Differentiating Process Object View Parameters from the Technological List Editor in PCS 7

In SIMATIC PCS 7, the 'Parameters' tab in Process Object View (POV) displays all block pins across all CFC charts that possess the attribute S7_m_c := 'true' or are set visible in the chart, serving as a general block-level engineering spreadsheet. In contrast, the Technological List Editor (Technological Object View) is exclusively dedicated to Control Module Technology (CMT, EMT, EPHT) and displays only the subset of I/Os explicitly declared within the Technological Editor. When migrating a Process Tag Type (PTT) to a CMT, only parameters previously declared in the PTT Import/Export template are automatically assigned (green icon). To make other parameters (such as Scale on Pcs7AnIn) appear in the Technological List Editor, drag the parameter into the Technological I/Os tree in the Master Data Library.

Executive Summary

SIMATIC PCS 7 provides powerful bulk engineering interfaces that eliminate the need to open and modify hundreds of individual CFC charts manually. However, engineers transitioning from legacy Process Tag Types (PTTs) to modern Control Module Technology (CMT) often experience confusion when comparing the traditional 'Parameters' tab in Process Object View with the 'Technological List Editor' (also known as the Technological Object View). Frequently, engineers notice that block parameters visible in the standard POV tab do not appear in the Technological List Editor, or wonder why parameters like Scale remain unassigned (non-green) following PTT-to-CMT conversion. Understanding the architectural division between low-level block parameters and high-level technological objects is essential for effective bulk configuration and Plant Automation Accelerator (PAA) integration.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

The division between the Process Object View Parameters tab and the Technological List Editor reflects two distinct layers of abstraction:

Process Object View (POV) - Parameters Tab (Block-Centric Layer):
- Operates directly at the S7 block interface layer across all CFC charts in the Plant Hierarchy.
- Queries the offline block container for all pins flagged with the system attribute { S7_m_c := 'true' } (Operator Control and Monitoring) or parameters manually set to 'Visible' in CFC.
- It has no awareness of technological object boundaries, types, or variants; it simply treats every block pin (e.g., Pcs7AnIn.Scale, VlvL.OpenTime) as a standalone database row.
Technological List Editor / Technological Object View (Object-Centric Layer):
- Specifically engineered for Control Module Technology (CMT), Equipment Module Technology (EMT), and Equipment Phase Technology (EPHT).
- Displays only signals, parameters, and messages that an engineer has explicitly declared in the Technological Editor of a CMT.
- If a parameter exists on a CFC block inside a CMT but has not been dragged into the Technological I/Os tree, it remains a purely internal block variable and is completely invisible in the Technological List Editor.
Technological Assignment and Color Coding:
- In the Technological Editor, items display a color-coded status badge: an item turns green only when it has a valid Assignment (Zuordnung) linking the technological definition to an actual block I/O pin in the chart.
- When converting a legacy PTT to a CMT via Migrate Process Tag Types, the migration engine only assigns parameters that were previously declared in the PTT Import/Export template (e.g., PV_In, SimOn). Auxiliary parameters that were merely sitting in the chart (like Scale) are imported as unassigned or excluded from the technological definition until manually linked.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

To declare block parameters as technological I/Os and manage them in the Technological List Editor:

Open the CMT in the Master Data Library:
- In SIMATIC Manager, navigate to the Master Data Library (blue folder icon).
- Open Plant Types -> Control Module Types.
- Open the target CMT chart (e.g., CMT_AnalogInput) in the CFC Editor.
Open the Technological Editor Pane:
- In CFC, select View -> Technological Views (or click the Technological Editor toolbar icon).
- In the left pane, expand the Technological I/Os hierarchy: Signals, Parameters, and Messages.
Assign the Missing Block Parameter:
- Locate the target block in the CFC sheet (e.g., Pcs7AnIn).
- Locate the unassigned pin (e.g., Scale.High or Scale.Low). If hidden, right-click the block, select Object Properties, and ensure Scale is set to Visible.
- Drag the Scale parameter from the CFC block interface and drop it into the Parameters node in the Technological I/Os tree.
- Notice that the parameter icon in the Technological I/Os tree turns green, confirming an active technological assignment.
Configure Scope: Type vs. Instance:
- In the Technological I/Os tree, select the newly assigned parameter.
- In the attributes table, configure the Attribute field: select Instance if the value must be uniquely configurable per plant tag, or Type if it should remain uniform across all plant instances.
Synchronize and Bulk Edit in Technological List Editor:
- In SIMATIC Manager Plant View, right-click the AS project and select Plant Types -> Synchronize to push the new technological I/O to instances.
- Open View -> Process Object View and switch to the Technological List Editor (or Technological Objects tab).
- The parameter Scale now appears as an editable column across all instantiated Control Modules for spreadsheet-style bulk parameterization.

Verification

Confirm technological assignment and bulk editing functionality:

Color Badge Verification: Open the CMT in the Master Data Library. Inspect the Technological Editor tree. Confirm that all required parameters display green assignment badges with valid block connection strings.
Technological List Editor Visibility: Open the Technological List Editor in SIMATIC Manager. Confirm that the newly declared parameters appear with active values across all plant hierarchy folders.
Bulk Modification Test: Modify parameter values (e.g., change Scale.High to 150.0) for multiple tags simultaneously in the Technological List Editor. Open the corresponding CFC charts online to verify that the block pins updated accurately.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Do not expose every internal block parameter as a technological I/O in a CMT; doing so clutters the Technological List Editor, balloons database memory, and slows synchronization. Only expose parameters that operators or commissioning engineers must adjust regularly (e.g., measurement ranges, alarm limits, run-time delays). Internal block operational constants should remain managed centrally at the type level.

Engineer FAQ

Why was Scale not green after migrating my Process Tag Type to a CMT?

The migration tool only creates green assignments for parameters that were explicitly declared in the legacy PTT's Import/Export parameter list. Parameters that were present on the block but not declared in the IEA template must be manually dragged into Technological I/Os.

Can I use the standard POV Parameters tab if I am using CMTs?

Yes. The standard POV Parameters tab continues to function for all blocks. However, changes made to block parameters in the POV Parameters tab may be overwritten during subsequent CMT type synchronizations if the attribute is centrally controlled by the type.

What does a red or grey icon in the Technological Editor mean?

A red or grey icon indicates a missing or broken assignment—the technological declaration exists in the tree, but the underlying CFC block pin has been deleted or renamed.

What software exchanges data directly with the Technological List Editor?

Siemens Plant Automation Accelerator (PAA) and COMOS exchange engineering specifications, I/O lists, and equipment parameters directly with the Technological List Editor via XML.