The TIM 4R-IE can be used as a standalone device, i.e. it is fully functional even without S7-300-CPU. In this stand-alone mode, the TIM is especially suitable as a SINAUT communications processor for the control desk PC (e.g. SINAUT ST7cc or ST7sc) or for a SIMATIC S7-400. The TIM is connected to the PC or S7-400 via one of its two Ethernet interfaces. If the control desk is redundantly designed or if an S7-400 is additionally available there as a higher-level controller, then the TIM performs the SINAUT communication with the stations for all these devices connected to the local Ethernet.

The TIM 4R-IE can also be built into a SIMATIC S7-300 as a CP, e.g. if these devices require redundant transmission paths there or function as node stations at which more than two networks must be merged.

All the devices mentioned can exchange data with other SINAUT ST7 or ST1 partners with the aid of the TIM 4R-IE and specifically via as many as four SINAUT networks that can also be operated in any redundant combination.

The important SINAUT property - saving data complete with a time stamp on the TIM in the event of an interrupted link or failure of the partner - is then available not only for conventional WANs, but also for IP-based networks. Important events, alarms, etc. are not lost and the integrity of information in control center system archives is assured. Additional security is offered by the optional backup battery of the TIM 4R-IE which prevents the loss of saved data message frames if the 24 V supply fails.

For setting up more complex control centers or node stations, several TIM 4R-IE modules can be used. Combinations with TIM 3V-IE Advanced and TIM 3 and other TIM 4 versions are also possible.

As a communication module for the control desk PC, the TIM reduces the number of S7 connections that the PC would otherwise have to maintain when directly linked to the stations via an IP-based network, to just one (1) connection. In addition, the TIM then separates the local Ethernet from the IP-based network to the stations. Only SINAUT and PG communication with the stations is allowed through. This prevents unnecessary traffic in the WAN which is often not broadband.

A TIM 4R-IE that is used at a redundant control desk reduces the data volume in a WAN and thus it reduces the costs for networks with volume tariffs, e.g. GPRS. If stations were connected directly to the redundant control desk (without central TIM 4R-IE), they would send each frame twice in order to send data to both control desk PCs. In the case of a control center TIM 4R-IE, the stations only send their message frames once. The doubling of the message frames for supplying both PCs is then performed by the control center TIM 4R-IE.

For data transmission via conventional WANs, the TIM 4R-IE has other, special properties that predetermine its use as a "control center" TIM.

SINAUT ST7 and thus also the TIM 4R-IE are designed for data transmission via the widest range of WANs or combinations of WANs. Mixed networks comprising classical SINAUT WAN networks (dedicated line, wireless, dial-up network) and IP-based networks (fiber optic, DSL, GPRS, Internet etc.) can be configured uniformly using SINAUT, which saves both time and money.

For communication via the Internet, the integrated MSC-VPN tunnel protocol for direct access to DSL routers can be used. The TIM 4R-IE can operate here as an MSC server or MSC client. For communication via GPRS, either the router SCALANCE M874-2 can be connected to the Industrial Ethernet interface (VPN IPsec) or the GSM/GPRS modem MD720-3 (MSC-VPN) to the RS232 interface.

• The TIM4R-IE has four interfaces for simple and redundant transmission paths:
  • Two combined RS232/RS485 interfaces for connection to standard WANs such as dedicated line, wireless or dial-up network
  • Two RJ45 interfaces for connection to IP-based networks (WAN or LAN) such as fiber-optics, DSL, GPRS, etc.
• Compact, double-width module that can be used in a wide variety of situations:
  • The TIM handles the SINAUT communication for one or more S7-400 controllers or control desk PCs (SINAUT ST7cc or ST7sc) as a stand-alone device (stand-alone without S7-300 CPU); the connection in this case is via Ethernet interfaces of the TIM
  • As a communications processor (CP) in an S7-300
• The two RJ45 interfaces can be configured either as an MSC-VPN server in the central office or as MSC-VPN client in a station. At the RS232 interface, an MD720-3 can be operated in GPRS mode as MSC-VPN client.
• The four transmission paths can all be different and operated independently of one another, but also in any redundant combination.
• Flexible creation of redundant transmission paths via two conventional WANs, via two IP-based networks or a combination of WAN + IP-based network.
• When installed as a CP in an S7-300, the following communication is also possible via the backplane bus:
  • With the CPU
  • Via the MPI of this CPU with other CPUs and control desk PCs (ST7cc, ST7sc) connected over the MPI bus.
  • With other TIMs in this rack
• Message frame memory for up to 56,000 data message frames
• Optional backup battery for backup of the stored data message frames and the hardware clock if the power fails
• Up to 62 S7 connections or 128 MSC-VPN tunnel connections (as control center) via IP-based networks and MPI (for S7-300-CPU)
• The SINAUT TD7 software for the CPU (TD7onCPU) is integrated in the TIM (TD7onTIM); implemented with installation as CP in a S7-300
• Module replacement possible without PG
  • In stand-alone mode using the optional C-PLUG
  • When installed as a CP in an S7-300 over the memory card of the CPU
• PG communication is possible parallel to data communication at any time
• Several TIM 4R-IE can be used per S7-300, also together with one or more TIM 3V-IE Advanced
• Up to 128 S7 connections via IP-based networks (in MSC tunnel mode)

Controllable communication modules:

• Control of the GSM/GPRS modems MD720-3 in the GSM or GPRS mode. In GPRS mode, simple 128-bit encryption via the MD720-3 (MSC-VPN tunnel protocol).
• Operation via SIMATIC NET Ethernet components with high IPsec security standard (e.g. GPRS router or SCALANCE S)
• Direct operation on a DSL router by means of MSC tunnel protocol
• Use of SCALANCE fiber-optic switches for spanning long distances
• Wireless transmission via IWLAN with SCALANCE W over medium distances
• Dedicated line modem MD2 for point-to-point, point-to-multipoint or line connections
• Wireless devices from various manufacturers, also for private mobile radio using the time slot method
• Analog dial-up modem MD3 for the analog telephone network or point-to-point dedicated lines

Special properties as "control center" TIM

For data transmission via conventional WANs, the TIM 4R-IE has other, special properties that predetermine its use as a "control center" TIM:

• In a dialup network the message "Failure of local node" can be switched off. If the control desk PC fails or is temporarily shut down, the control center TIM 4R-IE will not send any failure message to the stations in the dialup network and therefore saves transmission costs.
• One especially useful feature during commissioning is the possibility that SINAUT stations can be switched on and off on the control center TIM 4R-IE. This applies not only for stations that are connected via dedicated line/radio, but also for stations in the dial-up network. The last status set for each station is permanently stored on the TIM and is therefore not lost if the power fails or the TIM is restarted.
• For GPRS, dedicated lines and mobile networks, the message "Node faulty" can be suppressed on the TIM 4R-IE for a programmable period of time. A station failure is then no longer indicated after x unanswered calls (polls), but only when a recognized fault still exists after expiry of the programmed time. This enables the number of failure messages to be reduced in poor-quality networks and it also minimizes the additional message frame traffic that must be processed after each station is restored.

Optional C-PLUG

The most frequent application for the TIM 4R-IE will be its use as a communication module for the control desk PC or for an S7-400. The TIM then operates in standalone mode, i.e. without S7-300 CPU. The option of saving the TIM configuration data on the MMC card of the CPU, in order to exchange the TIM without a PG in the event of a fault, no longer applies. The saving of configuration data on the C-PLUG, which can be optionally equipped, solves this problem. This means that, even in standalone mode, a replacement of the TIM is possible without PG.