Echelon LonMaker - Manual (Page 109)

LonMaker User’s Guide 93
Creating Dynamic Functional Block Master Shapes
You can create master shapes for dynamic functional blocks in the same manner as static functional
blocks. The dynamic functional block master shape will contain user cells indicating that the
functional block is dynamic, the functional profile used to create the dynamic functional block, and
whether to create mandatory and optional network variables (see Editing Master Shape User-Defined
Cells in Chapter 12, Creating and Using Custom LonMaker Shapes and Stencils for more information).
When you drag the dynamic functional block master shape to your LonMaker drawing, the values set
in the user-defined cells will be the defaults. The values will also determine whether the New
Functional Block Wizard opens when you drag the shape to your LonMaker drawing.
Dynamic network variables included on the functional block master shape will be created regardless of
the settings in the check boxes under Dynamic FBs.
Creating a Virtual Functional Block
A virtual functional block is a static functional block that that contains the network inputs and outputs
for a device that are not part of other functional blocks on the device. Network inputs and outputs
consist of network variables, configuration properties, and message tags.
To add a virtual functional block to your LonMaker drawing, follow these steps:
1. Drag a functional block shape from the LonMaker Basic Shapes stencil to your LonMaker
drawing. The Functional Block Wizard appears.
2. Under Device, select the device to which you want to assign the virtual functional block from the
Name list
3. Under Functional Block, select Virtual Functional Block from the Name list. This option only
appears in the list if the device supports a virtual functional block
4. Click
Finish.
Adding a Message Tag Shape to a Virtual Functional Block
You can add a message tag shape to the virtual functional block of a device that supports message tags.
Message tags are similar to network variables except that they do not have pre-defined types. They are
used for standard data transfer mechanisms such as the L
ON W ORKS file transfer protocol and the
L ON W ORKS data log transfer protocol. In addition, they are used as a proprietary interface to devices
such as factory calibration interfaces. There are no restrictions in regards to connecting message tags
such as having compatible types as there are for network variables.
To add a message tag shape to a virtual functional block, follow these steps:
1. Drag an input or output message tag shape from the LonMaker Basic Shapes stencil
onto the virtual functional block. The Choose a Message Tag dialog box appears.