How to Configure WirelessHART Field Instruments with SITRANS AW210 and IE/WSN-PA LINK in PCS 7

To establish a functional WirelessHART communication link between SITRANS AW210 wireless adapters and the SIMATIC IE/WSN-PA LINK gateway in SIMATIC PCS 7, engineers must harmonize the WirelessHART Network ID and Join Key, configure SITRANS MDS, and integrate the gateway via SIMATIC PDM. The SITRANS AW210 adapter connects to standard 4–20 mA / HART field instruments, converting their diagnostic and process data into WirelessHART mesh packets. The initial connection requires connecting the AW210 via a wired HART modem to provision the 128-bit Join Key and Network ID matching the IE/WSN-PA LINK. Once joined to the mesh, the gateway is integrated into PCS 7 HW Config as a PROFINET IO or Modbus TCP device, allowing SIMATIC PDM to manage field device EDD parameters.

WirelessHART Architecture: AW210 Adapter and IE/WSN-PA LINK Gateway

WirelessHART (IEC 62591) provides a robust, self-organizing mesh network operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band for process instrumentation. In the Siemens portfolio:

SITRANS AW210 WirelessHART Adapter (Order No. `7MP3110-0AA00-0AA0`)

A field-mounted radio adapter that connects directly to any standard HART or 4–20 mA field device (e.g., SITRANS P, SITRANS TH, or third-party instruments). It draws power from an integrated battery or loop power and transmits dynamic process variables (PV, SV, TV, QV) and device diagnostics wirelessly across the mesh network.

SIMATIC IE/WSN-PA LINK Gateway (Order No. `7MP6010-0AA00-0AA0`)

Serves as the WirelessHART Network Manager, Security Manager, and Gateway. It manages the RF mesh topology, frequency hopping, and dynamic routing, while providing an upstream Industrial Ethernet / PROFINET IO interface into the SIMATIC PCS 7 automation system.

Software Stack Prerequisites: SITRANS MDS, HART Server, and SIMATIC PDM

Commissioning a WirelessHART network requires installing and harmonizing the software toolchain on the Engineering Station (ES):

SIMATIC PDM (Process Device Manager): Version 6.0 SP5 HF2 or later (V8.x/V9.x supported) with the Device Description (EDD) library for SITRANS AW210 and the connected field sensors.
SITRANS MDS (Mesh Device Services) V1.0: The Siemens engineering software suite used to configure the IE/WSN-PA LINK gateway parameters, view RF mesh health, and monitor device signal strength (RSSI).
HART Server V3.1: The underlying communication abstraction layer that routes acyclic HART communication commands between SIMATIC PDM and the wireless gateway over Ethernet.

Step-by-Step Join Key Provisioning and Mesh Network Commissioning

WirelessHART devices require cryptographic authentication before being admitted into the radio mesh network:

Step 1: Configure Gateway Network Parameters

Connect a PC to the Ethernet service port of the IE/WSN-PA LINK gateway.
Open the gateway web-based management interface or SITRANS MDS.
Configure the Network ID (e.g., 1001) and generate a secret 128-bit Network Join Key (represented as four 8-digit hexadecimal blocks).
Configure the gateway's Industrial Ethernet IP address and subnet mask for the PCS 7 plant bus or fieldbus.

Step 2: Provision the SITRANS AW210 Adapter (Out-of-Band Commissioning)

Before mounting the adapter in the field, connect it to the Engineering Station using a certified USB-to-HART modem (e.g., SIMATIC PDM HART modem).
Open SIMATIC PDM and load the EDD for SITRANS AW210.
Navigate to Device -> Wireless Configuration:
* Enter the exact Network ID configured in the gateway.
* Enter the exact 128-bit Join Key.
Download the parameters to the AW210 adapter via the wired HART link.

Step 3: Field Deployment and Mesh Formation

Mount the AW210 adapter onto the field transmitter and power the unit.
The AW210 will scan 2.4 GHz channels, detect advertisements from the IE/WSN-PA LINK, transmit its join request with the encrypted Join Key, and join the mesh within 5 to 15 minutes.

Integrating the Wireless Gateway into PCS 7 HW Config and SIMATIC PDM

Once the field instruments join the WirelessHART mesh:

HW Config Integration:
* In SIMATIC Manager, open HW Config for the AS controller or distributed I/O station.
* Insert the IE/WSN-PA LINK GSD / GSDML file into the PROFINET IO or PROFIBUS-DP master system.
* Assign I/O slots to map process values (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary variables) into controller memory.
SIMATIC PDM Integration:
* In PDM Network View, insert a HART Server communication network.
* Define the IP address of the IE/WSN-PA LINK gateway.
* Run device identification: PDM will discover all connected AW210 adapters and attached field transmitters, allowing comprehensive parameterization and online diagnostics from the central control room.

WirelessHART Component and Security Configuration Matrix

The following table outlines the hardware specifications, order numbers, and communication parameters for the WirelessHART architecture:

System ComponentOrder Number (MLFB)Primary FunctionCommunication ProtocolSITRANS AW2107MP3110-0AA00-0AA0Wireless adapter for HART field devicesWirelessHART (IEEE 802.15.4 / 2.4 GHz)IE/WSN-PA LINK7MP6010-0AA00-0AA0Network Manager & GatewayPROFINET IO / Modbus TCP / WirelessHARTSITRANS MDS V1.0Software PackageMesh management and RF health monitoringProprietary management over TCP/IPHART Server V3.1Software ComponentPDM driver layer for acyclic routingHART over IP / TCP port 5094SIMATIC PDM6ES7658-2DF00-0YB0Centralized parameterization and EDD managerDP-V1 / PROFINET / WirelessHART

Always validate equipment schedules and fieldbus gateways against authorized distributor quotations.

Verification

To verify that WirelessHART communication is operating correctly:
1. Open SITRANS MDS or the gateway web interface; verify that the AW210 adapter appears in the device table with state 'Active / Operating'.
2. Inspect the RF link metrics: Confirm that Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) is stronger than -75 dBm and that Path Stability exceeds 80%.
3. In SIMATIC PDM, open the connected field instrument online and confirm that dynamic variables (e.g., pressure, temperature) update in real time.
4. In PCS 7 CFC, verify that channel blocks interconnected to gateway peripheral addresses report valid signal status (ST = 16#80).

Limitations and Operational Precautions

WirelessHART is intended for process monitoring, asset management, and non-critical open-loop control; do not use wireless links for functional safety or fast interlocks.
Battery-powered AW210 adapters consume more power with faster update rates; optimize publication intervals (e.g., 8 to 30 seconds) to ensure multi-year battery life.
Ensure clear line-of-sight or adequate mesh density between wireless adapters; at least two neighbor nodes per device are recommended for robust mesh self-healing.
Always validate final license quantities, module availability, and MLFBs against the applicable Siemens catalog and authorized distributor quotation.

Engineer FAQ

Why does the SITRANS AW210 take up to 15 minutes to join the network?

WirelessHART devices undergo an extensive discovery, authentication, channel hopping synchronization, and mesh graph negotiation process to establish redundant communication paths.

Can the AW210 adapter power the connected 4–20 mA field transmitter?

Yes. When equipped with an internal high-capacity battery, the AW210 can supply loop power to low-power two-wire 4–20 mA transmitters on a duty-cycled schedule.

Can I change the Join Key over the wireless link after the device has joined?

Yes. Once an authenticated device is part of the secure mesh, the Network Manager can issue a secure over-the-air Join Key update to prepare for scheduled security key rotations.

Technical References

Related Tags

WirelessHART
SITRANS AW210
IE/WSN-PA LINK
SIMATIC PDM
Mesh Networking

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How to Configure WirelessHART Field Instruments with SITRANS AW210 and IE/WSN-PA LINK in PCS 7