Target system independence

The PLC program itself is independent of the chosen target system. Only the selection of a certain resource type forces the connection to a specific target system.
So it is possible - without losing any projecting achievements - to exchange the system which the project is based on. This may be simple scaling of performance data (faster CPU), or even changing to an alternative operating system (e.g. RT-Linux instead of Windows CE®). In extreme case the complete hardware structure may be exchanged (fast IPC instead of an Embedded System).
In ideal case as would be using a similar I/O structure this simply means choosing an alternative system integration, re-compiling the code and uploading it to the new target system.

Integration with the target system

Integration with the target system is much more than con-ventional connecting. Besides actual programming and the appertaining generation of highly efficient code for the target system the target system integration of logiCAD provides a variety of system and program diagnostic tools.
In addition, the kirchner SOFT software suite will meet your
demands as far as placing into operation and maintenance are concerned and provides all tools for an efficient finish and operation of an automation project.

The steps to system integration

According to the logiCAD philosphy, the OEM customer will be in key position when it comes to system integration.
Connection to a target system can be completely accomplished by the OEM. He may choose from a variety of ready-made components of the Modular Basic Resource Type (MBRT).
Which components you use and which efforts you will have to expect for the system integration depends essentially on the chosen target system and on the requirements of the integration.
The provided components offer partial or - on request - even complete connection to the hardware and complete integration of the system.
You may choose from several components for code generation and online connection.
On request a real-time Soft-PLC with connections to special I/O cards is available. In many cases just a few configuration tasks are to be done in order to complete the system.

Target system code

The structures implemented by the project engineer must be trans-lated to a “language“ that can be understood by the target system.
Depending on the used target system, compiled (binary) code will be generated or interpreta-tive code, respectively.
Compiled code is highly efficient in processing and is normally generated by an optimizing com-piler. This machine code can be directly processed by the CPU of the target system. (For example, code for an X-Scale processor that runs under operating system RT-Linux may be gene-rated.) For that purpose a versatilely confi-gurable C-code generator which generates highly optimized C-code (based upon static memory management) is available. Compilation of this code to machine language is easily configurable.
Alternatively, interpreter-processed code can be generated. In most cases this is ASCII or binary code, similar to IL, which is subsequently processed by an interpreter on the target machine. Corresponding to the C-code generator kirchner SOFT provides an IL-code generator for this purpose. This code generator transfers projects designed according to IEC 61131-3 to IL oder IL-equivalent binary code. This code generator is also versatilely configurable.

Download and start

After the successful compilation of the target system code it is downloaded to the PLC. Depending on the used target system the loading may be accomplished completely by a kirchner SOFT provided mechanism (e.g. if a kirchner SOFT Soft-PLC and a TCP/IP connection are used) or by a special download routine implemented by the OEM. Also for operating-functions (such as Start/Stop) a ready-made component contained in logiCAD can be used.
Once the download has been completed, the code can be started automatically or manually.

Debugging: online test

logiCAD provides a test and debugging component the Online Test. This component allows inspecting and changing variable-values and single-step- code processing. Setting and handling of breakpoints is covered by the range of functions of this com-ponent, as well as many other functions already known from conventional development tools.
Depending on the required range of functions some supporting functionality may have to be provided by the OEM. This may in the most simple case be the mere activation of a component (if a kirchner SOFT Soft-PLC and a supported communication protocol are used), or it may come up to implementing a communication component.
If a company-made PLC is to be used, also the counter-part of the Online Test has to be implemented on the PLC.
Again, the supported range of function of the Online Test is configurable (e.g. breakpoint support, pausing running code).

I/O connection

From the point of view of the project engineer the connection of I/O points (analog as well as digital) is normally the simple usage of variables in a program. Data exchange with real I/O points is transparent.
Configuration information and I/O lists can be provided in a signal database for logiCAD. This database will already contain pre-configured I/O points, available for simple usage in the program.
On target system side a so-called I/O driver is implemented in most cases. This I/O driver performs cyclic data exchange between I/O variables used in the PLC program and the real I/O points. This I/O driver is seamlessly embedded in the driver architecture of the logiCAD Soft-PLCs and is called by them.
If a specific target system is to be used, the calling of the I/O drivers should be toothed with processing of the generated code.

Communication

In a distributed automation system it is essential that data be exchanged between the single PLCs.
Data exchange may be made in case of logiCAD - by special communication blocks. In the most simple case a sender block, receiving data-to-be-transferred as input parameter, is used in the PLC program, and in a different location there will be a receiver block that hands over received data to the program.
For TCP/IP communication between Soft-PLCs, for example, kirchner SOFT provides ready-made block library functions which allow sending and receiving any (even structured) user data.

Distributed automation solutions

logiCAD allows structuring of automation solutions in the form of projects. Within a project several target systems may be projected parallelly - even target systems of different type and completely heterogenous automation systems.

openPLC: complex network topology and extensive configuration options

The Soft-PLC „openPLC“ has been designed especially for highly complex systems and highly integrated networks. A higher extent of available resources is required, but in return - this system is ideally suited for such high integration systems.
This Soft-PLC is characterized by its dynamic architecture. As a completion to the IEC 61131-3 openPLC implements the realization of the structures by using an additional abstraction layer. In one openPLC-System (one CPU) multiple resources (according to IEC 61131-3) are run.
The concrete distribution of an automation system is now realized according to logical aspects.
A logical structure of configurations and resources is mapped to concrete CPUs in the course of the hardware assignment.
With openPLC there is - in addition to the dynamic resource management - a complete architecture of services and drivers. They can be loaded and changed dynamically.
openPLC is available for Windows NT/2000/XP, Venturcom RTX and VxWorks.

RTS: embedded, single station and simple network topology

Our Soft-PLC „RTS“ has been designed especially for use in Embedded and Single-CPU systems and for uncomplex network structures.
This product was realised by following the pragmatic approach to provide a Soft-PLC which combines low demand of resources with highest possible portability and performance.
Nevertheless, the standard function range of logiCAD has been implemented multiple tasks, multiple programs. And also debugging and diagnostic functions will meet all demands.
Per design the structure of the system is static. I/O drivers, Soft-PLC and code are bound to one unit and can be handled easily.
Diversified support of CPUs and operating systems (e.g. Windows NT/2000/XP, Windows CE 3.x/.NET, Linux, RT-Linux/RTAI, VxWorks) and communication mechanisms (Ethernet, TCP/IP, Serial) are a solid basis for this choice.
As far as connection to fieldbusses is concerned, the customer will have to make his choice: Interbus S, Profibus DP, CANopen and Ethernet are only some of the supported technologies.

Diagnostics

Of course kirchner SOFT offers an OPC server running under Windows for the connection to HMI/SCADA systems. This allows the connection to visualizations with any degree of complexity.
In addition to that it is possible to design visualizations for the Soft-PLC RTS that can be run directly on the target system.
There is one option to access runtime data of PLC programs by a „thin client“ via a web server. The thin client may be a PC or a notebook using a web browser as a user interface or even a PDA or Tablet-PC providing runtime data via WLAN or similar mechanisms.
Access via RAS (dialing line) is also possible. This allows remote maintenance from any place in the world with tools provided by the PLC.