IEC 61131-3

Technology Overview

IEC 61131-3 is the international standard for programmable controller programming languages. As such, it specifies the syntax, semantics and display for the following suite of PLC programming languages:

• Ladder diagram (LD)
• Sequential Function Charts (SFC)
• Function Block Diagram (FBD)
• Structured Text (ST)
• Instruction List (IL)

IEC 61131-3 is the third component (Part 3) of IEC 61131 family that consists of

• Part 1 General Overview
• Part 2 Hardware
• Part 3 Programming Languages
• Part 4 User Guidelines
• Part 5 Communication

The easiest way to view the standard is to split it into two parts, Common Elements and Programming Languages.

COMMON ELEMENTS

Data Typing

Data Typing is a common element of the standard with the purpose to prevent errors early on in development. It defines the type of parameters that will be used, and attempts to avoid errors like dividing a Date by an Integer. The different type of data supported are Boolean, Integer, Real, Byte, Word, Date, Time-of-Day and String. The Standard also allows users to define their own variables. These are known as derived data types. In this way an engineer would be able to define an analog input channel as a data type and re-use it over and over again.

Variables are assigned only to explicit hardware addresses or explicit inputs and outputs. These can be assigned in custom configurations and programs. An IEC 61131 system is highly independent and able to function with little to no messaging from an external network.

The Scope of the variable is limited to the organization unit in which they are declared. The great benefit of this feature is that their names can be reused in other parts without any conflict, elimination of another source of errors. If the variables have Global Scope they can declared as global. Parameters can be assigned their initial value at start up and restart.

Configuration, Resources, and Tasks

At the highest level, the entire software required to solve a particular control problem can be formulated as a Configuration. A Configuration is specific to a particular type of control system, including the arrangement of the hardware, i.e. processing resources, memory addresses for I/O channels, and system capabilities.

Within a configuration one can define resources. A resource can be thought of as a processing facility that is able to execute IEC programs. Within a resource, one or more Tasks can be defined. Tasks control the execution of a set of programs and/or function blocks. These can either be executed periodically or upon occurrence of a specified trigger.

For instance, in an IEC 61131 enabled drive, a trigger could be set when RPMs fall below a predefined value. The trigger could start a task to increase speed. These results are instant and come directly from the drive. There is no lag or handshaking by an external PLC. This means that there is virtually no risk of losing a message or miscommunication. Feedback is nearly instantaneous compared to a Programmable Controller with an I/O and Program Scan time.

Programs are built from a number of different software elements written in any of the IEC defined languages; Ladder Diagrams, Sequential Function Charts, Function Block Diagrams, Structured Text or Instruction List. It is typical for a program to consist of a series of high level functions blocks written in one or more of these languages.

Program Organizations Units

Within IEC 61131-3, the programs, function blocks, and functions are called program organization units, or POUs.

IEC 61131-3 includes defined standard functions instances, ADD, ABS, SQRT, SIN, and COS. Or the user can create a custom function block and use that function block multiple times.

Function blocks are software objects that represent a level of more detailed control. They can contain data as well as an algorithm. As software objects they have a well-defined interface and hidden internals. This creates a clear line between the different levels of the programs. With these characteristics, functions, and function blocks reflects best practices as embraced by object oriented programming principles

Function blocks can be written in any of the IEC languages in most cased even “C”. Programs can be written using the any of the above mentioned basic building blocks.

Sequential Function Charts or SFCs are used to control the sequential behavior of a control program and support synchronization and concurrency.

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

Within IEC 61131-3, the syntax and semantics are defined for five standard programming languages, leaving no room for dialects. Once you have learned them, you can use a wide variety of systems based on this standard.

The end user is able to choose a programming language based on their knowledge, the problem at hand, external components, interfaces, or simple preference. All languages are linked and provided a common suite, with a link to existing experience. In this way they also provide a communication tool, combining people of different backgrounds. Because of the standards structure built on functions and function blocks users are able to adopt either a top-down or bottom-up strategy to develop their programs.

CoDeSys (www.codesys.com)
CoDeSys is one of the most powerful IEC 61131-3 programming tools for controllers. CoDeSys supports all five programming languages of the standard combining the power of advanced programming languages such as C or Pascal with the easy handling and operational functions of PLC programming systems.

Unlike some competitive IEC 61131-3 offerings, CoDeSys produces native machine code for a large number of common processors. Native machine code is inherently faster and more reliable than interpreted solutions.

The entire programming kit including a manual and online assistance is available in German, English or French. Parts of the tool, e.g. the online help are available in other languages like Russian, Chinese or Spanish.

CoDeSys provides competitive advantages:

• Fast Customization – 3S is able to perform a complete test adaptation (including online functionality) on any standard processor hardware within two days’ time. CoDeSys has ready backends for all current processors. In order to keep customization time and resulting expenses to a minimum the run time system, programming system and code generation are perfectly coordinated, thus saving your time and ensuring your products reach the marketplace swiftly.
• A Practical, Easy-to-Use Approach –
  Functions such as Autodeclare, Autoformat and a context-sensitive input assistance greatly simplify the use of CoDeSys. All functions are accessible by use of the keyboard. What additionally ensures fast and efficient work is the exceptionally low number of resources CoDeSys requires.
• High Performance – Native code generators for all common processors guarantee the optimal use of your control system. Due to intelligent algorithms such as ‘incremental compile’ large projects with thousands of global variables and hundreds of components can be realized in surprisingly short compiling time spans. CoDeSys supplies users with a broad range of high-performance program development functionalities, e.g. almost all data types specified in the IEC 61131-3, offline simulation as well as powerful online functions such as breakpoints, single stepping, power flow, sampling trace and online change.

Banner Engineering Application Story

A custom-programmed HMI allows access to this Banner SureCross DX80 Gateway Pro with CoDeSys software.
Using a free, open source, designers can now program Banner SureCross wireless gateways to manipulate data like a PLC.

Real Time Automation recently created the solution for Banner Engineering Corp., Minneapolis, and their wireless product developer, Seasonix Inc., Plymouth Minn. using CoDeSys 1131-3 open control software. Through a customizable browswer-based HMI interface, users can access and manipulate data from multiple wireless sensors.

Placing PLC functionality on the gateway reduces network traffic and can eliminate the need for a PLC in some applications. This reduces the footprint and cost of automating applications. In addition, the browser-based functionality allows users the ability to access data from any internet connection.