Internet PLC Forum

A new error from ExcelLink
"com neva.DdeException ddeError=04000 - A request for a synchronous advise transaction has timed out[A request for a synchronous advise transaction has timed out]"

The error occured during a disruption of the Excel file.  Are such errors non-recoverable for ExcelLink?  It appears ExcelLink must be completely shutdown to recover from this error message.

Further testing completed.

1)  The ArrayIndex error occurs more often when dCusF functions are called often.  The error rate is nearly eliminated when a minimum time between any dCusF function call is set to 5 seconds (timer value of 50).  Prior arrangement triggered various dCusF calls based upon the special bits 0.5 sec, 1sec and utilized timers and logic conditions.  There is a hard relationship between the ArrayIndex error and the time between dCusF calls.  When the minimum time between calls is reduced, the arrayindex error quickly returns.  When the time is increased, the arrayindex error is nearly eliminated (or takes more than a day to occur).

This test was conducted by allowing dCusF calls to only occur in a specific order and only after a minimum time interval completed since the last dCusF completed.  Only then would the next dCusF function be called.

2)  In response to the previous post:  The SAVE_EEP and LOAD_EEP statements have not be executed on the most recent tests (as related to the recent blog entries).  The dCusF functions containing these instructions are inactive and never triggered (never executed).

3)  SOLUTION IMPLEMENTED - ARRAYINDEXOUTOFBOUNDS ERROR:
ExcelLink data recording utilizing the ExcelLink Run/Pause/Stop buttons has been abandoned.  Excel macros have been developed to start/stop ExcelLink actions.  The macros also monitor data recordings using the TimeStamp features of ExcelLink compared to the NOW() Excel function.  If the time between NOW() and the most recent ExcelLink data entry exceeds a predefined setpoint, the following command sequence occurs:
1) DDE STOP command issued to ExcelLink
2) The current Excel sheet is copied to a new sheet
3) The original sheet is cleared of all recorded data
4) DDE RUN command is issued to ExcelLink
5) Data recording continues at the top of the cleared Excel sheet.
Special Conditions:
ExcelLink must not be started for at least 1 minute following the error, otherwise the RUN command may fail.  I am guessing this corresponds to the "Suspended for 1 minute" message from ExcelLink.  The Excel Macro command "OnTime" is utilized to send the DDE RUN command following a 1.5 minute delay.

Further details of the Macro design are available if desired.

ExcelLink was running on two different computers.  Both computers were recording data into an Excel spreadsheet from one PLC.  After running for over 23 hours, the following error message was received:

CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset

Computer 1 stopped recording at 55:08 min:sec (Office)
Computer 2 stopped recording at 46:27 min:sec (Lab)
(The 1st entry in each ExcelLink are selected to include TimeStamp)
Both computer clocks are within 1 minute of the same time.
ExcelLink record time is set for 50 (5.0 seconds)

ExcelLink error messages for each computer are listed at the bottom of this post.

I find this error message on the forum, but in relation to emails.  No email calls are used in this application.  The application contains 3 circuits with 2 outputs (one per circuit) and two dCusF calls on the third circuit.  The 2 dCusF are no more than 8 lines long performing range check and 1 setDAC command in each.

Is this error message related to a PLC event or issue?

Computer 1 ExcelLink error messages (Only S3 is Active)
Execute Active Actions from Active Sites
CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
(ArrayIndexOutOfBounts) error repeats from this point forward

Computer 2 ExcelLink error messages (S3 and S4 are Active)
S4 contains 2 reads and 2 writes.

CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S4
Access to S4suspended for 1 minute
CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S4
Access to S4suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S4
Access to S4suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S4
Access to S4suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S4
Access to S4suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S4
Access to S4suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S4
Access to S4suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
CommException: readline() Exception: java.net.SocketException: Connection reset in S4
Access to S4suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S4
Access to S4suspended for 1 minute
(ArrayIndexOutOfBounts errors repeat from this point forward)

Updated Runtime Results - Blank Program Loaded
>Ethernet XServer in use
>2 Computers are on the network
>Computer 1 and the Ethernet XServer are connected to the same Switch
>Computer 2 is on the ethernet, but is connected along the following hardware:  switch 1 TO switch 2 TO ethernet to phoneline adapter TO phoneline to ethernet adapter TO wireless router TO notebook computer.

>A blank program was loaded into the PLC
>ExcelLink data is set to record every 5 seconds, Excel columns A through BX
>Computer 1 logged the 1st 24hrs with no issue - No program in the PLC (blank program loaded)
>Computer 2 logged the 1st 24hrs with no issue - No program in the PLC (blank program loaded) (Note:  Computer 2 has been logging information for 73 hours - continuous (longest delay between datapoins logged to Excel - 1:29 (min:sec))

>Lab program loaded into the PLC
>Computer 1 logged data to ExcelLink for 19hrs 45minutes.  The following error messages were listed in ExcelLink:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saving Excel file...Done!
Saving Excel file...Done!
CommException: A29:No response from PLC ID=1 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
Saving Excel file...Done!
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 16 in S3
Access to S3suspended for 1 minute
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The above error messages occured 19:45 into the recording session at around 3:15am -  there was no active interaction with either computer for hours prior to this point in time.

>Computer 2 logged continuously through the entire 24hr period - ExcelLink as running on computer 2 displayed only one message:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saving Excel file...Done!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Computers 1 and 2 are recording data in parallel - both connected via ethernet running independent copies of ExcelLink

Are there any suggestions on further testing or means of increasing the reliability of the data logging from ExcelLink into Excel?

Differences between the two computer setups:
Computer 1:  ExcelLink configured to AutoSave every 180 seconds
Computer 2:  ExcelLink configured with AutoSave entry blank

Thank you for the quick response time

1)  We are using the XServer

2)  Online monitoring drops out at random times but ExcelLink remains active.  This was specifically monitored for a few hours and no relationship between the Online Monitoring losing communication and the stated ExcelLink error message could be found.

3)  I will perform the test and report back.

4)  Still have 1.02.  Is 2.0 available for upgrade for current users or must 2.0 be purchased?

Using the T100MD888+ to monitor analog and digital inputs along with digital output controls.  A 4x20 LCD is also in use to display menus and data.

After running without issue for 6 months, the LCD now appears to turn off on occassion.  After cycling power, the LCD functions normally.  The LCD backlite stays on with the power.  Connections have been tested, a second LCD was tested with the same results.  The problem appears to be on the PLC board and not with the LCD (the 2nd LCD unit has only a few hours of run time).

Why does the LCD appear to turn off?
Is there any method other than power off/on to reset the LCD connection?
Has this problem been noted?
Is there any solution?

The LCD data may be monitored from a computer connected via XServer and the data programmed to the screen is updating.

Thank you,

Michael