OPC Read

Read data from OPC server

Library

OPC Toolbox

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Description

The OPC Read block reads data from one or more items on an OPC server. The read operation takes place synchronously (from the cache or from the device) or asynchronously (from the device).

The block outputs the values (V) of the requested items in the first output, and optionally outputs the quality IDs (Q) and the time stamps (T) associated with each data value in additional outputs. The time stamp may be output as a serial date number (real-world time), or as the number of seconds from the start of the simulation (simulation time).

The V,Q,T triple available at the output ports is the last known data for each of the items read by the block. Use the time stamp output to determine when a sample last changed.

Note

You must have an OPC Configuration block in your model to use the OPC Read block. You cannot open the OPC Read dialog without first including an OPC Configuration block in the model.

Parameters

Import from Workspace

Allows you to import settings for the OPC Read block from a dagroup object in the base workspace. The client, item IDs, and sample time are updated based on the properties of the imported group. The Value port data type is also set if all items in the group have the same DataType property.

Client

Defines the OPC client associated with this block. You can add additional clients to the list using Configure OPC Clients. For more information, see Use the OPC Client Manager.

Item IDs

Shows the items to be read from the specified server. You can add items to the list using Add Items, or delete items using Delete. You can reorder the items in the list using Move Up or Move Down. The order of the items determines the order of their values in the block outputs.

Read mode

Defines the read mode for this block. Available options are Asynchronous, Synchronous (cache), or Synchronous (device). Synchronous reads have slightly more overhead than asynchronous reads, but they are generally more reliable than asynchronous reads.

Sample time

Defines the sample time for the block. For synchronous reads, data is read from the server at the specified sample time. For asynchronous reads, the sample time setting defines the update rate for data change events.

Value port data type

Defines the data type for the value output. The OPC server is responsible for converting all data to the required type.

Note

For items with a Canonical Data Type of logical, the OPC Read block outputs -1 for signed data types, or the maximum value for unsigned data types, when the item value is "true". A value of 0 is output when the item value is "false".

Show quality port

When checked, the quality IDs of all the items are output in the second port as a vector of unsigned 16-bit integers. Use the OPC Quality Parts block to separate the quality ID into component parts.

Show timestamp port

When checked, the timestamps for each of the items are output in the last port as a vector of doubles. You choose whether to output the timestamps as Seconds since start (i.e., simulation time) or as Serial date numbers (i.e., real-world time).