Configuring SIPLUS RIC Library for IEC 60870-5-104 Telecontrol via CP 343-1 Lean in SIMATIC S7-300

In SIMATIC S7-300 and PCS 7 TeleControl architectures, implementing telecontrol communications according to IEC 60870-5-104 over Industrial Ethernet using an S7-300 CPU (such as CPU 315-2 DP) and a CP 343-1 Lean communication processor requires the licensed SIPLUS RIC (Remote Interface Control) Library for S7-300. The SIPLUS RIC software is not a free public download; it is an officially orderable software and licensing package supplied with an encrypted SIMATIC Micro Memory Card (MMC) that contains the hardware runtime license. For an S7-300 configuration with an Ethernet CP, engineers order the designated SIPLUS RIC package (e.g., MLFB 6AG6003-1CF00-0CA0 with a 512 KB MMC) and configure the telecontrol protocol blocks in Step 7 / CFC.

Architecture of IEC 60870-5-104 Telecontrol with SIPLUS RIC

Telecontrol systems connect geographically distributed outstations (water treatment booster stations, pipeline valve chambers, electrical distribution substations) to a central SCADA or DCS master across TCP/IP wide-area networks (WAN). The international standard IEC 60870-5-104 defines network-layer telecontrol messaging, supporting event buffering, millisecond timestamping at the source, and unsolicited spontaneous data transmission.

The SIPLUS RIC library implements full IEC 60870-5-101 (serial), IEC 60870-5-103 (protection relays), and IEC 60870-5-104 (TCP/IP) protocol stacks inside standard SIMATIC S7-300, S7-400, and ET 200S controllers without requiring external dedicated protocol converters.

Hardware Prerequisites: CPU 315-2 DP and CP 343-1 Lean

To deploy IEC 104 telecontrol on an S7-300 hardware platform:

Controller: S7-300 CPU (e.g., CPU 315-2 DP 6ES7315-2AH14-0AB0) executing the user logic and the telecontrol protocol stack.
Communication Processor: CP 343-1 Lean (6GK7343-1CX10-0XE0), providing a 10/100 Mbit/s Industrial Ethernet port.
Socket Configuration: In NetPro, configure an Open TCP/IP connection or ISO-on-TCP connection assigned to the TCP port mandated by IEC 104 (default port 2404).

Licensing Mechanics: SIMATIC MMC Runtime Dongle

Unlike standard Step 7 utility libraries, SIPLUS RIC enforces strict hardware-bound copyright protection:

License on Memory Card: The SIPLUS RIC library blocks read the unique hardware serial number encoded into the physical SIMATIC Micro Memory Card (MMC).
Orderable Package: The software and runtime entitlement are purchased together as an official MLFB bundle (e.g., 6AG6003-1CF00-0CA0 for S7-300 with 512 KB MMC).
Demo / Unlicensed Behavior: If the blocks are executed with a generic MMC, the protocol stack enters demo mode, logging licensing fault codes and terminating the TCP/IP telecontrol connection after approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

CFC Block Engineering for Telecontrol Stations (Outstations)

In the CFC or Step 7 editor, configure the telecontrol outstation blocks:

Protocol Core Block (IEC104_BS): Handles TCP/IP connection handshaking (STARTDT, STOPDT, TESTFR) and socket management via standard communication blocks (AG_SEND / AG_RECV).
Information Object Blocks: Map process variables to standardized IEC 104 Information Object Addresses (IOA):
- Single Point Information (M_SP_NA_1 / M_SP_TB_1 with CP56Time2a timestamp)
- Measured Value, Normalized or Floating Point (M_ME_NA_1 / M_ME_TF_1)
- Single Command (C_SC_NA_1) for remote valve/pump operations
Event Buffer Configuration: Configure circular FIFO buffers in DB memory to store timestamped alarms during WAN link outages for subsequent spontaneous transmission upon reconnection.

SIPLUS RIC Telecontrol Procurement Schedule

The following schedule outlines the official order numbers and components required for an S7-300 IEC 104 telecontrol outstation:

| System Component | Siemens Order Number (MLFB) | Description and Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIPLUS RIC S7-300 Software & License | 6AG6003-1CF00-0CA0 | Software CD, manual, and licensed 512 KB MMC for S7-300 |
| S7-300 CPU | 6ES7315-2AH14-0AB0 | CPU 315-2 DP Automation Controller |
| Ethernet Communication Processor | 6GK7343-1CX10-0XE0 | CP 343-1 Lean (10/100 Mbit/s TCP/IP interface) |
| Power Supply | 6ES7307-1EA01-0AA0 | PS 307 24V DC 5A Power Supply |

Commercial Accuracy Disclaimer: Software order numbers (MLFBs), package structures, and hardware capacity prerequisites vary across PCS 7 versions and hardware platforms. System integrators must confirm exact software entitlements and licensing requirements against the official Siemens Catalog CA 01 and obtain an authorized Siemens distributor quotation prior to purchasing.

Verification

Verify IEC 60870-5-104 telecontrol communications:
1. Inspect the physical CP 343-1 Lean LEDs: confirm that the RUN and LINK LEDs are solid green.
2. Connect a telecontrol test master (such as Siemens TeleControl Test Tool or an IEC 104 client simulator) to port 2404.
3. Confirm that the S7-300 responds to the STARTDT ACT command with STARTDT CON.
4. Trigger a process alarm on the S7-300; verify that an unsolicited M_SP_TB_1 telegram arrives at the master containing the exact millisecond source timestamp.
5. Send a general interrogation (C_IC_NA_1); confirm that the outstation reports all current process measurements.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Never format a SIPLUS RIC Micro Memory Card in a standard commercial Windows SD/MMC card reader; formatting destroys the proprietary Siemens internal partition and voids the hardware license. The CP 343-1 Lean supports a maximum of 4 TCP connections; do not overload the CP with concurrent engineering and SCADA channels. Ensure that the controller clock is synchronized via NTP to maintain valid IEC 104 CP56Time2a timestamps.

Engineer FAQ

Why can't I find a free download for the SIPLUS RIC library?

SIPLUS RIC is an official commercial product licensed by Siemens. The protocol firmware requires purchasing the licensed memory card bundle to ensure legal entitlement and support.

What port does IEC 60870-5-104 use?

The standard TCP port assigned by IANA for IEC 60870-5-104 communications is port 2404.

Can SIPLUS RIC run on standard S7-300 CPUs without conformal coating?

Yes. Despite the 'SIPLUS' brand name (which is often associated with harsh-environment hardware), the SIPLUS RIC software library runs on standard SIMATIC S7-300 and S7-400 hardware.