The Beckhoff TwinCAT devices TagProvider enables communication with Beckhoff PLCs using the ADS protocol and AMSNetID addressing. It provides access to real-time PLC variables by connecting through the TwinCAT Devices Communication Driver under Unified Namespaces > TagProvider Connections. After setup, the TagProvider loads symbols from the PLC project, making structured tags available in the Unified Namespace for use in visualization, logging, and scripting.
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Configuration
To set up a new TagProvider connection navigate to Unified Namespace/TagProvider Connections and press the add button to open the New TagProvider Connection dialog. You can also create your TagProvider Connection directly from the AssetTree. To do this, navigate to Unified Namespace/Assets Tree and press 
to open the New TagProvider Connection dialog. In the configuration dialog, select the Beckhoff TwinCAT devices on the Provider field and insert the required connection parameters. After that, press the Ok button to finish the provider configuration, and it will create a folder automatically in the Assets Tree (Unified Namespace / Assets Tree).
Connections Parameters
Field | Description |
|---|---|
Provider | Specifies the system the TagProvider will interface with. In this case, it is Beckhoff TwinCAT devices. |
Access Mode | Determines the permissions for interacting with tags: Read allows data reading, Write permits data writing, and ReadWrite enables both reading and writing. |
Name | User-defined name for the TagProvider instance, used to identify the specific configuration in the system. |
Description | A brief explanation of the TagProvider's purpose or the systems it interfaces with, providing context for its usage. |
ProtocolOptions | A set of parameters that define specific communication settings for the connection to the device. |
Connection | Defines the network settings for connecting to the device, including AmsNetID, AmsSrvPort, and Data Browser Configuration File. |
The Test buttons verifies the connection settings to ensure successful communication with the specified device.
Field | Description |
|---|---|
AmsNetID | Specifies the IP address of the device to establish a connection (e.g., 192.168.10.1.1.1). |
AmsSrvPort | Sets the communication port number used for communication with the PLC. Port number is typically 801 or 851. |
Data Browser Configuration File | Provide the path of the target configuration file (supported files: TMC and TPY). |
Test | Verifies the connection settings to ensure successful communication with the specified device. |
Note
When an array does not start at index zero, the Asset Tree still displays indices starting from 0. Only the indices that exist in TwinCAT will contain values; others will appear empty.
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