Graphical interface for programming ramping controllers

摘要

An interface for graphically programming a ramping controller coupled to and controlling an electric heater is implemented with a microcomputer. The interface presents to the user via a display device, a cartesian coordinate graph of temperature versus time onto which is plotted a desired temperature versus time (tvt) profile via an input device. The microcomputer translates the plotted tvt profile into controller logic to create a controller logic data file that is then uploaded into the ramping controller. The controller logic data file may be stored in memory. In addition to temperature, other functions or events may be plotted on the graph which are also translated into controller logic and uploaded to the ramping controller. Other features include data logging of heater parameters that may displayed in real time. The present invention eliminates cumbersome front panel entry of the data into the controller. A multiplicity of controllers, and thus heaters, may be coupled thereto and programmed through addressing. Additionally, all types of controllers may be monitored from a monitor screen.