5Digital Input Pattern

The Digital Input Pattern Tool will read the bit pattern from a set of IOs, i.e. it reads which IOs are on and off.  

Using the Digital Input Pattern Tool

1. Go to the Digital Input Pattern's inputs page.  Use the dropdown menu to select a starting IO.

2. The Number of Bits is the number of IOs, starting with the IO selected in the inputs page, that will be scanned.  If the user sets the Number of Bits to three and selects aux2 in the inputs page then the tool will scan aux2, aux3 and aux4.

3.  When the tool is run it will scan the selected IOs and record the results under Pattern in its parameters.  

The pattern is based on the binary bit pattern or squares of the number two.  For example, if the Pattern parameter comes back 5 then the first and third IOs will turn on because 20 + 22 = 5. 20 represents the first IO and 22 represents the third (see the chart below). If the Pattern parameter comes back 13 then the first third and fourth IO will turn on because 20 + 22 + 23 = 13.

1st IO2nd IO3rd IO4th IOetc.
202122232n
1248...

4. Invert Direction can invert the bit pattern.  For example, if the number of bits is set to 3 and the Pattern comes back 3 then the first and second IO are on.  If the user sets Invert Direction to 1 (true) then the same reading will come back as 6 because the bit pattern is understood in reverse.