IEC 61131 OLC runtime system ProConOS: real-time capable and with full PLC functionality

ProConOS (Programmable Controller Operating System) is the realtime- and multitasking-capable IEC 61131-conform and very fast PLC runtime system. It is designed in such a way that it can be adapted to almost any hardware. ProConOS has been used successfully in thousands of installations in the automation industry for about 20 years.

The fact that ProConOS can be combined easily with already existing runtime programs and firmware packages enables PLC manufacturers to offer IEC 61131-compliant systems and keep their own features and capabilities to their full extent simultaneously.

ProConOS at a glance:

• Full PLC functionality:
  ProConOS enables loading and execution of PLC programs and provides powerful debug functionalities for programming, commissioning and maintenance of PLC-controlled machines and plants.
• High speed:
  ProConOS executes native machine code, which enables a very high performance.
• Support of realtime, multitasking, events 
• +IEC 61131-compatible
• Available for many hardware platforms
• Adaptable to your hardware with ProConOS Developer Toolkit
• Defined interface structure
• Motion control: soft motion solution available 

Thanks to the IEC 61131 runtime system ProConOS, special hardware is no longer required for building up a PLC.

IEC 61131 compatibility

The PLC runtime system ProConOS conforms to the IEC 61131 standard and thus supports the requirements defined in the standard with regard to usable

• Data types
• Variables (including handling of initial values, declaration keywords etc.)
• Literals
• Programming languages (including their language elements)
• POU types
• Standard functions and function blocks
• etc.

ProConOS compliance list

Detailed information can be found in the compliance list for ProConOS, which is provided as pdf document in our download area.

 [Download ProConOS compliance list   0,15 MBytes]

Multitude of ProConOS platforms

ProConOS is the real-time-capable solution for embedded systems. ProConOS was adapted to a number of combinations of CPUs and realtime operating systems by KW-Software.

Defined interface structure

The modular structure of the software provides system developers with numerous interfaces for realization of manufacturer-specific unique features. This enables ProConOS to be integrated fast and easily into available systems like for example CNC, robot systems or motion control functions.

High performance

Realtime behavior with preemptive multitasking

Non-volatile PLC data

Cyclic writing of retain data into the file system of the underlying realtime operating system (e.g. VxWorks) by calling function blocks. Adaptation to hardware-specific NVRAM is possible.

Standard I/O drivers

• Task-synchronous I/O access is realized by I/O image.
• Intelligent field bus masters are supported.
  

File system

• Access to the file system of the underlying operating system (e.g. Windows CE, VxWorks, etc.)
• A PLC typical boot behavior is achieved by storing a boot project
  

Communication, debug and commissioning

• Multi-client connection to several MULTIPROG and/or OPC servers
• Breakpoints
• Address debug 
• Individual steps
• Overwriting and forcing variables 
• Recipes
• Realtime logic analyzer
• Almost any online modifications while the PLC is running, like adding and deleting variables and POUs or modifying program code

ProConOS: coupling with fieldbuses or Ethernet-based field bus systems

In cooperation with Hilscher, KW-Software supports the new Hilscher netX controller, a high integrated network controller, designed as system-on-chip.

Based on the netX, ProConOS embedded supports  

• Ethernet-based realtime fieldbus systems, such as EtherCat, Ethernet/IP, Powerlink, PROFINET and SERCOS III as well as 
• leading fieldbusses such as CANopen and DeviceNet, according to the systems (master stacks) which are supported by netX.

For further information please contact Hilscher.

 [Link hinzufügen]

ProConOS embedded CLR: Motion solution

Motion functions in IEC 61131 for machine and system control

The advantages of the motion solution at a glance:

• MULTIPROG as integrated engineering tool for programming the PLC and the motion functions:
  All motion functions are available in all IEC 61131 programming languages in the form of the PLCopen function blocks. This easy way of engineering with integrated motion control library in an IEC 61131 programming tool reduces the number of necessary software tools and programming efforts. 
• Further potential for savings by using an industrial PC as common platform for control and visualization with the additional possibility of individually adapting the used hardware and software, e.g. for further interface connections and devices. 
• All parameters of the motion functions are processed directly in the motion solution. Thus, they are activated when calling the related function block and no parameters have to be transferred to the corresponding axes. 
• Deployment of available and proven core technologies and products by KW-Software.
• Certified compliance with the PLCopen. 
• Compatible with standards and recommendations like OMAC and PLCopen. 
• Using the PLCopen FBs, motion functions like for example single-axis motions, electronic gear, electronic cam disk or flying saw, partly with changing master can be realized. 

Available blocks of PLCopen part 1, version 2.0:

Application example: Synchronization of speed of rotation of two axes using a CAM table. For that purpose, the motion control library contains function blocks for the coupling of axes (multi-axes blocks).
Possible are

• a synchronized movement of master and slave axis using a gearing ratio
• coupling and decoupling with adjustable acceleration, deceleration or jerk while the master axis is running
• phase shifting of the slave axis in relation to the running master axis with adjustable acceleration, deceleration or jerk
• In the following illustration, the axes are coupled using a CAM table.

ProConOS adaptation to your target hardware with the ProConOS Developer Toolkit

The ProConOS kernel is available for many combinations of CPUs and operating system versions. With the ProConOS Developer Toolkit, an individual automation solution can be created quickly. Depending on the target system, a highly reliable and powerful control can be created in a simple way.

Custom-made systems:

In view of the open architecture and scalability, systems covering the range from small controls to high-performance systems can be custom-made.

The toolkit consists of the following components:

• Documentation (pdf) Developers Manual + User Manual: Complete documentation of the ProConOS API functions as well as of the operational behavior of ProConOS.
• ProConOS library: the ProConOS kernel is provided as object library and is adapted to a processor type and a realtime operating system. 
• Main module and public header in source: template of the main routine for starting ProConOS as well as definition of the API functions of ProConOS.
• Make-File: template for the link process for creation of the executable ProConOS.

For integration of the customer-/industry-specific know-how, the toolkit provides the following ProConOS-API functions:

• Integration of I/O drivers 
• Integration of firmware functions and firmware function blocks (C-Code)
• Integration of specific communication drivers
• Integration of file device drivers
• Extension of the ProConOS-internal exception handling 
• Integration of ProConOS system hooks
  

Ask for availability of the ProConOS Developer Toolkit for your hardware and software.