a new version of the RCO-tool is available for download in the partner portal.
And with the new version of the RCO-tool, the fully integrated programming is now fully usable. (project size is limited)

Fully integrated programming?
These are modules in which, for example, a complete heating circuit was realized in only one module.
Timetables, parameters, alarms are preconfigured and ready-made menus for visualisation are also attached to the LCD and web display unit.
The time saving during programming is enormous!

There are a number of other modules (Boiler, DWH, AHU) and you can also customize these or create your own fully integrated modules.

The fully integrated modules are available for download in the partner portal,
“[EN] Program Moduls 2.5”.

Other improvements in the RCO-tool:

• Attention: if you close the program module library, all open modules will be closed as well, this brings significant memory optimization.
• The program module library must now always be opened manually. (In the RCO-tool: View -> Program Modules)
• The RCO-Web menu can now scale up and down to the size of the display device. (must be activated on the SD card)
• In the RCO-Web menu, the alarm button Red-Blue flashes alternately and no longer the entire frame of the visualization.
• Some bug fixes (Copy Web Menu/Modbus TCP-IP/SD Card)

Bug fixes:

• With the new fully integrated programming and the predefined web menus, it was necessary to open every page once.

BACnet:

• At the alarms, the Notification couldn’t be altered after it was assigned for the first time.

with the release of the RCO-tool version 2.4.5 we implemented some exciting and excessively strong features.

In this update we brought the program modules to the centre of attention.

The new functionality of the program module editor is what makes the new RCO-tool so powerful. Now it’s possible to predefine multistage datapoints, weekly and yearly time schedules, directly in the program module and even alarms and menus can be attached.

Additionally we introduced a new type of datapoint for the modules, called „internal“. The purpose of the new type is to focus the programmers attention on the important datapoints by putting the unimportant aside.

This means, less time spent programming the project by the immense potential with pre-configured program modules.

Using these vast possibilities, we added new and fully predefined modules to the library.

For example, a whole heating circuit in one module, with alarms, time schedules, interaction menus and interaction web menus in English as well as German, customized for the RCO680/681.

Heat generators and consumers are fully implemented in the first part, air handling units are in testing right now and will follow shortly.

To make it even easier to handle projects, we also improved the automatic creation of variables. Coming with this version, variables are now created module by module and with the possibility to add a custom prefix for every module. This helps with macros containing more than one plant component and BACnet datapoint compliance.

Duplication of interaction web menus is now possible between controllers of the same project, keeping the datapoint connections. In combination with the advanced program modules, whole sites with remote controllers can be programmed in even less time.

To broaden the range of the already big connection possibilities, we implemented the Modbus TCP/IP protocol in the newest firmware Dx-2-4-51 as well as the RCO-tool. Controllers can be configured as Modbus master or slave devices.

We also added a feature to help the technicians in the field. With a new log file on the SD card it is easier to service sites or simply see, who changed the program recently. When creating a SD card with the RCO-tool, the log file will be created on the card, containing helpful information.

We completely reworked the existing program module library and added a header to every program module, containing a version number as well as a 30 seconds waiting time on the first start of the module.

Please take a close look at the readme files included in the new RCO-tool 2.4.5 and the program module library 1.5 before installing the new versions.

With the release of the RCO-tool version 2.4.4 numerous new functions and improvements were implemented:

New features:

• RCO621 now supports the new image formats, resulting in a better image quality.
• It is now possible to copy LBus2 modules as well as the IO-Bus of the 800 series. For that, click on the upper left corner in the module configuration to select all. With ctrl+c and ctrl+v all datapoints can be copied to another master.
• The new type “IP” was implemented into the variable functions.
• In combination with a text program, the IP address can be changed on-the-fly.
• NTP, network time protocol was implemented. This allows us to synchronize the controller with a NTP-server.
• FTP, file transfer protocol was implemented. This allows us to access the SD-card of a controller through a FTP-program over the IP address of the Controller.
• A IP-filter was implemented. This allows us to regulate exactly which IP-addresses are allowed to connect to the controller.
• The handling of menu names in the interactive menu as well as the interactive web menu were simplified.
• It’s possible to delete a selected row as well as the whole configuration of a LBus2 module or the I-modules with the DEL key.
• Objects are now movable in the detached window with the help of the arrow keys.
• RCO621 now supports the new user Management.

Bug fixes:

• Hide by comparison on last/active alarms now displays the selected datapoint correctly.
• Create SD-Card controller was improved.
• Changing the font size in the main menu of the interactive web menu now no longer changes the font size of the submenus.
• Marking in the text program editor from right to left and bottom to top works correctly again.
• BACnet external datapoints now behave correctly in RCO-Web.
• Import of text programs was improved.
• Pictures for the interactive web menu are now saved with their menu name instead of the alias name. This handling helps to prevent misconfiguration.
• Search and replace sometimes lead to problems in textprograms.
• Filemanager didn’t work correctly on RS232 or IPGateway connection.
• Sometimes passwords wasn’t saved.
• Under very special conditions, menu jumps in the interactive web menu weren’t saved

With the release of the RCO-tool version 2.4.2.5000 numerous new functions and improvements were implemented:

IMPORTANT: Please consider that the RCO-Tool Version 2.4.2.5000 does not support Windows XP!
IMPORTANT: If not already installed, the installer downloads .NET framework 4.

New functions / changes:

• “Create variable function” Program Module
  In case of value assignment of a program module variable before the creation of the variable no numeric variable was created. The value was directly written to the text program of the SD card. This function is changed. A numeric variable is always created independent whether a value was entered or not.
• Implementation user management
  Up to five user groups Nutzergruppen for the Interactive Menu and the Interactive Web Menu can be created.
• Hide and Jump for Interaction (Web) Menus
  Based on the user group or a variable comparison, elements in the Interactive Menu and the Interactive Web Menu can be hidden. With the help of the jump functionality in the Interactive Web Menu jumps directly to the submenus can be done.
• Backward read function of the Interaction Web Menus
  The Interaction Web Menu can be read backwards from the SD Card with the RCO-tool Version 2.4.2.
• Use of pictures in JPEG and PNG Format
  Interactive Menu: Storage in .jpeg Format enables a higher picture quality
  Interactive Web Menu: Storage in .png Format supports the transparency function
• New Messenger property – INFOMASK
  Selection of the alarm content for COM/GSM/Modem- and E-Mail-Messenger
• Del-key works in the Interactive and Interactive Web Menu
• Newest WinPCap Version 4.1.3 is implemented in the Installer
• The E-Mail start time is checked on the correct format
• The WEB-Server offers bigger dialog windows
• Die preview of the Interactive Menu presents also the resolution 640×480 now.
• Placing of data points with drag & drop in the Interactive Menu

Bug fixes:

• Time schedules with similar names were entered partly double in the Interaction Web Menu
• The last element in the input / output definition of the program module editor could not be deleted with the right mouse click/delete function.
• Not all tabs in the main window had a right mouse click menu to close them.
• Interaction Web Menu: The deletion of a time schedule before the deletion of the corresponding visualisation could lead to a crash of a project.
• An open text program could block the creation of new time schedules/alarms/messengers

RCO-view 2.4.5 alarm-sound and compatibility with RCO-Tool projects up to version 2.4.5.6000.

with the new version of the RCO-view 2.4.5 all RCO-Tool projects up to version 2.4.5.6000 can be loaded to the RCO-view Server.

At the RCO-view Web-part an alarm-sound function was implemented.
This function triggers an alarm-sound-file as soon as a new alarm is added
to the alarm window.

Also the Web-part was adjusted for the latest versions of Firefox(V.63.x) and Chrome(V.70.x).

Features und bug fixes:

– BACnet schedule handling extended.
– M-Bus time stamp recognition extended.
– E-mail timestamp information changed.
– E-mail recipients can be changed during operation, via program.
(program example in the partner portal)
– Process to recognize insert SD-card was changed.
– RCO-Web trend, data loading improvments.

for the controller families – RCO5xx / RCO7xx / RCO8xx / RCO9xx new 20 character firmware versions (Dx-1-x-x) with new functionalities are available for download.

This firmware solves an issue in all old 20 character firmware version Dx-1-x-x. We have done a change in the calculation of the date-weekday-determination.

We have found an issue in all old 20 character firmware version beginning on January 2019 on a given day in a year that day has assigned a wrong weekday.

Effect:
It maybe happen, that facilities with a week schedule on some days will be switched off or will continue running in reduced operation.

For the controller families – RCO9xx / RCO8xx and the LCD Display RCO621- new firmware versions (D9-2-4-50, D8-2-4-50) with new functionalities are available for download

New Firmware features:

• To tighten security on controller level, the TELNET port 23 is now deactivated by default. To open the port again add “TELNET = 1” to the autorun.fun.
• The System message „SD Card not found” and “SD Card ok” had been implemented. The message cannot be switched off with the priority 1.
• The new type “IP” was implemented into the variable functions. In combination with a text program, the IP address can be changed on-the-fly.
• NTP, network time protocol was implemented.
• FTP, file transfer protocol was implemented.
• A IP-filter was implemented.
• A random function was implemented. With this function random numbers between a start and an end number can be created.
• COMERR[] range was increased from 0-299 to 0-65535.
• A command for fragmentation of the BACnet IP communication was implemented with “BACNETNETWORK IPDONTFRAGMENT” the fragmentation of the BACnet IP communication can be restricted. The default configuration is “IPDONTFRAGMENT = 1” so fragmentation is not allowed

For the controller families – RCO9xx / RCO8xx and the LCD Display RCO621- new firmware versions (D9-2-4-36, D8-2-4-36) with new functionalities are available for download

New features:

• Windows 10 Format result of SD Card FAT32 type 0xC (before Win10 Anniversary Updates Version 1607 it was FAT32 0xB). Now the Controller can read SD-Cards which are formatted under Windows 10 in new FAT-format 0xC.
• Permanent function for LAL (Last Alarm List).
  The Controller now saves all LAL entries to Permavar.FUN. After the Controller restarts the LAL will not be empty if the List attribute Permanent = 1 is active.
• DATE and TIME stamps added to all (System) ERROR messages.
  Now all Error messages which are send by default to COM1 have a timestamp – Station date and time is used
• SMTP – Server Answer are processed now.
• A new LOG file is generated for the E-Mail function on SD-Card in folder ERRLOGS – EMAILLOG.TXT. This new Log contains all SMTP answers
• A new LOG file is generated for the new function Messaging Port=SD on the SD-Card in the folder ERRLOGS – CMDLOG.TXT. This new Log contains all Error messages which are led by default to COM1 in case Messaging Port=SD is set.
• New LCD-Password handling
  This allows faster numeric password setup
• New User (Group) Management is implemented
  The new function allows the generation of up to 5 User Group for LCD or RCO-Web (servers). The LCD password setup is improved and more comfortable now. For the RCO-Web a secured Login and Password combination with up to 20 characters is implemented now. For each User Group an Auto logout time can be defined which can be applied for the LCD and the RCO-Web.
• Hide function for the Interaction (Web) Menus is implemented
  Submenus / AAL / LAL / Trend Live / Trend Hist can be hidden by Data point comparison
  Submenus / AAL / LAL / Trend Live / Trend Hist and Menu Items can be hidden by User Groups if User Management is enabled
• Menu Jump for Interaction Web Menus is implemented
  A new Menu element, which allows to jump directly to a defined submenu not considering the tree navigation is implemented
• New Messenger properties are added – named INFOMASK
  This new function is available for the messengers COM/Modem/GSM and Email.
  The function allows to define which alarm content shall be transmitted
• The new function Messaging Port is implemented to lead system messages/errors which are led by standard to RS232 COM1 to other communication paths. With a command it is possible to send Errors to another Communication Port as COM1, it is also possible to store the messages to SD-Card.
  MESSAGING PORT = COM1 (default)
  MESSAGING PORT = COM2
  MESSAGING PORT = ETH1
  MESSAGING PORT = ETH2
  MESSAGING PORT = IP
  MESSAGING PORT = SD (saved to CMDLOG.TXT)
• BACnet commands over the IP-connection
  Now it is possible to use BACnet commands also inn case the IP-channel is used for Terminal requests.
  p bacnet
  <Who is> broadcast request to all BACnet devices in the local network
  p bacnet 65535
  <Who is> broadcast request to all BACnet devices in all networks
  p object list D N
  <Who has> requests all objects of the specific device
  (D=Device ID / N=BACnet Network Number)
• BACnet sniffer function
  This function visualises the BACnet MSTP traffic.
  BACSNIF = 1 or 0 new system variable.
  The Sniffer starts when this variable is set to „1“
  and the Sniffer stops when this variable is set to „0“
  It is also possible to capture these messages on the SD-card
  The command for this function is BACSNIF SD_MODE = 1 or 0
  (/PCAPLOGS/MSTPxxx.cap path. MSTPxxx.cap file is limited to 2MB.)
  or send them to the Ethernet port for real time monitoring with Wireshark.
  BACSNIF ETH_MODE = 1 or 0
• MODBUSRTU
  The feedback function MDBSTATUS is now also integrated for ModbusRTU protocol.
• BACnet sniffer statistics
  P BACSNIF STATISTICS this command allows the programmer to check the statistics of BACnet MS/TP sniffer by a terminal command. The Controller print the answer of the current statistic of captured BACnet MS/TP packets to terminal

Fixed bugs:

• In case the messenger buffer was full sending of alarm mails were stopped.
  This could happen in case the SMTP server send unexpected answers or the controller lost connection to the DNS serverPermanent.FUN for BACnet points did not work stable Value definition changed:
  Old DP_Name Value = 12.34
  New DP_Name =12.34
• Decode base64 strings in web server
• Blocking of the Ethernet ports during sending a high data volume over TCP/IP or UDP.
• New ability to send E-mails over SSL to the Host point E-mail provider (handling of the RSA_AES_128 encryption key)
• Protection against wrong ARP requests (Address Resolution Protocol) for BACnet MS/TP networks
• SD-Card 05HIST file structure contains faulty crazy files and or folders
  Fixed problem with handling of more than 8 opened files. Increased cache memory to reduce the number of readings from SD-Card, Changed the method of allocating the memory area on SD-Card with the result that created files will be less fragmented. All created files gets minimum 4kB allocated in case they are created or the allocated area is full. This change allows the faster location of the end of a history logs and the attachment of a new data log. Writing history data is now 3 to 5 times faster. Increased the watchdog interval from 6 to 15 seconds. The interval must be increased since the controller checks whether existing log files must be deleted at midnight before the files for the next days will be generated.