9300 Series User’s Guide WinPM.Net: Designer
Chapter 4 - Using ACCESS Software Page 83
WinPM.Net: Designer
Designer is an application for advanced users who know the nature of ION
architecture, specifically the nature of frameworks. A framework is a number of
ION modules arranged (linked) to perform a specific function or number of
functions. Designer allows you to customize current frameworks by adding,
deleting, or re-linking ION modules, and it allows you to create entirely new
frameworks. Although it can be used to perform basic setup, such as changing an
ION module’s setup register, it is recommended that you only use Designer for
framework customization and creation.
NOTE
In most cases, you will be able to achieve the functionality you want by changing the settings in an existing
module’s setup registers. For this operation it is recommended that you use ION Setup.

Basics of ION Architecture

Before you begin altering the meter’s operation, it is advisable to familiarize
yourself with the basics of how the device operates. Understanding the basics of
the ION architecture will help you understand how to make different types of
configuration changes.
The ION architecture applies the principles of object-oriented software design to
the creation of functionality inside your devices. The object-oriented structure
allows you to connect different discrete objects (called ION modules) in different
ways to define how information is accessed, transferred, and manipulated inside
the device and across the power monitoring network.
Each ACCESS device contains a number of ION modules that perform specific
functions. The ION modules are linked together to create frameworks or
framework templates, defining multiple operations and logical pathways for
power system information. The basic structure of an ION module is the same for
each module type, making it easy to use new features once the basics are
understood.