Controller Designer Software Specifications
Controller Designer Software Specifications
Specifications
51-52-03-43, June 2021
Description
Controller Designer software for the ControlEdge HC900 It provides advanced monitoring functions for debug,
Controller is an easy-to-use Windows-based application allows RUN/PGM-mode configuration changes, uploads
that is operable over Ethernet, a serial port or modem the complete, annotated graphic controller control
connection to simplify controller configuration. Designer strategy, plus supplies an array of reports for enhanced
software supported in English and Mandarin language. documentation.
When used with the C70 series CPUs with dual Ethernet
capability, Controller Designer software supports
verification of both communication ports and may be used
with either port.
Double-click on
block for properties
Status Bar
1. Multiple function block monitor access on a single display from multiple worksheets. Most internal
parameters are available for read/write plus block outputs may be forced including I/O and logic blocks. Principle
blocks such as PID, Setpoint Programmer and Sequencers have dialog boxes to allow operation and test. Stored
profiles or sequences may also be selected on-line.
2. Logic Power Flow indication. You can choose solid green = ON/dotted red = OFF or solid red = ON/dotted green
= OFF to indicate power flow.
4. Dynamic function blocks input and output values. Provided when monitoring the function blocks of the
configuration diagram, the dynamic value presentation may be limited to a single pin, a single function block, or it
may encompass the entire display window.
5. Signal Trace-back for any function block input. Used to find the signal source for quick identification of potential
errors.
6. FIND. A FIND function allows location of multiple instances of specific tags across all worksheets.
On-Line Monitoring Features (cont’d)
7. Recipe Management. A separate Recipe Management feature allows creating, editing, copying and exporting
recipes, profiles, schedules and sequences to allow transferring this information between configurations and
controllers.
8. Diagnostic Monitoring. Provided in the Utilities section of the software to view controller status, I/O rack status
and communication port diagnostics status for both serial and network ports. A search function to
locate/force/unforce function blocks is also provided.
When configuring 900 Control Station, the configuration file from Controller Designer is imported into Station Designer
software to simplify database management when building displays. Database mismatches between the controller and
operator interface configurations are detected at run-time of the interface.
Remote Access
Controller Designer software supports remote access to ControlEdge HC900 Controllers via Modem using Modbus Protocol
or Honeywell’s ELN Protocol. To support this function, an external modem must be connected to the serial port of the remote
controller. Controller Designer software provides a calling list facility to simplify access. Selecting Modem communications
from the Utilities tab and requesting a dial up operation provides the user with a calling list to access the appropriate
controller. Once communications is established, the configuration of the controller may be uploaded to the PC and edited or
monitored remotely.
When interfacing the ControlEdge HC900 controller to PC software programs or 3rd party operator interfaces, a time saving
service is provided to export tag and variable definitions in CSV or tab delimited formats. In addition, the Modbus addresses
of each configured data parameter may also be exported to a file.
This helps to manage, track, and compare differences between two revisions.
Report summary
The report provides details of compared data between two files or versions. The data is classified and presented under
different categories such as Controller, Process, Safety, and Difference Summary. This report can be exported to Microsoft
Excel file and used for future references.
Library Functionality
This functionality helps to export a group of the control logic and thereby save to a location. These groups can be imported in
the worksheet whenever required. This saves time spent in recreating the control logics again. It is easy to share and reuse
by other users via the designer software.
Help
Controller Designer provides extensive user help in the form of topical help information that may be accessed from the Help
selection on the main menu. Help information in this section cover subjects from how to get started to extensive detail on
each function block. See Figure 12.
Topic help specific to each function block is available. See Figure 13.
• Firmware Upgrades
Files created in HC Utilities for Recipes, and Data
• View controller diagnostics
Storage schedules may be loaded into the system via
serial communications, network communications. • Monitor controller configurations of unlocked
worksheets
The serial and network interface capabilities also allow
users to download new controller configurations or
perform equipment firmware upgrades.
Specifications
TABLE 1 – ControlEdge HC900 Controller Designer & Controller Utilities Software Specifications
Design
PC Requirements Software runs on Windows™ 7 (32 & 64 bit OS) or Windows 10 (32 & 64 bit OS)
Minimum—Pentium Class 1.5 GHz with 1 GB of RAM (2.5 GHz with 4GB with multi core is
recommended for better performance)
Screen resolution – SVGA (1024x768 recommended) or better
Configuration (HC Off-line configurations with optional on-line (Run mode) configuration download.
Designer only)
Monitoring On-line monitoring allows user to test the developed configuration.
System Connected to controller through its Ethernet 10/100 Base-T host ports, RS485 port.
Interconnection Maximum Distance for Ethernet Connection: Not limited, per user network topology
Cable termination: RJ-45
Modem PC Interface: Supports Microsoft Windows Telephony API (TAPI) device independent modem
communications. Baud rate = 1200 to 56.6KB selectable
Controller Interface: Connects to the controller configuration port. Most commercially available
modems with equivalent specifications to those validated should function with the ControlEdge
HC900 controller. The following modems have been validated: 3COM US Robotics 56K
Data/Fax External Modem, Zoom 56K Dual mode External Modem, Best Data 56SX Data Fax
External Modem
Security Password security may be applied to the entire configuration file and/or to individual
worksheets within a file. Default security may be disabled for worksheets.
Concurrent operation One instance of HC Designer or HC Utilities per PC at a time
Printing The following are available for printing: Controller (hardware and email assignments)
Function Block diagram (Process and/or Safety worksheets, block parameters, Modbus
registers, tags, where-used list, statistics)
Display (display settings, help screens, display key assignments, data storage schedule)
Recipes (variables, setpoint profiles, setpoint schedules, sequences)
Alarm and Event groups
Export Files Format – CSV, Comma delimited or Tab delimited
Types: Controller – (I/O)
Function block Modbus Register Map
Function block tags
Recipes
Controller Calibration – Analog Input Modules
maintenance TC Cold junction
Analog Output Modules
Position Proportional Output function blocks
Set controller time
Serial Port setup
Perform controller firmware upgrades
TABLE 3 Summary of ControlEdge HC900 Controller Designer & Controller Utilities Software Main Window Menu
Selections
Main Menu Selection Description
File • New: Provides dialog box
• Open: Opens an existing Controller Designer configuration.
• Close: Closes the active window.
• Save: Saves the active configuration.
• Save As: Can name the active configuration, select the target CPU type and revision and
select the directory where file is to be stored.
• Download: Alternate selection for download of saved configuration
• Upload: Alternate selection for upload of complete configuration in controller including
graphic pages, text annotations, stored recipes/profiles/schedules/sequences, OI display
assignments, OI data storage setup
• Upload Recipes: Uploads individual recipe files for variables, setpoint profiles, setpoint
schedules and sequences. (Allows print, save, edit or download.)
• Backup controller: Saves backup configuration file. cbk.
• Properties: File properties, statistics (capacity usage), file read protection, worksheet
protection (password access to individual worksheets)
• Write Protect File: Can enter and confirm a password for the selected file.
• Print Report: Provides report printout selections for documentation including configured I/O
list, worksheets, block parameters, tag list, display listing, recipes, SP profiles, SP
schedules, sequences, alarms and event list.
• Print Report Preview: Provides print preview of report selection plus print selection
• Printer Setup: Can select printer, paper type, and orientation.
• Exit: Exits the Controller Designer application.
Edit (HC Designer • Undo/redo: undo/redo last edit
only) • Cut, Copy, Paste: Editing functions for function block diagram items.
• Delete: Deletes the currently selected item on the function block diagram.
• Append FBD (Function Block Diagram) Worksheet: Adds a worksheet
• Delete FBD Worksheet: Deletes a worksheet and its contents
• Reorder FBD: Allows the sequence of worksheets to be changed.
• Worksheet properties: Adds title and description for worksheet
• Unlock Worksheet: Allows entry of password to unlock protected worksheet
• Block and Tag Order: Shows list for ordering block sequence (fast and normal scan rates),
ordering of major blocks such as control loops for display purposes
• Loop Mode Priority: Lets you select which has priority: Manual Mode or Tracking Mode.
• Alarms: Displays alarm groups for setup or changes
• Events: Shows tag listing for assignment and annunciation as reportable events
• Edit Fixed Modbus Register Map: Allows limited editing of pre-assigned (fixed) Modbus
addresses.
• Configure Modbus Map Type: For extensive Modbus address editing, select this to change
from fixed map to custom map.
• Defragment Function Block List: Frees up memory consumed by previously deleted function
blocks.
• Find: Directs to area of diagram for tagged variables and blocks.
• Go To: Can enter the page number of Worksheet to which you want to go.
• Options: Warning Level: Can enable or disable the Open Input and Unassigned I/O
warnings on download. Default Annotation Attributes: Sets the default text attributes for
annotation entries.
• Toolbar: Displays or hides the toolbar in the top of the Main window.
TABLE 3 Summary of ControlEdge HC900 Controller Designer & Controller Utilities Software Main Window Menu
Selections
Main Menu Selection Description
View • Status Bar: Displays or hides the status bar at the bottom of the Main window.
• File Browser: Displays all open files (configurations, recipes, data storage)
• Worksheet Toolbox: Enables function block diagram tool category listing
• Trace Window: Shows listing of connection routing for selected input pin to function block
• Localization: For switching between supported languages by HCD tool
• Phone Book: Shows editable list of phone numbers
• Grid: Can place a grid in the function block diagram.
• Zoom Out: Can zoom out to see more of a document (5 levels).
• Zoom Normal: Returns object to normal size (Zoom In).
Monitor • Monitor Mode: Enables monitor mode. Enables toolbar for monitoring selections
• Monitor Toolbar: Disables/Enables monitoring toolbar
• Set Update Rate: Provides monitoring update rate selection – ¼ sec., ½ sec., 1 sec., and 5
sec.
• Set Logic State Colors: Select a color scheme for indicating the on/off status of digital wires,
digital signal tags, page connectors, and logic inversion.
• Watch Summary Window: Enables watch window with tabbed selection of I/O, Signal Tags,
Variables (write-capable), and display groups (write-capable). Writes are restricted from
running in Safe "RUN" mode unless enabled for non-critical safety functions located on the
safety worksheet. Writes are preformed using the Write Variable (WVAR) on the process
worksheet and connected to the associated variable in the safety worksheet.
• Controller Diagnostics: Displays controller diagnostics.
• Rack Diagnostics: Displays rack and I/O diagnostics.
• Controller Ports Diagnostics: Provides menu selection of all ports for displaying diagnostic
status including Ethernet port, RS-485 port, Host connections, Expansion Rack port, Peer
to peer connections
• Modbus Port Diagnostics
• Monitor Function Block: Alternate selection for enabling function block monitoring
• Forced Blocks: Displays all blocks with force conditions
• Show/Hide All Function Block Windows: Allows monitored blocks to be disabled/enabled for
viewing
• Show/Hide All Pin Data: Displays monitoring values (numeric or On/Off state) at any input
or output pin
• Show/Hide All Monitor Windows: Allows all monitoring windows to be disabled/enabled for
viewing
TABLE 3 Summary of ControlEdge HC900 Controller Designer & Controller Utilities Software Main Window Menu
Selections
Main Menu Selection Description
Recipes • Allocate Recipe Memory: Allocates memory in controller to allow for more or fewer recipes
in the four pools below.
• Recipes (Variables): Displays recipe pool, allows stored recipe review, supports recipe
development, recipe printout is selectable
• Setpoint Profiles: Displays setpoint profile pool, allows stored profile review, supports profile
development, profile printout is selectable
• Setpoint Schedules: Displays setpoint schedules, allows stored schedule review, supports
schedule development, schedule printout is selectable
• Sequences: Displays sequence pool, allows stored sequencer review, supports sequencer
development, sequence printout is selectable
Window • Cascade: Arranges windows so that they overlap.
• Tile Horizontally: Arranges windows over and under each other. Each window is visible and
none overlap.
• Tile Vertically: Arranges windows side by side. Each window is visible and none overlap.
• Arrange All:
Version Control • Version Control Settings: Creates or uses existing repository and working folder.
• Version Control Explorer: Shows the folder structure and status of the files in the working
folder.
• Checkin To Version Control: Stores the changes from the working folder to repository
folder.
• Compare: Compares differences between two revisions of the cde file.
Help • Help Topics: Calls up the top-level Help Contents page.
• About Help: Displays copyright and software version information.
TABLE 4 ControlEdge HC900 Controller Designer Functional Tabs
Tab Description
Controller Displays the I/O used in configuration by rack, module, channel. Supports configuration of:
• Controller name (for network peer addressing)
• E-mail alarm setup
Display (for support of Displays the 559 and 1042 operator interface setup. Supports configuration of:
legacy 559 and 1042 • Operator interface displays (for example: trends, horizontal or vertical bars)
OI functionality) • Alarms
Available for • Events
configurations prior to
• Operator interface security
version 6.000
• Filenames
• Help displays
• Startup display
Function Blocks Supports configuration of control and data acquisition strategy using function blocks available from
category tree. Up to 40 named worksheets with 20 pages each can be assigned.
Modbus Map Appears when using a custom Modbus map. Custom Modbus map lets you assign blocks and
parameters to custom addresses rather than pre-assigned fixed Modbus addresses.
Utilities Supports configuration of:
• PC communications ports (Com1 – Com8), selectable controller IP addresses
• Controller communications ports and IP address setup with auto-detect/verification selection
• Real-time clock, controller mode
• Other functions:
• Controller, I/O, controller communications port, peer controller diagnostics
• Analog I/O calibration
• Slidewire calibration (Position Proportional Output)
• Show I/O force conditions (HC Designer only)
• Upload, Download and Loop-back check functions
Warranty/Remedy
Honeywell warrants goods of its manufacture as being free of defective materials and faulty workmanship. Contact your local
sales office for warranty information. If warranted goods are returned to Honeywell during the period of coverage, Honeywell
will repair or replace without charge those items it finds defective. The foregoing is Buyer's sole remedy and is in lieu of all
other warranties, expressed or implied, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Specifications may change without notice. The information we supply is believed to be accurate and reliable as of this
printing. However, we assume no responsibility for its use.
While we provide application assistance personally, through our literature and the Honeywell web site, it is up to the
customer to determine the suitability of the product in the application.
Sales and Service
For application assistance, current specifications, pricing, or name of the nearest Authorized Distributor, contact one
of the offices below.
Singapore
Honeywell Pte Ltd.
Phone: +(65) 6580 3278
Fax: +(65) 6445-3033
South Korea
Honeywell Korea Co Ltd
Phone: +(822) 799 6114
Fax: +(822) 792 9015
Process Solutions
Honeywell