The Beckhoff ADS protocol can be used to read and write variables from different devices of the TwinCAT 2 or TwinCAT 3 series (e.g., TwinCAT PLC, TwinCAT NC, …). ADS stands for Automation Device Specification. The protocol is a convenient and high-performance client/server solution for coupling devices from the manufacturer Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG. Thanks to the ADS Browse functionality, the Beckhoff Cloud connection is particularly user-friendly.
For the cloud connection, the software module Universal Cloud Adapter is required. The Cloud Adapter can be installed on any Windows or Linux device (x86, x64 or ARM). The setup is explained in “Getting Started“. Alternatively, you can also use the AnyViz IoT Gateway.
Even though the ADS protocol is based on the TCP/IP stack, addressing is not done via IP addresses as usual. Instead of the IP address, so-called AMS NetIds are used. To establish a client connection to an ADS server device, an ADS route must be created in the destination device. Further information about ADS routing can be found in the documentation.
FunctionalityIf the ADS routing concept is familiar, the connection with Beckhoff controllers is as simple as can be. After specifying AMS NetId, host name and port, the PLC symbols are browsed and are immediately available in the cloud for further processing. Unlike other communication protocols, no modifications have to be made to the PLC program.
The variable inventory of a PLC program can sometimes be quite large. To speed up connection initiation and to improve the overview, it is recommended to specify a filter. So only the variables are displayed in the portal, which contain a comment with a specified filter text.
With the introduction of TwinCAT 3 the default port of the TwinCAT runtime has changed from 801 to 851. As before, the first runtime of a system uses the default port, and all other runtimes use the following one.
