Appendix E. OPC Server
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DigitalFlow™ DF868 Multipurpose Ultrasonic Liquid Flowmeter Programming Manual (2-Channel)
Figure 49: Finish Window
7. Click
Finish
to close the Wizard. You have installed GEPanaOPCServer.
E.3 Terminology
Configuration GUI and OPC Runtime modules use a specific terminology.
E.3.1 Communication Channel
A communication channel is a type of link on which an instrument is connected to a PC. Serial communication
channels such as RS232, RS485 (half/full duplex), and IR232 are supported for IDM based devices such as the
Panametrics XMT868i flowmeter and MIS1 hygrometer. Portable instruments, such as the Panametrics PT878GC gas
flowmeter and PM880 hygrometer, use the Infrared IRDA communication channel. Ethernet enabled devices, such as
the RF ValProbe and other Panametrics instruments, use the TCPIP channel.
E.3.2 Device
A device in the OPC configuration module is mapped to the corresponding physical instrument that performs actual
measurement. This device is added under a communication channel. Multiple devices can exist on one
communication channel, but the same device cannot exist under two or more communication channels.
E.3.3 Device Channel
A device has logical groups of entities to be measured. Device channels are embedded in firmware inside each
instrument. For Panametrics PanaLink instruments, device channels are mapped to Unit Types. Devices’ channels are
grouped under device; they are not editable and are specific to each device.
E.3.4 Attribute
An attribute is the entity measured by the device. Attributes are grouped under device channels, and cannot be
edited.
The hierarchy (parent-child relationship) of all of the above entities is summarized in Figure 50.