SIMIT Compatibility Matrix and Project Import Integration for TIA Portal V16

Official integration and support for TIA Portal V16 was introduced in SIMIT Simulation Platform V10.2 (released in May 2020). In earlier versions, such as SIMIT V10.1, the TIA Portal project import function was restricted to TIA Portal V15.1 and earlier, preventing direct ingestion of V16 project files (.ap16). With SIMIT V10.2, Siemens restored native project import compatibility, allowing engineering teams to import PLC tag tables, hardware configurations, and technological objects directly from TIA Portal V16 into SIMIT simulation models, alongside full co-simulation support for S7-PLCSIM Advanced V3.0.

Executive Summary

Virtual commissioning has become an indispensable phase in industrial automation engineering, enabling thorough validation of PLC control programs, safety interlocks, and HMI dynamics prior to physical cabinet construction. When automation teams upgraded their engineering environments to Siemens TIA Portal V16, users of the SIMIT Simulation Platform (specifically version V10.1) encountered a severe compatibility barrier: the automated 'TIA Portal Project Import' function failed to recognize or parse TIA V16 project files (.ap16), halting automated model generation. Inquiries regarding when TIA Portal V16 would be officially supported were resolved with the milestone release of SIMIT V10.2. This article details the version compatibility matrix and outlines the automated TIA Portal model generation workflow.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

The data exchange and simulation coupling architecture between SIMIT and TIA Portal relies on automated schema parsing:

The SIMIT TIA Portal Import Architecture: SIMIT features an integrated TIA Portal Import Wizard. Rather than forcing engineers to manually recreate thousands of simulation variables, the wizard interfaces with the TIA Portal Openness API or directly parses the compiled project database (.ap16). It automatically extracts:
- Hardware configurations: Racks, I/O modules, distributed ET 200 stations, and symbolic hardware addresses (%I, %Q).
- PLC tag tables: Symbolic tag names, data types (BOOL, INT, REAL), and comments.
- Technological objects: Motion control axes, PID controllers, and safety signatures.
The Version Dependency Bottleneck (V10.1 vs. V10.2):
- SIMIT V10.1: Built to interface with TIA Portal V14, V15, and V15.1. When TIA Portal V16 was launched with updated database schemas, S7-1500 firmware V2.8, and enhanced Openness structures, SIMIT V10.1 could not parse the .ap16 format, resulting in import crashes.
- SIMIT V10.2: Formally updated SIMIT's internal Openness decoders to support TIA Portal V16, including compatibility with S7-1500/S7-1200 CPUs and Safety Advanced V16.
Coupling Architecture with PLCSIM Advanced V3.0: Along with project import, SIMIT V10.2 incorporated native coupling interfaces for S7-PLCSIM Advanced V3.0. This allows high-speed, synchronized shared-memory data exchange between the simulated TIA Portal V16 controller and SIMIT behavioral models without physical hardware.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Execute automated model generation from TIA Portal V16 using SIMIT V10.2:

Verify Software Prerequisites:
- Ensure SIMIT V10.2 (or later, e.g., V10.3 / V11) is installed on the engineering workstation.
- Ensure TIA Portal V16 (STEP 7 Professional, Safety Advanced) is installed.
- Ensure S7-PLCSIM Advanced V3.0 is installed for virtual controller execution.
Export or Prepare the TIA Portal Project:
- Open the automation project in TIA Portal V16.
- In the project tree, right-click the project root -> select Compile -> Hardware and Software (only changes).
- Ensure that 'Support simulation during block compilation' is enabled in project properties if using PLCSIM Advanced.
- Save the project (.ap16). Close TIA Portal.
Execute the Import Wizard in SIMIT V10.2:
- Open SIMIT V10.2.
- Create a new SIMIT project or open an existing simulation.
- In the Task Navigator, expand Couplings -> double-click New Coupling.
- Select PLCSIM Advanced (or S7-PLCSIM).
- In the coupling configuration, click the Import button.
- Select the file type TIA Portal Project (*.ap16).
- Browse to the TIA Portal V16 project file and click Open.
Map Signals and Generate Simulation Charts:
- The SIMIT wizard parses the .ap16 database, displaying all detected PLCs and I/O modules.
- Select the target controller (e.g., PLC_Line1).
- Click Import. SIMIT automatically populates its I/O signal list with all hardware inputs and outputs.
- In SIMIT, use the Automatic Model Generation (AMG) templates to generate standardized drive, valve, and sensor simulation macros.

Verification

Verify import completeness and simulation co-execution:

Signal Table Audit: In SIMIT, open Signals -> All Signals. Confirm that all peripheral addresses (%IW, %QW, %I, %Q) from TIA Portal V16 appear with matching symbolic names and data types.
PLCSIM Advanced Handshake: Launch S7-PLCSIM Advanced V3.0. Start the virtual S7-1500 instance. Start SIMIT runtime. Confirm that the coupling status icon turns green, indicating active bidirectional synchronization.
Dynamic Response Test: Force an output bit in TIA Portal V16 (e.g., motor run command). Confirm that SIMIT receives the command instantly and drives the simulated feedback signal back to the PLC.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

SIMIT V10.2 requires 64-bit operating systems (Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise or Windows Server 2016/2019); it cannot be installed on Windows 7. Furthermore, importing TIA Portal projects containing third-party PROFIBUS/PROFINET GSDML devices requires that the identical GSDML files be installed on the machine running SIMIT to avoid unrecognized hardware errors.

Engineer FAQ

Can SIMIT V10.1 import projects from TIA Portal V16?

No. SIMIT V10.1 does not support the .ap16 project schema. You must upgrade to SIMIT V10.2 or later to import TIA Portal V16 projects.

When was SIMIT V10.2 officially released?

Siemens officially released SIMIT V10.2 in May 2020.

Does SIMIT V10.2 support TIA Portal Safety programs?

Yes. SIMIT V10.2 fully supports importing hardware configurations and standard signal tables from TIA Portal projects utilizing STEP 7 Safety Advanced V16.