Using an external FDT application
A separate FDT frame application can be used to integrate the “Beckhoff ComDTM” via the device catalog. A dialog with a structure that is similar to TwinCAT can then be used for establishing a bus connection (see also Startup: entering a target system):
The PLC controlling the HART terminal can therefore linked to the “Beckhoff ComDTM” either via a search or by entering the known IP address or host name, which subsequently enables access to the sensor-/actuator-specific device driver (DTM). After successful connection, all EtherCAT master systems that exist on the target system (including a local computer, for example) are automatically scanned for HART devices. Any channels that are found are then displayed accordingly:
One possible form of this application shows:
- On the left a Project Explorer with the currently configured devices
- In the center the menus for the individual objects / DTMs
- On the right the device catalog showing the DTMs available for selection
The device DTMs can be added in the Project Explorer under the channels (for the assignment channel → DTM). To this end an additional scan function id available, in order to limit the selection of suitable device drivers for the already connected sensors / actuators to the device-specific variants (see also: Accessing a sensor/ actuator by scanning the DTM).
The following diagram shows a summary of the whole procedure:
