Add a connection to a program parameter

Connect a parameter in a program to another parameter or controller tag to pass data into and out of the program from a controller, device, or other programs. Program parameter connections improve the reusability of the program. Unlike direct references to tags, program parameter connections reference parameters and the connections update when you reuse the program.
For example, create two programs, add parameter to the programs, and then create the connections. Program A may have a tank pressure sensor that has a program with an Output parameter. Program B may have a light that has an Input parameter. When you connect the Output parameter of the tank pressure sensor to the Input parameter of the light,
FactoryTalk Design Studio
 provides the output value of the tank pressure sensor as the input value for the light. The light then turns green when the tank pressure sensor is too high.
Prerequisites
Add a connection to a program parameter
  1. On the explorer bar, select System icon
    System
    or FTDStudioExecution
    Execution
    .
  2. Select the element for which you are creating the connection:
    • In
      System,
      select a program.
    • In
      Execution,
      select a program within a controller.
  3. In the
    System
    title bar, Select Tags icon
    View tags and parameters
    . The Tag Editor opens.
    TIP: To open the Tag Editor, you can also right-click the element and select
    Tags and parameters
    .
  4. On the Tag Editor, select a parameter.
    Properties
     displays properties for the parameter.
    TIP:
    • If
      Properties
      does not open, in the pane bar, select FTDStudioProperties
      Properties
      .
    • In
      Properties
      on the
      General
      tab,
      Usage
      indicates if a tag is an Input, Output or InOut parameter or a local tag.
  5. On
    Properties
    , select
    Connections
    .
  6. Under
    Connections
     and
    Within Controller
    , create the connection either:
    • Manually. If you know the exact spelling of the
      FactoryTalk Smart Object
      , program and parameter names, in
      Connection
      , manually enter the connection to the parameter. Use the format SmartObject.Program.Parameter. If the program is in a controller and not associated with a
      FactoryTalk Smart Object
      , use the format ControllerName.Program.Parameter.
    • Using Data Item Browser:
      1. After
        New Connection
         or the existing connection path, select Down Caret icon.
      2. Select the view for which you want to display data. For example, select
        System View
         to display data from the
        System
        explorer.
      3. In
        Data Item Browser
        , select the parameter. The connection to the program appears in
        Parameter description
         in
        Properties
         in the format SmartOjbect.Program.Parameter.
        TIP:
        • The selected path may include the
          FactoryTalk Smart Object
          , a device, or a controller, depending on the type of connection.
        • You can connect only to parameters of the same data type.
        • An output parameter can have multiple controller connections.
        • You can connect to parameters within the same controller. To connect to a parameter in a different controller, connect to a controller parameter and have that controller parameter connect to the program parameter in the other controller.
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