill all
executed motions.
No error prompt is issued. You must analyze the state of the buffer in order to detect program
errors. For example:
?1 Query the state of buffer 1
Buffer 1: 78 lines, run-time error 3077 in line 37
?PERR(1) The state also can be monitored through variable PERR
3077

10.2.3 Motion Termination Codes

A motion executed in the controller can terminate for different reasons:
 The motion comes to its final point - normal termination
 You interrupt the motion with a halt or kill command
 The controller detects a fault that requires motion kill
In all cases the controller stores the termination reason in the corresponding element of the
AERR (Axis Error) variable. No error prompt is issued. You have to analyze the state of the
axis in order to detect motion termination. For example:

?$0 Query of the state of axis 0.

Motor 0(X): enabled, idle, in position
Axis 0(X): motion was killed by user
?AERR(0) The state also can be monitored through the AERR variable.
5002 The termination code - motion was killed by user.
?$13 Query of the state of axis 13.
Motor 13(Axis13): enabled, idle, in position
Motor 13(Axis13): motion failed, reason 5011
?AERR(13) The state also can be monitored through the AERR variable.
5011 The termination code - Left Limit fault

10.2.4 Motion Termination and Motor Disable Codes

A motion executed in the controller can terminate for the different reasons:
 The motion comes to its final point - normal termination
 You or the ACSPL+ program interrupts the motion with a HALT, KILL, or KILLALL
command
 A motor involved in the motion is disabled for any reason
 The controller detects a fault that requires motion kill
The controller disables a motor for the following reasons:

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 You or the ACSPL+ program executes a DISABLE or DISABLEALL command

 The controller detects a fault that requires motor disable
If a motor is disabled or a motion is killed due to a fault, the controller stores the reason in the
corresponding element of the MERR (Motor Error) variable.
You can also specify a termination code for commands KILL, KILLALL, DISABLE or
DISABLEALL. If one of the commands is used with a non-zero reason argument, the specified
code is stored in one or more corresponding elements of MERR as a termination/disable code.
In a case where no error prompt is issued, you must analyze the state of the motor in order to
detect whether the motor was disabled or a motion was killed abnormally. For example:
?2 Query of the state of motor 2
Motor 2(Z): disabled
Disable reason: 5023 - Critical Position Error
Axis 2(Z): motion was killed because a motor was disabled
?MERR(2) The state also can be monitored through variable MERR
5023 The error code - motor was disabled because of critical
position error fault

10.2.5 Getting Extended Drive Fault Status

Upon receipt of a Drive Alarm signal, the controller stores a general Drive Alarm code (5019)
in the MERR variable. The extended Drive Fault status code can be obtained by executing the
GETCONF(246, Axis) function (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable Reference Guide).
The following fault codes are returned:
 5061 – Short circuit
 5064 – Power supply too high
 5065 – Temperature too high
 5069 – Power down
 5071 – Drive not ready
 5072 – Over current
Using the GETCONF function, the faults 5064, 5065, 5069, 5071 can be read before ENABLE
command is executed. In order to clear the Drive Fault status code, use the SETCONF
function: SETCONF(246, Axis, 0). This function clears the fault status on all axes that relate
to the DDM3U Motor Drive that handles the specified axis.

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11 Application Examples
This chapter contains practical examples for use in SPiiPlus applications.
For further examples, registered users may go to www.AcsMotionControl.com and download
pertinent documents (selected from the Categories dropdown list on the page).

11.1 Encoder Error Compensation with Constant Step

Assume an axis was calibrated with a laser interferometer. The calibration process includes
positioning to the points equally spaced according to the encoder feedback, and measuring the
exact positions by the laser interferometer. The calibration points start from the coordinate
10000 and follow each 1000 counts. The last calibration point is 20000.
The calibration produced the following table:
Feedback 10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000 16000 17000 18000 19000 20000
Actual 10012 10998 11985 12981 13997 15007 16013 17023 18005 18993 19991
Error +12 -2 -15 -19 -3 +7 +13 +23 +5 -7 -9

Only the third row is entered to a controller variable and is stored in the flash X_ERROR file.
Details of the calibration routine, which can be implemented using ACSPL+, are not discussed
here.
An application that uses the file may provide an initialization routine like this:
real X_ERR(11) Declare real array X_ERR with 11
members.
AUTOEXEC: ACSPL+ label initializing the routine on
start-up.
WRITE X_ERR Write to and read from the calibration table
READ X_ERR in the flash memory.
CONNECT RPOS(0)0 = APOS(0) - MAP (APOS(0), X_ERR, 10000, 1000)
STOP Finish initialization

The CONNECT function specifies that the reference position be calculated by subtracting the
interpolated error from the desired position so that the actual value will be closer to the desired
value.

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11.2 Encoder Error Compensation with Arbitrary Step

Assume in the above example that the calibration routine does not calculates an error, but writes
the first two lines from the above table to the X_CALIBR flash file. The table is stored as an
array with 2 rows and 11 columns.
In this case the application can implement an initialization routine like this:
real X_CAL(2)(11) Declare real 2x11 matrix X_CAL.
AUTOEXEC: ACSPL+ label initializing the routine on
start-up.
WRITE X_CAL Write to and read from calibration table from
READ X_CAL the flash memory.
CONNECT RPOS(0) = MAPBY2(APOS(0), X_CAL)
STOP Finish initialization

And the X_CALIBR file can also contain a table with non-uniform points.

11.3 Backlash Compensation

Assume that the 0 axis has a backlash of 20 counts. The following connect command
compensates for the backlash:
CONNECT RPOS(0) = APOS(0) + 10*dsign(RVEL(0), 0, 0)

By using this CONNECT, the value added to desired position changes immediately when the
direction of the motion changes. In many cases such jumps in the desired position are harmful.
In this case the third parameter in the DSIGN function (see SPiiPlus Command & Variable
Reference Guide) can be used to gradually implement the backlash compensation. In the
following example the backlash compensation is introduced by small steps, so that the
compensation growth to the entire value by 20 milliseconds:
CONNECT RPOS(0) = APOS(0) + 10*dsign(RVEL(0), 0, 20)

If the 0 axis executes master-slave motion slaved to some physical value like encoder feedback,
the RVEL value contains noise that can cause undesirable switching of the backlash sign. In
this case the second parameter of the DSIGN function can be used to introduce anti-bouncing
effect. In the following example the backlash compensation changes its sign only if RVEL
holds its new sign for more than 10 milliseconds:
CONNECT RPOS(0) = APOS(0) + 10*DSIGN(RVEL(0), 10, 20)

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11.4 Compensation of Encoder Error and Backlash

An arbitrary expression can be used as an argument in the design function and in the map-
functions. It ensures combining different compensation function and other required
transformations in one CONNECT command. The following example combines error and
backlash compensations from the above examples:
real X_CAL(2)(11) Declare real 2x11 matrix X_CAL.
AUTOEXEC: ACSPL+ label initializing the routine on
start-up.
WRITE X_CAL Write to and read from calibration table from
READ X_CAL the flash memory.
CONNECT RPOS(0) = MAPBY2(APOS(0)+10*DSIGN(RVEL(0), 10, 20), X_CAL)
STOP Finish initialization

11.5 Cam Motion

Assume that the 1 axis must provide a cam motion following the 0 axis. The CAMTABLE
matrix in the nonvolatile (flash) memory contains 2 rows and 1000 columns. Each column
contains an X coordinate (for axis 0) in the first row and the corresponding Y coordinate (for
axis 1) in the second row. The X coordinates in the first row can be spaced either equally or
non-equally.
The following fragment initializes the cam motion:
global real CAMTABLE(2)(1000) Declare 2x1000 matrix CAMTABLE.
AUTOEXEC:
WRITE CAMTABLE Write to and read from calibration table
READ CAMTABLE,CAMTABLE from the flash memory.
MASTER MPOS(1) = MAPBY1(FPOS(0), CAMTABLE) Define master value via CAMTABLE
SLAVE(1) Start master-slave motion

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11.6 Joystick
Assume that a joystick that controls the motion of an X,Y table is connected to analog inputs
AIN(0), AIN(1). The velocity of each coordinate must be proportional to the corresponding
analog input. Analog input lower than 20 counts must be ignored to avoid motion due to analog
drift or bias. The X (axis 0) motion is limited in the range from -500 to 100000 counts. The Y
(axis 1) motion is limited in the range from -500 to 500000 counts.
The following program fragment initializes the joystick motion:
real JK
JK = 10 Joystick factor
MASTER MPOS(0) = INTGR(AIN(0), 20, -500, 100000) Define 0 master
MASTER MPOS(1) = INTGR(AIN(1), 20, -500, 500000) Define 1 master
SLAVE(1) Start master-slave motion

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