Blocks placed in Automatic mode enter PAUT mode. The block remains in this state until SAC scans the block again. While in PAUT mode, SAC scans the block as if it were in Automatic mode.
Example: Blocks in PAUT Mode
For blocks with short scan times, this means that the next scan time occurs relative to the last scan. For example, suppose SAC scans AI1 at 1:15:30. This block has a 30-second scan time. If an operator changes the block's mode to Automatic, SAC:
- Puts the block into PAUT mode.
- Scans the block again at 1:16:00, placing it in Automatic mode.
For blocks with long scan times, SAC synchronizes the next scan to the system clock. For example, assume AI2 has a one hour scan time and a 30-minute phase. If an operator places the block into Automatic mode, SAC:
- Puts AI2 into PAUT mode.
- Scans the block again on the half hour, placing it into Automatic mode.
