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Chapter 8
PC-based phases introduction
The PC-Based Phase option is an ActiveX control that allows you to design
phases for use in FactoryTalk Batch recipes. These phases can be used for a
variety of tasks, such as operator prompts, timers and calculations. A PC-
based phase communicates with the FactoryTalk Batch Server and does not
require a process-connected device. It can be used in place of phase logic,
allowing you to decrease the amount of memory required within your
process-connected device.
PC-based phases use the Batch Phase Execution control, which encapsulates
the FactoryTalk Batch phase logic interface and the OPC interface. The Batch
Phase Execution control functions as a data server for PC-based phases and
supports the full functionality of a FactoryTalk Batch phase. It is an SP-88-
aware component and is used to provide Level 2 control of the FactoryTalk
Batch Control system. The Batch Phase Execution control is a persistent
component that supports automatic checkpointing. It can be accessed directly
from within Visual Basic, Access, or any other Microsoft-compatible control
container.
(See the FactoryTalk Batch PC-Based Phase Programmer’s Technical Reference for
more information.)
A PC-based phase allows you to program a phase outside a process-connected
device (PCD). You can program the phase to meet your own unique
requirements from within your Microsoft-compatible control container. The
PC-based phase works the same as any phase defined in a PCD,
communicating with the FactoryTalk Batch Server through the Batch Phase
Execution control. This allows you to save your system’s valuable memory for
processes that require interaction with hardware.
After a PC-based phase is created, the FactoryTalk Batch area model must be
updated to include the new phase and the appropriate phase(s). Because the
Batch Phase Execution control behaves as a data server, a new data server
definition must be created. The data server definition is created using the
FactoryTalk Batch Equipment Editor and defined using the Batch Phase
Execution control’s communication parameters. The FactoryTalk Batch phase
can then be added to your recipes. The PC-based phase must remain active
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