5 "Measuring Input” Technology Object 
 
TOs of S7-1500(T) 
Entry ID: 109743134,    V1.0,    05/2017 
 
 Siemens AG 2017 All rights reserved 
5  "Measuring Input” Technology Object 
5.1  General information 
The measuring input technology object is used for the highly precise detection of 
axis positions based on external switching signals. 
 
Figure 5-1 "Measuring input” technology object – selecting the detection 
 
 
The detection of the external switching signal can be performed in the following 
ways: 
  Using TM Timer DIDQ 
Via the TM Timer DIDQ technology module of the ET200SP or ET200MP 
distributed I/O system, the external switching signal is detected and provided 
with a time stamp. On the basis of this time stamp, the current position of the 
axis to be measured is then determined in the SIMATIC controller and provided 
via the technology object. 
  Using SINAMICS measuring inputs 
If digital inputs of the control unit (CU) of the SINAMICS drive system are 
configured as measuring inputs and if these measuring inputs are not assigned 
to any drive connected to SINAMICS (global measurement), the switching 
signals detected on these inputs are also provided with a time stamp and 
transferred to the SIMATIC controller. From this, the SIMATIC controller can 
then determine the desired position value of the axis to be measured. 
  Using the PROFIdrive frame 
If digital inputs of the control unit (CU) of the SINAMICS drive system are 
configured as measurement inputs, but the axis to be measured on the 
SINAMICS is connected to the same CU (local measurement), the time stamps 
of the switching signals are then processed within the CU of the SINAMICS. 
The determined position value is then directly transferred to the SIMATIC 
controller via the drive frame and provided to the user program via the 
measuring input technology object. 
 
The following functions can be selected to evaluate the external switching signal: 
  Measurement of rising edge of the switching signal. 
With this, for example, the beginning of a passing through object can be 
detected. 
  Measurement of the falling edge of the switching signal. 
With this, for example, the end of a passing through object can be detected.