Programmable Logic Controllers and Microprogramming



The course is fundamental for the specialty Automatic Control and Applied informatics because, by extending the knowledge about finite automat and algorithmic state machines previously taught in the "Digital Device Design" discipline, it introduces the basic concepts for designing and implementing in hardware and software the two discrete control structures covering currently more than 75% of the command, monitoring and control of industrial processes and computer interfaces: industrial programmable logic controllers (PLC) and microcontrollers. The course provides detailed information about hardware design, analysis of the basic programs system, single channel and multivariable process control, fuzzy control, and motion control. Case studies are included, as well as a number of representative examples of PLC integration in applications. The course also introduces the programming techniques for PLCs: literal language, ladder diagram and graphic, structured, menu driven programming environments (Grafcet, IsaGraf).

The objectives of the course are:

  • Presenting generic microcontroller architectures (hardware), programming principles, and real-time performances
  • Presenting the logic and timing description and algorithm implementing issues for: sequencing / process control / monitoring / motion control with PLC for industrial processes and services
  • Introducing the formalisms and programming languages for industrial PLCs
  • Presenting the hardware modules, the principles for configuring industrial PLC networks, the communication protocols in fault-tolerant PLC structures
  • Solutions of automatic diagnosis with PLCs