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    README.asciidoc

    Ada for Automation Read Me

    Table of Contents

    1. Description

    Ada for Automation (A4A in short) is a framework for designing industrial automation applications using the Ada language.

    It makes use of the libmodbus library to allow building a ModbusTCP client or server, or a Modbus RTU master or slave.

    It can also use Hilscher communication boards allowing to communicate on field buses like AS-Interface, CANopen, CC-Link, DeviceNet, PROFIBUS, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET, Sercos III, POWERLINK, or VARAN.

    With the help of GtkAda, the binding to the Graphic Tool Kit, one can design Graphical User Interfaces.

    Thanks to Gnoga, built on top of Simple Components, it is also possible to provide a Web User Interface.

    Nice addition is the binding to the Snap7 library which allows to communicate with SIEMENS S7 PLCs using S7 Communication protocol ISO on TCP (RFC1006).

    Of course, all the Ada ecosystem is available.

    Using Ada bindings, C, C++, Fortran libraries can also be used.

    And, since it is Ada, it can be compiled using the same code base to target all major platforms.

    2. General idea

    3. License

    COPYING3
    The GPL License you should read carefully. GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007

    COPYING.RUNTIME
    GCC RUNTIME LIBRARY EXCEPTION Version 3.1, 31 March 2009

    4. Directories

    a4a_apps
    This is the basic "Ada for Automation" application folder.
    Contains historic build artifacts.
    Nothing interesting, is going to disappear soon.

    book
    The book "Ada for Automation" is elaborated here.
    This book is composed in plain text in the Asciidoc format and processed to provide HTML or PDF files.

    demo
    This is the Demo applications folder.

    exp
    Contains historic build artifacts.
    Nothing interesting, is going to disappear soon.

    gpr
    Contains shared projects files.

    hilscherx
    The directory for the Hilscher cifX API binding.
    You will need it if you would use a Hilscher cifX board that can provide the connectivity you need to manage your equipment on all major fieldbuses Real Time Ethernet or legacy.
    Contains historic stuff. Most is now in src/hilscherx except test items.
    Nothing interesting, is going to disappear soon.

    icons
    GUI Applications icons.

    src
    Ada for Automation framework source files.

    test
    The place to place all sorts of tests and experiments or examples.

    tutorial
    Everyone starts some day.

    www
    Web related files like documentation portal.

    5. Kernels

    Kernels feature the core functionality needed by applications.

    Following are available ones :

    kernel0 : Modbus TCP Server

    kernel0b : Modbus RTU Slave

    kernel1 : Modbus TCP Server + Modbus TCP IO Scanning

    kernel2 : Modbus TCP Server + Modbus RTU IO Scanning

    kernel3 : Modbus TCP Server + one Hilscher cifX channel

    kernel4 : Modbus TCP Server + Modbus TCP IO Scanning + one Hilscher cifX channel

    kernel5 : Modbus TCP Server + Modbus TCP IO Scanning + two Hilscher cifX channels

    kernel6 : One Hilscher cifX channel

    kernel7 : Modbus TCP IO Scanning + One Hilscher cifX channel

    6. Applications

    An application is built around the kernel, with application logic added by the framework user.

    Thanks to GtkAda, it can provide a Graphic User Interface.

    Thanks to Gnoga, it can provide a Web User Interface.

    7. GNAT Pro Studio Projects

    GNAT Pro Studio allows to arrange the projects in a project tree with inheriting other projects.
    This will expand the project by adding or substituting source code files.
    You will please refer to GPRbuild documentation regarding the projects.

    7.1. Shared projects

    The following projects are common to all CLI, GUI or WUI applications.

    shared.gpr
    An abstract project, shared by the other ones and containing common elements.

    shared_hilscherx.gpr
    An abstract project, shared by the other ones and containing common Hilscher related elements.

    libmodbus.gpr
    The project for the libmodbus library.
    It is possible that you have to adjust it to suit your installation.

    libsnap7.gpr
    The project for the Snap7 library.
    It is possible that you have to adjust it to suit your installation.

    libcifx.gpr
    The project for the Hilscher cifX Device Driver library.
    It is possible that you have to adjust it to suit your installation.
    Only required if using a Hilscher cifX card.

    libnetxtransport.gpr
    The project for the Hilscher netXTransport library.
    It is possible that you have to adjust it to suit your installation.
    Only required if using a Hilscher netHOST.

    gtkada.gpr
    The project for the gtkada library.
    It comes with installed library.

    gnoga.gpr
    The project for the gnoga library.
    It comes with installed library.

    7.2. Basic projects

    The following projects are inherited by applications projects.

    7.2.1. A4A Project diagram

    This project brings in most of the functionality offered by the framework.

    The tool chain will only pull in what is needed by the application itself.

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project :

    7.2.2. A4A Kernel 0 Project diagram

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 0 featuring a Modbus TCP Server.

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project :

    7.2.3. A4A Kernel 0b Project diagram

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 0b featuring a Modbus RTU Slave.

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project :

    7.2.4. A4A Kernel 1 Project diagram

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 1 featuring a Modbus TCP Server and Modbus TCP IO Scanning.

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project :

    7.2.5. A4A Kernel 2 Project diagram

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 2 featuring a Modbus TCP Server and Modbus RTU IO Scanning.

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project :

    7.2.6. A4A Kernel 3 Project diagrams

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 3 featuring a Modbus TCP Server and one Hilscher cifX channel.

    There are two variants :

    • one using the standard Hilscher cifX API for use with most Hilscher products with ISA, PCI, PCI Express, DPM, SPI interfaces,

    • one using the standard Hilscher netXTransport API which has the same cifX API but via a TCP/IP connection for use with Hilscher netHOST.

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project using cifX API :

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project using netXTransport API :

    7.2.7. A4A Kernel 4 Project diagram

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 4 featuring a Modbus TCP Server, Modbus TCP IO Scanning and one Hilscher cifX channel.

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project using cifX API :

    7.2.8. A4A Kernel 5 Project diagram

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 5 featuring a Modbus TCP Server, Modbus TCP IO Scanning and two Hilscher cifX channels.

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project using cifX API :

    7.2.9. A4A Kernel 6 Project diagram

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 6 featuring one Hilscher cifX channel.

    Project is having no dependency on libmodbus.

    7.2.10. A4A Kernel 7 Project diagram

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 7 featuring Modbus TCP IO Scanning and one Hilscher cifX channel.

    The following picture shows the diagram of the project using cifX API :

    8. Demo applications

    (in directory…​ demo)

    A detailed information resides in the application folder.

    8.1. Overview

    Demo applications give a starting point to create your own application.

    Whether you want to use libmodbus or a Hilscher cifX board, module or chip, there are demo applications using one or the other or both.

    There are applications with a Command Line Interface, a GtkAda Graphic User Interface, or Gnoga Web User Interface.

    Of course, CLI applications are the simplest one to dive in.

    The GtkAda Graphic User Interface is limited to general application interface and communication status.

    This is because there are several ways to design the process interface :

    • GtkAda,

    • AICWL on top of GtkAda,

    • or embedding Gnoga in a GtkAda window.

    8.1.1. By Kernel

    8.1.2. By matchings

    8.1.3. Summary

    Table 1. Features
    Application UI Knl Mbus WSP Description

    000 a4a-k0b-cli

    CLI

    K0b

    2

    -

    Modbus RTU Slave which mirrors inputs

    000 a4a-k0-cli

    CLI

    K0

    1504

    -

    Modbus TCP Server which mirrors inputs

    001 a4a-k0b-gui

    GUI

    K0b

    2

    -

    Modbus RTU Slave which mirrors inputs

    001 a4a-k0-gui

    GUI

    K0

    1504

    -

    Modbus TCP Server which mirrors inputs

    010 a4a_k0b_piano

    WUI

    K0b

    2

    8081

    Modbus RTU Slave Piano

    010 a4a_piano

    WUI

    K0

    1504

    8081

    Modbus TCP Server Piano

    020 a4a-k1-cli

    CLI

    K1

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Client

    021 a4a-k1-gui

    GUI

    K1

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Client

    022 a4a-k1-wui

    WUI

    K1

    1503

    8080

    Modbus TCP Server / Client

    030 app1simu-cli

    CLI

    K0

    1505

    -

    Modbus TCP Server simulation for App1

    031 app1simu-gui

    GUI

    K0

    1505

    -

    Modbus TCP Server simulation for App1

    032 app1simu-wui

    WUI

    K0

    1505

    8083

    Modbus TCP Server simulation for App1

    040 app1-cli

    CLI

    K1

    1502

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Client App1

    041 app1-gui

    GUI

    K1

    1502

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Client App1

    042 app1-wui

    WUI

    K1

    1502

    8082

    Modbus TCP Server / Client App1

    052 a4a_hilscherx_piano

    WUI

    K6

    -

    8090

    HilscherX Fieldbus Piano

    062 a4a_k3-wui

    WUI

    K3

    1503

    8085

    Modbus TCP Server / HilscherX Fieldbus

    070 app2-cli

    CLI

    K3

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / HilscherX Fieldbus E+H

    071 app2-gui

    GUI

    K3

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / HilscherX Fieldbus E+H

    080 app3-cli

    CLI

    K2

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Modbus RTU Master

    081 app3-gui

    GUI

    K2

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Modbus RTU Master

    082 app3-wui

    WUI

    K2

    1503

    8085

    Modbus TCP Server / Modbus RTU Master

    090 app4-cli

    CLI

    K3

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / HilscherX Fieldbus (App2)

    100 app5-cli

    CLI

    K4

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Client / HilscherX Fieldbus

    101 app5-gui

    GUI

    K4

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Client / HilscherX Fieldbus

    110 app6-cli

    CLI

    K5

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Client / 2 x HilscherX Fieldbus

    111 app6-gui

    GUI

    K5

    1503

    -

    Modbus TCP Server / Client / 2 x HilscherX Fieldbus

    122 app7-wui

    WUI

    K6

    -

    8090

    HilscherX Fieldbus / EtherCAT Drive

    132 a4a-k7-wui

    WUI

    K7

    -

    8085

    Modbus TCP Client / HilscherX Fieldbus

    142 a4a_k0_S7

    WUI

    K0

    1504

    8181

    Modbus TCP Server / S7 Communication

    • UI : User Interface

    • CLI : Command Line User Interface

    • GUI : Graphical User Interface

    • WUI : Web User Interface

    • Knl : Kernel

    • WSP : Web Server Port

    • Mbus : Modbus TCP Server Port or Modbus RTU Slave address.

    8.2. 000 a4a-k0b-cli

    This application implements a Modbus RTU Slave which mirrors inputs.
    When one does not have a Slave device to play with, one can use this.

    This is the Command Line incarnation. There is a GtkAda UI version.

    Inherits from A4A.K0b and so features a kernel0b.

    8.3. 000 a4a-k0-cli

    This application implements a Modbus TCP Server which mirrors inputs.
    When one does not have a Server device to play with, one can use this.

    This is the Command Line incarnation. There is a GtkAda UI version.

    Inherits from A4A.K0 and so features a kernel0.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1504

    8.4. 001 a4a-k0b-gui

    This application implements a Modbus RTU Slave which mirrors inputs.
    It shares 000 a4a-k0b-cli logic and provides a Graphic User Interface.
    When one does not have a Slave device to play with, one can use this.

    8.5. 001 a4a-k0-gui

    This application implements a Modbus TCP Server which mirrors inputs.
    It shares 000 a4a-k0-cli logic and provides a Graphic User Interface.
    When one does not have a Slave device to play with, one can use this.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1504

    8.6. 010 a4a_k0b_piano

    This application implements a Modbus RTU Slave that mimics 16 push buttons and 16 LEDs with a web interface.
    When one does not have a Slave device to play with, one can use this.

    Inherits from A4A.K0b and so features a kernel0b.

    Web Server port : 8081

    8.7. 010 a4a_piano

    This application implements a Modbus TCP Server that mimics 16 push buttons and 16 LEDs with a web interface.
    When one does not have a Server device to play with, one can use this.

    Inherits from A4A.K0 and so features a kernel0.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1504

    Web Server port : 8081

    8.8. 020 a4a-k1-cli

    This application is meant to play with 010 a4a_piano.
    It implements Modbus TCP IO Scanning and a Modbus TCP Server which does not much at the moment (could be used to reflect I/O for example).

    This is the Command Line incarnation. There are GtkAda UI and Web UI versions.

    Inherits from A4A.K1 and so features a kernel1.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1503 (default)

    8.9. 021 a4a-k1-gui

    This application is meant to play with 010 a4a_piano.
    It shares 020 a4a-k1-cli logic and provides a Graphic User Interface.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1503 (default)

    8.10. 022 a4a-k1-wui

    This application is meant to play with 010 a4a_piano.
    It shares 020 a4a-k1-cli logic and provides a Web User Interface.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1503 (default)

    Web Server port : 8080

    8.11. 030 app1simu-cli

    Here is the simulation application for the example application 1.
    This is the Command Line incarnation. There are GtkAda UI and Web UI versions.

    Inherits from A4A.K0 and so features a kernel0.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1505

    8.12. 031 app1simu-gui

    This is the GtkAda UI incarnation of simulation application for the example application 1.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1505

    8.13. 032 app1simu-wui

    This is the Web UI incarnation of simulation application for the example application 1.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1505

    Web Server port : 8083

    8.14. 040 app1-cli

    This is where you will find the files of the example application 1.
    This application implements a Modbus TCP Server and Modbus TCP IO Scanning.
    This is the Command Line incarnation. There are GtkAda UI and Web UI versions.

    Inherits from A4A.K1 and so features a kernel1.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1502

    8.15. 041 app1-gui

    This is the GtkAda UI incarnation of example application 1.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1502

    8.16. 042 app1-wui

    This is the Web UI incarnation of example application 1.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1502

    Web Server port : 8082

    8.17. 052 a4a_hilscherx_piano

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 6 featuring one Hilscher cifX channel.

    It has same functionality as 010 a4a_piano excepted the fieldbus connexion.

    Web Server port : 8090

    8.18. 062 a4a-k3-wui

    This application is meant to play with 052 a4a_hilscherx_piano.
    The project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 3 featuring a Modbus TCP Server and one Hilscher cifX channel.

    It has same functionality as 022 a4a-k1-wui excepted the fieldbus connexion replacing the Modbus TCP Client one.

    There are two variants : cifX and netXTransport.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1503 (default)

    Web Server port : 8085

    8.19. 070 app2-cli

    In this one you will find the files for example application 2.
    It implements a Hilscher PROFIBUS DP Master cifX card and a Modbus TCP Server and demoes a PROFIBUS DPV2 communication with a Endress+Hauser radar level meter.
    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 3 featuring a Modbus TCP Server and one Hilscher cifX channel.

    This is the Command Line incarnation. There is a GtkAda UI versions.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1503 (default)

    8.20. 071 app2-gui

    This is the GtkAda UI incarnation of example application 2.

    8.21. 080 app3-cli

    Here you will find the files for example application 3.
    This application implements a Modbus TCP Server and Modbus RTU Master.
    This is the Command Line incarnation. There are GtkAda UI and Web UI versions.

    Inherits from A4A.K2 and so features a kernel2.

    Modbus TCP Server port : 1503 (default)

    8.22. 081 app3-gui

    This is the Web UI incarnation of example application 3.

    8.23. 082 app3-wui

    This is the GtkAda UI incarnation of example application 3.

    8.24. 090 app4

    It is same as example application 2 but using a Hilscher PROFIBUS DP Master netHOST instead of cifX.

    8.25. 100 app5-cli

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 4 featuring a Modbus TCP Server plus Modbus TCP IO Scanning and one Hilscher cifX channel.

    8.26. 101 app5-gui

    8.27. 110 app6-cli

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 5 featuring a Modbus TCP Server plus Modbus TCP IO Scanning and two Hilscher cifX channels.

    8.28. 111 app6-gui

    8.29. 122 app7-wui

    This project inherits from the A4A project adding the Kernel 6 featuring one Hilscher cifX channel.

    This application allows the control and monitoring of an EtherCAT drive via a Web User Interface.

    8.30. 132 a4a-k7-wui

    This application implements a gateway with Modbus TCP IO Scanning connected to 010 a4a_piano and one Hilscher cifX channel connected to 062 a4a-k3-wui.
    It has a web interface.

    Inherits from A4A.K7 and so features a kernel7.

    Web Server port : 8085

    8.31. 142 a4a_k0_S7

    This application implements a gateway with Modbus TCP Server and a S7 Communication channel, thanks to Snap7, connected to SIEMENS S7 PLC.
    It has a web interface.

    Inherits from A4A.K0 and so features a kernel0.

    Web Server port : 8085