PLC-data-trace

simple data trace for B&R plcs (B&R Automation Studio project)

records PLC variables in a high priority task and save the data to CSV file afterward.

Use it to find random failures in machines.

Usage

• set g_DATA_TRACE_FILEDEVICE to file device name (s. documentation *FileIO/DevLink() in AS-Help *)
• set g_MAX_DATA_TRACE_RECORDS to maximum number of plc cycles that should be recorded (and stored afterwards)
• set g_MAX_DATA_TRACE_VARNUM_MINUS1 to maximum number of trace variables (-1)
• write CSV column names to g_dataTraceColumns[]
• set g_dataTrace.enable to TRUE to enable cyclic trace.
• set g_dataTrace.enable to FALSE stops trace and writes the CSV.

(the ArSim configuration is configured to store the CSV into folder PLC-data-trace\trace\Temp\Simulation\Config1\PC\USER)

USB Stick

Optionally use https://github.com/hilch/FindUsbStickOnBAndRPlc to store data to an external USB device

Visualize data

use Microsoft Excel, Libre Office Calc or just use Python to visualize data.

Python Matplotlib

example:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import pandas as pd

# Load the CSV file
filename = 'sample.csv'
data = pd.read_csv(filename)

# Create a figure and a set of subplots
fig, axs = plt.subplots(3, 1, figsize=(10, 10))


# First subplot
axs[0].plot(data['index'], data['signal1'], marker='o', linestyle='-', color='r')
axs[0].set_title(filename)
axs[0].set_xlabel('time')
axs[0].set_ylabel('signal1')

# Second subplot
axs[1].plot(data['index'], data['signal2'], marker='o', linestyle='-', color='g')
axs[1].set_title(filename)
axs[1].set_xlabel('time')
axs[1].set_ylabel('signal2')

# Third subplot
axs[2].plot(data['index'], data['signal3'], marker='o', linestyle='-', color='b')
axs[2].set_title(filename)
axs[2].set_xlabel('time')
axs[2].set_ylabel('signal3')


# Adjust layout to prevent overlap
plt.tight_layout()

# Show the plot
plt.show()

output: