Communications enhancements to controllers

Controllers enhanced by Profibus, Profinet and telecommunication services

The Siemens Industry Automation Division has added new Profibus, Profinet and telecommunication services to the communication functions of the Simatic S7-1200 controllers. New CPU firmware enables communication with Profinet IO devices. With two new communication modules, the Simatic S7-1200 can be operated as a Profibus master or slave. Three new telecommunication components are available to users when they want to access the controller remotely from a PC or programming device.

The new firmware version 2.0 for the Simatic S7-1200 CPUs has Profinet IO controller functionality and thus implements communication with Profinet IO devices. Thanks to the integral Web server with user-defined Web pages, users can call up CPU information and process data using a standard Web browser. Data archiving is integrated, allowing data from the user program to also be archived during runtime.

There are two new communication modules for connecting the Simatic S7-1200 controllers to Profibus. The Profibus DP master module CM 1243-5 enables the connection of up to sixteen DP slaves, such as Simatic ET 200 distributed I/O modules. S7 and PG/OP communication with other controllers, as well as with HMI (human machine interface) devices and programming devices, is also supported. With the CM 1242-5, the Simatic S7-1200 can be operated as a Profibus DP slave and connected to any Profibus DP master. Both communication modules are simply connected via the S7-1200 backplane bus to the left of the CPU.

The new modules CP 1242-7, TeleService Adapter IE Basic and TeleService Module GSM allow plant operators remote access to Simatic S7-1200 controllers. Distributed stations equipped with Simatic S7-1200 can be monitored, diagnosed, maintained and controlled cost-effectively. The CP 1242-7 is simply connected via the backplane bus of the Simatic-S7-1200 as a GSM/GPRS interface and used for telecontrol. The TeleService Adapter IE Basic and the TeleService Module GSM are available for remote maintenance and diagnostics (teleservice). To use the new telecommunication services, users enter into a standard SIM card contract or a special M2M (machine-to-machine) contract. They then have remote access to the controller using a programming device or PC equipped with the Step V11 engineering software and Internet access. Thanks to wireless access, users are able to detect and correct local faults on-site in good time from a central location.