Codesys PLC Handler Communication Driver

There are 2 independent ways to use this protocol, using a TagProvider or as a DeviceChannel in the Module Device.

• TagProvider: allows to use the PLC addresses directly without creating any Tags nor mappings in the Project.
• DeviceChannel: create Project Tags and map to the PLC addresses, allowing more control over names and data blocks. Use the Import Tags to setup automatically the mapping.

This document has only the specific information about the device connection settings and its address syntax.

Refer to the User Guide for more information on the Device Module or on External TagProviders.

Summary

Channels Configuration

Protocol Options

Nodes Configuration

Primary Station 

Stations syntax:  <PLCAddress> ; <PLCPort> ; <ProtocolName>;<MotorolaByteOrder>;<GatewayAddress>;<GatewayPort>;<GatewayPassword>;

<GatewayDeviceProtocol>;<LogonName>;<LogonPassword>

Where :

 <PLCAddress> = Logical address or node name of the PLC. CODESYS protocol address can be specified. But be careful, as these addresses are automatically generated, they may change if the network configuration of the communication partners changes. Therefore configuring the device name should be preferred.

<PLCPort> = Tcp/Ip port number. If not specified, the default value 11740 is used.

<ProtocolName> = Communication protocol to the PLC; the most important settings are:

• Tcp/Ip (Level 4): TCP/IP Level 4 Protocol
• Tcp/Ip (Level 2): TCP/IP Level 2 Protocol
• Tcp/Ip (Level 2 Route): TCP/IP Level 2 Route
• Serial (RS232): Serial connection

<MotorolaByteOrder> = Byte order of the PLC.

<GatewayAddress> = If 'Tcp/Ip' is used as Gateway protocol: IP-Address or Hostname of the Gateway. If 'NamedSharedMemory' is used as Gateway protocol: Name of the shared memory on which the Gateway listens. If not specified, then the default name for the shared memory is used and it behaves identical to the protocol 'SharedMemory'. 'NamedSharedMemory' is for special use only.

<GatewayPort> = If 'Tcp/Ip' is used as Gateway protocol: Port number of the Gateway. Typical values: 1210 / 1217. All other configurations: Not evaluated

<GatewayPassword> = If the Gateway, which is used for the connection, protected by a Gateway password, than this can be entered here, to allow the PLCHandler to use this Gateway.

<LogonName> = If the user management is activated on the PLC, then the user name for the PLCHandler login can be specified here.

<LogonPassword> = If the user management is activated on the PLC, then the password for the PLCHandler login can be specified here.

Example: MY_PC_Name;11740;;False;localhost;1217;;;;;

Points Configuration

Choose the PLC Item that will communicate with the Project Tag. You can type the PLC Item name into the TextBox, or you can browse the PLC Items in the Cell Editor.

Troubleshoot

The status of the driver execution can be observed through the platform built-in diagnostic tools. Refer to the Using Diagnostic Tools topic in Devices Communication page.

Troubleshooting tips

In this driver, it is very important to enable the TraceWindow messages, as invalid addresses can cause all the communication block with the PLC to fail, the TraceWindow tool will display the first invalid address found on the block when the Device is enabled on the settings.

In order to have a quick view on the many communication blocks, open the ModuleInformation, navigate on the tree to find ControlLogix and then select Read Groups. Looking at the number and success and fail communication counters, you can easily identify if there is a block with error and then use the TraceWindow to locate the wrong address.

Codesys Simulated PLC - Installation and Getting Started

For more information, please refer to the official documentation.

Driver Revision History

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