Introduction

An MTP (Module Type Package) is a communication interface between a higher-level control system (e.g. process control system) and a modular plant. The MTP describes the interface of visualization, provided services and other features of a module, so that a simple orchestration of the modules to form a complete plant can be done easily and quickly in the higher-level control system.

The MTP concept is integrated in TwinCAT 3 as a software solution by the TF8400 TwinCAT 3 MTP Runtime and TE8400 TwinCAT 3 MTP Engineering products. In this way, the communication between the higher-level control system (POL) and the individual modules of a complex plant can be described.

The features and services that a software-based plant module should have and the dependencies between the defined services are defined in the MTP Engineering. There is a high degree of individualization for ideal adaptation to the processes on site.

Through a separate project type, the MTP-specific project planning, such as the creation of services or parameters, is possible in a separate MTP folder. Through the common solution, TwinCAT 3 Engineering offers the possibility to create, modify and manage the MTP as well as the source code of the PLC in one environment. The connection of TwinCAT 3 Engineering to version control enables consistent and sustainable storage of a project, including PLC source code, MTP description and other program sources.