I/O Blocks are used to define information exchange with an acquisition device, which consist of one or more variables, as long as they are consecutive in an addressing inside an external device.

Depending on the communication method used, users can save time in communication, thus obtaining a larger number of updates at the same time interval, when compared to an I/O Tag. I/O Blocks are configured using a series of B parameters (from B1 to B4), which vary according to an I/O Driver used, along with the Size property, which defines the number of Elements or indexes available in a Block. To use this resource, follow these procedures:

1.Right-click a Driver and select the Insert - I/O Block option.

Inserting an I/O Block

The window on the next figure is opened asking for a number of Blocks to create in this Driver, as well as their names. This name is auto-incremented and if this option remains blank, Blocks are created with a default name.

Adding I/O Blocks

3.The dialog box on the next figure is displayed to determine the number of Block Elements in this object. In this option, users can indicate a mapping for all Elements in a Block or in a given Element's interval.

Configuring a new I/O Block

4.Inform a Block size and its mapping options.

5.Click OK.

6.If necessary, configure this object's properties.

Some properties in I/O Blocks can be configured using Properties List, and there is no need to create scripts for this. To configure any property, locate it on Properties List and perform the necessary adjustments. For more information on properties, please check the E3 Reference and Scripts Manual.