TC1000 | TwinCAT 3 ADS

The Automation Device Specification (ADS) is the communication protocol of TwinCAT. It enables the data exchange and the control of TwinCAT systems. ADS is media-independent and can communicate via serial or network connections.

ADS enables:

• access to the process image
• consistent data exchange
• access to I/O tasks
• detection of status changes
• read-out of the PLC symbol information
• access by variable name
• sum commands
• synchronous and asynchronous access
• cyclic and event-based messages

Libraries and runtime components are provided for common programming languages (including .NET, C/C++, Delphi and Java). In addition, interfaces are provided for communication with third-party software (e.g. MATLAB®, NI LabVIEW™, Office). The ADS web services enable the development of device-independent web applications (HTML5, WCF).

The message router manages multiple connections and efficiently distributes the messages. The data packets can be recorded via the ADS monitor using the integrated diagnostic interface.

The free TwinCAT 3 ADS supplies the basic components required in order to communicate with TwinCAT systems. The setup can be integrated in your own installation routines.