MasterTool IEC XE MT8500

Doc. Code: CE103705 Revision: G

Product Description
Nexto Series is a powerful and complete Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) with unique and innovative features. Due to
its flexibility, smart design, enhanced diagnostics capabilities and modular architecture, Nexto can be used for control
systems from medium or high-end applications. Due to its compact size and superior performance, Nexto can also be used
for small automation systems with time critical requirements.
MasterTool IEC XE is a complete tool for programming, debugging and performing configuration and simulation of user
applications. Based on a concept of being integrated, flexible and easy to use, this software provides six programming
languages defined by IEC 61131-3 standard: Structured Text (ST), Sequential Function Chart (SFC), Function Block
Diagram (FBD), Ladder Diagram (LD), Instruction List (IL) and Continuous Function Chart (CFC). MasterTool IEC XE
allows the use of different languages on the same application, providing to the user a powerful way to organize the
application and to reuse codes used in previous applications.
This product offers features for every stage of an automation application, starting from initial graphical architecture topology
analyses, passing through a programming environment that supports IEC 61131-3 languages and a realistic simulation
tool, where the user can verify application’s behavior before running in a real system and ending in a complete diagnostics
and status visualization interface.
MasterTool IEC XE also offers two different protection schemes as application security features: IP Protection and Secure
PLC Login. IP Protection is targeted to protect user’s intellectual property, allowing the user to protect the complete project
and files by defining a password to access them. This means that these files will be available (both read and write
operations) only after unlocking them with the correct password. Secure PLC Login provides a way to protect the user
application from any unauthorized access. By enabling this feature, Nexto CPU will request a user and a password before
performing any available command in MasterTool IEC XE and Nexto CPU, as stopping, programming and forcing of
outputs in the target CPU.
MasterTool IEC XE allows the use of fieldbus interfaces in an easier way than ever seen before. The user does not need
any special software to configure fieldbuses anymore, because MasterTool IEC XE covers this requirement providing a
unique tool reducing engineering time and making applications more simple.
In order to increase user’s productivity, some important features are also available: Module Printing which is a report
generation of every module specific parameters and application general settings, Logic Printing which is a report
generation of all application code, Enhanced Project Verification which helps user to check several different conditions
during programming, like programming syntax, power supply module current consumption, placement rules for Nexto
modules, modules parameters and settings, Real Time Debugging which provides useful way to check the application step-
by-step, verify variables values or add and remove breakpoints during Nexto CPU programming.

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Product Data
Free download of MasterTool IEC XE Lite software is available on Altus website: www.altus.com.br.

Related Products
The following code must be used to purchase the product:

Code Description
MT8500 MasterTool IEC XE

Note:
MT8500: MasterTool IEC XE is available in four different license versions: Lite, Basic, Professional and Advanced. For
further details please check the table in this document or MasterTool IEC XE User Manual - MU299609.

MasterTool IEC XE Versions

The following table below shows all differences between MasterTool IEC XE versions:

Lite Basic Professional Advanced

Free version Yes No No No
Available languages 6 6 6 6
Structured Text (ST) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sequential Function Chart (SFC) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Function Block Diagram (FBD) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ladder Diagram (LD) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Instruction List (IL) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Continuous Function Chart (CFC) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Supported Nexto Series Controllers
XP300 Yes Yes Yes Yes
XP315 Yes Yes Yes Yes
XP325 Yes Yes Yes Yes
NX3003 Yes Yes Yes Yes
NX3004 Yes Yes Yes Yes
NX3005 Yes Yes Yes Yes
NX3010 Yes Yes Yes Yes
NX3020 No No Yes Yes
NX3030 No Yes Yes Yes
NX5100 Yes Yes Yes Yes
NX5101 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rack expansion support No Yes Yes Yes
Rack expansion redundancy support No No Yes Yes
Ethernet expansion support No No Yes Yes
Ethernet expansion redundancy support No No Yes Yes
Fieldbus support No Yes Yes Yes
Fieldbus redundancy support No No Yes Yes
Half-Cluster redundancy support No No No Yes
Limitation of number of I/O points Yes Yes No No
Maximum number of I/O points 320 2048 Unlimited Unlimited

Notes:
Fieldbus support: Nexto Series architectures use the PROFIBUS DP as the fieldbus.
Maximum number of I/O points: There is no maximum number of I/O points on MasterTool IEC XE in its Professional and
Advanced versions. In this case, MT8500 does not verify anything. However, there is a limit depending of the CPU model
and the %I and %Q memory occupation.

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Features
IEC 61131-3 Programming Languages
MasterTool IEC XE offers all editors defined in the IEC standard for application development: Structured Text (ST),
Sequential Function Chart (SFC), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Ladder Diagram (LD), Instruction List (IL) and
Continuous Function Chart (CFC).
All editors were specially designed to ensure optimal handling. Ideas and suggestions from experienced users are
incorporated into features available to
general users.
Some examples:
 When working in FBD, LD or IL you
can freely switch between these
editors
 Language elements can either be
entered directly or dragged into the
editor from a tool box
 MT8500 offers an intelligent input
assistance and an extended
IntelliSense functionality
 Standard language constructs ST
language like IF and FOR can be
folded and unfolded in the text editors
 Auto declare for constructs like IF ...
END_IF and WHILE .. END_WHILE

 A comfortable time monitoring mechanism for handling steps as well as online diagnosis functionality, even available
in the SFC editor
 Steps and transitions in the SFC editor and all elements in the CFC editor can be encapsulated in macros
 Automatically declaration of variables
 Graphic table for declaration of variables

Editors for Project Configuration and

Hardware Configuration
With the aid of special editors a project can
be easily configured in MasterTool IEC XE.
The graphical tool allows a fast and
comprehensive way to configure the system
where the user just needs to drag and drop
the modules in the backplanes to add them
in the application. Additionally, the user has
the complete visualization of the application
architecture with the physical position and
module information.
The configuration of fieldbus networks and
standard communication protocols, like
PROFIBUS-DP and MODBUS protocols, are
integrated in the programming tool. This
feature enables the user to set all
configuration parameters in a single place,
avoiding the need of switching between
different software tools.

Object-Oriented Programming
MasterTool IEC XE offers object-oriented programming with the known advantages from modern high-level languages such
as JAVA or C++ like use of classes, interfaces, methods, inheritance and polymorphism. The IEC function blocks are
seamlessly extended and the extensions made available to all engineering aspects. Object-oriented programming offers
great advantages to the user, for example, when reusing existing parts of the application or when working on one
application with several developers.

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Online, Debugging and Commissioning Features

The code generated from the application is
downloaded onto the target device with a
single mouse click. Once MasterTool IEC XE
is online, it offers many important functions for
fast and efficient debugging, testing and
commissioning.
The values of declared variables for example
are displayed directly in the program code.
These values can be changed or forced
without any difficulty. By setting breakpoints
and then stepping through the code line by
line, errors can easily be detected.
Breakpoints in MasterTool IEC XE can be
assigned to certain conditions to achieve even
more precision in the debugging process.
Using go to cursor feature, the user can follow
the execution of the application through a
complete cycle.
If the application code is modified, it is
compiled, and then loaded and activated
without having to stop the controller. Changes
to several POUs (Program Organization Unit),
variables or data types are also possible. This
functionality is called online change. Shorter development cycles and a faster production process lead to reduced costs
and increased competitiveness.
The sampling trace is a very useful tool when the user wants to record data or even trigger events for testing or
commissioning purposes. This digital storage media, which is completely integrated in MasterTool IEC XE, can, of course,
also be used to visualize application data.

Yesulation
One feature that enables the user to evaluate and test logic and algorithms is the Yesulation tool. This feature enables the
design and test of user applications without the need of a connected controller. This feature is also interesting for training,
documentation and test cases evaluation. Since it is a Yesulator, some limitations, like cannot test the communication
interfaces, may apply when deploying the application the end controller.

User Documentation & Help Files

Since programming a PLC according IEC 61131-3 standard languages is a complex task, MasterTool IEC XE offers an
extensive help file with many hints and descriptions in order to guide and serve as a first knowledge and troubleshooting
base while designing the logic codes or using any software features. Besides, this help file is available in different
languages according to installation options.
As part as user documentation, MT8500 can print out user application documents, like bill of materials (BOM), POUs, bus
configuration, tag and description, among other options.

Enhanced Diagnostics
One of the key innovative features of Nexto Series is an extensive support of diagnostics. This idea comes from
requirements of large and complex applications, where the correct use of such information is important for maintenance,
troubleshooting and to predict potential issues. This feature is also present in MasterTool IEC XE where user can access
the complete diagnostics structures via watch windows and Diagnostics Explorer, when connected to a PLC.

Function Block Libraries

MasterTool IEC XE has several function block libraries ready to be used. Functions like process variable handling,
mathematic functions, PID control and timers are some examples of functions that are brought together with MasterTool
IEC XE.

Docking View
The Docking View technology allows the user to customize MasterTool IEC XE environment to meet personal needs. This
feature provides a user friendly interface to maximize the experience with the software tool.

Languages
MasterTool IEC XE is available in Portuguese and English languages. After installed the user interface assumes the
language of Computer’s Operational System. The language can be changed after the installation without execute a reinstall
process.

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Compatibility with Other Products

Versions of MasterTool IEC XE are not compatible with all versions of Altus controllers. To know which version is
compatible, technical datasheet document of each controller should be consulted.

MasterTool IEC XE versions before version 1.29 are not compatible with all product revisions of Nexto Series modules. If
you are using any software version or product revision of Nexto Series products, as informed on the following table, it will
be necessary a software update of MasterTool IEC XE to the version 1.29 or higher.

Software Version Product Revision

NX1001 1.1.0.1 or higher AB or higher
NX1005 1.1.0.1 or higher AB or higher
NX2001 1.0.1.1 or higher AB or higher
NX2020 1.0.1.1 or higher AC or higher
NX3010 1.2.1.0 or higher AN or higher
NX3020 1.2.1.0 or higher AH or higher
NX3030 1.2.1.0 or higher AL or higher
NX4000 1.1.0.0 or higher AD or higher
NX4010 1.0.1.0 or higher AG or higher
NX5000 1.0.1.1 or higher AJ or higher
NX5001 1.1.1.1 or higher AM or higher
NX6000 1.0.1.2 or higher AF or higher
NX6100 1.0.1.1 or higher AE or higher

MasterTool IEC XE versions before version 1.40 are not able to configure MODBUS communication drivers by Symbolic
Mapping. The same behavior happens when using the LibLogs Library. It will be necessary to use the Nexto Series
products with software version, or product revision, as described in the following table, when loading projects into the CPU
using these drivers or library. If the use of MODBUS communication driver by Symbolic Mapping or LibLogs Library is not
necessary there is no restriction to use this version.

Software Version Product Revision

NX3010 1.3.0.22 or higher AR or higher
NX3020 1.3.0.22 or higher AL or higher
NX3030 1.3.0.22 or higher AO or higher

MasterTool IEC XE versions before version 2.01 are not able to configure the Machine Profile. It will be necessary to use
the Nexto Series products with software version, or product revision, as described in the following table, to a project with
this profile works properly.

Software Version Product Revision

NX1001 1.2.0.2 or higher AE or higher
NX1005 1.2.0.3 or higher AD or higher
NX2001 1.2.0.2 or higher AD or higher
NX2020 1.2.0.2 or higher AE or higher
NX5000 1.2.0.1 or higher AL or higher
NX5001 1.2.0.6 or higher AP or higher
NX6000 1.2.0.2 or higher AK or higher
NX6100 1.2.0.1 or higher AI or higher

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Minimum Requirements for Installation and Operation

The following table shows the minimum requirements for the installation and use of MasterTool IEC XE.

MasterTool IEC XE
Platform PC with operating system:

Until version 3.05:

Windows XP® (32 bits), Windows Vista® (32 bits), Windows 7®
(32 bits or 64 bits) or Windows 8.1 ® (64 bits)

From version 3.10:

Windows 7® (32 bits or 64 bits) or Windows 8.1 ® (64 bits)
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz (minimum)
Disk space 1 Gbyte (minimum), 2 Gbytes (recommendable)
RAM memory 2 Gbytes (minimum), 8 Gbytes (recommendable)
Resolution 1024 x 768 (recommendable)
Language Any language

Notes:
Platform: the MasterTool IEC XE installer for Windows 7® 64 bits has been available since version 1.20 and for Windows
8.1® 64 bits has been available since version 2.00.
Platform and RAM memory: Although computers are sold with more than 3 Gbytes of RAM memory and operational
system 32 bits, the whole memory can only be accessed using operational systems 64 bits. This is the reason why is
recommendable using 64 bits operational system to install MasterTool IEC XE.
Requirements: As a general rule, PCs with the minimum requirements can be used for non-redundant projects, however
for redundant projects must be used PCs with the recommendable requirements.

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Installation
All information about MasterTool IEC XE installation can be found in MasterTool IEC XE User Manual - MU299609.

Programming
The MasterTool IEC XE allows programming by making use of six different programming languages, five of them being
defined by the IEC 61131-3 standard plus an additional language.

Ladder Diagram
The programming language Ladder Diagram
(LD) is a graphical language based on
electrical diagrams representing
interconnected contacts and coils,
highlighting the energizing flow between the
elements. It is used to describe the behavior
of programs, function blocks, and functions,
in addition to steps, actions and transitions in
SFC language.
The language is basically a technique that
uses the logic design by using relays. Such
diagrams were already used to document
relay panels even before the existence of
PLCs. The basic elements are usually open
and closed contacts, and relay coils. For the
operation, the elements must be connected
in such a way that they connect a vertical bar
on the left - that represents a powered bus -
with the right bar, which represents the
ground. These diagrams were called ladder
due to their format.

Structured Text
The programming language Structured Text (ST) is a
high-level textual language, as shown by its name,
with syntax Yesilar to Pascal (ISO 7185). It was
developed specifically for industrial control and it is
used to describe the behavior of programs, function
blocks, and functions, in addition to steps, actions and
transitions in SFC language. The language is flexible
and easy to be learned by software developers in
general.
The ST has common commands in structured
languages such as conditional testing and selection
commands, as well as distinct types of repeating links.
It also has specific commands for mathematical and
logical operations without the need of function calls.
It is vital to have some knowledge of this language syntax, since variable declarations are made through it, even when the
programmer’s graphics are used. For users that do not want to use ST language, MasterTool IEC XE offers a graphic table
mode and auto-declaration to variable declarations.

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Function Block Diagram

The programming language Function Block
Diagram (FBD) is a graphical language based on
circuit diagrams representing interconnected blocks,
highlighting the flow of signals between the
elements. It is used to describe the behavior of
programs, function blocks, and functions, in addition
to steps, actions and transitions in SFC language.
The concept of blocks, which is part of any element
with inputs, performs a specific processing and then
writes the results of the operations to the outputs.
The blocks are of two distinct types: function blocks
and functions. These two classes differ in that the
function blocks have data persistence, which means
they must be instantiated and can run on different
machines of states in several cycles. The functions
perform their functionality and when the execution is
finished there is no information left, but the result
written to the output. In general, although the
functions are native of the system, they can also be
implemented by the user.
An important characteristic of this language is that
processing runs left-right and top-bottom in the
diagram.
The function blocks may also, as well as the functions, be used together with the Ladder diagram, increasing the
opportunity of programming with this language.

Instruction List
The programming language Instruction List (IL) is a low-level textual
language, being its structure Yesilar to the machine language
known as Assembly. This language is used to describe the behavior
of programs, function blocks, and functions, in addition to steps,
actions and transitions in SFC language.
The advantage of this language is processing efficiency since its
conversion to the processor machine language can be done more
efficiently. However, this is a not a fully structured language, and its
analysis is not easy in case of maintenance. It is recommended to
optimize codes when the run-time requirements are significant.
The structure of instructions comprises the operator, an operand
and an optional modifier. Also, using markers (label) to facilitate the
use of jump instructions is optional. All instructions are sent to an
accumulation register. This register will always be the destination or
the data source, depending on the instruction.

Sequential Function Chart

The programming language Sequential Function Chart (SFC) is a graphical language based on techniques to describe
sequential behavior. The European standard for this type of behavior is described in
IEC 848 and is based on Petri Nets. The IEC 61131 standard introduced changes to
IEC 848 in order to adjust the SFC to the other standard languages.
Therefore, this language is used to describe the sequential behavior of a system, build
program structure, describe the low level of a sequential process, describe the
foundations of a batch process, and to represent communication data and modeling
systems which are event-oriented such as state machines.
The language is composed of multiple steps connected by vertical lines, being each
step a state in which the program remains until the transition condition described in
the connection line between steps is satisfied.
The flow is from top to bottom, and it is possible to have a branch to return. The
actions performed on each step can be continuous or event-oriented such as input or
output of the state.

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Continuous Function Chart

The Continuous Function Chart (CFC) programming language is a graphical language that is not described by the IEC
61131-3 standard, but is complementary to it. It resembles the FBD language, however, when a block is entered into it, the
same must be numbered. This numbering serves to indicate the diagram execution sequence, which facilitates the
development and understanding of the diagram, solving this existing problem in the diagram described by the standard.

Manuals
For correct application and use of MasterTool IEC XE, MasterTool IEC XE User Manual - MU299609 must be consulted.
For further technical details, configuration, installation and programming of MasterTool IEC XE and Nexto Series the table
below should be consulted. This table is only a guide of some relevant documents that can be useful during the use,
maintenance and programming. The complete and updated table containing all documents of Nexto Series can be found at
Nexto Series User Manual – MU214600.

Document Code Description Language

MU299609 MasterTool IEC XE User Manual English
MU299048 Manual de Utilização MasterTool IEC XE Portuguese
MU299800 Manual Del Usuario MasterTool IEC XE Spanish
MP399609 IEC 61131 Programming Manual English
MP399048 Manual de Programação IEC 61131 Portuguese
MP399800 Manual de Programación IEC 61131 Spanish
CE114000 Nexto Series – Features and Configuration English
CT114000 Série Nexto – Características e Configurações Portuguese
CS114000 Serie Nexto – Especificaciones y Configuraciones Spanish
MU214600 Nexto Series User Manual English
MU214000 Manual de Utilização Série Nexto Portuguese
MU214300 Manual Del Usuario Serie Nexto Spanish
MU214605 Nexto Series CPUs User Manual English
MU214100 Manual de Utilização UCPs Série Nexto Portuguese
MU214305 Manual Del Usuario UCPs Serie Nexto Spanish

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