ProConOS embedded CLR - the .NET-based IEC 61131 PLC Runtime System

ProConOS embedded CLR is the new, open and unified IEC 61131 PLC runtime system for different automation tasks (PLC, PAC, Motion Control, CNC, robot, sensor).

ProConOS embedded CLR at a glance

• Proprietary development of a CLR for embedded platforms by KW-Software
• Programming in IEC 61131 and C#
• Support of real-time, multitasking, events
• Extremely fast code execution due to native machine code:
  - NIOS II 50 MHZ: 150 µs per 1000 PLC commands
  - AMD 2.200+: 0.5 µs per 1000 PLC commands
• Small footprint (< 100 Kbytes)
• Easily portable to further CPUs (16/32/64 Bit)
• Powerful debug and monitoring interface
  e.g. start, stop, access to variables, OPC functionality (also for C# variables)

Supported targets:

• X86, NIOS II, MIPS64, ARM7/ARM9 are available.
• SH2/SH3/SH4, Blackfin BF536/BF537 and PowerPC are in preparation.
• Further CPUs on enquiry.

Microsoft .NET CLR as technological basis

Microsoft's .NET platform builds the general basis for the execution of .NET programs. An important component of this concept is the runtime environment Common Language Runtime (CLR) that executes the intermediate code Common Intermediate Language (CIL) which is standardized according to ISO/IEC 23271:2006.

However, from the automation engineer's view, an important question comes up: "Does this Microsoft CLR support real-time?" The answer: If resource-saving or runtime-critical embedded applications are required, it is not recommended to use the Microsoft CLR in particular for real-time tasks.
Reason: While code execution, the just-in-time (JIT) compiler and the garbage collector indeed ensure a high degree of safety but, at the same time, hold the decisive drawback regarding real-time requirements: More resources are required, the total time of execution is a bit longer than for compiled code and the response times to events can be affected.

Real-time capable: ProConOS embedded CLR

We made out this problematic nature as our objective and developed ProConOS embedded CLR as a real-time capable CLR that combines the world-wide accepted .NET technology with proven standards and ensures the real-time capability for embedded applications.
In contrast to the Microsoft CLR, ProConOS embedded CLR uses an ahead-of-time (AOT) compiler that translates the intermediate code CIL into native machine code not only upon request ("just in time" as Microsoft has realized it) but already in advance (ahead of time).

ProConOS embedded CLR: opens the door to real-time for your embedded application!

Open programming with CIL

ProConOS embedded CLR provides an open programming interface based on .NET's own intermediate code CIL. This allows to program the embedded CLR with any .NET programming language that is able to generate CIL code.

In addition, MS Visual Studio .NET has been extended by predefined templates that are used to generate firmware library for KW-Software's IEC programming system MULTIPROG from C# projects.

When integrated into the programming system, the program parts written in C# can be used like IEC 61131 function blocks and functions.

Embedded PLC

Whether with or without subordinate operating system, ProConOS embedded CLR provides all functionalities required for the realization of a complete PLC on the basis of an embedded platform: From multitasking capability, support of system events to provision of a device interface for commissioning, debugging and monitoring. A clearly defined state machine provides maximum transparency and ensures the safe execution of the PLC program during runtime. OPC functionality, retain handling and system variables complete the functional package of the PLC.

Many possible platforms

The embedded CLR can be ported very fast to different 16 bit, 32 bit or 64 bit CPU systems. Firmware written in C# is developed platform-independent and is therefore easily portable without additional effort.

Thanks to a small footprint (< 100 Kbytes), portability to the most various embedded systems is nearly unlimited.