Bronkhorst®
Instruction Manual ES-FLOW™
9.17.145E
34
3.4
Digital parameters
Each instrument is controlled internally by a number of digital parameters, most of which can only be accessed using digital
communication. Each communication protocol uses its own methods for communicating with instruments and accessing
parameters.
FLOW-BUS
Digital Bronkhorst® instruments can be monitored and operated via RS-232 using the free
FlowWare
software tools for
Windows. These tools provide a graphical interface to the
ProPar
protocol (used by FLOW-BUS), for monitoring and
changing instrument parameters.
The FlowWare toolkit provides functionality for monitoring and operating digital instruments (FlowPlot, FlowView) and
selection of the active fluid and configuration of the fieldbus connection (if applicable). For instruments that support the
definition and use of multiple fluids FlowTune™ can be used to define and store fluids in the instrument and select the
active fluid.
Digital instrument parameters are made accessible by
FlowDDE
, a Dynamic Data Exchange server (DDE) that handles
communication between the instrument and (dedicated) client software in Windows (e.g. FlowPlot). FlowDDE can also be
used by other client applications, such as Microsoft Office or custom made software, built with third party development
software like LabVIEW or a SCADA platform.
The FlowWare tools and associated documentation can be downloaded from the product pages on the Bronkhorst website:
Modbus
Instruments in a Modbus system can be monitored and operated using third party software as a master device, such as
LabVIEW, ModScan, or a Modbus PLC.
CANopen
Instruments in a CANopen system can be monitored and operated using third party software as a master device, such as TIA
Portal (by Siemens) or Codesys.
To configure a device, a so-called EDS file (Electronics Data Sheet) can be loaded into the software. The EDS file contains all
necessary configuration information to operate the device in a CANopen system, including communication and network
configuration, and all available operating parameters with their data types.
An EDS file for Bronkhorst® instruments can be downloaded from the product pages on the Bronkhorst website:
PROFIBUS DP
Instruments in a PROFIBUS DP system can be monitored and operated using third party software as a master device, such as
TIA Portal (by Siemens).
To configure a device, a so-called GSD file (General Station Description) has to be loaded into the software. The GSD file
contains all necessary configuration information to operate the device in a PROFIBUS DP system, including all available
operating parameters with their data types.
A GSD file for Bronkhorst® instruments can be downloaded from the product pages on the Bronkhorst website:
PROFINET
Instruments in a PROFINET system can be monitored and operated using third party software as a master device, such as TIA
Portal (by Siemens).
To configure a device, a so-called GSDML file (General Station Description Markup Language) can be loaded into the
software. The GSDML file contains all necessary information, in XML format, to operate the device in a PROFINET system,
including communication and network configuration, and all available operating parameters with their data types.
A GSDML file for Bronkhorst® instruments can be downloaded from the product pages on the Bronkhorst website:
