CIMON-PLC Driver

CIMON-HMI Protocol (Ethernet) is a highly compatible with various device while also supporting fast and massive communication. This driver also has lower risk thank serial method. The user can use DHCP and line redundancy.

Each communication protocol driver provided by CIMON supports different functions.

Refer to the list of supported functions before the use, as the supported functions of each driver vary.

2. Memory Address

You must set the address of device properly in order to connect communication. As device memory is where data value is saved, when the address is not properly written, data will not be saved and read and write function will not operate properly. Therefore, make sure to understand supported address space and its notation before use.

The table below is the explanation about tag type and data type each device model supports. When setting communication, confirm the supported tag type and data type before the use.

When the data is based on Word unit, information of each Bit is not accessible as the data is displayed by Word. However, once ‘Bit processing Word data’ is applied then each Bit of data becomes accessible the Word.

To use the Bit address in Word address, set the address according to the form of [Word address. Bit address]. Bit address should use the decimal system.

1 Word area consists of total 16 Bit flags. Refer the table below when inputting Bit address.

3. Communication settings

The purpose of the communication settings is to select a communication driver. The communication driver can be set in I/O Device Configuration. Select [New Device] in I/O Device Configuration dialog box to pop up I/O Device Selection dialog box as the image below. Find and select CIMON-PLC Ethernet communication method.

Open

1) Device Name

Input name to distinguish devices.

2) Device Type

Select a device type of the device, which connects to UltimateAccess Web. In this manual, CIMON-PLC Ethernet is selected.

※      CIMON-PLC Ethernet is identical as CIMON-HMI Protocol(Ethernet).

3) Ok

After the setting, click [Ok] button to add a new device with input information. Clicking the [Ok] button will return the dialog box back to I/O Device Configuration dialog box and newly added device will show up on the dialog box.

4) Cancel

Cancel the setting and close Selection dialog box.

Station is the device to distinguish multiple devices(PLC) which are connected to identical network. Using the station will allow the user to set each device(PLC) separately.

Set the network communication of lower I/O device(PLC) in station settings.

Open

1) Edit

Edit existing station or communication block. Clicking [Edit] after selecting a station will prompt the Station Selection dialog box, and clicking [Edit] after selecting a communication block will prompt a COM block dialog box. Edit function can also be accessed by double-clicking the station or communication block.

2) Delete

Delete the existing station or communication block. Select the station or communication block first and then click [Delete] button.

3) Add Station

Add new station. Clicking this button will prompt [Station] settings dialog box.

4) Add COM Block

Add new communication block. Select station and click [Add COM Block] to pop up [COM Bloc] settings dialog box.

5) Exporting and Importing CSV

Exporting CSV function will save all the settings of station and COM block to project in forms of CSV file. Importing CSV function will load the data from CSV file to the station.

6) Save

Save current settings of station and communication block to project as DVX file.

7) Close Close CIMON-HMI Protocol(Ethernet) communication settings dialog box.

The image below is [Station] settings dialog box for adding and editing station. Match the model and IP address of the device to communicate with the right device.

1) Station Name Input name to distinguish stations. Station name is used to distinguish the devices within UltimateAccess Web when two or more devices (PLC) are connected to the communication port.

2) PLC CPU Select the CPU type of PLC, or the model of the device. Model includes CM1-CP1, CM1-CP2, CM1-CP3, CM1-CP4, CM1-XP, CM2-BP32M and CM3-PLCS.

3) Socket No.

Input assigned socket port number for network communication. This number should match socket port number which is set to PLC. The initial value of socket port number is 10262. Socket port number is changeable when using dynamic IP(DHCP).

4) DDNS Server #1, #2 Input DDNS address when using ‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’.

5) #1, #2 IP address

Input primary IP address to #1 IP address. When using line redundancy to network line, input secondary IP address to #2 IP address.

6) Station Description

Input simple description about the station.

7) Data Logger

The data logger signifies the system that allows SCADA to request and restore missing data in case of communication loss. The data collecting time can be set from minimum 1 minute to maximum 3600 minutes, i.e. 60 hours based on the point of communication loss.

In case of communication loss, CIMON-HMI Protocol(Ethernet) driver memorizes the time and requests missing data to CM1-LG02G based on that time when communication is reestablished.

In COM Port settings, set the network communication to match that of the system (computer) which has the UltimateAccess Web Software installed.

1) Socket No. Input assigned socket port number for network communication. CIMON-HMI Protocol(Ethernet) communication port has a fixed socket port number of 10262 when using UDP, and 10260 when using TCP.   2) IP address #1, #2 Input primary address of software installed system(computer) to #1 IP address. #2 IP address is only for line redundancy. In case of using line redundancy, input secondary IP address of software installed system(computer).

When input the [0.0.0.0] or [127.0.0.1] to primary IP address, it will automatically load IP address of SCADA installed computer. Clicking […] button shows the list of network adapters that are installed in the computer and allows the user to select network in need of use and connection.

3) Protocol Choose protocol between UDP and TCP. Description and pros and cons are as table below.

4) Line Redundancy The line redundancy is used to connect communication with a secondary line even when the one line is disconnected in case LAN ports of the computer are composed of two.

[…] button shows the adapter information of the Ethernet installed in computer as in the image below and sets the proper IP address. #1 IP address is primary address and #2 IP address is secondary address.

The image below is network adapter information window which pops up when clicking […] button. Click each list to check description of certain network adapter.

5) Use Dynamic IP

Use when the computer use dynamic IP. Once input MAC address to CIMON-HMI Protocol(Ethernet) communication settings dialog box, the connection will be maintained even when the IP address of the computer changes.

6) Save

Click Save to store all communication settings to inside of project as DVX file. Clicking [save] button will store the settings without popping up dialog box asking for confirmation.

CIMON-HMI Protocol(Ethernet) supports block communication as a way of communication method. Block communication means communicating large amount of data in block units instead of communicating data individually.

For example, when communicating 100 Word data as shown in the image below, individual communication will communicate 1Word for one hundred times but block communication will communicate two blocks of 50 Word unit.

This function enhances efficiency of the communication as it allows to send and receive large amount of data in bundle.

Set the communication period to read data from the block every set period(Scan Time). Communication TimeOut function is to used to decide whether the communication is disconnected. This function will decide the communication is disconnected only when the time of disconnection exceeds the set time. Setting range is from minimum 1 second to maximum 30 seconds.

Communication block settings dialog box will pop up when adding and editing communication block. Communication block will communicate the data by the number of Word in assigned address. Available settings in communication block settings dialog box include Block No., Address, Word and Scan Time.

1) Block No. Assign number to the block. The block number of the communication block is for distinguishing blocks, not for assigning the sequence of communication. Thus block number is not related to sequence of operation. The block number is also applied to the use of Tag SCAN option.

2) Address Assign address for communication.

3) Word

Assign the number of words to communicate from the initial number.

4) Scan Time Set the communication period to communicate with assigned block. The scan time is available from 0 second to 999.9 seconds. Refer to the cautions below when setting.

Once the I/O device is registered to the project, the user may configure the tag to communicate with the target device.

Go to [Edit tag] window and select a device from the dropdown list. Then assign an address.

Dynamic IP(DHCP) is the method which does not use static IP address but use IP address which is allocated by network. The network allocates new IP address to network IP of CIMON-PLC on every connection.

CIMON-HMI Protocol(Ethernet) supports dynamic IP(DHCP)and provides 2 types of DHCP : ‘Dynamic IP(Domain Name)’ and ‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’.

1. ‘Dynamic IP(Domain Name)

: Connects by domain name in DDNS server which is provided
 by manufacturer of network device.

※      Ex) ipTIME. ipTIME is a network device manufactured by EFM-Networks.

2. ‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’

: Connects by domain name(site name) in private DDNS server
 which provided by ‘CmDdnsSvr.exe’. ‘CmDdnsSvr.exe’
 program is provided along with SCADA.

‘Dynamic IP(Domain Name)’ and ‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’ have different benefits in different way. When using the dynamic IP(DHCP), refer to the table below before choosing proper method between ‘Dynamic IP(Domain Name)’ and ‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’

‘Dynamic IP(Domain name)’ updates DNS in real time by using DDNS. As ‘Dynamic IP(Domain name)’ is registered to DDNS server by domain name, domain name remains unchanged even IP address changes. It makes possible to access by using identical domain name while not inputting changed IP address every time.

‘Dynamic IP(Domain name)’is provided by the manufacturer of network device and applicable on most of the devices(PLSs) which supports Ethernet.

The image above is the figure which shows communication between UltimateAccess Web and CIMON-PLC. When using ‘Dynamic IP(Domain name)’, UltimateAccess Web communicates with CIMON-PLC through DDNS server which is provided by network device. The procedure is as follows.

(1)     Network device sends information to DDNS server every time assigned IP address changes.

(2)     DDNS server receives information and registers IP Address of CIMON-PLC to domain name.

(3)     UltimateAccess Web requests IP address of CIMON-PLC to DDNS server by using domain name.

(4)     DDNS server sends IP address of CIMON-PLC to UltimateAccess Web.

As domain name of CIMON-PLC is fixed even when IP address changes, UltimateAccess Web and CIMON-PLC can communicate through name even when IP address is changed.

Using ‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’ will allow the user to connect UltimateAccess Web and CIMON-PLC through private DDNS server provided by CIMON.

‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’ communicates by setting DDNS information in CIMON-PLC and using site name which is domain name set in PLC.

‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’ is only supported by CIMON products including CM1-EC10C, CM3-SP32MDTE, CM3-SP32MDTF, CM3-SP16MDRE, CM3-SP16MDRF, and CM3-SP01EET.

By using ‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’, constructing and operating the private DDNS server is possible through DDNS software ‘CmDdnsSvr’ which is provided with UltimateAccess Web. Therefore, ‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’ can be used conveniently in local network such as VPN.

The image above shows the way of communication between UltimateAccess Web and CIMON-PLC through ‘Dynamic IP(CIMON DDNS)’, and the procedure is as below.

(1)    CIMON-PLC sends IP address to private DDNS.

(2)    Private DDNS software ‘CmDdnsSvr’ receives and registers the IP address to the program.

(3)    UltimateAccess Web requests the IP address of CIMON-PLC to private DDNS server (CIMON DDNS) to communicate.

(4)    Private DDNS server (CIMON DDNS) sends IP address of CIMON-PLC to UltimateAccess Web upon request.

Line redundancy minimizes communication downtime by restoring communication quickly and automatically in case communication breaks down. To use the line redundancy, prepare two identical systems(PLCs) on which Ethernet modules are installed.

The image above shows line redundancy between PLC and SCADA. In case of disconnection, secondary IP address is used for communication.

To set the function, choose line redundancy in communication port settings, and input IP in Station settings.

The order of priority is #1 IP address → #2 IP address → #1-2 IP address → #2-2 IP address followed by the number on Station settings dialog box.