SIMATIC PDM Integration, EDD Catalog Management, and HART Routing in PCS 7

In SIMATIC PCS 7, SIMATIC PDM (Process Device Manager) provides universal, vendor-neutral configuration, parameterization, and diagnostics for intelligent field devices including HART, PROFIBUS DP/PA, and PROFINET instrumentation. Operating in integrated mode within SIMATIC Manager, PDM communicates through S7-Routing: the engineering station routes diagnostic telegrams across Industrial Ethernet, through the S7-400 CPU backplane, and across remote I/O interface modules (such as ET 200M HART analog cards or DP/PA links) directly to field transmitters. Device integration requires installing manufacturer Electronic Device Descriptions (EDD) via the Device Integration Manager, with software licensing sized according to active Process Device TAG counts.

SIMATIC PDM Role and Architecture in SIMATIC PCS 7

SIMATIC PDM (Process Device Manager) (6ES7658-3...) is Siemens' specialized, vendor-independent software tool for engineering, commissioning, and maintaining intelligent field instrumentation. In modern process plants, hundreds of smart devices (pressure transmitters, Coriolis flowmeters, radar level sensors, and electro-pneumatic valve positioners) contain internal microprocessors, calibration curves, and diagnostic registers.

PDM integrates directly into SIMATIC Manager, exposing the Process Device Plant View and Process Device Network View. Instead of requiring handheld field communicators (such as HART 475/Trexf), plant engineers can parameterize, calibrate, and troubleshoot any field device centrally from the Engineering Station. Device capabilities are interpreted using standardized Electronic Device Description (EDD / FDI) technology conforming to IEC 61804.

S7-Routing Infrastructure for HART and Fieldbus Instruments

The core engineering power of SIMATIC PDM within PCS 7 is S7-Routing (Data Record Routing). Engineers do not need to connect physical modem clips to field terminal blocks. S7-Routing transparently tunnels acyclic communication records across the plant automation hierarchy:

Station Level: The Engineering Station dispatches an acyclic HART command encapsulated within an S7 protocol packet over Industrial Ethernet (Terminal Bus / Plant Bus).
Controller Level: The S7-400 CPU receives the packet on its Ethernet interface, extracts the routing destination header, and transfers the data record across its communication backplane to the designated PROFIBUS DP or PROFINET interface.
Distributed I/O Level: The packet reaches the distributed I/O station (e.g., ET 200M with IM 153-2). The interface module routes the command to the specific HART-enabled analog input/output module (e.g., SM 331-7TF01 / 6ES7331-7TF01-0AB0).
Field Loop Level: The analog module's onboard HART modem superimposes the frequency-shift keyed (FSK) digital signal (1200/2200 Hz) onto the 4-20mA current loop, communicating directly with the smart transmitter.

PDM Component Architecture, EDD Management, and Licensing Matrix

The following table details PDM software packages, device description utilities, and licensing rules:

PDM Component / ToolPrimary Role in PCS 7Deliverable Artifact / UtilityLicensing Rule (ALM)SIMATIC PDM BasicStandalone device parameterization coreExecutable engineBase license requiredPDM Integration in PCS 7Enables integrated mode in SIMATIC ManagerSIMATIC Manager ViewsRequired for PCS 7 EngineeringDevice Integration ManagerImports & manages EDD device catalogsDeviceIntegrationManager.exeIncluded with PDMDevice Description CatalogMulti-vendor library of EDD filesSiemens EDD DVD / SIOS portalFree catalog updatesPDM TAG Count LicensesLimits number of managed field devices6ES7658-3EX... (100 / 1000 TAGs)Sized by active device countPDM Server OptionEnables PDM access via Maintenance StationWeb / Faceplate client engineOptional for Maintenance Station

Step-by-Step Procedure to Integrate and Parameterize a HART Device

To integrate, import the EDD for, and parameterize a HART field transmitter in PCS 7:

Import the Manufacturer EDD via Device Integration Manager (DIM):
- Close SIMATIC Manager.
- Launch Device Integration Manager from the Siemens start menu.
- Select Source -> Path; browse to the manufacturer EDD directory or mount the Siemens Device Library DVD.
- In the device list, locate your target instrument (e.g., SITRANS P DS III HART or third-party device).
- Check the device entry and click Transfer / Integrate.
- Close DIM once the catalog synchronization completes.
Configure HART Module in HW Config:
- Open HW Config for the S7-400 station.
- Insert a HART analog input module (e.g., 6ES7331-7TF01-0AB0) into an ET 200M rack.
- Under module properties, set channel measuring type to 4..20 mA HART.
- In the slot view, expand the HART sub-channels (Channels 0 through 7).
- Right-click the specific channel (e.g., Channel 0) and select Insert Object (PDM).
- In the PDM device catalog browser, select the matching manufacturer and transmitter model.
- Save, compile, and download HW Config to the S7-400 controller.
Open and Parameterize Device in SIMATIC Manager:
- In SIMATIC Manager, switch to Process Device Plant View.
- Locate the newly created HART instrument; double-click the object to launch SIMATIC PDM.
- PDM establishes an S7-Routing connection through the PLC and reads current online parameters from the transmitter.
- Modify parameters (measuring range limits, engineering units, damping time constants).
- Select Device -> Download to Device to commit parameters to the instrument's EEPROM.
- Save offline data to the engineering project.

Verification

Verify PDM online communication and diagnostics:
1. In SIMATIC PDM, select View -> Diagnostics; confirm that device operating status reports OK (green checkmark) with zero sensor faults.
2. Select View -> Process Variables; confirm that live primary variable (PV), loop current (mA), and sensor temperature update in real time.
3. Perform an analog loop test: Select Device -> Simulation / Loop Test, command 12.0 mA; confirm with a physical multimeter that the loop output regulates to 12.0 mA.
4. Check the PCS 7 Maintenance Station; verify that the field device asset icon appears in the plant asset tree.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Tag Count Exhaustion: PDM monitors tag consumption. If the number of field instruments exceeds the licensed PDM TAG count, PDM blocks online parameterization for newly added devices.
Acyclic Communication Load: Running simultaneous PDM uploads/downloads across multiple field devices consumes communication buffers on PROFIBUS and S7-400 CPUs. Avoid bulk PDM operations during active production runs.
Commercial Accuracy Disclaimer: Verify SIMATIC PDM software packages (6ES7658-3...) and TAG expansion license quantities against official Siemens catalog data and authorized distributor quotations.

Engineer FAQ

What is S7-Routing in SIMATIC PDM?

S7-Routing allows PDM on the Engineering Station to communicate with field transmitters across Industrial Ethernet and PROFIBUS through the CPU backplane without local physical modem connections.

How do I license SIMATIC PDM in PCS 7?

PDM requires the SIMATIC PDM Basic license, the PDM Integration in PCS 7 license, and PDM TAG count licenses sized in increments of 100 or 1,000 process devices.

What is an EDD and where do I obtain it?

An EDD (Electronic Device Description) is a standardized file describing device parameters and menus. EDDs are supplied by device manufacturers or on the Siemens PDM Device Library DVD.