Compatibility of Advanced Engineering System (AES) with SIMATIC PCS 7 v8.2 and SIMATIC Logic Matrix Sourcing

SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced Engineering System (AES) v8.0 is compatible with PCS 7 v8.2 only under specific update requirements: AES v8.0 SP1 works directly, while AES v8.0 SP2 requires CFC Update 2 (or higher) to prevent engineering database serialization faults. However, AES was phased out starting in PCS 7 v8.1 and replaced by Control Module Types (CMT) and PCS 7 Plant Automation Accelerator (PAA). Furthermore, SIMATIC Logic Matrix is an optional software package not included on the standard PCS 7 OS/ES media DVDs; it requires separate procurement under MLFB 6ES7658-4XX28-0YT8.

Evolution from Advanced Engineering System (AES) to CMT and PAA

In earlier PCS 7 versions (v7.0 through v8.0), bulk engineering workflows from Excel or P&ID databases relied on the Advanced Engineering System (AES). AES served as an external data exchange tool to generate CFC charts and assign parameters.

Starting with SIMATIC PCS 7 v8.1 and continuing into v8.2:
* Native Control Module Types (CMT): Siemens integrated bulk engineering directly into SIMATIC Manager using Control Module Types, Equipment Modules (EM), and the Type-Instance synchronization engine.
* PCS 7 Plant Automation Accelerator (PAA): For full bi-directional engineering connecting electrical CAD, P&ID, and PCS 7 automation, Siemens introduced PAA (built on the COMOS software kernel). Consequently, standalone AES was discontinued and removed from standard PCS 7 media distributions.

AES v8.0 Compatibility Matrix with PCS 7 v8.2

For engineering facilities maintaining legacy plant models that still utilize AES, compatibility with PCS 7 v8.2 is subject to strict service pack and hotfix dependencies:

Software Version / PackageSupported on PCS 7 v8.2?Mandatory Prerequisites / UpdatesEngineering NotesAdvanced ES v8.0 (Base)NoUnsupportedIncompatible with STEP 7 v5.5 SP4 database schema.Advanced ES v8.0 SP1Yes (Conditional)STEP 7 v5.5 SP4 Hotfix 1+Basic import/export functional; no CMT support.Advanced ES v8.0 SP2Yes (Validated)CFC v8.2 Update 2 (or higher)Resolves XML schema serialization errors during chart generation.Control Module Types (CMT)Native StandardIntegrated in base PCS 7 v8.2Recommended replacement; fully supported within CFC.Plant Automation AcceleratorRecommendedSeparate PAA / COMOS licenseFull lifecycle bulk engineering and digital twin platform.

SIMATIC Logic Matrix Sourcing, Ordering, and Licensing

Engineers frequently expect SIMATIC Logic Matrix (the cause-and-effect matrix tool) to be present on standard PCS 7 installation DVDs. However, Logic Matrix is a licensed optional add-on package:
* Procurement MLFB: In SIMATIC PCS 7 v8.2, the European/International media package and engineering license is ordered under part number 6ES7658-4XX28-0YT8 (SIMATIC PCS 7 Logic Matrix Tool V8.2).
* Runtime License Structure: Logic Matrix creates standard CFC charts using dedicated APL matrix blocks (LM_Matrix, LM_Cause, LM_Effect). While the engineering editor requires the tool license, the compiled blocks execute within standard AS runtime capacity without requiring special hardware dongles, consuming standard Process Objects (PO).

Procurement Notice: Validate all final license quantities, media packages, and part numbers against current Siemens Industry Mall catalogs and with an authorized Siemens distributor quotation prior to procurement.

Cause-and-Effect Engineering Architecture in PCS 7

The SIMATIC Logic Matrix architecture bridges the gap between process safety / interlock tables and executable CFC charts:

[Cause-and-Effect Spreadsheet / Safety Matrix Specification]
   │
   ├─► Open SIMATIC Logic Matrix Editor (6ES7658-4XX28-0YT8)
   ├─► Define Causes: Analog thresholds, digital trips, operator commands
   ├─► Define Effects: Valve closes, motor trips, horn annunciations
   ├─► Map Intersections: 1ooN, 2oo3 voting, time delays, bypass permissions
   │
   ├─► Execute: Logic Matrix -> Generate CFC Charts
   └─► Automatically creates CFC charts containing APL-compliant blocks:
         • Matrix block (LM_Matrix)
         • Cause evaluation blocks (LM_Cause)
         • Effect execution blocks (LM_Effect)

The resulting logic integrates seamlessly into standard AS-OS compilation, generating automatic WinCC faceplates and status icons.

Verification

To verify software compatibility and Logic Matrix functionality:
1. In SIMATIC Manager, select Help -> About -> Installed Software; verify that CFC is updated to at least v8.2 Update 2 if running AES v8.0 SP2.
2. If installing Logic Matrix, confirm that the package appears under Installed Software as SIMATIC Logic Matrix V8.2.
3. Create a test Cause-and-Effect matrix project, insert 2 causes and 2 effects, and execute Compile and Generate.
4. Verify that the generated CFC chart compiles with 0 errors and generates corresponding block instances in the target AS program.
5. Execute an AS-OS compilation and verify that WinCC generates the @PG_LM_... matrix faceplates without missing script errors.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Do not attempt to mix legacy AES chart templates with new Control Module Type (CMT) libraries in the same plant hierarchy folder. The synchronization engines operate on incompatible meta-tag definitions, and executing both on the same chart container will cause parameter overwrites and broken chart interconnections. Migrate legacy AES projects to CMT types using the built-in PCS 7 CMT Migration Assistant.

Engineer FAQ

Where can I download the Logic Matrix installer if it is not on the PCS 7 DVD?

Logic Matrix is an optional software package. It must be procured via Siemens Industry Mall (6ES7658-4XX28-0YT8) or downloaded through the Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) portal using an active software update service (SUS) contract.

Why did AES v8.0 SP2 fail to import charts in PCS 7 v8.2?

PCS 7 v8.2 introduced changes to CFC database schemas. Without CFC v8.2 Update 2 installed, AES cannot serialize XML block parameters, causing import crashes.

Does Logic Matrix require an additional WinCC runtime license?

No. The faceplates use standard WinCC graphic objects and communicate via standard AS tags, consuming no extra WinCC SCADA licenses beyond standard tag limits.

Can Logic Matrix be used for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIL 3)?

For fail-safe applications, Siemens offers the dedicated SIMATIC Safety Matrix package, which generates F-CFC charts compliant with IEC 61508 / IEC 61511, distinct from the standard Logic Matrix.