# Emulator

### Emulator Data Connector

The Emulator Data Connector enables rapid prototyping and testing of Tricloud Nexus asset hierarchies, tags, and integrations without the need for real-world equipment or external data sources.

This connector is designed to generate simulated measurement data at the Edge, providing a safe and controlled environment for validating system configuration, analytics, dashboards, and jobs before connecting to live systems.

> **Note:**\
> The Emulator Data Connector is intended for development, demonstration, and test scenarios. It should not be used in production environments.

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### Key Features

* **Edge-Based Simulation:** Runs directly on your Edge device, generating synthetic measurement values for any configured Tag.
* **Safe Testing:** Allows for end-to-end workflow validation - test dashboards, jobs, analytics, and historian connectors without risking real production data.
* **Rapid Prototyping:** Quickly simulate tag value changes, error states, or process scenarios before your physical equipment is connected.
* **Flexible Activation:** Enable or disable emulation data simply by toggling a button.
* **No External Dependencies:** Does not require any protocol setup, network configuration, or external connections.

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### Configuring the Emulator Data Connector

1. **Add a New Connector**
   * Select the Area node where you want to simulate equipment or tags.
   * Go to the **Data connectors** tab.
   * Click **+ New data connector**, choose **Emulation**, and enter a name (e.g., `Emulator`).
2. **Enable/Disable Simulation**

   <figure><img src="/files/p1nCLUd9N2FjE1kgglKw" alt="" width="374"><figcaption><p>The only option is toggling whether the Emulator Connector is Enabled</p></figcaption></figure>

   * Use the **Enabled** toggle to activate or deactivate the emulator.
3. **Connect Tags**
   * Any tags assigned to this connector can receive simulated measurement values according to their type (analog, digital, string). In the Tag configuration of a Tag, set the Data Connection to the Emulator, then specify how measurements should be generated using one of the below configurations/strings in the Read Address field:
     * *Sine curve:* Generate data that follows a sine curve, you may use the following example.\
       This will generate data from 0 to 10 over a period of 30 seconds.\
       Example: **sinus;0;10;30**
     * *Step:* Generate stepwise data within a range.\
       Alternate between two numbers for set durations before reverting to the original number.\
       Example: **step;-10;5;10;15**
     * *Sequence:* Generate a predetermined series of data repeatedly.\
       The following example produce a series of data that corresponds with the numbers.\
       Example: **sequence;1;2;3;4;5** (output: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
     * *Random:* Generate a series of random numbers from within a range.\
       Example: **random;1000** (range from 0 to 1000)\
       Example: **random;100;200** (range from 100 to 200)
     * *Variance:* Adding the variance tag to any formula will produce noise on every individual output.\
       The final output is the product of the variance and the original value. It is most useful for "roughing up" sine curves.\
       Example: **sinus\[variance=0.3];0;10;30**\
       \\

<figure><img src="/files/zxHi7kMRMZJZBFa72Jvo" alt="" width="557"><figcaption><p>Simulated Tag that uses the Emulator Data Connector</p></figcaption></figure>

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### Example Emulator Connector Configuration

| Setting | Example Value |
| ------- | ------------- |
| Name    | Emulator      |
| Enabled | On            |

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### Best Practices

* Use the Emulator Data Connector to build and validate new asset hierarchies or dashboards before deployment.
* Simulate process variations and alarm scenarios to test job automation, notification logic, or data flows.
* Clearly name your emulator connector and tags to avoid confusion between simulated and live data.


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