Function expansions as of SIMATIC S7 CFC V8.2

• Chart-oriented sequence group management for the blocks of CFCs:
  With a CFC that is integrated in the chart-oriented sequence group management, the blocks are automatically managed (chart-oriented) in separate sequence groups, i.e. so that the blocks of this CFC are organized in sequence units which are permanently assigned to this CFC.
• (PCS 7) "Type update in RUN" when there are default value changes in the interface of blocks/block types:
  If there are default value changes at the interface of a block/block type, this block can be loaded with the type update in RUN. The STOP operating state of the CPU is no longer required for this.

Function expansions from SIMATIC S7 CFC V8.1

• (PCS 7): "Selective download":
  Individual or multiple modified CFC or SFC charts can be downloaded to a target system; the user can precisely select which of the configured changes are to be transferred to and archived and tested in the target system.
• (PCS 7): "Type changes in RUN mode" in connection with the CPU 410-5H Process Automation:
  Following an interface change on block types, the instances can be updated and downloaded to the target system in RUN; on other CPUs, this is only possible in STOP mode.
• (PCS 7): Data exchange with COMOS Integrated Engineering or Advanced ES:
  Support for “equipment modules" and “equipment module type" during data exchange.

Function expansions from SIMATIC S7 CFC V8.0 SP4 onwards

• (PCS 7): Data exchange with COMOS Integrated Engineering or Advanced ES:
  Technical equipment and types of technical equipment are supported during data exchange.
• (PCS 7): CPU 410-5H:
  The CPU "410-5H Process Automation" is supported.
• Discrete operator authorizations:
  With the new attribute "Op_Level", operator authorizations can now be configured for block types.
• Block encryption:
  The CFC supports encryption of blocks. Functions (FCs) and function blocks (FBs) can be encrypted. When compiling/downloading, encryption is detected as a change and the affected block or function is replaced.
• (PCS 7): New concept for process tag types and process tags:
  As well as process tag types and process tags, there are now also individual control unit types and individual control unit instances. In a process tag comparison, these now also support instance-specific changes and several versions of process tag types. Data exchange with PCS 7 Advanced ES is also possible

Function expansions from SIMATIC S7 CFC V7.1 onwards

• Forcing of values of an interconnected input:
  by means of the "Force functionality", interconnected block inputs can be forced to use the force value instead of the value of the interconnection. Forcing can be switched on and off in the object properties of the connection.
• Cross-AS interconnections:
  cross-AS interconnections can be made between the projects of a multiproject or with several ASs of a project. Configuration is carried out as previously with a cross-chart interconnection.
• Write protection for charts:
  the write protection can be activated in the object properties of the chart or the object properties of the chart folder/hierarchy folder for all included charts.
• Version assignment:
  when closing a modified chart, the properties dialog window with the "Version" tab is opened automatically if the version assignment is switched on for the project.

Special functions from SIMATIC S7 CFC V7.0 SP1 onwards

• Multiuser engineering:
  Improvements have been implemented in the CFC for multiuser engineering which guarantee that the system integrity and data consistency are retained if the same data is accessed simultaneously.
• Display of modifications prior to downloading (only if VXM is installed):
  If the option "Generate image of loaded program" is activated in the dialog window "Compile/download settings", the image is generated as an XML file following successful downloading, and assigned to the program.
  If a modified program is to be subsequently downloaded, a comparison can be made prior to downloading between the XML file and the program to be downloaded by using the "Display changes" button in the dialog window "Download S7". Following the comparison it is clear which data has changed compared to the downloaded program. It is then easier to make the decision on whether the new version should really be downloaded.
• Change log and ES log:
  the dialog window of the change log which is used to enter a reason is only opened if the access protection and change log are activated in the SIMATIC Manager in addition to the registration in the Logon service. You can open the change log for the selected station in the SIMATIC Manager.
  If the chart folder for the ES log (previously "Change logbook") has been activated, the actions when downloading and the comparison time stamps of the target system are now entered in the ES log when downloading. The time stamps are:
  
  • Last change relevant to downloading
  • Last compilation
  • Compilation of downloaded program
• Options in the compilation dialog:
  The following options have been removed:
  
  • "Close text interconnections":
    no text interconnections are closed during the compilation. Closing must be initiated using the menu command "Tools > Close text interconnections".
  • "Delete empty sequence groups":
    no empty sequence groups are deleted during the compilation. Deleting must be initiated using the menu command "Edit > Delete empty sequence groups".
  • "Update sampling times":
    The sampling times are always updated if the code generator determines that updating is necessary (e.g. with modified compilations).
• Compare target system:
  The function "Compare target system" can now be called directly by menu commands in the SIMATIC Manager even if charts are not open.
• Reading back prior to complete download:
  A dialog window is opened prior to a complete download in which reading back of the parameters is offered. Reading back is only possible if no interface modifications have been carried out on block types, i.e. downloading of changes would still be possible.
• Identification of blocks with interconnected hidden connections:
  Blocks on which interconnected connections have been switched to hidden are identified in the CFC by a colored marker in the top right corner of the block header.
• Display of block sampling time:
  The sampling times are displayed in the sequence editor for blocks which are installed in cyclic tasks. The sampling time is the cycle time of the task multiplied by the scaling of the sequence group.
  If the checkbox "Display sampling time" is activated in the dialog window "Settings for display", the sampling time is displayed in the sequence properties window of the block instead of the task (OBx).
• Interconnection comment:
  The comment of the interconnection partner (output), the so-called interconnection comment, can be displayed in the CFC for interconnected inputs instead of the connection comment. This is displayed if the checkbox "Interconnection comment" is activated in the dialog window "Display settings".
  The interconnection comment is displayed in the object properties of the connection, in the margin, and in the brief information (displayed via mouse pointer).
• Optimization of tasks and sequence groups:
  optimization of the sequence was previously carried out for a complete chart folder. Using the context menu command "Optimize tasks/groups" it is now also possible to select and optimize individual tasks.
• Expansion of chart reference data:
  the chart reference data has been expanded by two views. These are the lists "Block interconnections" and "Access in SFC types".
• Adjustment and checking of global declarations:
  New functions are available for use of global declarations and can be accessed using the following menu commands:
  
  • Global declarations > Adjust in multiproject
  • Global declarations > Display complete adjustment log
  • Global declarations > Display adjustment log
  • Global declarations > Check for plausibility
  • Global declarations > Display plausibility check log
• Updating of templates in the master data library:
  when updating the block types, it is now also possible to include the templates present in the chart folder of the master data library.

Special functions from SIMATIC S7 CFC V6.1 SP1 onwards

• Several value displays:
  For each CPU, any number of value displays can be created and managed. A name is assigned to each value display. This allows different value displays to be combined and saved for specific application cases.
• Trend display:
  In test mode of the CFC, the progression of one or more signals of a CPU can be traced over a certain time for quality assurance purposes. The presentation is shown in the "trend display" window that can be opened as a separate view of the diagram window and the value display.
• Connecting inputs to outputs:
  The sequence of mouse-clicks when interconnecting ports is now of no consequence, i.e. it is now possible to click an input first and then the output.
• Reading back marked ports:
  Selection of parameters that can be read back has been expanded. In addition to the previous selections of "All parameters" and "Only controlled and monitored parameters", it is now possible to read back all parameters that have been specially marked for reading back. These are all the ports that are marked with the system attribute "S7_read_back" = 'true'.
  Similarly complete blocks can be excluded from reading back by resetting the checkbox "Read-back permitted" in the object properties for the block instance.
• Signal tracking:
  
  • Chart overview:
    With a mouse-click on the connecting line, all the associated connections are shown flashing on all pages.
  • Hierarchical chart:
    Signal tracking is now also possible across multiple charts.
    Upward signal tracking: Within the hierarchical chart, the higher-level chart is opened by positioning the mouse pointer on the entry in the margin and executing the context-sensitive menu command "Margin jump", then the connection is displayed and flashes.
    Downward signal tracking: When a connection of the hierarchic chart is selected, the hierarchic chart can be opened using the "Signal tracking" context menu command and the connection is displayed and flashes.
• Identification of the predecessor for the mounting location:
  In the chart window, the block that is marked as the "Predecessor for the mounting position" will also be highlighted. In the header of the block, the field for run-time properties is displayed light green with black lettering.
  In the window for the run-time sequence, the designation of the object that is marked as the predecessor for the next chart insertion is displayed with a light green background.
• Identification of the OBs/run-time groups excluded from the optimization:
  It can be specified in the object properties of the OBs and the run-time groups whether they should be included in optimization of the run-time sequence or not. In previous versions, this setting could only be checked in the object properties. Now the OBs and run-time groups are tagged with a marker on the symbol when they have been excluded from the optimization (small "o" with a line through it).
• Identification of blocks that are not processed:
  Blocks that are not processed are visually marked. The marking is located in the field for run-time properties in the block header.
• Display of the user name:
  When the SIMATIC Logon Service is installed and a user is logged on, the user name is indicated in the status line.
• Updating of block types:
  
  • Multiple project:
    If a multiple project block type with a new version has been inserted in the master data library, all the S7 programs for the multiple project can be checked for version variations. This investigation and selection of the S7 programs to be updated will be performed by a wizard that can be activated in SIMATIC Manager using the menu command "Tools > Charts > Update block types".
  • Individual project:
    Block types from a library that is not the master data library of a multiple project (e.g. PCS 7 library) can be updated in individual freely-selectable projects. For this central type comparison, all the associated block instances will also be adapted.
• Loading a program for testing:
  A modified program can be loaded into a test system (another CPU or PLCSIM) to test the effects of the changes before it is loaded into the target system. With the function "Load into test CPU" (option in S7 load dialog), the program retains the capability for loading modifications.
• Global declarations:
  In the component view of SIMATIC Manager, the "Global declarations" folder can be created for each project. This folder contains the subfolders "Counters" and "Units". The "Units" folder already contains a list of units installed with CFC; the counts in the "Counters" folder with their count values must be manually inserted or declared.
• Version identification:
  Within the context of version management, charts, SFC types and global declarations are assigned a version number when they are created which can be changed in the object properties or matched to the corresponding work status of the engineering data.
• Configuring of archive variables:
  
  • No archiving
  • Archiving
  • Long-term archiving

Basic functions

Editor functions

Apart from the well-known standard functionality of Windows applications, the CFC editor offers the following functions:

• Context-sensitive dialog navigation by double-clicking on a block:
  The corresponding dialogs appear in accordance with where on the block the double click is made:
  
  • Block header: Object properties block.
  • "Run-time properties" field: Run-time editor (the corresponding block is marked there).
  • Block body: Opens the lower-level chart (for chart-within-chart arrangement).
• Import, place, copy, move, delete blocks.
• Grid as positioning aid.
• Alignment of blocks in the chart.
• Autorouting function:
  Only the connections to be linked need to be marked. The CFC editor automatically determines the path to be followed by the lines and composes the lines out of vertical and horizontal segments (even across the boundaries of the page/chart).
• Automatic margin bar management with user-friendly signal tracking.
• Signal tracing in hierarchical charts:
  For interconnections on chart connections, the higher-level chart can be opened directly with a double-click on the margin bar. Intuitive signal tracing is thus possible not only for cross-chart interconnections, but also for interconnections across chart hierarchies.
• Symbolic and absolute representation of the operands in the margin.
• Support of the data type "structure" for block connections.
• Catalog containing an extensive set of standard blocks, including:
  
  • Arithmetic blocks
  • Logic blocks
  • Pulse blocks
  • Counter
  • Timers
  • Control blocks
  • Flip-flop blocks
• Expansion of the chart size using subcharts:
  26 subcharts (A-Z) each with 6 DIN A4 sheets per function chart; the switch from subchart to subchart takes place conveniently via a combination field in the function bar (similar to switching of the sheets).
• Unlimited number of function charts
• Facilitation of test and startup through integral online monitoring and debugging.
• In the object properties of the block ("Connections" tab), the hidden block connections in the chart can also be monitored and modified in test mode.
• The CPU status is displayed in test mode. The display encompasses the statements online/offline and RUN and STOP online.
• Complete display of the function chart in the overview view.
• Detail view and printout of the function chart for each DIN A4 page.
• Added documentation options:
  Linking to project-wide documentation system DOCPRO.
• Message configuring for WinCC.
• Libraries with process control blocks are available for use in process control applications with the SIMATIC PCS 7.

Test and debug functions

The following are available in the test and debugging mode:

• Administration functions and
• functions for displaying measured data.

Administration functions

• Load a CFC program into the target system.
• Delta-online reloading (loading project modifications in CPU state "RUN-P").
• Start program.
• Reset program.
• Stop program.
• Resume program execution.
• Influence program execution through:
  
  • Setting, deleting, and managing breakpoints.
  • Defining activation conditions for breakpoints.
  • Single-step mode.
• Read-back of chart data (changed AS data, e.g. through operator input in WinCC, the CFC data is read back).
• Password protection:
  CFC V5.0 and higher completely supports password protection of the CPU.

Displaying measurement data

The following functions are available for displaying and analyzing measured data:

• There are two alternate test modes that can be switched between (can only be set prior to switching to test mode):
  
  • Process operation, in which communication of the modules' online animation is limited to prevent excessive CP and bus loads. When test mode is enabled, all blocks have the status "Monitoring Off".
  • Laboratory operation, in which no restrictions become active and thus efficient testing is possible in the commissioning phase. When the test mode is switched on, all blocks have the status "Monitoring On".
• The function "Monitoring" is now distributed between two menu commands: " Monitoring On" and "Monitoring Off". This allows animation of selected modules during test operation to be disabled (e.g. to prevent overload in process operation).
• Display and dynamic activation of the current measured value at the block input or output of display fields.
• Value displays:
  Display of a value display window in which the connections of arbitrary blocks and plans to be observed (also of various CPUs) can be incorporated. This enables the current values of certain connections and also individual structure elements of a connection to be monitored.
• Online overwriting of current measured values by the user.
• Monitor function:
  The CFC debugger can also be used to scan stack and system status information. This analysis feature makes the debugger one of the most powerful tools in the market.

Mode of operation

Using SIMATIC S7 CFC, each CFC program is created with a function chart. Function charts can be created by positioning and interconnecting individual blocks. For this purpose, the product package contains an extensive array of blocks.

• Hierarchical charts with chart connections:
  CFC charts can be nested (chart-within-a-chart arrangement). This allows the creation of a program structured according to technological aspects, whose parts can be standardized and reused. Chart connections can be included in a subprogram of this type. The (hierarchical) charts included in the subprogram can be viewed and used in the CPU at runtime.
• Creation of CFC charts as blocks:
  A chart can be created and individually translated into a block type, i.e. not the whole chart folder is translated into a program. The created block has connections and can therefore be used multiple times (inserted and interconnected in any number of CFC charts).
• The standard libraries can be expanded by means of separate application/technology-oriented blocks in the STL, LAD, FBD, SCL, S7-GRAPH and S7-HiGraph programming languages (for SIMATIC S7 in each case). Blocks can have as many as 160 inputs/outputs. For documentation purposes, a printout of the function chart can be created, which is identical to its screen representation.
• The central type configurability of the blocks (block type changes that affect the interface description can be automatically matched on all instances of the block).
• Copying lower-level resources: When copying or moving CFC charts from multiple programs, projects or libraries, the existing resources are also copied (i.e. the block types including icons and system attributes), unless they already exist in the destination.
• For documentation purposes, a printout of the function chart can be created, which is identical to its screen representation.
• Signal connections are perfectly represented by an efficient autorouter. The desired program flow (cyclic or e.g. upon the reception of process or software interrupts) is controlled by the assignment of run-time properties. These can be defined in a very differentiating manner. Such characteristics can be individually assigned to each block, according to the requirements of the technical task to be handled.
• To process the execution sequence a window is displayed, which can be moved freely within the bounds of the application. This allows modules to be incorporated with drag and drop across window boundaries directly from a chart into the OBs.
• A syntax check enables early detection of program errors back at the block creation stage. Display and operation attributes optimize the handling of the blocks.