Power Line Basic PLC Program (P3) 
Function Manual, 08/2005 Edition, 6FC5397-0BP10-0BA0 
1-1 
Brief Description 
1
1.1  1.1 Brief description 
General 
The PLC basic program organizes the exchange of signals and data between the PLC user 
program and the NCK (Numerical Control Kernel), MMC (Man Machine Communication) and 
MCP (Machine Control Panel) areas. A distinction is made between the following groups for 
signals and data:  
•  Cyclic signal exchange 
•  Eventdriven signal exchange 
•  Messages 
Cyclic signal exchange 
The cyclically-exchanged signals consist primarily of bit arrays.  
•  They contain commands transmitted from the PLC to the NCK (such as start or stop) and 
status information from the NCK (such as program running, interrupted, etc.). 
•  The bit fields are organized into signals for: 
– Mode groups 
– Channels 
– Axes/spindles 
– General NCK signals 
The cyclic exchange of data is performed by the basic program at the start of the PLC cycle 
(OB1). This ensures that the signals from the NCK remain constant throughout the cycle. 
Event-driven signal exchange NCK → PLC 
PLC functions that have to be executed as a function of the workpiece program are triggered 
by auxiliary functions in the workpiece program. If the auxiliary functions are used to start 
execution of a block, the type of auxiliary function determines whether the NCK has to wait 
before executing the function (e.g. during a tool change) or whether the function is executed 
in parallel to machining of the workpiece (e.g. for tool preparation on milling machines with 
chaintype magazines).