• Password protection;
  a password concept protects the user program from unauthorized access.
• Block encryption;
  the functions (FCs) and function blocks (FBs) can be stored in the CPU in encrypted form by means of S7-Block Privacy to protect the know-how of the application.
• Diagnostics buffer;
  the last 500 error and interrupt events are stored in a buffer for diagnostic purposes, of which 100 are stored retentively.
• Maintenance-free data backup;
  the CPU automatically saves all data (up to 64 KB) in case of a power failure so that the data are available again unchanged when the power returns.

Parameterizable properties

The S7 configuration as well as the properties and response of the CPUs can be parameterized using STEP 7:

• General:
  Defining the name, higher level designation, and location designation
• MPI multi-point interface;
  determining station addresses
• Startup;
  definition of the startup characteristics of the CPU and the monitoring time
• Cycle/clock memory;
  specification of the maximum cycle time and load. Setting of the clock memory address.
• Retentivity;
  definition of the number of retentive bit memories, counters, timers and data blocks
• Time-of-day interrupts;
  setting of start date, start time and periodicity
• Cyclic interrupts;
  setting of periodicity
• System diagnostics;
  determining handling and scope of the diagnostic messages
• Clock;
  setting the type of synchronization in the AS or on the MPI
• Protection level;
  specifying the access rights to program and data
• Communication;
  reservation of connection resources
• PtP interface;
  setting of the addresses and basic parameters. Parameterization of the ASKII, 3964(R) and RK512 protocols.
• Digital inputs/outputs;
  setting of addresses, input delay and process interrupt
• Analog inputs/outputs;
  setting of addresses, in the case of inputs: the temperature unit, the measurement type, the measuring range, and the interference frequency, in the case of outputs: the output type and output range
• Integrated function "counting";
  setting the addresses, parameter assignment of the modes "continuous counting", "single counting", "periodic counting", "frequency measurement" and "pulse width modulation"
• Integrated function "positioning";
  setting of addresses, parameterizing of "positioning with digital outputs" and "positioning with analog outputs"
• Integrated "Rules" function

Display and information functions

• Status and error indications;
  LEDs indicate e.g. hardware, programming, time or I/O errors, as well as operating states such as RUN, STOP and start-up.
• Test functions;
  the PG is used to indicate signal states during program execution, to modify process variables independently of the user program and to output the contents of stack memories.
• Information functions;
  you can use the PG to obtain information about the storage capacity and operating mode of the CPU as well as the current loading of the main and load memories as well as current cycle times and diagnostic buffer contents in plain text.

Integrated communication functions

• PG/OP communication
• Global data communication
• S7 basic communication
• S7 communication (server only)

Integrated functions

• Counters;
  4 counters (up to 60 kHz) with directionally-dependent comparators and to directly connect 24 V incremental encoders
• 4 channels for frequency measurement;
  frequency measurement (up to max. 60 kHz) enables, for example, speed measurement of a shaft with speed range monitoring or throughput measuring (parts per measuring time) with range monitoring.
• Period measurement;
  4 channels. The period duration of the counting signal can be measured up to a counting frequency of 1 kHz.
• Pulse width modulation;
  4 outputs for direct control of valves, final controlling elements, switching devices, heating equipment, etc., switching frequency 2.5 kHz. The period length can be set and the pulse-pause ratio can be changed while running.
• Controlled positioning;
  an SFB integrated into the operating system enables an axis to be positioned via 2 digital outputs or one analog output.
• Alarm inputs (all digital inputs);
  the alarm inputs enable the detection of process events as well as the rapid triggering of responses.