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Limesoft - Version DCU -Data Collection and Storage Software
The Data Collection Unit (DCU) is an application designed to run and collect data on a continuous basis. It can be installed on a standard PC, or on an embedded computer located close to the data measurement point (such as a shelter or cabinet, on a din-rail or panel mounted) to directly interface hardware. It features a user-friendly, touchscreen capable graphical user interface that can be used to observe data, as well as check device status and diagnostics information.
- Direct interface to hardware using variety of industrial protocols
- Data historian to record data from running processeses, processing, visualization, reporting
- Permanent raw data storage for the entire system lifetime
- Configurable data acquisition rate
- PLC like hardware control, for valve management, stream switching, blowback, validation and sequencing
- Device validation and ability to determine zero and span point deviations
- Process multiple data sources independently
- Touch-screen friendly user interface
- Data reporting and limit value tracking
- Printing and exporting reports to PDF, Word and Excel
The DCU can connect to one or multiple devices simultaneously using an Ethernet or Serial network. The application supports Modbus, OPC and several other communication protocols.
Modbus
DCU can connect to any Modbus device such as analyzer, analog or digital I/O module, temperature or pressure sensor as a Modbus Master. Both Modbus TCP/IP and Serial RTU protocols are supported.
DCU can work as a Modbus Slave to provide data to Plant Control Systems and Data Historians over Ethernet and Serial networks.
OPC
DCU supports classic OPC Data Access (DA) as well as OPC UA communication protocols. For classic OPC, the application can be configured as an OPC Client to access OPC DA version 2.05 and 3.0 OPC Servers.
The DCU can also work as an OPC Tunneler to avoid complex DCOM layer configuration.
Other
The DCU features a powerful RegEx Parser Engine that can be used to interface devices that implement string-based communication protocols, from manufacturers such as Thermo Scientific, SICK AG or Kurz.
For example, Thermo 42i, 43i, 48i, SICK Flowsic, GM31, GM35, OMD41 and many others can be easily connected and interfaced.
DCU can save data in multiple databases simultaneously. The data can be stored on local or remote servers. In addition to the main storage, the application keeps a copy of the data locally to ensure data safety and integrity.
DCU has superior calibration control, tracking, and reporting capabilities. The application can automatically control solenoid valves, determine gas stability, calculate calibration drifts, report results and calibration errors.
The curve fitting algorithm is used to detect when the actual response value during the gas calibration has approached the expected set point, to calculate the drift and quickly proceed to the next step. This allows gas cylinders to last longer and saves time.
Additional diagnostic information can be obtained from devices to monitor hardware health and performance. Values such as internal temperatures, mechanical and physical properties, status information about critical and non-critical errors can be obtained periodically to assist users in early failure detection and preventive maintenance.
DCU can also provide PLC like capabilities to control solenoid valves, perform blowback or stream switching.
All control commands can be executed using Windows Task Scheduler, to automatically initiate calibrations, perform blow-back or switch the analyzer stream.
Commands can be scheduled to run automatically daily, hourly or at any required time interval. Operators can enable or disable the automatic task execution through the DCU user interface.
The DCU can work as a standard desktop application or run in a touchscreen mode. It is an open platform that allows the system integrators and end users to maintain and configure the software.
It is a flexible software application that can be installed on a variety of hardware such as industrial touchscreen panels, rack mounted servers, as well as din-rail and Class 1 Division 2 certified devices that can safely run in harsh industrial environments.
In desktop mode the DCU can be used as a simple data acquisition system. It has capabilities for data visualization (trends, data tables, digital panel displays, reports, etc.)
In touchscreen mode the application has a simple interface to switch between screens to view analog values, diagnostics and status information, value trends, without using a keyboard.