Process Control System

The Siemens Industry Automation Division has equipped Version 8 of its Simatic PCS 7 process control system with a host of new functions. The new features range from improved data exchange and an easier engineering workflow, more powerful communication, redundancy-related and fault-tolerant functions to new controllers and extended functionalities for the software tools. Reports can be easily created and modified using the standard Microsoft Reporting Service tool. In addition to Windows XP, Simatic PCS 7 Version 8 has also been released for Windows 7 (64- and 32-bit). Improved data exchange between the Cosmos plant management software and the PCS 7 engineering tools offers the user enhanced planning quality and an easier way to document the tracking of changes. The integrated, scalable long-term archiving system, Process Historian, is now suitable for the central archiving of process data from multiple projects in real time. Reports can be easily created and modified using the standard Microsoft reporting Service tool. In addition to Windows XP, Simatic PCS 7 Version 8 has also been released for 64- and 32-bit Windows 7. Improvements have also been made as regards to Profibus and Profinet communication, in the areas of fault tolerance and redundancy, as well as for the controllers. The fault-tolerant, high-performance Simatic S7-400H controllers have an increased range of I/Os and an integrated 2-port switch Profinet interface, enabling fault-tolerant, redundant ring structures to be set up and I/O devices to be connected on a system-redundant basis. In addition, the range of controllers has been extended to include the new CPU 416-5H with 16MB RAM. The Simatic PDM (Process Device Manager) for operating, setting, maintaining and diagnosing field devices has been supplemented in Version 8 by adding new export/import functions. Thus, users benefit from extended plant documentation, integrated statistics, simpler operation and more convenient replacement of devices. The Advanced Process Library (APL) now has new blocks for motor management, starters and compact drives, while the AdvES advanced engineering system has a new type concept compliant with ISA 88 (Control Module Types) and a user interface with a progress indicator. The industry library has been enlarged with technological blocks such as that for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) applications. In addition, package units for Simatic S7-300 as well as on-site operator panels can now be integrated into the industry library using the APL appearance. The PCS 7 Telecontrol add-on now permits the setup of hierarchical system configurations, while route control allows graphic offline path-searching and power control facilitates the integration of electrical switchgear in accordance with the IEC 61850 protocol. The extended functions are rounded off by AS mEC RTX, which is equipped with central IO modules and optimized for small-scale applications and for use in the OEM environment.