SIMIT, Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Component-based, signal flow oriented modeling of the plant is performed through the graphical user interface of SIMIT supported by expandable base libraries. For this, pre-defined components are selected from the library, placed on the graphic interface, connected with one another, and parameters are set. Beyond this, the simulation model can be generated with an export of the engineering data from COMOS. Special simulation skills are not required.

The efficient simulation is based on the abstraction at three different levels: Signals, devices (e.g. actuators and sensors) and technological response. Here, the technological response is represented mathematically and logically or by additive libraries.

Physical plant	Simulation with SIMIT
Field equipment	Signals	Import (e.g. symbol table)
	Devices	Base library for DRIVES SENSORS
Technological plant/unit	Technological response	Additive libraries FLOWNET CHEM BASIC
Production technology		CONTEC

Abstraction levels of the simulation

The signal couplings can be created easily by importing the symbol table or a list of signal names. Files of the import/export wizard, control module (CM) files (SIMATIC PCS 7), or suitable Microsoft Excel files (SIMATIC S7) can be used together with simulation templates from the base library to simulate the devices.

Additive libraries support the simulation of the technological response and round off the SIMIT offer:

• FLOWNET can be used for rapid and simple simulation of the dynamic processes of pressures, flows and temperature distributions of water in pipeline networks.
• CONTEC can be used for simulation of material handling equipment.
• With CHEM BASIC you can simulate models of pipeline networks in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries quickly and easily. Using CHEM BASIC, the models from COMOS P&ID can be automatically generated via the generic import.

The user can also create custom components and templates that enable effective customer-specific modeling.

Workflow to create a simulation

SIMIT supports two types of virtual commissioning:

Software in the loop: Pretesting without a physical plant

When SIMIT is used in conjunction with the virtual controller or coupled to the S7‑PLCSIM emulation software, the automation function can be tested in advance in the engineering office without the physical hardware – from the sensor through the automation system and back down to the actuator.

The user program is loaded in SIMATIC Manager into the automation system emulated by the SIMIT Virtual Controller, S7‑PLCSIM or S7‑PLCSIM Advanced without modifications and started. It obtains the simulated I/O signals via the coupling of the emulated automation system.

Hardware in the loop: Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)

The physical automation systems are loaded with the user program for the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). SIMIT simulates the I/O signals, instrumentation and field devices. The simulation values are sent as message frames to the automation systems via the hardware interfaces (simulation unit). When SIMIT also simulates the technological response of the plant, the FAT becomes a plant test. Commissioning can be performed on the virtual process in an early phase of the project.

SIMIT Virtual Controller

SIMIT Virtual Controllers are high-performance emulation systems for the SIMATIC S7‑300, S7‑400 and S7‑410 automation systems which are integrated in SIMIT.

Special features

• High degree of reusability of the information from the engineering system
• SIMIT Virtual Controller are synchronized with each other
• The automation system is loaded by means of the engineering system as in the actual automation system
• Runtime is independent of the engineering system
• Automation programs can run in virtual time (faster or slower than in real-time)
• Current states of the SIMIT Virtual Controller and the SIMIT simulation model can be saved in the shared snapshot

System and communication functions

For detailed information on supported SIMATIC S7/SIMATIC PCS 7 system and communication functions as well as communication services, see the SIMIT V9.1 manual:
(manual not yet available)

Note:

The SIMIT Virtual Controller does not support, among others:

• SIMATIC PCS 7 Route Control
• BRAUMAT Classic
• Data record communication
• Named Connections via RFC1006
• Communication blocks TSEND, TRECV

SIMIT UNIT

Coupling with SIMIT allows an efficient engineering workflow for the Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation. The execution of load and safety tests before actual commissioning adds more protection for personnel and machines/plants and a time/cost reduction through early error detection.

PROFINET simulation

Using the SIMIT UNIT PN hardware interface, you can simulate the complete behavior of up to 256 PROFINET I/O devices on the field bus reaction-free in real time.

PROFIBUS simulation

Using the SIMIT UNIT PB hardware interface, you can simulate the complete behavior of up to 125 PROFIBUS slaves on the field bus reaction-free in real time.

SIMIT project handling

You or your customers require a simulation solution based on SIMIT and the automation (SIMATIC S7, SIMATIC PCS 7 and SPPA-T3000) with specific properties for Hardware-in-the-Loop or Software-in-the-Loop. We execute the projects for you and achieve the best results possible based on our decades of experience with simulation projects. We offer:

• Complete simulators and process models for virtual commissioning and training simulators
• High-precision process simulators for various industries
• Customer-specific simulation libraries

SIMIT consulting and training courses

You or your customers require support or training for a simulation project based on SIMIT and the automation (SIMATIC S7/PCS 7) with specific properties for Hardware-in-the-Loop or Software-in-the-Loop. To help you complete your task optimally, we can support and advise you during the corresponding phases of the automation project using our decades of experience in simulation projects. You can also have our experts support you with your simulation from the planning phase to project setup right up to automation testing. We offer:

• Predefined consulting packages
• Specific packages, depending on customer requirements
• Customer-specific trainings

SIMIT Rental components

The option of renting portfolio elements from the range of SIMIT products reduces the costs for a simulation environment. If these components are required for validation or testing of the automation for only a limited time, it is often more economical to rent them. The rental components are always supplied with the latest hardware and software versions. We offer:

• Rental licenses for SIMIT and SIMIT Virtual Controller
• Rental of SIMIT UNIT

If you are interested in this offer and would like to receive additional information, please contact:

Siemens AG
Process Industries and Drives
Process Automation
Automation and Engineering
PD PA AE SO SIM
Horst Jäckisch
Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 60
91052 Erlangen

Tel.: +49 172 8442167
Fax.: +49 9131 7-44060

E-mail: horst.jaeckisch@siemens.com