Open Development Kit SIMATIC WinAC ODK - SIMATIC Controller - Siemens  |   11/23/2008 7:43 PM  
Hide Images  |  Print

Open Development Kit -SIMATIC WinAC ODK

PC-based solutions typically include technological tasks such as image processing, measured value acquisition and numerical controls.
The WinAC option Open Development Kit (ODK) allows flexible use of all PC resources from the control program via three different interfaces in order to provide highperformance expansion of the PLC functionality.

 SIMATIC WinAC ODK - Operator interface of the application wizard with class libraries and C++ program
All the operating system functions and system resources of Windows are available to the programmer for this purpose, also providing access to external hardware and software components.
The Open Development Kit can be used for WinAC RTX as well as for the WinAC Slot PLC.
An ODK application is developed with a standard development environment for C-/C++ programming, such as Microsoft Visual Developer's Studio. This provides the application developer with the familiar environment tailored to Windows applications. C++ programming knowledge is not required for integrating such applications into the WinAC control program. The ODK applications can be used like normal system functions in the STEP 7 program.

WinAC ODK offers three interfaces for the following applications:

  • Custom Code Extension Interface (CCX) for calling your own C/C++ programs from the WinAC control program
    (not for WinAC Slot PLC)
  • Shared Memory Extension Interface (SMX) for high-speed WinAC data exchange with Windows applications
  • Controller Management Interface (CMI)for integrating the WinAC Panel functionality into a Windows application

Custom Code Extension Interface (CCX)
ODK includes an application wizard and a class library for simple programming in Microsoft Visual C++. The C++ program running outside WinAC is called via the CCX from the PLC program with the help of two system functions (SFC 65_000, SFC 65_001). The C program can be executed in three different ways:

  • Synchronously, that is, processed as part of the PLC cycle
  • Asynchronously, that is, started by the PLC program and terminated in the background
  • Continuously, that is, processed parallel to the PLC program

This allows diverse applications to be implemented.
Some examples include:

  • Connection of fieldbus cards to WinAC
  • Integration of robot control software into WinAC
  • Direct access to Windows file system
  • Implementation of special communications protocols

Shared Memory Extension Interface (SMX)
Via SMX, ODK supports the development of applications requiring data exchange between Windows applications such as Visual C++ and the WinAC PLCs, as is the case, for example, in closed-loop control or image processing tasks. This data exchange is especially fast via the a dual-port RAM (DPR) or shared memory, accessed by both the external C++ program and the PLC program. ODK includes libraries for reading and writing to this DPR according to the polling method. From the viewpoint of the WinAC PLC, the DPR represents a 4KB I/O area that can be accessed with load/transfer commands.
Typical applications of the SMX:

  • Connection of motion control systems
  • Connection of systems for measured data acquisition and analysis
  • Transfer and backup of large volumes of production and quality data
  • Direct and high-performance integration of an order database

Controller Management Interface (CMI)
With ODK, the function of the WinAC Panels can be integrated into a Windows application (see figure). For this purpose, the CMI provides the application with the following functions of the WinAC Panel:

  • LED status
  • Start and stop of the PLC
  • Subsequent loading of programs

Application examples:

  • Integration of the WinAC Panel into an HMI application
  • Remote operation of the PLC
  • Implementation of specific user rights
Siemens AG 2008