PLC

MSc dissertation proposal 2012/2013

 

Networking Programmable Logic Controllers

 

 

Introduction:

 

Building real world reliable and robust systems usually means using Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). PLCs are modular digital computers that allow using a large variety, and number, of electrical input and/or output interfaces. The mechanical, hardware and software designs are made robust in order to handle continuous operation in environments overwhelmed with electromagnetic and mechanical (e.g. vibration) noise. Without noticing, PLCs are almost everywhere, from the industrial assembly lines, to the elevators, power grid control, etc (see [PLC_intro]).

 

Networking PLCs is a must nowadays. Electrical grids benefit of SCADA systems monitoring substations built upon PLC components. Typical PLC devices implement Ethernet / IP communications through the Modbus protocol [Modbus]. The objective of this MSc project is remotely monitoring and operating a physical system based on a PLC.

 

 

Objectives:

 

The main objective of this work is the design of a remote monitoring and operation interface for a physical setup based on a PLC.

 

 

Detailed description:

 

In the early days of the personal computer age, industries were overwhelmed with large numbers of relays. Most relays were doing simple logic functions. Therefore, became obvious that incorporating PC-like devices was an opportunity to simplify refurbishing the already running processes and naturally allowing simpler designs of novel more complex systems. All major automation companies naturally started offering modular digital computers that allow using a large variety, and number, of electrical input and/or output interfaces, named Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC - term invented by Allen Bradley [PLC_intro]).

 

Current PLCs are networked using Ethernet/IP infrastructures. For example the PLCs used at the IST/MEEC graduation courses, and that will be used in this MSc project, namely the Schneider Premium TSX57 [Schneider_Premium], have the Ethernet/IP infrastructure running the Modbus protocol [Modbus].

 

In addition to the PLCs, the IST/MEEC is also equipped with a pneumatics workbench [Pneutrainer200]. This workbench has a number of simple real world experiments that constitute a simple demonstration environment for the remote monitoring and operation of the PLC.

 

The work is therefore organized in the following two main steps:

1) Assembling a small physical setup based on a PLC that allows remote monitoring and operation.

2) Designing a remote monitoring and operation interface for the physical setup.

 

 

References:

 

[PLC_intro] "What is a PLC?", in Machine Information Systems website, http://www.machine-information-systems.com/PLC.html

 

[ModBus] http://www.modbus.org/

 

[Schneider_Premium] "Schneider PAC, PLC & other Controllers" http://www2.schneider-electric.com/corporate/en/products-services/products-services-intermediate.page?f=NNM1:PAC%2C+PLC+%26+other+Controllers&p_function_id=2

 

[Pneutrainer200] http://www.smctraining.com/ENG/pneutrainer200.htm

 

 

Requirements (grades, required courses, etc):

-

 

Expected results:

 

At the end of the work, the students will have enriched their experience in creating system based on a PLC using off-the-shelve components.

 

 

Place for conducting the work-proposal:

ISR / IST

 

 

More MSc dissertation proposals on Computer and Robot Vision in:

 

http://omni.isr.ist.utl.pt/~jag