Overview
The SECS/GEM Module includes the capability to add and configure equipment simulators. Equipment simulators include basic functionality and have the ability to handle and respond to a number of SECS messages. You can add status variables, equipment constants, reports and collection events to a simulator, allowing you to model a simulator after an existing tool. You can also add hard-coded responses to messages that do not exist in the simulator. These functions allow the simulator to act as a stand-in for tools that do not provide any type of emulator, or only provide one at great cost.
Simulator SDL File
A simulator is driven from data in its SDL file. This file is the same format as the SDL file used for equipment connections, but it also defines variables, reports, collection events, and hard-coded responses. The simulator SDL file is read when a simulator is started.
You can modify the simulator SDL file within the Gateway. Navigate to Configuration area and click on the SECS/GEM Simulator link. Click on the "sim variables" link next to the simulator you want to modify. The SDL file will be displayed in a tree, allowing you to browse its contents. You can change individual values on an object in the tree. Click the "Save SDL File" button at the top to save any changes you made. You can also click the "Edit Raw SDL File" link to edit the text of SDL file directly. This can be handy when you need to change several objects at once, or see a full view of the SDL file. Click the "Save SDL File" button at the top to save any changes you made. Don't forget to restart the simulator and its equipment connection after you made changes to the SDL file.
Simulator SDL Utilities
Modifying the simulator SDL file works well for small adjustments, but attempting to create variables, reports and collection events from scratch directly within the SDL file is extremely painful. To eliminate this pain, the Simulator Variables page has a number of utilities that can automate the creation of these objects. Note that after these objects are created, you will still need to modify the simulator SDL file directly to modify or delete the objects.