RealFLO 5.24 New Version Release (TSN00643)

This Release Note describes the new features and changes for RealFLO version 5.23. The expected availability of RealFLO version 5.24 is October 15, 2004.

Software and Hardware Relevant to this Release

RealFLO configuration software upgrade to version 5.24 (personal computer application).
Flow Computer software upgrade to version 5.24 (C program resident in all SCADAPacks and 4202GFC controllers when used as flow computers).
Firmware Upgrade (recommended). See below for firmware upgrade guidelines for your controller.

RealFLO Configuration Software Features and Changes

RealFLO version 5.24 application software includes the following features and changes.

Register assignment I/O module, 4202GFC Extended I/O, is added for support of the 4202GFC digital output.
Support is added for controller type SCADAPack 100: 1024K. SCADAPack 100 controllers now have 1024K RAM memory. This new controller type supports a single gas flow meter run and DF1 protocol.
An error is generated when a controller configuration with unsupported I/O module in the register assignment is read from a controller.
All message dialogs are suppressed in script file execution. Messages are logged in the script log file if it is enabled.
DNP configuration dialog is corrected to set the focus on an invalid entry when the error message dialog is closed.
The Limit Maximum Events field is disabled in the Master Poll table when a DNP configuration is read from a controller that does not support this feature.
The Debounce value for a binary input is set to 0 when a DNP configuration is read from a controller that does not support this feature.
Accelerator keys for the Data Link Layer property page have been corrected. The Add and the Address field used the same accelerator keys.
Master DNP addresses are correctly sorted in the Data Link Layer property page after editing.
DNP station addresses are restricted to the range of 0 to 65519 inclusive.
The default setting for Enable Unsolicited Responses on Startup is set to Yes and the default setting for Report only Level 2 Objects in Class Polls is set to No.

Flow Computer Software Changes

Version 5.24 flow computer files for all target controllers are automatically added to the C:\Program Files\ RealFLO folder when RealFLO Configuration Software 5.24 is installed. Please note that the new flow computer file must be written to the controller in order to realize the following changes.

An issue where the real time clock could change date to a future year when an acknowledge events or acknowledge alarms event is added to the history logs has been corrected. This issue was fully described in the RealFLO Real Time Clock Change Issue technical support notice.

Firmware Version Requirements

Since installation of the new flow computer software will result in removal of all existing flow history in the flow computer, the additional overhead of installing the latest firmware is minimal. It is recommended that the firmware in the target controller be upgraded to the latest version.
The latest version of firmware at the date of this notice is:

For SCADAPack 32 and SCADAPack 32P target controllers version 1.40.
For SCADAPack, SCADAPack Plus, SCADAPack Light, SCADAPack LP, Micro16 and 4202GFC the version 1.81.

The firmware for all controllers may be obtained with the latest Firmware Loader application (Firmware Loader Version 1.42).

Flow Computer Upgrade Procedure

Note: All flow computer configuration and flow history is lost when the flow computer is upgraded. Follow the steps in the order listed to ensure the configuration and flow history is saved.
If you are planning to upgrade the flow computer in your SCADAPack or 4202GFC controller to take advantage of the features and changes described above, it is recommended that the following steps be used. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this procedure contact Control Microsystems Technical Support using the information in the footer of this document.

1. Obtain RealFLO 5.24 and Firmware Loader 1.42

(You will need both of these to upgrade your Firmware, Flow Computer, and RealFLO Configuration Software.)
Send an email to INFOCenter@controlmicrosystems.com. You will be contacted with the information you need to obtain these releases.

2. Save Current Configuration and History from Flow Computer

If you have a RealFLO Configuration File:

Open RealFLO and open your current RealFLO configuration file.
Establish a serial or Ethernet connection with the target controller.
From the RealFLO Flow Computer menu select Setup.
In the Flow Computer Configuration section of the Setup dialog check the selection for Controller Configuration, Flow Run Configuration, MVT Configuration and Process I/O Configuration and click the Read button. Then click the OK button to close the dialog.
From the RealFLO Flow Computer menu select Read Logs/History. In the Read Logs/ History dialog select each of the available items by clicking your mouse on the white box beside each item.
Click the OK button to read the Logs/History from the Flow Computer.
Save the RealFLO file by selecting Save from the File menu. This will save the current configuration, the alarm and event logs and the hourly and daily flow totals.

If you do not have a RealFLO Configuration File:

Open RealFLO and select New from the File menu.
Establish a serial or Ethernet connection with the target controller.
From the RealFLO Flow Computer menu select Controller Configuration and then select Controller type. Select the controller type you connected to.
From the RealFLO Flow Computer menu select Setup.
In the Flow Runs section of the Setup dialog click the Read button.
In the Flow Computer Configuration section of the Setup dialog check the selection for Controller Configuration, Flow Run Configuration, MVT Configuration and Process I/O Configuration and click the Read button. Then click the OK button to close the dialog.
From the RealFLO Flow Computer menu select Read Logs/History. In the Read Logs/ History dialog select each of the available items by clicking your mouse on the white box beside each item.
Click the OK button to read the Logs/History from the Flow Computer.
Save the RealFLO file by selecting Save from the File menu. This will save the current configuration, the alarm and event logs and the hourly and daily flow totals.

3. Install New Firmware in target controller

Open the Firmware Loader and establish a serial or Ethernet connection with the target controller.
Click the Update Firmware button and select C:\Program Files \ Firmware Loader \ Firmware in the Look in: entry box.
Select the firmware file, appropriate for the controller you are using, and with the version listed above and then click the OK button.
Read the Confirm Update dialog to ensure you are loading the desired firmware and then click the Yes button to complete the firmware installation.

4. Install New Flow Computer in target controller

Open the RealFLO configuration file that was saved in the first step above.
Select Setup from the Flow Computer menu.
In the Flow Computer Program section of the Flow Computer Setup dialog select Flow Computer or Flow Computer with Enron Modbus and then check the Run Program after writing box. Then click the Write button.
If you saved the flow computer files to a different folder than the folder suggested during the RealFLO installation you can use the Custom Flow Computer or C/C++ Program and browse to the folder you saved the files. Select the flow computer file and check the Run Program after writing box. Then click the Write button.

5. Re-Load Configuration file to flow computer

Open the RealFLO configuration file that was saved in the first step above.
Select Setup from the Flow Computer menu.
In the Flow Runs section of the Flow Computer Setup ensure the Number of Runs and the Flow Computer ID boxes contain the correct information and click the Write button.
In the Flow Computer Configuration section of the Flow Computer Setup dialog check the Controller Configuration and Flow Run Configuration boxes. In addition to these two boxes if you are using MVT's check the MVT Configuration box and if you are using process I/O check the Process I/O Configuration box. Then click the Write button.
Click the OK button in the Flow Computer Setup dialog to close the dialog.
Select Real Time Clock from the Flow Computer menu. In the Real Time Clock Setting dialog set the controller time using the PC time or an entered time.
From the Flow Computer menu select the Calculation Control command and start the calculations for each meter run.
To monitor the current flow calculation readings select the Update Readings command from the Flow Computer menu.

General Information