Coupling SIMIT V9.1 with S7-PLCSIM Advanced V2.0 and STEP 7 V15

Establishing a direct virtual simulation coupling between SIMIT V9.1 and S7-PLCSIM Advanced V2.0 is fully supported and operational when STEP 7 V15 (TIA Portal) is installed on the engineering workstation; STEP 7 V14 SP1 is not strictly required for runtime execution. SIMIT V9.1 communicates with S7-PLCSIM Advanced via the PLCSIM Advanced User API runtime library, which is independent of the engineering TIA Portal release. While runtime I/O simulation and controller lockstep synchronization operate seamlessly with STEP 7 V15, importing TIA Portal V15 hardware configurations and symbol tables directly into SIMIT via TIA Openness requires installing SIMIT V9.1 SP1 or exporting hardware mappings via intermediate AML exchange files.

Simulation Coupling Architecture: SIMIT and PLCSIM Advanced

In modern automation engineering, virtual commissioning combines simulation platforms like Siemens SIMIT with software controller emulators like S7-PLCSIM Advanced. SIMIT simulates field instrumentation, actuator behaviors, valve transit times, and physical process thermodynamics, while S7-PLCSIM Advanced executes the actual compiled PLC control code in a real-time virtual S7-1500 controller environment.

The communication bridge between SIMIT and S7-PLCSIM Advanced does not rely on classic STEP 7 / TIA Portal editors. Instead, SIMIT utilizes a dedicated coupling driver that interfaces with the PLCSIM Advanced User API (Siemens.Simatic.Simulation.Runtime.Api.x64.dll). This decoupling allows runtime execution to function even when the engineering environment running on the host system represents a different TIA Portal generation.

Runtime API vs Engineering Project Compatibility

When integrating SIMIT V9.1, PLCSIM Advanced V2.0, and STEP 7 V15, engineers must distinguish between two phases:

Runtime Execution Phase (Fully Compatible): S7-PLCSIM Advanced V2.0 natively runs PLC programs compiled in STEP 7 V15 (supporting S7-1500 firmware up to V2.5). SIMIT V9.1 connects to the virtual PLC runtime API via its 'PLCSIM Advanced' coupling type over shared memory or virtual Ethernet switch. Runtime execution is 100% supported without requiring STEP 7 V14 SP1.
Engineering Import Phase (Requires SP1 or Workaround): SIMIT provides a convenience wizard that imports hardware configurations and PLC tag symbols directly from .ap15 project files using TIA Portal Openness. Base SIMIT V9.1 was released prior to TIA Portal V15 and contains direct importers only for V14 SP1 (.ap14). To import directly from a STEP 7 V15 project, install SIMIT V9.1 SP1 (or SIMIT V10), or export the hardware structure via AutomationML (.aml) or Excel tag tables.

Software Version Compatibility and Coupling Matrix

The following table details compatibility across simulation versions, controller emulators, and TIA Portal releases:

SIMIT ReleasePLCSIM Advanced VersionSTEP 7 Engineering VersionDirect TIA Openness ImportRuntime Coupling StatusSIMIT V9.1 BasePLCSIM Advanced V2.0STEP 7 V14 SP1Supported (.ap14)100% Fully FunctionalSIMIT V9.1 BasePLCSIM Advanced V2.0STEP 7 V15Requires AML / Excel100% Fully Functional via APISIMIT V9.1 SP1PLCSIM Advanced V2.0STEP 7 V15Supported (.ap15)100% Fully FunctionalSIMIT V10.0PLCSIM Advanced V2.0 SP1 / V3.0STEP 7 V15.1 / V16Native TIA V15/V16 Importer100% Fully Functional

[!NOTE]
Commercial Accuracy Guardrail: Virtual commissioning packages require distinct software licenses: SIMIT Simulation Platform (6DL8913-0AK00-0AB5 for V9.1 / V10) and S7-PLCSIM Advanced (6ES7823-1FA01-0YA5 for V2.0). License entitlements and upgrade paths must be verified through official Siemens catalog documentation.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Establish the Virtual Coupling

To couple SIMIT V9.1 with S7-PLCSIM Advanced V2.0 running a STEP 7 V15 program:

Start and Configure S7-PLCSIM Advanced V2.0:
- Launch S7-PLCSIM Advanced V2.0 with administrator privileges.
- Under Communication Interface, select PLCSIM Virtual Ethernet Adapter (or Local - Softbus).
- Set Instance Name (e.g., PLC_Virtual_1), IP address, and subnet mask matching your STEP 7 V15 HW Config.
- Click Start to launch the virtual S7-1500 controller instance.
Download Program from STEP 7 V15:
- Open your project in STEP 7 V15 (TIA Portal).
- In the download dialog, select PG/PC interface: Siemens PLCSIM Virtual Ethernet Adapter.
- Detect the virtual instance and download the complete hardware configuration and PLC software.
- Switch the virtual CPU to RUN mode.
Configure the SIMIT V9.1 Coupling:
- Open your simulation project in SIMIT V9.1.
- In the navigation pane, expand Couplings -> right-click New Coupling -> select PLCSIM Advanced.
- In the coupling properties, select the active instance name (PLC_Virtual_1).
- If SIMIT V9.1 SP1 is installed, click Import from TIA Portal and browse to the .ap15 project file. If using base V9.1, import the I/O signals via exported Excel/CSV tag list or AML export.
Start SIMIT Simulation:
- Click the Start (Play) button in SIMIT.
- Confirm the coupling status bar indicates green ('Connected'), verifying synchronized real-time data exchange.

Verification

Verify virtual commissioning communication:
1. In SIMIT, create a simple toggle switch connected to a simulated digital input (e.g., %I0.0).
2. In STEP 7 V15, open the corresponding watch table online.
3. Toggle the switch in SIMIT; verify that the input state changes from FALSE to TRUE in STEP 7 within milliseconds.
4. Force a PLC output in STEP 7 V15 (e.g., %Q0.0) and confirm that the corresponding actuator indicator illuminates in SIMIT.
5. Check the S7-PLCSIM Advanced control panel to ensure CPU cycle times remain stable without packet jitter warnings.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Workstation Resource Demands: Running TIA Portal V15, S7-PLCSIM Advanced, and SIMIT simultaneously on a single workstation requires substantial computing resources (minimum 32 GB RAM and a high-performance multi-core processor).
Virtual Adapter Binding: If using the Virtual Ethernet Adapter, ensure the Windows network adapter is not blocked by corporate endpoint VPN software or third-party firewalls.
PCS 7 CPU 410 Limitation: S7-PLCSIM Advanced emulates S7-1500 / ET 200SP controllers only. To simulate PCS 7 S7-400 / CPU 410 controllers in SIMIT, use standard S7-PLCSIM or the SIMIT Virtual Controller (VC) package.

Engineer FAQ

Can SIMIT V9.1 couple with multiple PLCSIM Advanced instances simultaneously?

Yes. S7-PLCSIM Advanced V2.0 supports up to 8 virtual controller instances on a single PC, and SIMIT can host multiple independent couplings mapped to each instance.

Why does SIMIT V9.1 base fail to browse a STEP 7 V15 .ap15 project file directly?

Because TIA Portal Openness libraries are version-specific. Base SIMIT V9.1 was built with V14 SP1 Openness DLLs. Updating to SIMIT V9.1 SP1 resolves direct .ap15 file browsing.

What is the difference between PLCSIM and PLCSIM Advanced in SIMIT?

Standard PLCSIM supports S7-300/400 and communicates via COM memory interfaces with limited timing precision. PLCSIM Advanced emulates S7-1500 with full API access, virtual Ethernet, and strict cycle synchronization.

Do I need a separate license for SIMIT couplings?

Standard SIMIT Engineering packages include standard couplings (PLCSIM, PLCSIM Advanced, Shared Memory). Advanced couplings (like SIMIT Virtual Controller for S7-400) require separate modular licenses.