ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter
User Manual
[Link]
Version 1.1, April 2019
Copyright Notice
© 2019 Applied Systems Engineering, Inc. a Kalkitech company. All rights reserved.
This user manual is a publication of Applied Systems Engineering, Inc. and it is intended for its
customers use only. Content of this manual is copyrighted and reproduction in whole or in part, for use
other than in support of ASE products, is prohibited without the specific written permission of
Applied Systems Engineering, Inc.
Disclaimer
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice.
Information provided in this manual is intended to be accurate and reliable. However,
Applied Systems Engineering, Inc. assumes no responsibility for its use and makes no commitment to
update or keep the current information in this manual.
Contact Information
Applied Systems Engineering, Inc.
1671 Dell Avenue, Suite 200,
Campbell, California, 95008, USA
Telephone: (408) 364-0500
Technical Support Contact Information
E-mail Support: support@[Link]
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 2
Table of Contents
1. Message Filter 4
1.1. Viewing Message Filters 4
1.2. Message Filter Window 4
1.3. Message Filter Operations 5
1.3.1. Create a New Filter 5
1.3.2. Rename a Filter 6
1.3.3. Delete a Filter 6
1.3.4. Select a Filter 6
1.4. Applying a Filter 8
1.4.1. Displaying Filter Properties 8
1.4.2. Telegyr 8979 – Task Mode Master Simulation 8
1.4.3. Running the Filter 8
1.4.4. Fine tuning the filter 9
1.4.5. Filter Results 9
1.4.6. Toolbar Filter Buttons 9
1.5. Using Filters 10
1.5.1. Capturing Filtered Messages 10
1.5.2. Triggering Events with Filters 12
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 3
1
1. Message Filter
The Message Filter feature of ASE2000 TestSet Version 2 manages Filter creation and usage.
Filters watch messages or conditions for specific values or protocol properties to select messages.
They may be used to filter messages or trigger events when certain conditions are met. For
example, Test Set communications may be stopped or recorded when a response contains
specific information.
This document describes how to create Filters and how to activate a Filter to control Test Set
behavior.
1.1. Viewing Message Filters
Filters are managed in a separate window. To view the Message Filter manager, select Message
Filter from the View menu dropdown. This option is available in both Task Mode and Exchange
Mode.
1.2. Message Filter Window
Message Filter window is used to create, rename, delete, select, or modify Filters.
In task mode, each RTU maintains its own set of Filters. Changing the currently selected RTU
switches to the Filters associated with the current RTU.
In Exchange mode, each MONX file maintains its own set of Filters.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 4
• Filter Toolbar – the graphical buttons in this area are used to execute, create, rename, select,
delete Filters
• Properties & Values – this area selects properties and their values used to form the Filter
• Property Description – description of the current property
• Navigation & Build Buttons – the Back and Next buttons navigate through the available
property groups; the Show Results button is used to form the Filter once the properties and
values have been selected
• Show Results – shows those messages meeting the Filter criteria
1.3. Message Filter Operations
Basic Message Filter operations: Create; Rename; Delete; Select are explained in this section.
1.3.1. Create a New Filter
When first displayed before any Filters are created, the message Filters window is empty.
Select the protocol and click the New icon to create a Filter template.
New Filter templates are created using the currently selected RTU. Parameters appropriate for
the current protocol are displayed.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 5
Note: If the protocol is changed after creating the Filter, the Filter may not operate as
expected. Create a new Filter for each RTU.
1.3.2. Rename a Filter
When a Filter is created, it is given a default name of ‘Filter 1’, where the number is incremented
for each Filter created. To rename a Filter, click the Rename icon to change the Filter name.
Type your Filter name into the Rename field and click OK.
1.3.3. Delete a Filter
To discard a Filter, select the Filter to be removed and click the Delete icon to permanently
delete the Filter.
Note: The upper icon closes the Message Filters window. If this occurs, return to
the View menu and re-open the Message Filters window
1.3.4. Select a Filter
When multiple Filters have been created, there are several ways to change between Filters.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 6
Click on the Select icon to open a dropdown list of Filters.
Choose a Filter from the list to make it the selected Filter.
Clicking on the Filter tab itself will select the Filter.
Filter selection can also be done through the Filter section on the tool bar. Tool bar buttons will
be discussed in a later section.
Note: Each RTU has its own set of Filters. When a new RTU is selected, for example in
the Tasks pane, the set of Filters available will be those defined for the current RTU.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 7
1.4. Applying a Filter
To apply a filter, select one or more properties and their desired value or values. When the
Filter parameters are specified, press the Show Results button to apply the Filter
1.4.1. Displaying Filter Properties
Filter properties are grouped into categories. To navigate between categories, click on the
or buttons. The four categories are listed below. Not all protocols have
properties in every category.
• Message Properties
• Data Element Properties
• Object Id Properties
• Component Values
1.4.2. Telegyr 8979 – Task Mode Master Simulation
To choose a property, click the checkbox next to the property. The selected properties will be
used to form the Filter. For each selected property, specify the applicable value or values.
This Filter will select only those messages sent to the RTU (IED) from the Master Station whose
function field is Operate.
1.4.3. Running the Filter
To use this Filter on the currently displayed messages, click on Show Results button in the Filter
Toolbar.
Note: The Execute function is available during communications – this feature is
available from version 2.22.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 8
1.4.4. Fine tuning the filter
To edit the filter in detail, click on Show / Hide Details icon in the Filter Toolbar.
Note: By default this details pane will be hidden. User may use this option only if they
want to edit the filter logic. Editing the logic will not cause changes in the top pane.
Edits in the top pane will cause automatic modification of logic in the Details pane.
1.4.5. Filter Results
When a Filter is executed, the Filter results are shown in the bottom pane of the Message Filter.
In this example, five messages are displayed in the Filter Results window. Expanding a message
shows the function code is: Function 4 (Operate) as expected. Clicking on a message, highlights
and selects the message which will cause the selected message to be visible and highlighted in
the Message and Line Monitor views.
1.4.6. Toolbar Filter Buttons
Messages and Line Monitor windows, activated from the View menu, display current
communications messages. The Toolbar Filter Buttons are used to search for messages meeting
the current Filter criteria.
The arrow buttons move backward and forward through the messages, skipping messages
whose content does not meet the selected Filter parameters.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 9
1.5. Using Filters
Filters as described above may be used to select from the current message set and to find
messages meeting the Filter criteria. Filters may also be used to filter captured messages, log
events, or interrupt communications.
1.5.1. Capturing Filtered Messages
Messages may be stored in a capture directory during communications. A capture directory
is defined or selected using the toolbar Capture controls. The messages saved to a capture
directory may be filtered using a Filter. Messages from a capture directory may later be viewed
or exported. Here are the steps.
Step 1: Define a Capture Directory – The current capture directory name is displayed on the
button. Clicking on this button (while communications are stopped) will retrieve the contents of
the current capture directory.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 10
To manage capture directories (create, delete, or set size), click on the down arrow to the right
of the button.
Define a capture file and set a suitable Maximum number of Entries.
Step 2: Apply Filter to Message Capture – Open the Properties window from the Tools menu
dropdown and select the Display tab.
In the Filters section, choose the Filter to be used as a Capture Filter and close the Properties
window.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 11
Step 3: Start Message Capture – Press the Capture Button to receive filtered messages during
communications.
Note: Steps 3 & 4 may be done in either order. Capturing may be started, paused, or
stopped while actively communicating. However, if capturing is stopped, restarting will
reset the capture file and any previous messages are lost. To stop and restart capture
operations, use Pause & Start instead.
Step 4: Start Communications – Begin communicating by pressing the Start Button.
All messages will be viewable in the Messages or Line Monitor window, but only messages
meeting the Filter criteria will be added to the Capture Directory.
Step 5: Viewing Filtered Messages – While both communications and capturing are stopped,
pressing the View Capture button on the toolbar or selecting View Capture from the File menu
dropdown, will display the capture directory contents. The messages shown will be only those
messages meeting the Filter requirements.
Step 6: Exporting Capture Data – When viewing capture data, the data may be saved to a file
by using the Export option on the File menu dropdown. Select Communications Messages and
save the file to disk. The file will be written as .MSGX type. This file may be opened (Import ►
Communications Messages), viewed, stored, or shared as required.
Note: TestSet Version 2 message files (.MSGX) are not compatible with Version 1; a
Version 2 TestSet is required. A license is not required to view message files.
1.5.2. Triggering Events with Filters
Filters may be used to trigger an event. Filter events are full-fledged events which can be written
to a log file, inserted into the message stream or sound an audible alarm. Here are the steps to
trigger an event using a Filter.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 12
Step 1: Apply Filter to Event Triggers – Open the Properties window from the Tools menu
dropdown and select the Display tab.
In the Filters section, choose the Filter to be used as an Event Trigger.
Step 2: Enable Trigger Events – Select the Events tab (in the same Properties window).
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 13
In the Trigger dropdown list, select the checkbox next to Display. If Log is selected, the event will
also be written to the text file chosen in the Log File section of the window. If Audible is selected,
a beep will be sounded when the trigger occurs.
Communications will normally continue when a trigger event happens. To stop when the trigger
occurs, check the box next to this option.
ASE2000 Version 2: Message Filter User Manual 14