Accessing SIMOCODE Pro Cyclic Send and Receive Data in SIMATIC PCS 7

Accessing cyclic communication data between SIMOCODE pro motor management systems and SIMATIC PCS 7 requires configuring standard DP/PN communication telegrams in HW Config and deploying the dedicated SIMOCODE PCS 7 Library blocks. Cyclic receive telegrams convey motor status bits, current percentages, and operating hours from SIMOCODE to the controller, while cyclic send telegrams transmit start, stop, and fault reset commands from the controller to SIMOCODE. Utilizing driver blocks such as MMStat, MMDiag, and MMOpn eliminates manual byte parsing and provides standardized APL motor faceplates.

Communication Architecture Between SIMOCODE Pro and PCS 7

SIMATIC PCS 7 interfaces with SIMOCODE pro motor management relays across PROFIBUS DP or PROFINET IO using a dual-channel communication architecture:

Cyclic Process Data Exchange: High-speed, deterministic data transferred in every controller bus cycle via input/output process image partitions. Cyclic communication conveys time-critical motor controls (Start, Stop, Direction, Emergency Stop, Reset) and status feedback (Running, Tripped, Local/Remote, Motor Current % I_L1-L3).
Acyclic Parameter and Diagnostic Records: On-demand communication executed via system function blocks (SFB52 / SFB53 or RDREC / WRREC). Acyclic data transfers detailed fault records, thermal overload curves, power factor (cos phi), energy consumption (kWh), and maintenance timers into SIMATIC PDM or WinCC faceplates.

HW Config Telegram Formatting and Cyclic Byte Structures

In STEP 7 HW Config, the SIMOCODE pro station is integrated using its certified GSD/GSDML file or the integrated SIMOCODE library profile:

Standard Telegram Options:
* Basic Type 1 (4 Bytes In / 4 Bytes Out): Minimal cyclic profile conveying binary status/control bits and phase current I_max (%).
* Basic Type 2 (12 Bytes In / 4 Bytes Out): Extended profile conveying binary status, motor current (% and amperes), active power, and analog expansion values.
Cyclic Receive Byte Layout (SIMOCODE to AS):
* Byte 0 - 1: Status bits (Bit 0: Ready, Bit 1: On1, Bit 2: On2, Bit 3: General Fault, Bit 4: General Warning, Bit 5: Auto Mode).
* Byte 2 - 3: Maximum current I_max as an unsigned 16-bit integer (% of motor rated current I_r).
* Bytes 4 - 11 (Basic Type 2): Active power, energy counter, and temperature sensor readings.
Cyclic Send Byte Layout (AS to SIMOCODE):
* Byte 0 - 1: Control command bits (Bit 0: Off, Bit 1: On1 Forward, Bit 2: On2 Reverse, Bit 3: Fault Reset, Bit 4: Emergency Start).
* Byte 2 - 3: Analog setpoint or external control word.

Utilizing the SIMOCODE PCS 7 Library Blocks

Rather than writing custom SFC14/15 logic to decode individual bits, Siemens provides the dedicated SIMOCODE pro PCS 7 Library:

MMStat (Motor Management Status): Evaluates the cyclic receive bytes from SIMOCODE, unpacking motor status bits, current percentages, and operating state into standardized APL pins.
MMDiag (Diagnostics): Interfaces with OB82/OB86 interrupts to report hardware faults, device unreachability, and loss of communication to the Maintenance Station.
MMOpn / MMExec: Links with standard APL motor blocks (MotL, MotRevL) to route operator faceplate commands into the cyclic send bytes dispatched to SIMOCODE.

During CFC chart compilation with the driver generator active, the compiler automatically interconnects hardware addresses to the SIMOCODE channel drivers.

Manual Cyclic Byte Interconnection in CFC

If operating without the official SIMOCODE PCS 7 Library, cyclic bytes can be parsed directly in CFC using standard bit manipulation blocks:

Reading Cyclic Inputs:
* Use Pcs7DiIn to read individual bit addresses within the configured input process image (e.g., I 512.0 for Motor Ready, I 512.3 for General Fault).
* Use Pcs7AnIn to read the word address corresponding to motor current (e.g., IW 514). Scale the raw integer value (0 to 1000 = 0% to 1000% I_r) into an engineering REAL value.
Writing Cyclic Outputs:
* Use standard boolean outputs or word packing blocks (Word_To_Bits) connected to the output process image (e.g., Q 512.1 for Start Forward, Q 512.3 for Fault Reset).

Verification

Confirm successful bidirectional cyclic communication between PCS 7 and SIMOCODE:

Controller Cyclic Monitoring:
* In CFC, monitor the MMStat or Pcs7DiIn blocks online.
* Verify that when SIMOCODE control power is energized, the Ready bit asserts to 1.
* Start the motor locally; confirm that the Running bit asserts and that motor current updates dynamically.
Command Output Test:
* Issue a Start command from the CFC test view or WinCC faceplate.
* Verify that the cyclic output bit asserts and that SIMOCODE closes its contactor.
Diagnostic Fault Test:
* Induce a test fault (e.g., test button on SIMOCODE).
* Confirm that the General Fault bit asserts and triggers an alarm in WinCC.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Consistency Requirements: When configuring telegrams larger than 4 bytes, ensure the hardware configuration defines data consistency as "Total Length" and that system driver blocks or SFC14/SFC15 are utilized to prevent data tearing.
Software Licensing: Deploying the official SIMOCODE pro PCS 7 Library requires an engineering license on the ES and runtime licenses per automation station executing SIMOCODE blocks.
Current Scaling: Remember that SIMOCODE reports current as a percentage of set rated current (I_r), not direct amperes. Converting to amperes requires multiplying by the motor base current setting configured in SIMOCODE ES.

Engineer FAQ

What are the most common cyclic data bytes exchanged with SIMOCODE?
Byte 0 and 1 convey digital status and command bits (Ready, Run, Trip, Reset), while Bytes 2 and 3 convey motor current as a percentage of rated current.
Does PCS 7 require a special library to communicate with SIMOCODE pro?
No, basic communication can be achieved via standard I/O process image addressing, but the official SIMOCODE PCS 7 Library provides pre-built APL faceplates and automated driver generation.
How does SIMOCODE report motor current in cyclic communication?
Current is transmitted as an unsigned 16-bit integer representing percentage of rated current (I_r), where a value of 100 typically corresponds to 100% full load current.
Can I reset a SIMOCODE thermal trip from WinCC?
Yes, pulsing the cyclic reset bit (typically Byte 0 Bit 3 in the send telegram) executes a remote fault reset, provided thermal cooling times have elapsed.
What is the difference between SIMOCODE pro C, pro S, and pro V?
SIMOCODE pro C is basic, pro S is compact with basic expansion, and pro V is the modular flagship supporting advanced voltage, power, and fail-safe PROFIsafe monitoring.
How do I configure SIMOCODE in HW Config?
Install the SIMOCODE GSD/GSDML file or SIMOCODE PCS 7 Object Manager, then drag the device onto the PROFIBUS DP or PROFINET network in HW Config.
Can SIMOCODE communicate over PROFINET in PCS 7?
Yes, SIMOCODE pro V PN interfaces natively over PROFINET IO, supporting redundant ring topologies (MRP) and system redundancy (S2).
What block in the SIMOCODE PCS 7 Library generates WinCC alarms?
The MMDiag diagnostic block interfaces with CPU interrupt organization blocks and WinCC Alarm Logging via ALARM_8P.
Why does motor current read zero in CFC even though the motor is running?
Check if the current measuring module is wired correctly and ensure the current range setting in SIMOCODE ES matches the physical current transformer ratio.
Can SIMOCODE parameters be modified from PCS 7 without stopping the motor?
Acyclic parameter writes via SIMATIC PDM allow online tuning of certain non-critical parameters, but core motor ratings require motor stoppage.

Technical References

Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) Portal: SIMOCODE pro PCS 7 Library Manual (Entry ID: 109760422).
SIMATIC Motor Management System SIMOCODE pro System Manual, Siemens AG.
PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI): Profile for Variable Speed Drives and Motor Management.

Related Tags

PCS 7, SIMOCODE, Motor Management, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, Cyclic Communication, APL, HW Config

Accessing SIMOCODE Pro Cyclic Send and Receive Data in SIMATIC PCS 7