SIMATIC STEP 7 Professional

The comprehensive engineering solution for SIMATIC Controllers

Overview

Descriptiom
STEP 7 program tools
Programming languages
Operation set
Supported Operating systems
Licensing

Descriptiom

STEP 7 Professional comprises the following software packages:

STEP 7 Basic software
S7 - Graph.
S7 - SCL
S7 - PLCSIM

Besides a considerable price saving in relation to the purchase of the individual components you can take advantage of reduced installation efforts and the possibility to subscribe to a consolidated Software Update Service.
(See chapter licensing below)

STEP 7 basic Software

STEP 7 basic software is the standard tool for the SIMATIC S7, SIMATIC C7 and SIMATIC WinAC automation systems. It enables the user to use the performance capability of these systems easily and conveniently.

STEP 7 contains convenient functions for all phases of an automation project:

Configuring and parameterizing the hardware.
Specifying the communication.
Programming.
Test, start-up and service
Documentation, archiving.
Operating/diagnostics functions

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STEP 7 program tools

SIMATIC-Manager:

The SIMATIC Manager manages all data belonging to an automation project, regardless of the target system (SIMATIC S7, SIMATIC C7 or SIMATIC WinAC) on which they are implemented.

It provides a common entry point for all SIMATIC S7, C7 or WinAC tools. The SIMATIC software tools that are necessary for processing the selected data are automatically started by SIMATIC Manager.

Symbol-Editor:

With the tool Symbol Editor all global variables (in contrast to the local formal parameters that are declared when the blocks are programmed) are managed. The following functions are available:

Definition of symbolic designations and comments for the process signals (inputs/outputs), flags and blocks
Sorting functions
Data exchange with other Windows programs

The symbol charts that are generated when this tool is used are available to all software products. Changes to a symbol parameter are therefore automatically recognized by all tools.

Hardware configuration:

The tool Hardware Configuration is used for configuring and parameterizing the hardware used for an automation project. The following functions are available:

Configuration of the automation system Racks are selected from an electronic catalog and the selected modules are assigned to the required slots in the racks.
The configuration of the distributed I/Os is done in the same way as the configuration of the non-distributed I/Os; channel-granular I/O modules are also supported.
CPU parameter assignment:
Properties such as restart characteristics and cycle-time monitoring can be set menu-driven. multicomputing is supported. The entered data are filed in system data blocks in the CPU.
Module parameter assignment:
The user can specify all the adjustable parameters of the modules in input screen forms. Adjustments via DIP switches become unnecessary. Parameterization of hardware modules occurs automatically during the CPU's acceleration. Thus, a change of a module can be made without another parameterization.
Function module (FM) and communications processor (CP) parameter assignment:
This parameterization also occurs within the hardware configuration in the same way as the parameterization of the other modules. For this parameterization hardware-module-specific screen forms and rules are provided for each FM and CP (is included in the FM/CP functions package). The system prevents faulty inputs by offering only allowed entry options on the parameter assignment screen forms.

Communication configuration

Configuring and display of communication links
Time-driven cyclic data transmission via MPI:
- Selection of communication partners
- Entering of data source and data destination in a table.Generation of all system data
   blocks (SDBs) to be loaded and their complete transmission to all CPUs take place
   automatically
- Parameterization of the selected communication blocks in the customary programming
  language (e.g., LAD).
Event-driven data transmission
- Definition of the communication links.
- Selection of the communication function blocks (CFBs) from the integrated block library.
- Parameterization of the selected communication blocks in the customary programming
language (e.g., LAD).

System diagnostics

System diagnostics offer the user an overview of the status of the automation system. The display can be in two different forms:

Display of text messages, which can be output directly and quickly.
Pixel-graphics display within the Hardware Config display, offering the following options:
- Display of general module information (e.g., order number, version, designation) and
module status (e.g., faulty)
- Display of module faults (e.g., channel faults) of the central I/O and DP slaves
- Display of alarms from the diagnostics buffer

For CPUs, additional information is displayed

Causes of malfunction during user program execution.
Display of cycle duration (longest, shortest and last cycle).
Display of the reserved and free memory.
Capabilities and usage of MPI communication.
Display of the performance data (number of possible inputs/outputs, flags, counters, timers and blocks)

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Programming languages

The following well-proven programming languages are available:

Ladder (LAD,
Function Block Diagram (FBD)
Instruction List (IL)

The user can create programs that comply with DIN EN 6.1131-3.The user-friendly, pixel-graphics LAD and FBD editors support the programmer with:

Uncomplicated and intuitive operation:
The creation of ladder diagrams/function block diagrams is characterized by the user-friendliness familiar from PCs, such as drag and drop, cut and paste.
Library of predefined complex functions (such as PID controllers) or user-specific standard solutions

The Instruction List (IL) textual programming language makes it possible for the user to create programs in which operating time and memory location are optimized and which are “close to the hardware.” When creating these programs, the programmer is supported by the following user-friendly editing functions:

Entry option in incremental mode and free text mode: the user can either have each input immediately checked “incrementally” for correctness, or create the complete program using only symbols in a text editor and subsequently have it translated by means of the appropriate symbol chart.

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Operation set

The STEP 7 programming languages have a comprehensive set of instructions, similar to STEP 5. This allows even complex functions to be programmed easily (i.e., without having great programming knowledge) and quickly.

The following functions are provided

Binary logic (incl. edge evaluation)
Word operation
Timers/counters
Comparison functions
Conversion functions
Shift/rotate
Mathematical functions (incl. trigonometry, exponents, logarithms)
Program control (branches, branch distribution, calls, Master Control Relays).

In addition, improved testing and service functions make programming easier:

Setting breakpoints (only S7-400)
Forcing of inputs/outputs (only S7-400)
Rewiring
Display of cross-references

Status functions:

Download and testing of blocks directly from the editor
Status of several blocks at the same time
Search functions:
Specific locations within the program can be found quickly using search criteria (such as symbolic name, operand) (XRef).

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Supported Operating systems

Operating systems for STEP 7 V5.5 and STEP 7 Professional 2010

Windows XP Professional SP2
Windows XP Professional SP3
Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate (32 Bit)
Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate SP 1 (32 Bit)
Windows Server 2003 SP2

Operating systems for STEP 7 V5.5 SP1 and STEP 7 Professional 2010 SR1

Windows XP Professional SP2
Windows XP Professional SP3
Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate (32 Bit)
Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate SP 1 (32 Bit)
Windows Server 2003 SP2
Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate (64 Bit)
Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate SP 1 (64 Bit)
Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition R2 (64 Bit)
Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition R2 SP1 (64 Bit)

The following compatibility list gives the compatibility of the different versions of the SIMATIC software packages with the last two versions of STEP 7 and with the various Microsoft Windows operating systems. The list is valid only for the versions given in these files.

Compatibility List

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Licensing

STEP 7-Basic Software is part of the STEP 7 Professional Software package yet also available separately. Customers that already use STEP 7 can change to STEP 7 Professional by purchasing a POWERPACK. A valid STEP 7 license is needed for this upgrade. Software Update Service is offered for the STEP 7 Professional package as well.

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