Rockwell Automation T80013 User Manual

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AN-T80013

Application Note

Target Simulator

Testing an application on a live system is not always possible. A PC program is available to act as a
live system. It runs in Windows (XP, 2000, NT) and is capable of online updates, forcing and most
other online functions of a real system, appearing the same in the toolset debugger. It is available from
ICS Triplex Technology, through [e-mail].

This document describes the Target Simulator, known in earlier issues as the NT Target.

Issue Record

Issue
Number

1 Feb 08 Nick Owens Pete Stock Gerry Creech Initial Issue

Date Revised by Technical

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Authorised by Modification

Issue 1 Feb 08 AN-T80013 1

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AN-T80013 Target Simulator

Target Simulator

The Target Simulator acts as if it is a real system as far as the Toolset is concerned. It is also known
as the NT Target, as it was originally designed to work with Windows NT as a development tool. It has
undergone several revisions and improvements, and the latest available version is recommended. The
current version is compatible with Toolset release 3.51 (TUV release 3.5) although it should work with
earlier Toolsets. The Target Simulator can accept any size of application and can be used to test the
effect of updates and modifications before applying them to the live system.

The Toolset connects to the Target Simulator over Ethernet. The Target Simulator receives the
application from the Toolset and runs it as if it was a real system itself, with only concessions to the
fact that it is just a program and has no real hardware. This is possible because the Toolset creates
target independent code (TIC) which can be compiled for many different microprocessor machine code
languages. (You will see ‘TIC’ as an abbreviation in the Toolset.) The real system uses Motorola
PowerPC microprocessors, so the Toolset compiles for Motorola for a real system, but since a
Windows PC uses Intel or compatible microprocessors, the Toolset compiles for Intel for the Target
Simulator.

The Target Simulator will be distributed as either a set of files including Wisaker.exe, or one file with
that name which is a Winzip executable archive. It may be installed anywhere since it does not include
any registry entries or uninstallation settings, but is usually placed in the Toolset folder, where the
Winzip executable puts the files into a separate folder CMD.

Compiling for the Target Simulator

There is no longer a need to make every board ‘virtual’ in the I/O connection table. The application may
be run on the latest Target Simulator in exactly the same state as it is run on a live system.

The application must be compiled for Intel processors. Select Make | Compiler Options.

Ensure that the target ‘TIC Code for Intel’ is selected.

‘Workbench Simulator’ allows the application to be tested on the Toolset’s own simulator, but this can
only cope with programs up to 64K in size (the size of the appli.xws file, which is the simulator’s object
code). This is one of the main reasons for the use of the Target Simulator, which can take any size of
application.

‘TIC Code for Motorola’ allows the application to be run on a live system.

The options below these are not relevant to 8000 Series systems.

The three options may be selected in any combination, but each will take time to compile, so time will
be saved by only selecting the required option for a large application.

Issue 1 Feb 08 AN-T80013 2