Important Abbreviations and their Meaning
All subject- or product-specific terms are explained when they are used the first time. Some very important abbreviations are additionally described here:
| Acronym | Full term | Meaning |
| ASCII | American Standard Code for Information Interchange | Standardized protocol for storage and transfer of characters/text. In WinCC OA, the acronym also refers to the database import/export manager. It is a module in order to export and import configurations as ASCII files (CSV). Mass configuration can therefore be carried out in a spread sheet program (for example MS Excel) or in an external database |
| API | Application Programming Interface | The API in WinCC OA allows to integrate own functionalities and algorithms in the form of a new manager into WinCC OA. |
| Config | Configuration | Control functionalities - "configs" can be configured at each data point element. This can be e.g. a value range check, an alert handling or an archiving instruction. |
| CTRL | Control Manager ("Scripting") |
Processing unit that allows to process the user specific programs (control scripts). Control possesses an easy to learn syntax (similar to ANSI-C) and is processed interpretive. Supports multi-threading, provides a number of interfaces (SMTP, COM, HTTP, DDE,...) and contains a comprehensive SCADA specific function library. The function range can be extended by the user through own libraries on the basis of control language or through compiled C++ (DLL embedded). |
| D | Driver Manager ("Driver") |
Interface for connecting controllers (PLC, DDC, ...) fieldbusses and telecontrol systems. A driver handles the external protocol and translates the information into a WinCC OA internal communication form. This adaptation contains: event orientation, old/new comparison, smoothing, conversion, type conversion etc. The driver has to fit particularly to the used controller hardware /bus system and should be selected accordingly. Among other things following drivers are available in WinCC OA: Profibus DP, Profibus FMS, Modbus TCP, SSI, IEC 60870-5-101 u. -104, OPC DA, OPC A&E, SNMP, … A value that is communicated externally is identified by defining a periphery address for the data point element. |
| DDC | Direct Digital Control | Specific class of control systems for the building automation. |
| DIST | Distribution Manager ("Multi server connection") | Module for connecting one or more further WinCC OA systems. Allows to access its online data, alarms and history without duplicating data points and without additional engineering work for the communication. |
| DM | Data Manager ("Database connection") |
Builds the interface to the databases: 1) Archives value changes historically (value DB) - either "Value Archive" (VA) or an external relational data base (Oracle) is used as database. 2) Archives alarm state changes (Alarm DB) 3) Organizes the initialization of all other managers - the configuration database is the basis. This contains the information about the structure of the data model or of the all data points, alarm handlings, value ranges etc. |
| DP | Data point | Structured, device-oriented data object as representation of a real device within the control system. A data point contains one or more data point elements (process variables). |
| DPA | Data point attribute | In addition to the actual represented value (= process factor) each data point element contains further attributes - at least quality information ("status"), time stamp and origin. |
| DPE | Data point element | Single process information within a device-oriented data point. Each DPE corresponds to a value/state. In addition to the value, there are DPE attributes like time stamp, quality information or origin. |
| DPT | Data point type | Object definition (class) of a structured data point as mapping of a real device. Single data points (instances) are derived from the DPT. Therefore the data point type is a form of template. |
| EV | Event Manager ("Data distributor") | Communication center and message distributor. Keeps the current process image (often indicated as "Run Time Database"). Is always updated by the drivers and forwards commands/set points to them. The Event manager also carries out the alert handling as well as the user authorization on the data point level. |
| GEDI | Graphic Editor GEDI | Graphic Editor . It is used both for drawing of process images ("panels") as well as for designing of symbols and dialogs. |
| GUI | Graphical User Interface | A common term for UI; see UI. |
| HMI | Human Machine Interface | Hardware and software for computer-based operating and monitoring of processes. |
| I/O | Input/Output | From the SCADA systems perspective:: information exchanged with external devices (such as PLCs). |
| LV | Log Viewer ("System outputs") | Tool for online monitoring of the system outputs of all managers. |
| MV-P | Modul VISION - PARA ("Database Editor") | Specific form of the "Modul Vision" user interface. PARA is used as Database editor. In this module mostly referred to as "PARA" device orientated data points are configured by the user and specific functions are defined. The module PARA also provides a general database browser. |
| OLE-DB |
OLE-DB Provider ("Database interface") OLE-DB … Object Linking and Embedding-Database (=Database interface of Microsoft) |
Standardized database interface for the value archives (VA) and alarms. Through the OLE-DB provider external programs can access process data and alarms of WinCC OA so as if these were saved in a relational standard database. |
| PARA | Configuration Tool | Database editor for the creation of data point types and data points as well as their configuration. |
| PLC | Programmable logic controller | Industrial computer system for the control of processes. |
| PMON | Process Monitor ("System monitoring") | Background process that monitors and coordinates the run-up and operation of managers. |
| REDU | Redundancy Manager ("Redundancy connection") | Redundancy manager for connecting a second identical WinCC OA system as hot standby configuration. |
| RTU | Remote Terminal Unit, Remote Telemetry Unit | Remote control system |
| SCADA | Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition |
A master system for controlling/operating data acquisition.. Acronym for control and visualization technology |
| UI | User Interface ("Visualization") | Graphic runtime user interface for process handling and monitoring. This program builds in normal mode the interface between user and process. Furthermore, VISION provides the demonstration of time-variation curves (Trending), alarm screen, reporting and if needed also online configuration. |
| VA | Value Archive ("Value archive", "Value database") | Value archive for historic recording. Several such archives can be run by the Data manager simultaneously. |
| VISION | Visualization module | Abbreviation for the runtime user interface "module VISION" in WinCC OA. |
| WinCC OA | SIMATIC WinCC Open Architecture | Product name of a software package (visualization and control system) of the © ETM professional control GmbH 2022 company (a Siemens subcompany). |
There is a high number of modules - you will, however, only need and use few in the beginning. Later when your requirements possibly grow, you can get to know and use further functionalities.
