Visualizer multi-mode Display, Voltmeter.
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Readings scaled, bar graph meters, value sensitive coloured patches, X-Y plots from function Generators or Memory and moving loads on conveyor Belts
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V: Visualizer, Multi-mode display, Voltmeter.
This block doesn't generally take part in calculations, but is intended to make the graphical display of results more illuminating.
At its simplest [Mode 0] this block provides a means to show a value scaled to some arbitrary size, e.g. percent of maximum allowable contents. This stays visible even when the [Number] button option has turned numbers off for other blocks.
The next option [Mode 1] is to show the value as a vertical stack, rising to fill a rectangle towards FSD. The size of the rectangle is controllable.
The idea being to show container contents filling up, or with several in a row, the profile of values in a series of elements.
[Mode 2] provides the same sort of display but as a horizontally expanding bar. Like the vertical, but it might fit the space better or as a mimic for some industrial instruments.
As with real meters it doesn't go beyond FSD either negative or positive, but shows the colours like container blocks for full or negative.

[Mode 3] and[Mode 4] create coloured triangular and quadrilateral areas respectively. The corners are defined in pixel offsets relative to the nominal block position and the colour changes over the range black, via red and yellow to white, as the signal goes from zero to FSD. See also Mode 7, for a circle similarly controlled. My original use for this was to show dynamic heat transfer effects in solids.
[Mode 5] creates a graph to display either the contents of a memory block or the form of a function generator. Applications are:
.Monitoring the form of a function generator as it is being set up,
.Showing a trace of the recent values of a variable vs time,
.Showing a "phase plane" plot of recent values of any two variables one against the other.
[Mode 6] creates an image of loads moving along on a belt between any two locations.
The V block's display is done after the other blocks so it can hide other blocks on the diagram.
[Mode 7] creates a coloured ellipse or circle. The colour is defined as for Modes 3,4 above.
The V block's display is done after the other blocks so it can hide other blocks on the diagram.

How to Use the Visualizer Display
There is only ever one input source, either a normal block or a memory or a function generator. This is identified by An and in the case of normal blocks, the associated aa value is used to define an offset so that, in effect, Va+aa is displayed, where Va is the value of the output of block An, etc.
The scaling is defined then by abs(Pv+pp), taken as FSD (full scale deflection), and the numerical result is shown as percent FSD.
The other variables and parameters control the shape or size of the display.
Mode 0:
The scaling is given by FSD=(Vp+pp), but if that is zero, the block resorts to simple rounding. The output is scaled value shown as for a normal block.
Mode 1:
The scaling to FSD is the same as mode 0, but the display is rectangle that fills vertically. The horizontal width is given by Bn (This is NOT a connection but an integer value.) and the vertical height is given by Cn (also an integer value.) The default if either Bn or Cn is zero is 50 pixels. The green fill changes colour at FSD to yellow and does not grow beyond that. It will respond in red to negative inputs. The scaled value (percent FSD) is available as block output for any other block to use.
Mode 2:
The scaling to FSD and sizing of the rectangle is like mode 1 but the rectangle fills from left to right, going left for negative values.
Mode 3:
The display is a coloured triangle, starting at the block's own X,Y location. The values of Bn and bb define X and Y components of offset therefrom for the first corner point.
The values of Cn and cc define X and Y components of offset for the second corner point.
The colour is controlled by the scaled value so that 0 produces black, 100% produces white and in between the colour moves through red and yellow.
If the FSD value (Vp+pp) has been set to zero, then the scaling corresponds to the global scaling defined by the system values, ColourMin and ColourMax . This allows multiple blocks to be laid out without having to define the scale range for every one individually.
Mode 4:
A coloured quadrilateral defined like mode 3, with the addition that Dn and dd specify the 4th corner point.

Mode 5:
Provides an on-screen graphical version of the contents of a M-memory or G-functionGenerator, both of which contain a set of arguments (base values, e.g. time markers) and a set of corresponding values (e.g. recorded values from some other block). The mode 5 V-block plots these one against the other. For display of a memory block, with time as the base values data this produces a moving chart recorder image.
When the base values are a time dependent value and the recorded variable is its first derivative, a phase plane plot is produced. (see the Van der Pol demo model).
Since it relies on a memory block, which doesn't get updated every time step, it doesn't need to be updated (with the computational burden entailed) so its display is locked to the graphical display timing, when the whole screen image is being updated. When used to show a Function Generator it doesn't need extra updating either, but will be refreshed like the rest of the display when McSimAPN does a screen refresh.
The value in bb now becomes the offset value for the basis channel for the plot (not a pixel value in this mode). The values in Bn and Cn are used as X and Y dimensions (pixels) for the display. So these remain as pixel values if changing mode.
The values in Dn and dd now define FSD for the basis channel. These are now normal connection and offset values so they will probably need change if mode is changed.
The input signal from An can be shifted vertically by aa as an additive contribution. If FSD is set to zero for either channel {i.e. (Vp+pp)=0.0 for the vertical scale or (Vd+dd)=0.0 for the basis channel} then automatic scaling is done for the graph to make the maximum and minimum value fit exactly in the panel.
Because the scaling of these things can be tricky, the graph (blue trace) is allowed to draw outside the panel so you can more likely see it if needed. My recommendaation is to use the auto scaling while experimenting with setting up the model.

Mode 6:
Provides an on-screen graphical version of the movement of loads along a belt. The "belt" starts at the V-block's own Xn,Yn point and goes to the location defined by Bn,bb.
The "loads" that move along are cc wide by at most Cn high. The default is 10 pixels high by 5 wide, but you can make them any size.
Automatic scaling makes their maximum height correspond to the maximum to be found on any segment of the belt, as for mode 5. Each little load rectangle fills up towards its maximum as for the vertical bar chart of mode 1. So belts carrying varying size loads will show the sizes as they move along.
If not using the automatic scaling, the full scale value (FSD) is defined by Pn and pp as for the other modes.
The values of Dn and dd are ignored for this mode.

Mode 7:
Provides an ellipse (or circle) coloured by the value of the A input as for modes 3,4. It sits just above the location of the V-block. The horizontal size is Bn pixels and the vertical size is Cn.

MJMcCann-Consulting

Help Index:
Index/Search

Background
Simulation Concepts
Continuous Systems
Discrete Systems
McSimAPN Structure
McSimAPN Operation

Using McSimAPN
Start McSimAPN
Save Model,data
Create Blocks
Run-Hold-Reset
Link Excel+VBA

PetriNet Block Types
A activity/action
B belt conveyor
C container/constant
D diverter(random)

Analogue Block Types
E exponents
F flux/flow
G function Generator
H hysteresis
I integrator
J inductor
K logic element
L logarithms
M memory
N note/label
O oscilloscope/graph
p not assigned
Q quantizer/rounding
R relay on/off
S sin/asin/atan
T timer/clock
U user link Excel
V visual voltmeter
W sWitch selector/MUX
X multiply
y not assigned
Z random (fuZZ)
& signed summation
% division/difference
@ access/move values

Invitation. McCann can help if you have a design or operational problem that needs some technical support that is outside your team's experience, some quantitative assessment of what is really the cause of the difficulties, some design alternatives or just a fresh look by an intelligent interrogator.
If you have a problem with the behaviour of a market sector, plant, process or item of equipment and would like to get a quantitative handle on it to improve yield or optimise performance, then contact us. We are always ready to give a little time to discuss a new puzzle, in confidence, of course. We'll only worry about fees when we have some defined work. We can be flexible about how we work with you.
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MJMMcCann-Consulting,
POB 902,
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T: 1 302 654-2953
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E: mjmccann@iee.org
Request. Please let us know how you found this software and your interests by sending an email to mjmccann@iee.org Thank you Date: 2012.02.26
File: v.htm