The basic ONSPEC system architecture is illustrated in the following figure. All ONSPEC products run in a real-time multitasking environment so that they can run simultaneously in real-time.
The major components of the ONSPEC system are:
ONSPEC utilities, including complex data tables, can be configured to support:
ONSPEC Database
The ONSPEC real-time database is the core of the system. It has one-way or two-way connections with all other programs for real-time data collection or feeding.
ONSPEC Database includes the ONSPEC Simple Data Tables such as EUR, EUI, FLG, DII, DOO, STR, etc., that will be discussed in detail in later sections. It also includes the ONSPEC Complex Data Tables such as Tags, Alarms, Data-Buffers, Control Blocks, etc.
The ONSPEC real-time database is a complex data structure that supports real number, integer, digital, string, and other data types. The data structure is proprietary for data integrity, data security, system reliability, and software compatibility purposes.
Users who want to interface to the ONSPEC database in real-time can use the ONSPEC Technology Pack or World Interface tools. Users who want to utilize ONSPEC data for reporting and analysis purposes may find the DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) link or ASCII file transfer function more appropriate
ONSPEC Engine and Displays
ONSPEC Displays provide process information graphically on the computer screen. The information may include raw data, calculated data, alarm or variable strings, alarm or variable status, graphical animation or symbols, sound, bitmap images, etc.
Underneath the ONSPEC Displays, there is the engine portion of the ONSPEC program that will communicate with the ONSPEC real-time database, load or save the ONSPEC configuration files for displays, tags, alarms, symbols, etc., generate ONSPEC historical files, monitor alarm conditions, report alarm status, track and save user activities, respond to the commands or changes from ONSPEC Displays, interact with other programs, etc.
ONSPEC I/O Template
The ONSPEC I/O Template or I/O Driver is the input/output interface program that makes data communication connections between ONSPEC and the process field.
The I/O Template collects real-time data from and sends real-time data to the field instruments such as DCS, PLC, Controllers, Data Acquisition Equipment and I/O boards. The data communication is usually accomplished through serial ports, network, or direct memory access (DMA).
In each computer, multiple ONSPEC I/O templates can run at the same time to talk to different instruments. The variable point to point connections between the ONSPEC database and the instruments are defined and configured in the ONSPEC I/O Template Config File.
ONSPEC Historical Database
The ONSPEC Historical Database is an extension of the ONSPEC real-time database. Data can be saved in daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual ONSPEC historical files. The historical data can be trended in ONView.
ONVIEW with Supertrends
ONView is a trending package that can show ONSPEC real-time data from the real-time database and historical data from the ONSPEC historical file in graphical fashion. Flexible and user friendly features allow the user to analyze large amounts of data easily.
ONSPEC Command Language (OCL)
ONSPEC Command Language is a real-time script programming language. It can be used for automatic program startup, time or event based execution of ONSPEC commands and function keys, calculation of values, change of ONSPEC environment, interaction with ONSPEC displays, user input via dialog boxes or pop-up windows, etc.
Large System ONNet (LSO)
LSO connects the ONSPEC real-time databases on different computers together through a computer network. Then the information from one computer can be shared by all other ONSPEC computers on the network in a real-time fashion.
Interface to Relational Database
ONSPEC real-time database can be connected with all major relational database products such as Oracle, Sybase, Informix, and DB/2. The interface can be done in two ways:
(1) Using ONSPEC Command Language ODBC and SQL statements, or
(2) Writing your own interface using ONSPEC World Interface.
Interface to Spreadsheet through DDE
ONSPEC real-time data can be easily exported to all major business software products such as Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access through DDE Link. Other programs can also use ONSPEC historical data when the data is saved in ASCII format.
Interface to Other Applications
ONSPEC real-time database can be connected to other application programs through the ONSPEC World Interface product. World Interface includes a set of function calls that the user program can call to send data to or read data from the ONSPEC real-time database.
