Controller Runtime Configuration and Tasks

Configuring the controller runtime comprises the following steps:

Creating and configuring tasks/events that are executed by the controller runtime.
Creating program instances (by assigning programs to tasks).
Assigning (mapping) global/system variables to process data items (I/O terminals) and HMI tags.
Creating and editing global variables.
Creating and editing HMI tags.

The runtime-relevant nodes in the PLANT are the 'PLCnext' and 'IEC 61131-3' and provide several editors for configuring the controller runtime. These editors are described below.

If a Safety PLC is included in your program, the standard controller and the Safety PLC are strictly separated. The Safety PLC is represented by a separate icon in the PLANT. Refer to the topic "Safety PLC Runtime Configuration"

Depending on the currently active mode, the 'IEC 61131-3'/'PLCnext' node appears different:

In programming mode, the 'IEC 61131-3'/'PLCnext' node in the PLANT can be doubled-clicked to configure the runtime, tasks and program instances. Double-clicking a program/FB instance in the PLANT opens the Data List (if this instance contains instance-related located variables) and/or the Port List (if the program instance contains ports). POU code worksheets and local variables tables cannot be opened via the PLANT tree.
In debug mode, you can directly open instance-related code worksheets by double-clicking a program/FB instance icon. For information refer to the topic "Debug mode: Monitoring the Application Execution ‣ Debug mode: Monitoring the Application Execution
×‣ Monitoring/Debugging the Safety PLC
×‣ Monitoring Mode: Displaying Online Values
×".

Runtime editors for PLCnext Technology controller types

Below the 'PLCnext' node, one ESM (Execution and Synchronization Manager) subnode is provided for each controller core. Tasks and program instances have to be defined specifically for a particular controller core. The criteria for the distribution of task and instances between the cores may be the performance of tasks and the requirements of the program instances to be executed.

Double-clicking the 'PLCnext' node in the PLANT opens the following editors in the editors area:

'Tasks and Events' editor used to create and configure the tasks to be executed and instantiate programs. The same editor is used for all cores (ESM nodes), separating the cores in the table.
Port List editor used to assign IN and OUT ports of the instantiated programs. In addition to the ports, resource-global IEC 61131-3 variables may be available in the Data List on the 'IEC 61131-3' node.
'Online Parameters': firmware editor for device-specific settings. The contained parameters are defined in the device description file. The editor allows to read parameter values from and write values to the device.