Data Groups
With few exceptions, data groups must be defined in a device template file (DTF) in order for them to be available for use on a remote device. Which data groups are defined by a device template file depends on protocol, device type, and unique configuration.
CygNet distributes sample device template files for its EIEs, each of which typically serves one or more hardware models along with applicable firmware. Therefore, the data groups described below are only those data groups defined by CygNet in sample device template file(s). Your template(s) might not include some of the data groups described below. Device template files exist to enable users to customize device configurations; however, CygNet is not responsible for changes made by users.
For information about data group definitions and device template files, see Device Template Files.
For more information about data group dependencies, see Data Group Dependencies.
Notes:
- Changes to the EFM3000 template are unlikely. But modifications can be made according to the Modbus format. History and alarm data groups use a special msgType attribute in their definitions; this cannot be edited. Also, elements within the AGAData data group include an itemType attribute that defines whether the value is displayed in the editor as Detail, Gross, or both; these settings cannot be edited.
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When point processing is performed on history data groups, only closed records will be published and processed to points. If a device has leading timestamped records and returns the current, open record, point processing will not be performed for that record, even though there is data in the DDS transaction. The point record will be updated only when that record is closed. This is to avoid a situation where a point has multiple entries with the same timestamp, since an open record may be still updating values with each new poll, but each update will have the same timestamp. For example, say you start polling for a daily history record at 8:00am, you’ll get the first value at 8:00am, then if you poll every five minutes, you’ll get new values throughout the day at the exact same timestamp. A history record is basically an array of data with a timestamp and values where the values have different process variables for each incremental poll. The timestamp won’t get written until the record is closed, which happens at the end of the time period, in this case, a day.
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Best practice recommends that you do not perform UDC and point processing on FMS data groups. The DEIDs specified in FMS data groups are generic and use the eFMS enumeration to identify the CygNet-defined FMS items referenced in the device template file. No polling is done on these data groups — all data is coming from the native data groups. Points should be mapped to the native data groups since that is the data group that is actually processing the device data. While point processing may work on the FMS data groups, it is not supported, not tested, not consistent across EIEs, and is not recommended practice.
FB EFM3000 EIE Data Groups
| Data Group Type | Usage Notes |
|---|---|
|
AGAData |
"AGA Data" |
|
AlarmCfg |
"Alarm Configuration" |
|
"Date and Time" |
|
|
"Daily History type 00" |
|
|
"Daily History type 02" |
|
|
FlwRunCfg |
"Flow Run Config" |
|
"Alarm Log" |
|
|
"Event Log" |
|
|
GmrCfgSend |
"FMS Legacy Config Send Data" is used to send modified measurement data to the field device. This data group is required only if you plan to use FMS and want to perform this specific task. |
|
GmrConfig |
"FMS Legacy Configuration Data" |
|
"FMS Legacy Events Data" |
|
|
"FMS Legacy History Data" |
|
|
HistCfg |
"HistCfg" |
|
"Hourly History type 0" is available for backward compatibility with legacy systems, but the manufacturer has strongly warned that it does not have the granularity of information to be used as a source for "FMS Legacy History Data". |
|
|
Only "Hourly History type 02" can be used as a source for "FMS Legacy History Data". |
|
|
RtuCfg |
"Rtu Config" |
|
Status |
"Instantaneous Data" |
|
SysInfo |
"System Info" |


