SoftPLC S7-315
The IBH SoftPLC S7-315 / S7-416 executes a program in the same manner as a hardware PLC. The advantage of executing a PLC program this way is, that the PLC status can be displayed in real time. Since the Soft PLC behaves like a original SIMATIC PLC, the programming tools S7 for Windows® and STEP7 can be used. Online connections can be established serial, via Ethernet, via PROFIBUS DP and directly on the same PC. Even for project engineering and diagnostics of the PROFIBUS DP S7 for Windows® or the original STEP7 tool can be used. The program of a S7-PLC or a Siemens WinAC SoftPLC including PROFIBUS DP configuration can be transferred to the SoftPLC S7-315 / S7-416. Data exchange with the SoftPLC can be established with S7 for Windows® or Siemens STEP7. If the programming system is installed on the same PC, the SoftPLC can be reached directly. The necessary drivers are included. Alternatively data exchange can be established via serial interface using a zero-modem cable. If a Hilscher CIF30/50/60 PROFIBUS card is used, the SoftPLC can be programmed or reached from an operator panel via the connected PROFIBSU, if the drivers are correctly configured.
The SoftPLC allows process monitoring, operation, and control from one hardware unit. The use of the SoftPLC is especially useful if a PC for data collection, process visualization, programming, or any other reason needs to be used anyway. A SoftPLC solution eliminates the need for a hardware PLC and the corresponding communication processor.
If the IBHNet driver is installed on the PU, the SoftPLC can be programmed over Ethertnet. The IBHNet driver can be downloaded from our homepage. Online functions are also possible using the Siemens ISO on TCP (RFC1006) protocol.
The S7 SoftPLC has an integrated Modbus TCPServer, which is supported by numerous visualization software suppliers. With the IBH OPC Server, a communication via Ethernet to the S7 SoftPLC as well as a direct communication in the same PC can be established.
For fast data transfer between the SoftPLC and other Windows applications, a DLL is available. Examples for the usual programming tools are supplied.
The SoftPLC can access standard I/O boards as well as numerous intelligent hardware boards available to control bus systems widely used in the industry. Also a driver for Modbus TCP is included. Modbus TCP is used by companies like Wago and Phoenix Contact. The configuration of the fieldbus is very comfortable. Signal state watching and modification of the I/Os is simplified by the integrated IO monitor. Further it is possible to access the SoftPLC via TCP/IP Ethernet using the IBHNet driver.
A data exchange between several PLCs controls via Ethernet is possible. The SoftPLC contains a communications processor, which is compatible to the Siemens CP343/CP443. Send/Receive connections between two SoftPLC, between SoftPLC and for example Siemens PLCs can be realized. The configuration is made using the Step7 Tool NetPro.
The following protocols are supported:
- ISO on TCP PU channel (PU, ProTool, WinCC, compatible OPC server etc.)
- ISO on TCP Send/Receive passive
- ISO on TCP Send/Receive active
- ISO on TCP Fetch/Write passive
- TCP Send/Receive passive
- TCP Send/Receive active
- CP Fetch/Write passive
- UDP Send/Receive
The PC environment offers additional functions, which go beyond the usual S7 instructions. So own functions blocks, programmed in C++ can be integratd. This gives the possibility to program hardware drivers for customized I/O without large development.
The SoftPLC is also available as a pure Simulation PLC. The S7 Simulation PLC also has the ModbusTCP- und CP-functionality integrated.
To meet the demands of our customers and provide flexibility, a variety of hardware and software platforms are available that are supported by the SoftPLC. For OEM applications, also a S7 Windows CE version is available for almost every CPU architecture.
The difference between S7-SoftPLC 315 and S7-SoftPLC 416 is a different number of flags, timers and counters according to the hardware-PLC. The differences comply to the differences between the Siemens hardware PLC 315 and 416. The load memory of S7-SoftPLC 315 ist limited to 256 kByte, while the load memory of S7-SoftPLC 416 can be configured freely.
