With the launch of Simatic S7-1500, Siemens is introducing a controller family for medium to high-end machine and plant automation. Its characteristic features include high system performance and a host of functions integrated as standard, including Motion Control, Security for maximum possible plant security, and Safety for safety applications that are easy to implement. Greater efficiency is represented in particular by the innovative design for simple commissioning and safe operation, the configurable diagnostic functions for the plant status and the integration into the TIA Portal for simple engineering and low project costs.
The controllers is being launched on the market in stages. Initially, the portfolio will comprise the three CPU types 1511, 1513 and 1516 for the medium performance range, each also available as a F-version (failsafe) for safety applications, with graded performance features. These differ, for example, in the number of interfaces, bit performance and the size of the display and data memory. According to the individual automation task, the CPUs in the central configuration can be supplemented with as many as 32 expansion modules, e.g. with the new communication and technology modules or IO modules, in the same format as Simatic ET 200MP from Siemens.
The high level of system performance with fast signal processing permits short response times and a high quality of control. To this end, Simatic S7-1500 has a fast backplane bus with a high baud rate and efficient transmission protocol. The response time from terminal to terminal is less than 500 microseconds and the command time in the case of bit instructions, depending on the CPU, is faster than ten nanoseconds. The CPU 1511 and CPU 1513 controllers are equipped with two Profinet interfaces and the CPU 1516 controller with three: two for communication with the field level and the third for the integration into the corporate network. Profinet IO IRT permits defined reaction times and high-precision system behavior. In addition, a web server is integrated for the location-independent querying of system and process data or for diagnostic purposes.
