IEC-compatible and ready for C#

Since its introduction in 1993, the IEC 61131 is the accepted standard in the field of automation and PLC programming. Standardized regarding the structure of automation devices, the used programming languages and data types, this standard allows the independent development of PLC applications and ensures portability. These are only two advantages caused by the IEC 61131.

However, IEC compatibility alone is not sufficient in the .NET era. Today, also programming languages that are used in the .NET world, first of all C#, have to be supported.

Open programming interface

Different ways leading to the same result: CIL

This way, it is possible to

• mix IEC languages and C# within one project in KW-Software's IEC programming system;
• develop portable firmware when programming in C# using the complete functional scope and all advantages of the high-level language C#; 
• use the advantages of the IEC programming system and also the efficiency of MS Visual Studio; 
• use own tools and languages that can generate CIL for program development; 
• use the existing .NET tools for documentation, generation of API helps or checking design guidelines.

Programming example

For controlling a 7 segment display, the hardware is controlled via a C# function block "SegmentDisplay" defined in the IEC 61131 FBD program. This function block is called from within a firmware library that is created with Visual Studio .NET.

Access on the hardware is realized via C# namespaces. For the class "SevenSegment" with the method "WriteCode", a high-performance function call to the native code is generated via the Native Library Interface - without overhead.