What's New in KAS v4.01
These new features have been implemented for this release.
- PCMM2G
- AKD Firmware v1-23-00-000
- AKD2G Firmware v2-12-00-001
- KAS-IDE-WB (Workbench)
- New KAS-IDE Features
- New PLC Functions
Windows® 11
- The installer, KAS-IDE, and Simulator are supported with Windows 11.
- There were no changes to support Windows 11.
PCMM2G
The PCMM2G controller is fully supported with this release.
If you are migrating from a AKD PDMM or PCMM, see Migrate from a PxMM to a PCMM2G Controller for details about porting applications.
Here’s a summary of the new PCMM2G features and the main differences between the PCMM2G and AKD PDMM / PCMM controllers:
Backup/Restore
The backup/restore files are different between the AKD PDMM / PCMM and the PCMM2G.
They are NOT cross-compatible.
See PCMM2G Controller and EtherCAT Devices Backup.
The Import / Export tab (under the Backup & Restore section of the Web server) is supported in PCMM2G.
Boot Sequence
The boot sequence and 7-segment display LED pattern is different for the PCMM2G.
See Boot Sequence.
Controller Errors and Alarms
There are some differences between the PCMM2G and AKD PDMM / PCMM Error and Alarm codes.
- See Controller Errors and Alarms.
- Codes are logged both to the KAS-IDE's controller log and in the controller's flash.
See Error and Alarm History File (PCMM2G only). - Error and Alarm log files are accessible from the Web server.
Controller Performance
- Controller Performance measurement graphs are available for PCMM2G.
- EtherNet/IP and PROFINET performance guidelines are available.
See Controller Performance Guidelines.
Controller Shared Directory
The Shared Directory feature on the Kollmorgen Controllers (i.e., AKD PDMM, PCMM, and PCMM2G) allows access to the files on a remote computer using the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol.
- The SMBv2 and SMBv3 are the newer versions that are more secure.
- PCMM2G controller supports both SMBv2 and SMBv3.
- AKD PDMM / PCMM support SMBv1.
Filename Format
The PCMM2G firmware filename format is different.
See PCMM2G - File Naming Conventions.
Flash Fallback and Recover Modes
- In case of a flash corruption, there are Fallback and Recovery modes.
See Boot from Inactive Partition Image - PCMM2G. - In case of a flash failure, Recovery is possible using the Web server or USB "Universal Serial Bus"
USB is a serial bus standard to interface devices flash drive.
See Recover Using the Web server.
Flash Partitions
There are four flash partitions: Boot, Active, Inactive, and Data.
- See Booting the PCMM2G Controller.
- The data partition contains the KAS application, user data, logs, crash reports, and any EtherCAT and controller backup files.
- The data partition makes it possible to run the application from either partition A or B until a corrupted partition can be repaired.
GetCtrlPerf()
GetCtrlPerf() function block values are different for the PCMM2G.
- The MeanCpuIdlePct, StdDevCpuIdlePct, MinCpuIdlePct, and MaxCpuIdlePct values in the GetCtrlPerf() function block are measured based on the controller CPU idle period.
- The CPU idle period is measured across two CPU cores running the MotionEngine and PLC program.
- See GetCtrlPerf for controller differences.
KAS-IDE Compilation Option
IDE Compilation option for Optimized Code Generation is NOT supported by the PCMM2G.
- This option is not selectable for PCMM2G or Simulation controller projects.
O-Scope Trace Time Channels
The 4th channel is different between AKD PDMM / PCMM and PCMM2G:
- AKD PDMM / PCMM (RealTimeMargin The measured available execution time (equals the Cycle Time Period – EtherCAT network execution time – MotionExecTime – PLCProgExecTime) in each cycle period. Units in microseconds.).
- PCMM2G (PLCMarginTime).
- See Oscilloscope Control Panel.
See Practical Application: Using Trace Time To Measure CPU Load for using trace times to measure the CPU load in Normal, Heavily, and Over Loaded scenarios.
See these examples:
- Example: AKD PDMM and PCMM Heavily Loaded CPU
- Example: AKD PDMM and PCMM Over Loaded CPU
- Example: PCMM2G Heavily Loaded CPU
- Example: PCMM2G Over Loaded CPU
PROFINET Adapter
- The PROFINET adapter identification for the controllers are:
- AKD PDMM and PCMM: tsec0.
- PCMM2G: eth1.
- See Configure a PROFINET IO Controller.
- When the application is compiled, based on the controller type, the PROFINET adapter identification is changed to match the required name.
Real-time Clock
The PCMM2G has a Real-Time Clock, including an optional battery to retain the date/time when the PCMM2G is powered off.
- The date/time, time zone, and Network Time Protocol (NTP "Network Time Protocol"
A networking protocol for clock synchronization between computer systems.
The PCMM2G can be configured to synchronize with public NTP time servers over the internet or a local NTP time server for networks that are not connected to the internet.) is configurable from the Webserver Settings > Date/Time tab.
- If NTP is disabled and the battery is bad or missing:
- The date/time is lost at power-off.
- At startup the date/time will be incorrect.
- In this condition, an A05 alarm occurs, warning that the date/time is incorrect.
- See Controller Errors and Alarms.
- If NTP is disabled and the battery is bad or missing:
SSH Password
PCMM2G has a default unique password for SSH login:
- See SSH Login to a Controller.
- The password can be changed using SSH.
Temperature Monitor
The PCMM2G behaves differently than AKD PDMM / PCMM in cases where the temperature reaches the error limit
- An E01 stops the project execution and the OS reduces the CPU clock rate by up to 50% at 85 °C.
AKD Firmware v1-23-00-000
- The KAS-IDE and Runtime In computer science, runtime (or run-time) describes the operation of a computer program, the duration of its execution, from beginning to termination (compare compile time). Within KAS, runtime also refers to the virtual machine that manage the program written in a computer language while it is running have been tested with Production Release v1-23-00-000.
- The ESI files have been updated in the installation package.
AKD2G Firmware v2-12-00-001
- The KAS-IDE and Runtime have been tested with Production Release v2-12-00-001.
- The ESI files have been updated in the installation package.
KAS-IDE-WB (Workbench)
- The KAS-IDE's embedded WorkBench has been updated to v2.14.0.9469.
New KAS-IDE Features
- The WSTRING data type is available as a selection to create variables in the KAS-IDE but is not supported yet.
- Do not use the WSTRING data type yet!
- It will be available to support UNICODE characters in a future software release.
- Modbus ModBus is a serial communications protocol and is now the most commonly available means of connecting industrial electronic devices. ModBus is often used to connect a supervisory computer with a remote terminal unit in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Versions of the ModBus protocol exist for serial port and Ethernet (it is widely used with TCP/IP over Ethernet) supports 64-bit variables (4x words).
- Optimized constant expressions with multiplication and division.
- The ST "Structured text" A high-level language that is block structured and syntactically resembles Pascal editor animation displays values for complex expressions (arrays and structures).
New PLC Functions
- Added:
- MUX64 function to select one of 64x inputs.
- See Selectors.
- The KAS-IDE toolbar button to enable/disable:
- The execution order display in the FFLD "Free Form Ladder Diagram" Editor.
- A fieldbus configuration in the Fieldbus A Fieldbus is an industrial network system for real-time distributed control (e.g. CAN or Profibus). It is a way of connecting instruments in a plant design Editor.
- See Fieldbus Editor.
- MUX64 function to select one of 64x inputs.
- Changed: Modbus now supports 64-bit variables (4x words).