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| The three features activated by the new firmware allow easier use of the controllers. | | |
SIEMENS says it has improved the Profinet functionality of its Simatic S-300 and S7-400 controllers with Share Devices, I-Device and Media Redundancy Protocol features.
According to the company, the three features activated by the new firmware allow easier system configuration in failsafe applications, leaner topology architectures with multiple networked controllers, and higher plant availability.
The firmware is also said to provide improved diagnostic functions via user-definable Web pages and supports isochronous mode via Profinet.
With the Shared Device feature, several Simatic controllers can access a Profinet input/output device. This is said to make system configuration easier in failsafe applications. Both standard and failsafe CPUs can utilize the same distributed I/O system.
The I-device feature allows I/O communication of a CPU to other higher-level or central controllers, making it easier to network controllers from several different projects, or integrate Siemens controls with controllers from other manufacturers within a communication network.
The Media Redundancy Protocol increases plant availability requires a ring-type topology, and provides redundancy. If communication is interrupted in one section of the ring installation, only this segment is affected without a complete plant standstill.