Flexible, High-speed Software for Direct PLC Access
OMRON’s Upgraded FA Communications Software Lets You Create Applications with
Flexible, High-speed, and Direct Data Link Access to SYSMAC PLCs from Personal
Computers.
The need for faster transmission of more and more information between personal computers and
PLCs is coupled with the need for frequent changes to specifications, such as address allocations
in PLCs, a demand for software standardization to eliminate dependence on specific applications
and networks, and a demand for cost reductions.
In response to this demand, OMRON has completely renovated its FA Communications Software under new names. Data links are now possible using Ethernet. Data links can even be accessed via a LAN port on a notebook computer.
And FA Communications Software can be used to access PLC data by using
only tag names to enable more flexible and higher-speed access of PLC data
from personal computers, and that lowers costs by eliminating the need for a
special board for data links.
FA Communications Software
Product Positioning
SYSMAC Gateway
System ApplicationsDevice-embedded Applications
CX-Compolet
(formerly SYSMAC Compolet)
FINS/CIP Communications Middleware
SYSMAC Gateway
RS-232CUSB
Easy PLC Data Reading
and Writing with VB.NET
and VC#.NET Control
Objects
EtherNet/IP
(formerly FinsGateway)
Ethernet
Controller Link
SYSMAC Gateway can be
used as the communications
driver on most networks. It is
the successor to FinsGateway and has inherited all
FinsGateway functionality.
CX-Compolet
CX-Compolet software
enables easily reading and
writing PLC data using Visual
Basic.NET and Visual
C#.NET. It is the successor to
SYSMAC Compolet.
High SpeedFlexibility
−Tag Access
−Two Types of Access
Simultaneous Upgrade for All OMRON FA Communications Software
Application
Two types of
access are
supported.
Access to
collected data
in personal
computers
High-speed
access
As-needed
access to
PLCs on
networks
Easy
CX-Compolet, etc.
NEW
Tag access
Tag access
Personal computer
No special
Board required.
Tag AccessData Links
Application data can be accessed using tag names
rather than addresses.
No changes are required at the application.
−Access to personal computers
via data links.
−Communicate using software
processing.
Virtual PLC
memory
Flexibility
You can easily handle
changes to specifications.
EtherNet/IP
NEW
Reduced costs and greater communications capacity.
Two New Features
Data links are possible between personal computers
and PLCs on Ethernet networks.
Personal computers become nodes on EtherNet/IP data links just like PLCs.
Data links
SYSMAC CJ2SYSMAC CJ2
Direct Data Link Access
−Special Boards, such as
Controller Link and SYSMAC
LINK Support Boards, are not
required.
NEW
PLC data can be read and written across
EtherNet/IP networks by simply reading and
writing values in personal computer memory.
High-speed, large-capacity data links are possible.
EtherNet/IPYes (Tag access and data links enabled.)
USBYes (CJ2, CP1)
SYSMAC GatewayCX-Compolet
Visual Studio.NET 2008
• Array variables are supported.
Tag
name
Name server
Data
FROMTO
PLC data was accessed
using addresses, so if an
address was changed in the
PLC it also had to be
changed in the application.
specifications.
The addresses in PLC assigned to tag
names can be changed without creating
additional work.
CJ2
With EtherNet/IP functionality
PLC data is accessed using
tag names, so there is no
need to change addresses in
the application even if
addresses are changed in the
PLC. This enables application
standardization.
Same name
server as for CJ2
FROMTO
A PCI Controller Link Support
Board was required to
establish data links.
There were strict limitations on
the capacity and speed of
Controller Link data links.
∗1
EtherNet/IP is required for data links on Ethernet networks.
− The LAN port at the personal
computer is used, so no special
board is required. Data links are
possible even for a notebook
computer.
− Software operations are used,
improving personal computer and
communications performance.
EtherNet/IP provides greater capacity
and higher speed, and because data
link areas in personal computer
memory are accessed, data access is
faster than having to constantly
access EtherNet/IP nodes.
23
An OMRON PLC Driver with Virtual PLC Memory Functionality
SYSMAC Gateway
SYSMAC Gateway
SYSMAC Gateway
■ Software Configuration■ System Configuration Examples
SYSMAC Gateway can access the PLCs in all of the following configurations.
Communications Driver and Virtual PLC Memory
SYSMAC Gateway provides an OMRON PLC communications driver and virtual memory. OMRON’s FA
Communications Software uses the SYSMAC Gateway communications middleware as a common platform.
● In addition to FINS communications, operation of SYSMAC
Gateway has been verified on EtherNet/IP.
● SYSMAC Gateway absorbs the differences in the physical layers
of RS-232C, USB, Ethernet, EtherNet/IP, and Controller Link.
● Virtual PLC event memory is provided to enable a personal
computer to participate as a data link node.
● Changes to memory can be detected in applications at the
personal computer.
Situation
Developing or Modifying PLC Applications Is Too Much Work
SYSMAC Gateway
Serial
Real PLC
Note: USB and Ethernet can also be used for communications.
Applications
EtherNet/IP
Real PLCReal PLC
Controller Link
Application Software
CX-Compolet
Message Communications
SYSMAC Gateway
RS-232C
USB
SYSMAC PLC
Data Links
EtherNet/IP
Controller Link
SYSMAC Gateway
Note: The above configurations are only examples. Communications are also possible with
SYSMAC GatewaySYSMAC Gateway
USB
Commercially available
USB cable
CJ2/CP1CJ2/CJ1/CS1
SYSMAC Gateway
USB
Data links
CJ2
EtherNet/IP
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
Ethernet
EtherNet/IP
PLCs other than those shown here. For details, refer to page 8.
RS-232C
Special Cable
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
■ Application Example
Using Events to Provide Notification of Changes in Data
• The application is notified using events only when preset conditions are met.
• Eliminating programming for checking cyclic data changes reduces the load on the personal computer processor.
• Notification of data changes is provided immediately, eliminating wasted communications time.
SYSMAC Gateway
RS-232C
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
SYSMAC Gateway
Controller Link
Support Board
Data links
Controller Link
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
Controller Link
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
ProblemSolution with SYSMAC Gateway
Costumers who have
created their own
communications
programs
Modifying programs
for different networks
is a lot of work.
−Insufficient speed.
−Insufficient data link capacity.
Application
ABC
Networks
Time spent on programming
communications can be reduced
by absorbing the differences
between networks.
Using EtherNet/IP enables
Application
SYSMAC Gateway
ABC
Network differences are absorbed.
Application
CX-Compolet
SYSMAC Gateway
Cyclic data checking is not required.
EtherNet/IP
high-speed, large-capacity data
links with no need for a special
Customers who are
already using
FinsGateway
Insufficient
capacity
Programming communications
to send and receive messages
for each node or block of data
is too much work.
Insufficient speed
Programming is
required for each node
or block of data.
communications board.
Communications efficiency
can be optimized by using
EtherNet/IP data links.
Large capacity
Application
Notification of changes is sent.
Fast
Main SYSMAC Gateway Functions
ItemDescription
Supported protocols
Supported PLCsCJ2, CJ1, CS1, CP1, C, and CVM1/CV
SYSWAY, SYSWAY-CV, Peripheral Bus
(Toolbus), FINS, and CIP
Environment for SYSMAC Gateway
ItemDescription
LanguagesEnglish or Japanese
Supported OSWindows 2000, XP, or Vista and 2003 Server
CIP Service Specifications
Customers who want
to standardize
personal computer
applications
Having to modify personal
computer applications
whenever the PLC memory
map is changed is too much
work.
Personal computer
applications must
also be modified.
Changes to PLC
memory map
No special board is required.
For the CJ2 with EtherNet/IP
functionality, tag access and tag
data links (
∗1
) provide freedom
from PLC memory maps.
∗
1
Tag data links are not possible from a C
language library. They are possible only
with .NET.
High-speed,
large-capacity data links
Personal computer
applications do not
need to be modified.
Even when the PLC
memory map is changed.
Supported networks
Virtual event memory
Tag access
RS-232C (SYSWAY, SYSWAY-CV, Peripheral
Bus (Toolbus)) USB, EtherNet/IP
(FINS), Controller Link (FINS), and SYSMAC
LINK (FINS)
∗1
Data links are supported.
CIO, Auxiliary (A), Holding (H), Work (W), DM,
and EM1 to EM1F
For the CJ2 (with EtherNet/IP functionality),
access by tag name is enabled.
∗1
, Ethernet
Tag data links
Explicit
messages
Number of connections256
Allowable communications bandwidth 5,000 pps
Refresh period (RPI) 1 to 10,000 ms (unit: 1 ms)
Link data capacity184, 832 words max.
Data size per connection722 words (1,444 bytes) max.
Message send function (client)
Message receive function (server)
Data size502 bytes
CIP routingNot supported.
∗1
The RPIs that can be set depend on the number of connections.
CIP connectionless (UCMM) and CIP
connection (Class 3) communications
CIP connectionless (UCMM) and CIP
connection (Class 3) communications
∗1
45
CX-Compolet
CX-Compolet
Easily Create Programming to Read and Write PLC Data using VB or VC#.
CX-Compolet
.NET Control Objects∗ActiveX Control Objects are also included.
CX-Compolet is a package of software components that make it easy to program reading and writing OMRON PLC data.
● Read and write I/O memory in the PLC, change the
operating mode, read error logs, and perform other
operations.
● Supports Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2008.
NEW
● Can be used from Visual Basic.NET and
Visual C#.NET.
● For the CJ2 with EtherNet/IP functionality, I/O
memory in the PLC can be accessed by using
tag names rather than addresses.
● Array variable access is possible.
Situation
Creating and Modifying VB/VC# Communications Programming Is Too Much Work
NEW
NEW
User-created Applications
VB.NET or VC#.NET
.NET Controls
Example:
Reading I/O Memory
SYSMAC Gateway
D0 12 34
SYSMAC PLC
CX-Compolet
Simply paste to the form and
specify the tags (addresses).
Example
Press the button to read the
value (D0 in this example).
■ Software Configuration■ System Configuration Examples
CX-Compolet can access the PLCs in all of the following configurations.
CX-CompoletCX-Compolet
VB.NET/VC#.NET
USB
Commercially
available USB cable
CJ2/CP1
RS-232C
Special Cable
CJ2/CJ1/CS1
CX-Compolet
CX-Compolet
SYSMAC Gateway
SYSMAC PLC
USB
Data links
CJ2
EtherNet/IP
CJ2/
CX-Compolet
Ethernet
Note: The above configurations are only examples. Communications are also possible with PLCs
other than those shown here. For details, refer to page 8.
CJ1/
CS1
EtherNet/IP
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
■ Application Example
Easily Program Device Alarm Monitoring.
● Using the control components provided by CX-Compolet frees the application designers from having to program the communications portions of the
application.
● Data for device alarms and other data are sent to the applications using non-solicited EtherNet/IP communications events.
● Standardization is made easy by specifying data using tag names (such as “Alarm A” and “Alarm B”) in the applications.
CX-Compolet
RS-232C
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
CX-Compolet
Controller Link
Support Board
Data links
Controller Link
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
Controller Link
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
CJ2/
CJ1/
CS1
ProblemSolution with CX-Compolet
Having to program communications
Customers who are
developing VB/VC# programs
including communications
with PLCs
frame assembly, reception response
interpretation, and monitoring is too
much work.
Having to change communications
processing, e.g., for Ethernet and serial
communications, is too much work.
Handling PLC address changes is
particularly time consuming.
For a block of data of the same data
type, it is too much work to have to
specify the addresses one by one rather
than being able to view them as one
group and access that data as an
element.
Processing such as communications frame assembly is prepared
in advance!
Data is accessed by using tag names rather than by using
addresses, so programming does not have to be changed even if
PLC addresses are changed.
Note: When combined with the CJ2 with EtherNet/IP functionality.
Array variables are supported, so data can be easily specified by
simply changing the element subscript with the same tag name.
■ Procedure
Simply Paste to a Form and Enter a Line of Code.
After installation, the
1
OMRON SYSMAC CJ2
Icon will be displayed in
the controls.
Position the SYSMAC
2
CJ2 Icon in the form.
3
Arrange the command buttons,
text boxes, etc., in the form.
Set the remote PLC in
4
the properties.
5
In the Command Button Code
Dialog Box, enter the PLC tag
name on one line. (The tag
name below is “PV.”)
Text1=SYSMAC CJ2.ReadVariable “PV”)
Main CX-Compolet Functions
InterfaceFunctionDescription
Communications with SYSMAC PLCs Specifies the PLC to communicate with, and reads network information.
Read and writes data in memory areas, such as the DM Area or CIO
Reading and writing I/O memory
Properties
Methods
EventsScheduled events
Operating status
Area information
Error information
Other SYSMAC PLC information
Reading and writing I/O memory
Creating I/O tables
Force-setting, force-resetting and clearing bits
Communications with SYSMAC PLCs Specifies the PLC to communicate with.
FINS service execution
Area. For example, DM word 100 can be specified by using “D100”
or by using a tag name.
Reads and changes the operating mode.
Reads information such as the program area size and number of DM Area words.
Reads the value and error message when an error occurs.
Reads the model and reads and changes the clock.
Reads and writes memory, such as consecutive words in the DM
Area or CIO Area. For example, it is possible to specify the data type
(integer, single, etc.) or change the data type (BCD, BIN, SBIN).
Creates the I/O tables for the present configuration.
Force-sets, force-resets, and clears bits.
Sends FINS commands and gets the responses that are received.
Events occur at regular intervals.
Alarm A
EtherNet/IP
Alarm B
Environment for CX-Compolet
ItemDescription
LanguagesEnglish or Japanese
Supported OS
Supported
execution
environment
Development
environment
Note: Only the components compatible with
SYSMAC Compolet version 2003 are
supported. A development environment of
.NET 2003 or higher is required for CIP
communications.
Windows 2000, XP, or Vista
and 2003 Server
.NET Framework
(1.1, 2.0, 3.0, or 3.5)
Microsoft Visual Studio
.NET (See note.), .NET
2003, .NET 2005, or
.NET2008
Development languages:
Visual Basic.NET and Visual
C#.NET
Visual Basic version 5 or 6
(Only the functions
compatible with Compolet
V2 can be used.)
67
Ordering Information
SYSMAC Gateway (Communications Middleware)
Product name
SYSMAC Gateway
∗1
SYSMAC Gateway SDK
CX-Compolet
Product name
CX-Compolet
∗1
Communications middleware for personal computers running Windows. Supports CIP communications and tag data links (EtherNet/IP) in addition to FinsGateway functions.
Supported communications: RS-232C, USB, Controller Link, SYSMAC LINK, Ethernet, EtherNet/IP
10 additional licenses (This product provides only additional licenses.)
Software development kit for creating communications programs using SYSMAC Gateway.
Development languages: C, C++, Visual Basic.NET, Visual C#.NET
Software components that can make it easy to create programs for communications between a
computer and controllers. This packaged product bundles SYSMAC Gateway.
Development environment: Visual Studio.NET2003/.NET2005/.NET2008
Development languages: Visual Basic .NET, Visual C#.NET, Visual Basic Ver. 5/6
Supported communications: Equal to SYSMAC Gateway.
3 additional licenses (This product provides only additional licenses. The software must be purchased in advance.)
5 additional licenses (This product provides only additional licenses. The software must be purchased in advance.)
10 additional licenses (This product provides only additional licenses. The software must be purchased in advance.)
Software components only. This package doesn’t include SYSMAC Gateway as communications drivers.
Specification
Specification
Supported OS: Microsoft Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and 2003 Server
∗1
One license is required per computer.
Supported OS: Microsoft Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and 2003 Server
∗1
One license is required per computer.
∗2
Only functions provided by Compolet V2 as ActiveX controls are supported for Visual Basic version 5 or 6.
Correspondence between Main PLC Models and Connected Networks
Model
Standards
WS02-SGWC1
WS02-SGWC1-L10
WS02-SGWC1S
Model
∗2
WS02-CPLC1
Standards
WS02-CPLC1-L3
WS02-CPLC1-L5
WS02-CPLC1-L10
WS02-CPLC2
Personal computer
PLC
CJ2 with EtherNet/IP functionality
CJ1
CS1
CP1
C200HX/HG/HE, CQM1H
C
Series
CPM1/CPM2
CVM1/CV
CompoWay/F Slaves, such as Temperature Controllers
RS-232C
SYSWAY
(Host Link C
Mode)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
SYSWAY-
CV (Host
Link FINS)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
CompoWay/F
(master at personal
computer)
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
∗1
A separate Communications Unit is required.
Peripheral BusFINSFINSEtherNet/IP
Yes (Peripheral
Bus – CS/CJ)
Yes (Peripheral
Bus – CS/CJ)
Yes (Peripheral
Bus – CS/CJ)
Yes (Peripheral
Bus – CS/CJ)
Yes (Peripheral
Bus – C)
Yes (Peripheral
Bus – C)
Yes (Peripheral
Bus – CV)
No
USBController LinkEthernet (LAN)
∗2
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
Correspondence between FA Communications Software and Connected Networks
Personal Computer Boards
FA Communications Software
⋅ SYSMAC Gateway
⋅ CX-Compolet
This catalog mainly provides information that is necessary for selecting suitable models, and does
not contain precautions for correct use. Always read the precautions and other required information
provided in product operation manuals before using the product.
Communications
Message
communications
Data link
communications
Note: Do not use this document to operate the Unit.
Communications
method
FINS communications
FINS communications
SYSMAC
Board
Yes
Yes
CS1 Board
Yes
Yes
The application examples provided in this catalog are for reference only. Check functions and
safety of the equipment before use.
Never use the products for any application requiring special safety requirements, such as nuclear
energy control systems, railroad systems, aviation systems, medical equipment, amusement
machines, vehicles, safety equipment, or other application involving serious risk to life or property,
without ensuring that the system as a whole has been designed to address the risks, and that the
OMRON products are properly rated and installed for the intended use within the overall equipment
or system.
CS1 Bus
Interface
Board
Yes
Yes
Ethernet
(FINS)
Yes (Specification
∗1
∗1
using tag names is
possible.)
∗1, ∗2
Ye s
∗1, ∗2
Ye s
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes (Communications Units
are not required for CJ1M
PLCs with Ethernet
functionality.)∗1
Yes
Ye s∗1 (CP1H only)
No
No
Yes
No
∗2
Specification using tag names is not possible.
∗1
Yes
∗1
Yes
∗1
Yes
Ye s∗1 (CP1H only)
∗1
Yes
No
∗1
Yes
No
OMRON Corporation
Industrial Automation Company
Control Devices Division H.Q.
PLC Division