FBxDesigner Product Data Sheet

D301861X012 July 2021

FBxDesigner™
Emerson’s FBxDesigner™ software provides a fully FBxDesigner includes an extensive library of more than 300
compliant IEC 61131-3 programming environment that basic IEC 61131-3 functions and function blocks common to
enables you to configure both continuous and discrete many IEC 61131-3 based products. These include:
control applications for FB3000 Series RTUs. The advantages
of IEC 61131-3 have made it the international standard ▪ Flip-flops, counters, and timers
programming environment currently employed by most ▪ Ladder diagram functions (such as coils and contacts)
PLC manufacturers. Because of its standardization and ▪ Numerical, arithmetic, and Boolean functions (such as
widespread acceptance, IEC 61131-3 enables you to choose sine, cosine, add, subtract, square root, and, and or)
the most appropriate controller hardware system without ▪ Selection and comparison (such as Min, Max, Greater
being required to learn a new programming language for than, Equal, and Less than)
each platform. Further, the flexibility of IEC 61131-3 allows ▪ Type conversions (such as Integer-to-Real and
each manufacturer to augment the basic set of functions Boolean-to-Word)
with product-specific higher-level functions to take
maximum advantage of each product’s distinguishing FBxRTU Function Block Library
capabilities, yet strictly adhere to the IEC 61131-3
standards. In addition to the basic functions and function blocks,
FBxDesigner brings the benefit of over 20 years of SCADA
Operating from a Microsoft® Windows® platform, and plant control experience in Emerson’s FBxRTU function
FBxDesigner offers standard functionality (zooming, block library. The library includes over 60 function blocks
scrolling, customizable toolbars, drag & drop operations,
shortcut manager, and dockable windows), enabling you to
create, edit, compile, debug, document, and print both
simple and complex process control applications.

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FBxDesigner July 2021

applicable for use in oil and gas, water and wastewater, and
process measurement and control applications. Further, the
FBxRTU library is designed to take full advantage of the
significant features Emerson’s FB3000 RTU offers. This
library includes function blocks for:

▪ PID & Lead/Lag

▪ Alarm and Event Log Management
▪ File handling
▪ System Database Interaction
Even without previous programming experience, your
engineers can appreciate the ability of the FBxRTU function
blocks to perform the most common process measurement Function Block Diagram
and control applications.
Function Block Diagram programs also allow the use of
Language Support Ladder Logic in the same program. With FBxDesigner, you
can even define Ladder objects as inputs to function block
While many IEC 61131-3 programming tools offer only objects and as outputs from function block objects. You can
Ladder Diagram or a limited set of languages, FBxDesigner also add user-defined function blocks to FBD programs.
supports all five languages available in the IEC 61131-3
Sequential Function Chart (SFC) allows you to program
standard. The first three languages (Ladder Diagram,
sequential operations graphically, as might occur in a flow
Function Block Diagram, and Sequential Function Chart) are
chart. The steps represent the actions, which can be
graphical programming languages, and the remaining two
performed either in sequence or in parallel, and the
(Structured Text and Instruction List) are text-based
transitions represent the conditions that must be completed
languages. You can use any one, two, or all five languages to
to advance to the next step.
implement a process control scheme.

Ladder Diagram (LD) employs the elements common to

traditional PLCs, such as normally open & normally closed
contacts and coils. Ladder is typically used for sequential
logic, interlocks, and on/off control applications.

Sequential Function Chart

Structured Text (ST) is a high-level text-based language

containing all the elements of a modern programming
Ladder Diagram language. In addition to providing a convenient method of
including the library of function blocks and creating custom
Function Block Diagram (FBD) is a graphical programming function blocks, it allows IF-THEN-ELSE and other
language that resembles the P&I drawings or circuit conditional branching statements.
diagrams commonly found in process control applications.
The graphical representation makes analog control loops
visually easy to understand and auto-documents the control
scheme.

Structured Text

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Instruction List (IL) is also a text-based language similar to zipped project source can be automatically downloaded
assembly. It consists of a series of instructions, where each along with the application executable to ensure
instruction (depending on type) may be augmented with synchronization between the source and the executing
modifiers and operands. This is particularly suitable for small application program.
and straightforward programs.
Online Program Debug Tools
Regardless of your level of expertise, there is always a need
for powerful software debug tools. FBxDesigner offers a
comprehensive set of online tools to help you test, analyze,
and troubleshoot your application program. The program
can display real-time data values and program execution for
all five languages.

The Variables Cross Reference list contains all variables,

function blocks, actions, transitions, steps, jumps, labels,
and connectors which are used within the current project. It
is a helpful tool for debugging and fault isolation.

The Logic Analyzer is a powerful tool for recording values of

Instruction List variables over a certain time interval. They are displayed
graphically in the Logic Analyzer window. All recorded
User Defined Function Blocks – values and settings of the Logic Analyzer are stored
Reusable Applications automatically with the project.

The Watch Window can be used to collect variables from

With FBxDesigner, once you create and test a program
different worksheets to gain an understanding about how
containing one or more functions or function blocks, you
these variables work together. In addition you can use the
can save it to a user-defined function block library. You can
watch window to force and overwrite variables.
then reuse this new user-defined function block (object) as
often as necessary and even transport it to other projects. Breakpoint, Single Step and Single Cycle program execution
The user-defined function blocks have re-assignable inputs provides a step-and-trace function that is extremely useful
and outputs, allowing each instance of the function block to for program debugging. These functions allow you to
have different variables attached to the terminals. Each new continue the program execution line-by-line after reaching a
project can draw on previous development to significantly breakpoint.
reduce implementation time. This object-oriented
programming concept is an extremely valuable tool in
application development.
Specifications
▪ CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 or similar (Minimum)
Multitasking Operation ▪ Operating System: Windows 7, Windows 10
FBxDesigner runs in a multitasking environment in which ▪ RAM: 8 GB
you can schedule and prioritize program execution. While ▪ Disk Space: 1 GB free space
FBxDesigner scan times are extremely fast, multitasking ▪ Comm: 10/100 MHz Ethernet
capability gives you greater control over critical task ▪ Display: 1280 x 800 or better resolution
execution.

Program Security
For program security, you can zip the entire program (with
all associated variables and graphics) into a single project
file. You can then download this project file, store it in
FB3000 memory, and later upload it for recovery or
modification by the FBxDesigner software. All variable
names, graphics, comments, and page layouts are uploaded
with the application program so that the uploaded project is
identical to the original downloaded file. In addition, the

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FBxRTU Function Blocks

Function Block Description

Differentiator Calculates the rate of change for an analog signal.

FileClose Closes a file stream previously opened with FileOpen.
FileDelete Deletes a file on the flash file system.
FileMkDir Makes a new directory on the flash file system.
FileOpen Opens a file stream.
FileRead Reads binary data from a file previously opened with FileOpen.
FileReadStr Reads text from a file previously opened with FileOpen.
FileWrite Writes binary data to a file previously opened with FileOpen.
FileWriteStr Writes text to a file previously opened with FileOpen.
GetByTag_DINT Reads parameters from the database of type double signed integer (32 bit).
GetByTag_INT Reads parameters from the database of type signed integer (16 bit).
GetByTag_LINT Reads parameters from the database of type long signed integer (64 bit).
GetByTag_LREAL Reads parameters from the database of type double precision floating point (64 bit).
GetByTag_REAL Reads parameters from the database of type floating point (32 bit).
GetByTag_SINT Reads parameters from the database of type signed small integer (8 bit).
GetByTag_STRING Reads parameters from the database of type string.
GetByTag_UDINT Reads parameters from the database of type double unsigned integer (32 bit).
GetByTag_UINT Reads parameters from the database of type unsigned integer (16 bit).
GetByTag_ULINT Reads parameters from the database of type long long unsigned integer (64 bit).
GetByTag_USINT Reads parameters from the database of type unsigned small integer (8 bit).
GetInstance Retrieves all parameters from a database object group at once.
GetNumInstances Retrieves the number of instances of an existing user-defined object.
GetParamAttributes Retrieves the various attributes of an individual parameter in the database.
GetParamDataType Reads the data type of a parameter in the database.
GetParamsByTag Allows for reading of multiple database parameters at once.
GetTime Reads the time of the device as a value in seconds since January 1, 2000.
IsNaN_REAL Detects if a 32-bit floating point number is not a number (NaN).
IsNaN_LREAL Detects if a 64-bit double precision floating point number is not a number (NaN).
IsUserObject Determines if an object reference is for an application or firmware.
IsUserParam Determines if a parameter reference is for an application or firmware.
LeadLag Adds controlled delay effects to an analog signal.
LicenseCheckIn Checks a license previously checked out back into the system.
LicenseCheckOut Checks out a license to an application.
LicenseGetAssigned Determines the number of licenses that have been checked out to the application.
LicenseGetAvailable Determines the total number of licenses for an application available to be checked out.
LogEvent Writes an event to the event log.
LogTextAlarm Writes an alarm to the alarm log.
LogValueAlarm Writes an alarm to the alarm log, indicating that alarm’s value and/or associated

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Function Block Description

parameter.
ParamNumToTag Retrieves a parameter reference (tag) from a given object reference and parameter
number.
Pid3Term Provides a process control algorithm which allows proportional (P), proportional/integral
(PI) or proportional/integral/derivative (PID) modes.
SetByTag_DINT Writes parameters to the database of type double signed integer (32 bit).
SetByTag_INT Writes parameters to the database of type signed integer (16 bit).
SetByTag_LINT Writes parameters to the database of type long signed integer (64 bit).
SetByTag_LREAL Writes parameters to the database of type double precision floating point (64 bit).
SetByTag_REAL Writes parameters to the database of type floating point (32 bit).
SetByTag_SINT Writes parameters to the database of type short signed integer (8 bit).
SetByTag_STRING Writes parameters to the database of type string.
SetByTag_UDINT Writes parameters to the database of type double unsigned integer (32 bit).
SetByTag_UINT Writes parameters to the database of type unsigned integer (16 bit).
SetByTag_USINT Writes parameters to the database of type short unsigned integer (8 bit).
SetParamByTagUnits_DINT Writes parameters (with their units) to the database of type double signed integer (32
bit).
SetParamByTagUnits_INT Writes parameters (with their units) to the database of type signed integer (16 bit).
SetParamByTagUnits_LINT Writes parameters (with their units) to the database of type long signed integer (64 bit).
SetParamByTagUnits_LREAL Writes parameters (with their units) to the database of type double floating point (64 bit).
SetParamByTagUnits_REAL Writes parameters (with their units) to the database of type floating point (32 bit).
SetParamByTagUnits_SINT Writes parameters (with their units) to the database of type short signed integer (8 bit).
SetParamByTagUnits_UDINT Writes parameters (with their units) to the database of type double unsigned integer (32
bit).
SetParamByTagUnits_UINT Writes parameters (with their units) to the database of type unsigned integer (16 bit).
SetParamByTagUnits_USINT Writes parameters (with their units) to the database of type short unsigned integer (8
bit).
SetInstance Applies updates to all parameters for a particular database object group at once.
SetNumInstances Increases or decreases the number of instances for a database object group.
SetMeasurementType Sets the measurement type attribute of database parameters.
SetMeasurementUnit Sets the selected unit attribute of database parameters.
SetParamsByTag Allows for setting multiple database parameters at once.
SetParamUpdate Sets the parameter attribute which defines a parameter’s behavior when an update or
change occurs.
SetTime Sets the time on the device.
SetTimeByDateTime Sets the time on the device by individual components (year, month, day, hour, etc).
VLimit Transfers the value of Input to Output1 using rate-of-change limiting.

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FBxDesigner July 2021

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