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12/15/2009 10:58 AM | |
Joined: 1/17/2007 Last visit: 5/8/2024 Posts: 1542 Rating: (532) |
1. This is just a trade name (e.g. Modicon) of the automation system. It is (I assume) an amalgamation of the words "SIEMENS" and "AUTOMATIC". 2. The "7" is just an incremental number that represents the generation of the automation system hardware / operating system / support tools. Step 7 is built around completely different hardware and software than Step 5. The next (rumoured) release will be Step 9 / PCS9 (I believe). 3. The programing languages you mention as not propriety to Siemens. They are all part of a common standard IEC 61131 (formally IEC1131). LAD = ladder logic which has been around for a great many years, and was one of the original programming languages for PLC's. FBD = Function block diagram. A pictorial based programming environment. STL = Statement List. A statement based language that is very much like assembler (known as Instruction List in the IEC standard). Siemens have put their own twist on their implementations of these standard languages to take into account their specific requirements and OEM hardware / operating system interface. 4. PCS7 is a complete engineering package that is geared towards integrated plant engineering projects and seemlesly handles the Automation Station (AS) / Operator Station (OS) software integration (via auto generated OS messages and faceplates). Step 7 (S7) is a package designed for smaller engineering projects (typically standalone systems). WinCC (windows control centre) is the OS development and runtime software package (human machine interface (HMI)). |
Programming today is the race between software engineers building bigger and better idiot proof programs, and the universe producing bigger and better idiots. |
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This contribution was helpful to2 thankful Users |
12/15/2009 11:33 AM | |
Posts: 9 Rating: (0) |
Thank you smiffy for your knowledgable clarifications and information. Now I am quite clear on the terminologies. with regards |
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