Would it be possible to add an extra drop down box to easily switch the logic block type? When sending safety signals between modules, I often copy and paste the APP OUT into the new module so i know what names I have used as the property name. This saves time when switching back to the other module application to see what the names are.

It would be much easier if I could copy the APP OUT and simply change them all to APP IN rather than having to create new APP IN's and insert the names into each one?

Could have a drop down box on every logic block type to change to any type of function? whether it be I/O / calculation / misc / interface etc?

With the recent obsolescence of the MD4 modules, will the MD5 modules be able to be used as the sole master module and control machine functions in conjunction with expansion modules?

What are the risks of using the MD5 with expansion modules (XC43, LC5, XC23, etc.) to control machine functions without additional master modules?

I know another post implied that the main concern with not using the MD5 to control machine functions was the slower cycle time, but it appears that issue has somewhat been fixed with the lower minimum cycle time now listed at 20ms for the MD5. Is that no longer or less of a concern now?

We have had many bad experiences with multi-master systems, so I would like to avoid going back to an MC43 module, if at all possible. We've been using the MD4 modules with XC43 modules to control machine functions with very good success with a cycle time of 50ms, so the cycle time would not be an issue for us unless there are other limitations of the MD5 that make it unreliable for machine function control.

IQANdesign lets me use the MD5 as a direct replacement for the MD4 modules without any warnings about not using it in conjunction with expansion modules to control machine functions.

It seems like a missing feature in IQAN Design is the ability to change the states of adjust items from IQAN Design code. For instance if I want a user to be able to change a number using the adjust menu, but then after a certain time or without usage, change it back to its regular value. Or if I have a digital parameter and want it to switch back off directly after clicking it to true.

Is there a work around to get this functioning currently?

IQAN Simulate 7 is operating different than previous versions. You can no longer see the logic processing in IQAN Design when you use the Run button. In simulate, you cannot see the function group logic to see which objects are true/false. This significantly reduces the debugging usefulness of IQAN Simulate. I am doing something wrong?

Main features

Configurable speed on Diagnostics bus

It is possible to select between three different speeds:

• 250 kbps, classic CAN (default)
• 500 kbps, classic CAN
• 500/2000 kbps, CAN FD with 500 kbps arbitration and 2 Mbps data

CAN FD gives the highest increase in bandwidth with efficient packaging utilizing up to 64 bytes in the data field.

All IQAN master modules and G12 support speeds above 250 kbps.

CAN FD is supported on IQAN-MD5 displays, IQAN-MC4/MC4xFS CAN-A to -C and IQAN-G12.

To connecting with IQANdesign/IQANrun over CAN, select the correct arbitration speed; 250 or 500 kbps. 

When set to 500 kbps, IQANdesign/IQANrun will automatically detect if the system is running 500 kbps classic or FD with 500/2000.

The status bar in IQANdesign/IQANrun shows the Diagnostics bus speed of the connected system. 

It is also possible to check the Diagnostics bus speed from the menu system, system info. 

NOTE. All modules on the bus must be run the same speed. The G12 automatically detects the speed in use on the bus when it starts up.

If an IQAN master module is started without application (bypass application), it will detect the diagnostic bus speed used by other modules on the bus.

Configurable speed on Master bus

Speed may be 250 kbps or 500 kbps classic CAN, or CAN FD with 500/2000 kbps. 

This makes it possible to keep Diagnostics and Master bus mixed when increasing Diagnostics bus speed.

On the master bus data field remains at 8 bytes also with FD (future improvement possible).

CAN FD on Generic bus

FD speeds 250/250, 250/500, 250/1000, 500/500, 500/1000 and 500/2000 is now supported on Generic CAN.

Camera improvements

-Camera modules renamed to highlight the support for 3^rd party cameras with SOME/IP, the protocol used by the SV camera. 3^rd party cameras controlled by RTPS is now called RTSP (in previous version this was “generic” camera)

-Modified RTSP camera timeout to support more camera models

-RTSP camera will show the currently configured URL in the hint. 

(RTSP port number is not shown, it is fixed to 554).

Other 7.05 updates

Several improvements in IQANrun, see: 

Release notes - IQANrun 7

Also see 

Release notes - IQANdesign 7

Release notes - IQANsimulate 7

Release notes - IQANscript 7

A string text is an array of characters.
Why it is actually impossible to cast a string text into array object (equivalent to memcpy function in C Language) ?

It will be a revolution to have this in next release of IQAN Design:

-> From array object, we can have a way to convert S/N text into integer..

-> From others subjects, they can compare text strings, etc..

Feature highlights

Apply login to IQANdesign

Login previously defined for IQANrun/IQANgo users is now required also for IQANdesign. This modified functionality is applicable to projects where an access level is defined on any of the properties: 

• Update project 
• Remote access
• Send settings (IQANdesign clear settings)

IQANdesign will give a warning if an access level is not defined for Update project. 

Support for MC4x/XC4x-M24 

Support for new hardware versions of

• MC4x-M24, 
• MC4xFS-M24 and
• XC4x-M24.

Applications updated to 7.03 will run on both original and -M24 versions of MC4/MC4xFS hardware.

XC4x Firmware is updated to 2.02, this version supports both original and -M24 version of the XC4x expansions.

More updates and details, see  Release notes - IQANdesign 7

IQANrun updates

• Improved keyboard navigation and shortcuts
• Right click popup menu added to graph
• New command line arguments

See Release notes - IQANrun 7

Is there any plan to add string compares or other string functions to IQAN yet?

I run into this wall somewhat regularly as our machines get more complex. Adding even simple comparison to strings would be useful. The problem I am trying to solve right now is that I have no way to compare a string to know if it has changed.

Alternatively, if there was some channel status on a text parameter to know if it was updated, that would be useful as well.

I did read through Gustav's thread about string functions here: String functions / Software / IQAN

Doesn't seem there has been much advancement on this topic and those string functions wouldn't accomplish what I am looking to do.