Appendix A
Mobile Panel 40/50 User's manual V1.80
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Safety
Brockhaus: The absence of danger or the knowledge that an individual or group is protected from potential dan-
gers. When referring to technology, safety is the characteristic of an object [component, device, machine, sys-
tem] to not present unacceptable dangers to people, equipment or the environment when operated according to
specifications. Handling security issues takes place in two ways: Firstly, under the premise that the object will
function as it should; secondly, under the premise that the object will not function correctly (complete failure).
The first aspect mainly concerns issues of health, working conditions and fire and is regulated by many laws
and guidelines. The second aspect is part of technical safety measures that are set up to minimize dangerous
situations and risks associated with system failures (at least below an acceptable limiting risk level) based on the
probability of a failure and the possible extent of damages. These issues are included in the topic of functional
safety. For automation technology, the corresponding standards are IEC 61508 and EN 954-1. As a footnote,
there is no such thing as absolute safety without any risks, neither in technology or nature.
Signal
Physical value that changes over time, e.g. a voltage or current with a parameter [amplitude, frequency, phase
position] that provides concrete information about changes to another physical value. The respective parameter
is called an information parameter. For example, an electric tachometer measures the rotational speed of a
mechanical shaft, i.e. it is indicated by the amplitude of the tachometer output voltage. In this case, the amplitude
of the output voltage is the information parameter providing information about the rotational speed of the machine
shaft over time according to the signal definition. It is possible to differentiate between different basic signal types
depending on the number of values, availability over time and the number of information parameters. Analog,
binary and digital signals are most important for automation technology.
Slot PLC
PC insert card that has full PLC functionality. On the PC, it is coupled via a DPR with the Process using a fieldbus
connection. It is programmed externally or using the host PC.
Software
SoftPLC; All programs including the respective documentation available for the operation of data processing
systems, computer systems and computer-based devices of all types. Software is implemented on hardware as
the non-physical functional elements of a computer system. Using the term software when referring to computer
programs was initiated in 1958 by mathematician John Tukey, Princeton University. Software can be grouped as
system software and application software.
Control
Targeted interaction with values in a system that can be influenced. The system being influenced is known as the
controlled system and in this case is a device, machine or system in which material and/or energy are subject to
one or more possible handling forms, such as extracting, transferring, converting, saving or using as desired.
Switch
Device, similar to a hub, that takes data packets received in a network and, unlike a hub, does not pass them
on to all network nodes, instead only to the respective addressee. Unlike a hub, a switch provides targeted
communication within a network that only takes place between sender and receiver. Other network nodes are
not involved.
Actuator
Actuating components
, such as servo motors, switching clutches, solenoids, power switches, etc., for interact
with the process, i.e. using information to influence material or energy flow in a controlled object.
Application software
Software, which is not used for operation by the computer itself, but rather when a computer is used to process a
concrete application problem. It sets up the system software and uses this for fulfilling individual tasks. Application
software can be accommodated in standard software used by a large number of customers in a wide range of
industries. Common examples are Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Paint, Matlab etc. Industrial software tailored to the
respective problems of a certain industry and individual software created for solving the particular problems of
an individual user.
API
Application Program Interface
is an interface that allows applications to communicate with other applications or
with the operating system.
Failure
Failure in accordance with IEC 61508
indicates that a functional unit loses the ability to perform a required function.
In regards to safety-oriented systems, a distinction is made between dangerous and safe failures. This depends
on whether the status of the system failure is considered dangerous or safe. The cause of the failure may be load
related or age-related, and therefore a random failure, or related to a flaw inherent in the system. In this case,
it is known as a systematic failure.
Automation Runtime
A uniform runtime system for all B&R automation components.
Automation
According to Brockhaus: The application of technical means, using specific programs that (either partially or
totally) do not require human intervention to perform operations.
Symbol
From the point of view of linguistics, a symbol is a "thing" [mark, indicator, etc.] that represents "something else" [in
the real or virtual world]. A "symbol" has a defined relationship with the object being referenced, an "icon" has a
visual similarity with the object being referenced and an "index" is a reference to a fact or conclusion. For technical
terminology [i.e. DIN 44300], characters are symbols that represent certain information [letters, numbers, special
characters, etc.].
Reliability
In a technical context, reliability represents the ability to correctly operate at a continual performance level within
defined probability limits and time spans. Characteristic reliability parameters are: A for availability, MTBF of
repairable devices, MTTF for non-repairable systems and failure rate for modules or components, which can be
used to establish the failure rate.
Twisted pair
Pair of copper wires twisted together. Transfer media for signals.
Task
Program unit that is assigned a specific priority by the real-time operating system. It contains a complete process
can consist of several modules.
Touch screen
Screen with touch sensors for selecting options in a displayed menu using the tip of the finger.
TXD
Transmit (TX) Data >
A line for the transfer of serial data sent from one device to another, e.g. from a computer
to a modem. For connections complying with the RS-232-C standard, the TXD is connected to pin 2 of the plug.
USB
Universal Serial Bus >
Cost-effective serial interface for PCs; IBM standard supported by Intel, Compaq and
Microsoft and other well-known companies; up to 127 peripheral devices [mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner,
digital cameras, modems, CDROM drives, telephones, etc.] can be connected to a single USB interface. The
connected devices are also supplied with power via the 4-wire bus cable. The version on the market since 2001
(Version USB 2.0) allows data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps and is therefore also useful for transferring video
data and for high-speed disk drives.
UPS
Uninterruptible Power Supply >
see UPS