The following communications processors are available for connecting to the programming device or PC:

• CPs with an internal microprocessor:
  CP 5613 A3 (PCI), CP 5614 A3 (PCI), CP 5623 (PCIe), CP 5624 (PCIe), CP 5603 (PCI-104)
• CPs without an internal microprocessor:
  CP 5612 (PCI), CP 5622 (PCIe), CP 5711 (USB)

Performance of PROFIBUS CPs

The maximum performance specifies how much digital input/output data can be read or written in 1 ms from the PROFIBUS application over the respective PROFIBUS CP (regardless of the physical characteristics of the bus).

Performance under almost identical CPU loading

CPU loading and access time

If event access (using interrupts) and polling access are compared, it can be shown that the CPU loading can be significantly reduced with the CP 5613 A3 using the event/filter mechanism – for the same data throughput.

Comparison of loading on the CPU with event access and with polling access

Performance data of PROFIBUS CPs

Note:
1) With credit = 1; PDU size ≤ 480 bytes

Configuration for SIMATIC NET version V12 or higher:

STEP 7 V12 or higher is used for PC configuration. The STEP 7 software is included in the scope of delivery of the SIMATIC NET software products. A STEP 7 license is not required for PC configuration.

Configuration for SIMATIC NET versions up to V8.2:

The PC can be configured either in STEP 7 or in NCM PC Version V5.1+SP2 and higher. Both tools offer the same 'look & feel' and create the same database. This enables integrated configuration of the open communication and S7 communication functions. Data only has to be entered once and data consistency is assured.

• A configuration wizard integrated into NCM PC also supports user-driven configuration of the PC station.
• With NCM PC and STEP 7 from Version V5.1+SP2 upwards, a PC similar to a SIMATIC S7 station can be configured and loaded over a network. This applies both to the local station on which NCM PC or STEP 7 is installed and to the remote station that is addressed over the network.

Note:
NCM PC does not contain a conversion function for LDBs that were created using COML S7. Reconfiguration is necessary.