IBH SoftPLC S7-416
The IBH SoftPLC S7-416 executes a program the same way a hardware PLC does, with the advantage that PLC status can be displayed in real time. Because the SoftPLC behaves like an original SIMATIC PLC, it can be used with S7 for Windows®, STEP 7 and the TIA Portal.
Why a SoftPLC
The SoftPLC allows process monitoring, operation and control from a single hardware unit. It is especially useful when a PC is already required on the machine for data collection, process visualization, programming or any other reason. A SoftPLC solution eliminates the need for a hardware PLC and its communication processor.
Programming and online connections
Online connections can be established serially, over Ethernet, over PROFIBUS DP, and directly on the same PC. S7 for Windows®, the original STEP 7 tool and the TIA Portal can all be used for PROFIBUS DP project engineering and diagnostics as well.
The program of an S7 PLC or a Siemens WinAC SoftPLC, including its PROFIBUS DP configuration, can be transferred to the SoftPLC S7-315 or S7-416. Data exchange with the SoftPLC works through S7 for Windows®, Siemens STEP 7 or the TIA Portal. If the programming system is installed on the same PC, the SoftPLC can be reached directly, and the necessary drivers are included. With a Hilscher CIF30/50/60 PROFIBUS card and correctly configured drivers, the SoftPLC can also be programmed or reached from an operator panel over the connected PROFIBUS.
With the IBHNet driver installed on the programming device, the SoftPLC can be programmed over Ethernet. The IBHNet driver is available for download. Online functions are also possible using the Siemens ISO on TCP (RFC 1006) protocol.
Modbus TCP and OPC
The S7 SoftPLC includes an integrated Modbus TCP server, which is supported by numerous visualization software suppliers. The IBH OPC Server can communicate with the S7 SoftPLC over Ethernet or directly within the same PC. For fast data transfer between the SoftPLC and other Windows applications, a DLL is available, with examples supplied for the common programming tools.
I/O and fieldbus access
The SoftPLC can access standard I/O boards as well as the intelligent hardware boards used to control widely deployed industrial bus systems. A Modbus TCP driver is included, which covers I/O from suppliers such as Wago and Phoenix Contact. Fieldbus configuration is straightforward, and the integrated I/O monitor simplifies watching signal states and modifying I/O. The SoftPLC can also be accessed over TCP/IP Ethernet using the IBHNet driver.
PLC to PLC communication
Data exchange between several PLCs over Ethernet is supported. The SoftPLC contains a communications processor compatible with the Siemens CP343 and CP443, so Send/Receive connections can be built between two SoftPLCs, or between a SoftPLC and a Siemens PLC. Configuration is done with the STEP 7 tool NetPro or the TIA Portal.
The following protocols are supported:
- ISO on TCP programming device channel (programming device, ProTool, WinCC, compatible OPC server and others)
- 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
- TCP Fetch/Write passive
- UDP Send/Receive
Custom function blocks in C++
The PC environment offers functions that go beyond the usual S7 instruction set. Your own function blocks, programmed in C++, can be integrated, which makes it possible to write hardware drivers for custom I/O without a large development effort.
Simulation PLC and OEM platforms
The SoftPLC is also available as a pure simulation PLC. The S7 Simulation PLC includes the same Modbus TCP and CP functionality.
A variety of hardware and software platforms are supported. For OEM applications, an S7 Linux or Windows CE version is available for almost every CPU architecture.
S7-315 or S7-416: choosing a model
The difference between the S7 SoftPLC 315 and the S7 SoftPLC 416 is the number of flags, timers and counters, matching the differences between the Siemens hardware PLC 315 and 416. The load memory of the S7 SoftPLC 315 is limited to 256 kB, while the load memory of the S7 SoftPLC 416 can be configured freely.
