Using Routing Functions in SIMATIC

Do you know that you can access devices connected on different networks from the PG/PC without switching your physical connection. 

For Example, you can download / upload programs from devices connected on a PROFIBUS network even if your PG/PC is connected on a PROFINET network of the same system or vice versa. This feature can be extremely useful for example for commissioning of HMI panels and Drives which may be connected on PROFIBUS while the engineering station is connected on PROFINET.

Description

S7 Routing is the transfer of data beyond network boundaries. In this case you can send data from a sender to a receiver over various networks.

S7 Routing is possible over PROFINET and PROFIBUS subnets. With the PG/PC you can reach devices over and beyond subnet limits in order to do the following, for example:

• Download user programs
• Download a hardware configuration
• Execute test and diagnostic functions
• Commissioning of Drives and other slave devices.

Requirements for S7 Routing

• The CPUs, CMs and CPs  support routing.
• All accessible devices in a network have been configured and downloaded in STEP 7 in one project.
• All the devices associated with the gateway must receive information about which subnets can be reached over which routes (= routing information). The devices receive the routing information through downloading the hardware configuration in the CPUs.
  In the case of a topology with several subnets you must keep to the following order when downloading. First you download the hardware configuration into the CPU(s), which are connected to the same subnet as the PG/PC; then you download the CPUs of the other subnets one after the other starting with the nearest subnet through to the most distant.
• The PG/PC with which you wish to set up a connection through a gateway must be assigned to the subnet to which it is physically connected.
• For PROFIBUS subnets: The CPU must either be configured as a DP master or if it is configured as DP slave, the check box "Test, commissioning and routing" must be checked in the Properties of the DP interface of the DP slave.

SIMATIC S7 CPUsThe list below gives an overview of the SIMATIC S7 CPUs that support the S7 Routing function.
584459_Overview_CPUs_en.pdf ( 7 KB )
Communications processors (CPs)The list below gives an overview of the PROFIBUS and Industrial Ethernet CPs that support the S7 Routing function.
584459_Overview_CPs_en.pdf ( 16 KB ) 


How to use Routing Functions in SIMATIC :

The following requirements must be fulfilled for the "Routing" function with SIMATIC S7 modules via MPI, PROFIBUS and Industrial Ethernet connections:

Software requirements:

• MPI and PROFIBUS connections:

• At least STEP 7 V5.0+SP1, however a current version of STEP 7 is recommended.
• For the Softnet PROFIBUS cards (CP 5411 (ISA), CP 5511 (PCMCIA), CP 5611 (PCI), CP 5611 (on board)) you don't need any other drivers, because they are provided by STEP 7.
• For the Hardnet PROFIBUS cards (CP 5412(A2) (ISA), CP 5613/5614 (PCI)) you need the associated drivers from the SIMATIC NET CD.

• Industrial Ethernet connections:

• At least STEP 7 V5.0+SP1, however a current version of STEP 7 is recommended.
• With CP1612/ CP1512 ,CP1515 and commercially available network cards you need a current release of the SIMATIC NET Softnet IE PG driver (at least Softnet IE PG V3.1).
• With CP1613 and CP1413 you need the products SIMATIC NET IE PG 1613 and SIMATIC NET IE PG1413 respectively.

• For implementation of a TS Adapter:

• TeleService S7 V5.0 or higher.

Hardware requirements:

• You need routing-compatible modules. Refer to Entry ID 584459 for routing-compatible modules, or take them directly from the hardware catalog of the STEP 7 Hardware Configuration.
  
  
  Fig. 01
  
  
  You still need one of the Online CPs mentioned under "Software requirements" or the TS Adapter V5.0 or a PC Adapter V5.0.

Note:

• The last module that is to be addressed via the routing function does not have to be routing-compatible.
• If you wish to route via an S7 CPU which is configured as a PROFIBUS DP slave, you have to activate the "Test, Commissioning, Routing" option in the HWCONFIG > DP interface properties > "Operating Mode" tab. You can also find this information in the STEP7 Online Help ("Operating Mode" tab).

Configuration procedure:
You must configure all the stations that lie between the Start device and the target device in one STEP 7 project.
 

No.	Procedure
1	Insert a station of the type "PG/PC". Fig. 02
2	Configure all the physically available network connections (MPI, PROFIBUS, Industrial Ethernet) in NETPRO or in the HW Config. This also applies for networks that are not directly in the path, but are connected to the route stations. This does not mean that you must use all the interfaces available. You must only configure the communication connections that are also physically available. Fig. 03
3	Open the Properties of the "PG/PC station" by double-clicking the PG/PC object.
4	Switch to the "Interfaces" tab and create a new node ("New" button). From the list that is displayed select the type of your node and acknowledge with "OK".
5	From the next window you select the network that is physically connected to your PG/PC. If you have not yet configured a network, then you must do it now. Warning:The "PG/PC station" must be given the same address as set in the program "Set PG/PC interface" (also applies for CP 1413 and CP 1613).
6	Switch to the "Assignment" tab and assign the Routing entry point to your PG/PC. First you select the node in the "Configured Interfaces:" pane and then in the second pane you specify the CP or the PC Adapter with the relevant network identification via which you want to go online. Fig. 04
7	Save and compile your network configuration.
8	Transfer your configuration into the CPU.
9	Create an online connection via the offline project. This cannot be done via "Accessible Nodes".

Sample configurations:

• Routing with modem and TS Adapter
  
  
  Fig. 05
   
• Routing with ISDN Router:
  
  
  Fig. 06
   

Text and Images Courtesy : support.automation.siemens.com 

Difference between "Source" and "Sink" inputs

Difference between "Source" and "Sink" inputs

There is a variety of terminologies for characterizing digital inputs and outputs;

Sinking Inputs  / Outputs - Most Common for SIEMENS Automation Systems

Sourcing Inputs  / Outputs - Used by some other manufacturers

Furthermore, you can characterize or order the digital inputs and outputs as follows:

• the logical status
• the electrical signal
• the wiring and switching

The two tables below show the relationship between terminology and assignment:
Digital inputs (24V)
 

Terminology	Logical status	Electrical signal	Switching
P-lesend Sinking input Switch is located between DC24V and the module	1 (true)	24V	Fig. 01
	0 (false)	0V (or open)
M-lesend Sourcing input Switch is located between the module and ground	1 (true)	0V	Fig. 02
	0 (false)	24V (or open)

Table 01
Digital outputs (24V) 

Terminology	Logical status	Electrical signal	Switching
P-schaltend Sourcing output PNP Transistor Load located between the module and ground	1 (true)	24V	Fig. 03
	0 (false)	0V (or open)
M-schaltend Sinking output NPN Transistor Load located between DC24V and the module	1 (true)	0V	Fig. 04
	0 (false)	24V (or open)

Table 02 

In case of SIEMENS Automation Systems, all Inputs / Outputs are "Sinking" types unless Specifically mentioned. 

Sourcing type Input / Output modules are however also available for SIMATIC S7 -300, S7-400, S7-1200, S7-1500 PLCs and  ET200S , ET200M Remote I/Os