12 Apendix Open Process Control

Automation and Drives
Open Process Control

(WinLC RTX V4.x as example)
OPC client e.g. OPC Scout

OPC interface
Search address space Read access
OPC interface
OPC server Group Created

WinAC by client
Configuration
Configuration
tool
tool Items from
Item Item Item Simatic
WinAC Symbol Address address
space manager
File space
Configurator
Symbol file
WinLC
Variable Variable Variable
Drivers
PROFIBUS DP
PROFIBUS DP field devices
SITRAIN
IK-PBSYS / Open Process Control Page 1 03/2007
Siemens AG 2007 - Subject to change without prior notice
Contents Page
Overview of OPC server WinAC ........................................................................................................ 2
Configuring hardware in STEP 7 (example) ...................................................................................... 3
Creating a symbol table in the S7 project ........................................................................................... 4
Creating a PC station in the STEP 7 project ...................................................................................... 5
Renaming the PC station .................................................................................................................. 6
Renaming the component configurator (CoCo) ................................................................................. 7
PC station hardware configuration (OPC server) .............................................................................. 8
PC station hardware configuration (WinLC) ....................................................................................... 9
Matching with the component configurator ....................................................................................... 10
Creating an S7 connection in NetPro (1) ............................................................................................ 11
Creating an S7 connection in NetPro (2) ............................................................................................ 12
Downloading the PC configuration .................................................................................................... 13
Setting the access point for S7ONLINE ............................................................................................. 14
Loading the configuration (WinLC RTX system) ................................................................................ 15
Downloading the PC station .............................................................................................................. 16
Configuration console (OPC settings) ................................................................................................ 17
Properties of the OPC server .............................................................................................................. 18
Configuring symbols .......................................................................................................................... 19
Loading a station ................................................................................................................................ 20
Editing symbol files ............................................................................................................................. 21
Configuring a symbol file .................................................................................................................. 22
Accepting symbols for OPC ............................................................................................................... 23
OPC Navigator .................................................................................................................................. 24
OPC Scout: Access to addressed items .......................................................................................... 25
Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 26
SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Automation and Industrial Solutions Page 1 Open Process Control
Overview of OPC server WinAC

OPC interface
Search address space Read

access
OPC interface

WinAC by client Configuration
Configuration
tool tool
Items from
File space space manager
Configurator
Symbol file
WinLC
Drivers
PROFIBUS DP
SITRAIN
Summary Configuring environment:

The OPC server configuration comprises the address space configuration and the
logic controller (WinLC) configuration.
The symbol file for the address space is used to define which absolute data areas
in the WinLC will be used and which names will be used by the OPC client to
access data in the WinLC. This symbol file is created with the Symbol File
Configurator.
The hardware configuration and the control program for the WinLC are created
with the Simatic Manager.
Runtime environment:
In runtime, an OPC client can search the address space of the OPC server and
set up groups to which it can add items from the address space. These items can
then be used to perform read and write operations.

Configuring hardware in STEP 7 (example)
03/2007
Procedure 1.The hardware must be configured with distributed I/Os in the STEP 7
configuration. This is loaded to the Logic Controller WinLC RTX.
2.For WinAC Basic V4.0, a PC station must be configured. The logic controller
must be inserted in this station in the hardware configuration.
WinLC V4.0 is stored in the hardware catalog under heading
SIMATIC PC Station Controller.
3.The PROFIBUS DP master is created by the logic controller and the CP. The
DP master must be configured with the DP slaves.

Creating a symbol table in the S7 project
03/2007
Symbols When symbolic addressing is used in the STEP 7 program, the address space of
the OPC server can be generated from the symbolic information (see
"Configuring a symbol file").

Creating a PC station in the STEP 7 project
SITRAIN
Notes

Renaming the PC station
PC station after
renaming
"My OPC station"
Standard name for a

new PC station
SITRAIN
Notes

Renaming the component configurator (CoCo)
"CoCo" is always
displayed here
(double click to open)
Name must match the

name of the PC station
Button for changing

the station name
SITRAIN
Notes

PC station hardware configuration (OPC server)
The OPC server position can

be freely selected.
Select an OPC server and

drag it to the "rack".
SITRAIN
Note If you do not know which version of OPC server is installed, it is always better to
select the latest version.
When you are loading the configuration, wait to see whether an error message is
displayed which will indicate which version of OPC server is installed. It might
then be necessary to select another OPC server version.

PC station hardware configuration (WinLC)
Select the correct version

of WinLC RTX
SITRAIN
Notes

Matching with the component configurator
The entries in the

HW Config must
have the same
indices as those in Status messages
the CoCo
Adding components
SITRAIN
Note The entries in the hardware configuration must have the same indices as those in
the component configurator.

Creating an S7 connection in NetPro (1)
New connections OPC server

are configured on
the OPC server
SITRAIN
Notes New connections are configured on the OPC server To do this, select the OPC
server and use the menu to insert the appropriate S7 connection.

Creating an S7 connection in NetPro (2)
Connection name
All accessible
nodes
No choice of a different
interface. This is predefined
for WinLC.
S7 connection
SITRAIN
Notes

Downloading the PC configuration

The component configurator "CoCo" cannot be accessed online:
Is access point S7ONLINE set to "PC Internal"?
Is the name of the PC station correctly entered in the "CoCo"?
WinLC RTX already started?
SITRAIN
Note If the component configurator cannot be accessed online, the following settings
should be checked:
- Is access point S7online set to "PC internal"?
- Is the name of the PC station correctly entered in the component configurator?
- The WinLC RTX must be started

Setting the access point for S7ONLINE
Load "CoCo": Set

interface PC
Internal (local)
Set access points "CoCo" correctly

loaded (yellow arrow)
PG/PC interface as
alternative
SITRAIN
Notes

Loading the configuration (WinLC RTX system)
PG/PC interface
PC internal (local)
03/2007
Procedure 1.To load the configuration, WinLC must be started with menu command Start
Simatic PC Based Control Windows Logic Controller .
2.The configuration can now be loaded from the SIMATIC Manager to the WinLC
RTX.
Note Before the configuration can be downloaded, the access point of the S7ONLINE
application must be switched over with menu commands CPU Set PG/PC
interface on the operator panel.
In this dialog, you must switch the access point from "S7ONLINE" to "PC internal
(local)".
If you wish to access external equipment via the MPI, S7ONLINE must be
switched back to the MPI interface (e.g. CP5611 (MPI)).

Downloading the PC station
Component
correctly configured
Status irrelevant for

WinLC Component has been
started and is ready
to run No yellow or red
"LEDs" must be
alight on the WinLC
status display.
S7 connection is configured.
No data can be exchanged
with the WinLC without a
connection.
SITRAIN
Note You can check S7 variables using variable tables.

Configuration console (OPC settings)
SITRAIN
Notes

Properties of the OPC server
Properties of the
OPC server
OPC server
Configuring a symbol file
SITRAIN
The Symbol File Configurator
An OPC client normally accesses process variables using Item IDs that contain
address information. It is, however, also possible to access the variables using
symbolic names that can be structured hierarchically.
Instead of working with names which depend on protocol or device, it is possible
to set up a symbolic name space which corresponds, for example, to a plant
structure. Symbolic names can be used with any type of protocol. In addition to
creating your own name space, you can also transfer symbol names from
SIMATIC STEP 7.
The Symbol File Configurator creates files for the SIMATIC NET OPC server
which contain symbol name definitions. You will need the Symbol File
Configurator to set up a symbolic name space and to transfer symbolic names
from SIMATIC STEP 7.
OPC ItemID The OPC ItemID is the process variable identifier used by the OPC Server.
An ItemID is transferred by the OPC client to the OPC Server to identify a
process variable and is unique for the OPC Server. It is either a symbolic name or
a runtime name.
Symbolic name A symbolic name is an OPC Item ID that has been generated by the Symbol File
Configurator. In a hierarchically structured name space, a symbolic name is made
up of the names of the hierarchical levels and the actual symbol.
Example: Plant_Packing.Conveyor1.Limit_Switch
Runtime name A runtime name is an OPC ItemID which contains protocol and address
information for assignment purposes and which is accepted directly by the OPC
Server without using a symbol file. Using the Symbol File Configurator, a
symbolic name is assigned to a runtime name.

Configuring symbols
SITRAIN
Using symbols You can decide whether to transfer symbols from the symbol tables configured in
STEP 7 to the system data for the OPC server. This must be done if user
applications (OPC clients) are to access symbolic variables over the OPC server.
The symbol tables used are those of the CPUs for which S7 connections are
configured for the OPC server. This process includes only those symbols which
refer to data blocks (DB).
- None: No symbols from STEP 7 will be transferred to the system data for
the OPC server. The access rights configured under access protection for the
OPC Items apply.
- All: All relevant symbols from STEP 7 are transferred to the system
data for the OPC server. The access rights for all symbolic access operations
to the assigned variables are set to Read/ Write (RW) by this selection. They
have priority over the access rights for the OPC_Items assigned in the access
protection area.
- Selected: Selected symbols from STEP 7 are transferred to the system data
for the OPC server. By selecting the "Edit" button, you can open the "Use
symbols" dialog in which you can select and configure symbols.

Loading a station
SITRAIN
Notes

Editing symbol files
Edit
symbol files
Manage
symbol files
SITRAIN
Using symbols You can decide whether to transfer symbols from the symbol tables configured in
STEP 7 to the system data for the OPC server. This is necessary if user
applications (OPC clients) are to access symbolic variables over the OPC server.

Configuring a symbol file
Save a symbol
file (<>.sti)
Data blocks are

automatically extracted. For
this reason, only the DB
need be specified in the
symbol table.
03/2007
OPC server As soon as the configuration has been loaded to the WinLC, the data in the PLC
can be accessed via the OPC server. However, it is only possible to use absolute
addresses (M1.0, I2.3). Neither is it possible to browse in the server's address
space. In other words, anyone who uses an OPC client application must know the
absolute addresses.
Symbol file To overcome this shortcoming, a symbol file can be generated from the symbolic
information of the STEP 7 program. This file provides the OPC server with a
symbolic address space.
Address space The STEP7 projects can be browsed to locate the control program written for
WinAC in the SIMATIC Program(s). This program contains the symbolic
information required to set up the OPC server's address space.
To be able to display the STEP7 project in this dialog, it must already have been
opened at least once on the computer with the STEP7 Manager.
1.To generate the symbol file, select menu commands Start Simatic
PC Based Control Computing TagFile Configurator (Symbol File
Configurator).
2.A new symbol file is created with menu commands File New .
3.To select a STEP 7 program containing the symbolic information, activate menu
commands Insert New symbol .

Accepting symbols for OPC
SITRAIN
Notes

OPC Navigator
WinAC is not started.
Accept selected
"Items"
03/2007
OPC Scout The SIMATIC NET's OPC Scout application can be used to check the WinAC
OPC server. This server can be checked provided that the Logic Controller has
started correctly.
1.You can open the OPC Scout in the start menu by selecting menu commands
Simatic SIMATIC NET OPC Server OPC Scout
2.When you double click on "OPCServer.SIMATIC.NET", a window opens in
which you can create a new group.
In this example, it will be named "Test". The group is set up when you click on
OK.
3.To add new ITEMS to this group, you need only double click on the group
"Test".

OPC Scout: Access to addressed items
SITRAIN
Check If the items have been successfully added to the group, the process values for the
relevant items are displayed in the "Values" column.
The "Quality" column indicates whether the OPC server is supplying accurate
values.
Quality = good means that the values are o.k. Quality = bad means that there is a
server problem.

Summary

OPC interface
Search address space Read

access
OPC interface

WinAC by client Configuration
Configuration
tool tool
Items from
File space space manager
Configurator
Symbol file
WinLC
Drivers
PROFIBUS DP
SITRAIN
Summary Configuring environment:

The OPC server configuration comprises the address space configuration and the
logic controller (WinLC) configuration.
The symbol file for the address space is used to define which absolute data areas
in the WinLC will be used and which names will be used by the OPC client to
access data in the WinLC. This symbol file is created with the Symbol File
Configurator.
The hardware configuration and the control program for the WinLC are created
with the Simatic Manager.
Runtime environment:
In runtime, an OPC client can search the address space of the OPC server and
set up groups to which it can add items from the address space. These items can
then be used to perform read and write operations.


12 Apendix Open Process Control

Uploaded by

12 Apendix Open Process Control

Uploaded by

Automation and Drives

Open Process Control

OPC client e.g. OPC Scout

Search address space Read access

OPC server Group Created

PROFIBUS DP field devices

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Overview of OPC server WinAC

OPC client e.g. OPC Scout

Search address space Read

OPC server Group Created

PROFIBUS DP field devices

Summary Configuring environment:

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Configuring hardware in STEP 7 (example)

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Creating a symbol table in the S7 project

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Creating a PC station in the STEP 7 project

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Renaming the PC station

Standard name for a

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Renaming the component configurator (CoCo)

Name must match the

Button for changing

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

PC station hardware configuration (OPC server)

The OPC server position can

Select an OPC server and

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

PC station hardware configuration (WinLC)

Select the correct version

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Matching with the component configurator

The entries in the

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Creating an S7 connection in NetPro (1)

New connections OPC server

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Creating an S7 connection in NetPro (2)

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Downloading the PC configuration

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Setting the access point for S7ONLINE

Load "CoCo": Set

Set access points "CoCo" correctly

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Loading the configuration (WinLC RTX system)

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Downloading the PC station

Status irrelevant for

Note You can check S7 variables using variable tables.

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Configuration console (OPC settings)

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Properties of the OPC server

Configuring a symbol file

The Symbol File Configurator

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Editing symbol files

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Configuring a symbol file

Data blocks are

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

Accepting symbols for OPC

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

WinAC is not started.

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

OPC Scout: Access to addressed items

SITRAIN training for IK-PBSYS

OPC client e.g. OPC Scout

Search address space Read

OPC server Group Created