Reconfigurable Logic Controller—Direct FPGA Synthesis Approach

Abstract

Programmable logic controllers are commonly used in automation systems. Continuously growing demands result in the growth of control program complexity. The classic approach, based on programmatic serial-cyclic execution, results in an unacceptable extension of response time. To overcome long response time massive parallel program execution is proposed. It utilize direct in hardware program implementation in field programmable devices. The paper brings a formal method of representing control programs using flow graphs and enabling single cycle computations. The developed method accepts ladder diagrams (LD) and sequential function charts (SFC), according to IEC61131-3 standard requirements. It is capable of handling logic and arithmetic computations, enabling its hardware mapping. The intermediate form is optimized using flow graph representation and BDDs for analyzing logic dependencies. The BDD representation of logic dependencies enables direct mapping to lookup tables of a selected FPGA family. All the above steps deliver high-performance and direct hardware implementation of the control program given by standard languages. The controller response time is short, predictable, and independent from logic conditions during program execution.