Major benefits for the customers

Lateral communication means direct communicaton between the slaves (not only the drives) on the PROFIBUS DP. Data are exchanged in a very fast way without a SIMATIC CPU causing any delay. This function is configured in STEP7 and Drive ES Basic. The SIMATIC CPU sets this function when the PROFIBUS is booting. thus enabling the user to exchange values that had previously been transferred via separate bus systems. In addition to it, the equidistance mode can be activated for especially time-critical applications (Motion Control). The following drives are capable of lateral communication: SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES, SIMOREG DC-MASTER, MICROMASTER 4xx, SIMODRIVE 611 universal (SW 4.1 and higher) and SIMODRIVE POSMO SI/CA/CD (SW 4.1 and higher).

Clocked operation

Major benefits for the customers

Clocked operation (also called equidistance) is based on a strictly deterministic bus operation, i.e. bus cycles are maintained in µ seconds. This is required to achieve control via bus. Thus, Motion Control functionalities can also be operated via PROFIBUS. The converter types SIMODRIVE 611 universal and SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES Motion control synchronize their control tasks with the PROFIBUS cycle. Therefore, all converters are synchronized one to the other. The following drives support clocked operation: SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES MC and MC Compact Plus from Software Version 611l, SIMODRIVE POSMOSI/CA/CD.

Routing

Major benefits for the customers

Routing enables the SIMATIC CPUs to have access from higher automation levels such as Ethernet or teleservice, all the way through to the end devices (here: drives) without having to change (disconnect) the connectors or cables. his is made in the network configuration (NetPro) which is included in the STEP7 kit. As Siemens drives are now integrated in the world of SIMATIC via their operating tool, they can also use this function to remotely execute parameterization, diagnosis and service.

Teleservice

Major benefits for the customers

Teleservice is a software from the SIMATIC spectrum, enabling to access the automation system from long distances and perform parameterization, diagnosis and service. It enables access to automation from a far distance as well as parameterization, optimization, diagnosis and service. As Drive ES is integrated in the SIMATIC software, the drives can now also use this service. It makes it possible to remotely diagnose states and errors of the drive without service personnel having to travel to the location which obviously takes time and causes expenses. All those functions that can directly be executed on site with Drive ES Basic, can also be executed on the drive remotely: Parameterizing; diagnosis; trace analysis; download and upload of sets of parameters.

Security note

Suitable protective measures (among others IT-Security, e.g. network segmentation) have to be taken up to ensure a safe operation of the plant. You find further information about the topic of Industrial Security on the Internet under