A Parameter is a named value used in condition expressions within the Algorithm Design. Parameters represent thresholds, targets, and limits that the control logic checks against — such as maximum pressure, target temperature, or minimum flow rate.
💡 In pharmaceutical terms: Parameters are the setpoints and limits that your process conditions check against. For example, during a CIP caustic wash, you might have a "MinTemp" parameter set to 75 °C — the algorithm checks whether the actual temperature has reached this value before proceeding to the next step.
📋 Properties
|
Property |
Type |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Name |
Text |
Unique identifier for the parameter (e.g., "MaxPressure", "TargetTemp") |
|
Phenomenon |
Text |
The physical phenomenon being measured (e.g., "Temperature", "Pressure", "Flow", "Level") |
|
Unit |
Text |
The unit of measurement (e.g., "°C", "bar", "L/h", "mm") |
|
Default Value |
Decimal |
The default numeric value for this parameter |
|
Custom Attributes |
Collection |
User-defined attribute key-value pairs |
🔧 How Parameters Work
Parameters provide named references to numeric values in condition expressions. Instead of writing a hard-coded number in a condition, you reference a Parameter by name. This has several benefits:
-
Readability — "Temperature > MaxTemp" is clearer than "Temperature > 85.0"
-
Reusability — the same parameter can be used in multiple conditions across steps and processes
-
Maintainability — changing the threshold means updating one parameter, not every condition that uses it
Used In
Parameters are used in the Condition Builder when creating formal condition expressions. They appear in the operand selection list and can be compared against instrument readings, other parameters, or literal values.
📊 Parameter vs Variable
|
Aspect |
Parameter |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Purpose |
Input thresholds and limits (what to check against) |
Output storage and calculations (where to write values) |
|
Used in |
Condition expressions (checking values) |
Action expressions (writing values) |
|
Key values |
Default Value |
Min / Max range |
|
Think of it as |
A constant that conditions compare against |
A variable that actions write to |
|
Example |
"MaxPressure = 3.0 bar" |
"RecordedTemp (0–150 °C)" |
📖 How To: Define Parameters for Your Module
-
Open Module Data — Navigate to the Data panel in the Module Ribbon and open the Module Data window.
-
Go to the Parameters tab — Select the Parameters section.
-
Create a new Parameter — Click "Create new" and give it a descriptive name (e.g., "MinCIPTemp", "MaxPressure").
-
Set the phenomenon and unit — Choose the physical quantity (Temperature, Pressure, Flow, etc.) and unit (°C, bar, L/h).
-
Set the default value — Enter the numeric value that will be used as the threshold in conditions.
-
Use in Algorithm Design — Reference this parameter in your Condition Builder expressions.
💡 Tip: Use a consistent naming convention for parameters. For example, prefix with "Min", "Max", "Target", or "Limit" to make the purpose immediately clear: MinCIPTemp, MaxPressure, TargetFlowRate, LimitCirculationTime.
📤 Excel Export / Import
Parameters support Excel export and import for bulk management:
|
Exported Field |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Name |
Parameter name (used as identification key) |
|
Phenomenon |
Physical phenomenon |
|
Unit |
Unit of measurement |
|
Default Value |
Default numeric value |
|
Custom Attributes |
All user-defined attributes |
You can export parameters to Excel, edit them in bulk, and import them back. The Name field serves as the identification key for matching during import.
🏭 Example: CIP Module Parameters
|
Parameter Name |
Phenomenon |
Unit |
Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MaxPressure |
Pressure |
bar |
3.0 |
Maximum allowable CIP circuit pressure |
|
MinCIPTemp |
Temperature |
°C |
75.0 |
Minimum caustic wash temperature |
|
MaxCIPTemp |
Temperature |
°C |
95.0 |
Maximum CIP temperature (safety limit) |
|
TargetFlowRate |
Flow |
L/h |
5000 |
Target CIP circulation flow rate |
|
CirculationTime |
Time |
min |
15 |
Minimum caustic contact time |
|
DrainTimeout |
Time |
s |
120 |
Maximum time allowed for drain step |
🏭 Example: SIP Module Parameters
|
Parameter Name |
Phenomenon |
Unit |
Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SterilizationTemp |
Temperature |
°C |
121.0 |
Required sterilization temperature |
|
SterilizationHoldTime |
Time |
min |
20 |
Minimum hold time at sterilization temperature |
|
MaxSteamPressure |
Pressure |
bar |
3.5 |
Maximum steam pressure (safety limit) |
|
CooldownTargetTemp |
Temperature |
°C |
40.0 |
Target temperature after cool-down |
|
MinCondensateDrain |
Level |
% |
5.0 |
Minimum condensate level before drain is complete |
🔗 Related Pages
-
📝 Variable — Similar to parameters but used in action expressions with min/max range
-
📋 Module Data — All module data types
-
Build Condition Field — Where parameters are used in condition expressions
-
🧠 Algorithm Design — Overview of condition logic
-
🔁 Control Loop — Control loops that use parameters as setpoint sources