Siemens S7 vs. Mitsubishi iQ
Architectural, Commercial & Technical Analysis
A comprehensive guide comparing the Profinet Ecosystem against the CC-Link Ecosystem. Analysis includes Industry 4.0 readiness, motion synchronization, and total cost of ownership.
Executive Summary
The choice fundamentally depends on your machine's purpose: Data Integration vs. High-Speed Execution.
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SSiemens (S7-1500) The "Connected Controller". Best for SCADA-heavy lines, standardized libraries (VASS), and complex data handling.
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MMitsubishi (iQ-R) The "Black Box Performer". Best for discrete assembly, semiconductor packaging, and high-speed sync.
Data Source: Aggregated Engineering Specs (2024)
Detailed Analysis Modules
Programming Paradigm
The cultural difference in coding is the biggest hurdle for teams switching brands.
Uses Symbolic Addressing. You don't care where the data lives in memory; you care about its name (e.g., "Line1".Motor[1].Speed).
- Blocks: FB (Function Block) with instance DBs is the core standard.
- Languages: Heavy use of SCL (Structured Text).
Uses Device Addressing. You manage the memory map manually (e.g., D1000, W100).
- Blocks: Simple Ladder Logic is king. Manual addressing is preferred for speed.
- Languages: 90% Ladder Diagram (LD).
Hardware Ecosystem
| Feature | Siemens (Profinet) | Mitsubishi (CC-Link) |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Speed | High (Backplane) | Ultra-High (ASIC based) |
| Safety | Integrated (F-CPU) | Separate Module |
| HMI Link | Unified (WinCC) | Separate (GT Designer) |
| Power Supply | Load Groups (PM/PS) | Single/Redundant |
Siemens defaults to PNP (Source) inputs.
Mitsubishi defaults to NPN (Sink) in Asia.
Industry 4.0 Readiness
The standard for machine-to-machine communication.
Lightweight protocol for AWS/Azure connection.
Protection against external attacks (IEC 62443).
Synchronized Motion
When milliseconds matter (e.g., Printing, Packaging, Flying Shears).
Motion is calculated by the main CPU. Easy to visualize in TIA Portal trace. Best for geared motion and interpolation.
Motion physics are offloaded to a dedicated processor. Zero impact on PLC scan time. Best for 16+ axis sync.
Performance Benchmark (Simulated)
| Metric | Siemens 1515T | Mitsubishi R16 |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Cycle Time | 1.0 ~ 4.0 ms | 0.22 ~ 0.88 ms |
| Jitter | < 1 ยตs (IRT) | Negligible |
| Configuration | Wizard Based | Table/Motion SFC |
Business & Commercial Impact
| Category | Siemens Strategy | Mitsubishi Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Software License | Expensive. TIA Portal Professional requires a significant license fee + SUS (Update Service) for annual upgrades. | Cost-Effective. iQ Works is often a one-time purchase or bundled cheaply with hardware. Updates are often free. |
| Hardware Cost | Premium pricing. Discounts scale with volume (OEM agreements). | Aggressive pricing, especially for compact controllers (FX) and servo packs. |
| Talent Pool | High Availability in West. Engineers are more expensive but capable of complex system architecture. | High Availability in Asia. Maintenance techs can learn it quickly (Ladder logic). |
