Scribd
Upload
6 views3 pages

Program flow modifications1.

The document discusses ladder logic programming techniques for controlling fill motor starters, emphasizing the use of state-machine representations and cycle-based programming for better design and troubleshooting. It highlights the evolution of ladder logic with assembler-style instructions that operate on entire words and the impact of program flow modifications through commands like GO TO and subroutines. The benefits of these programming methods include improved design decisions, easier stakeholder understanding, and enhanced documentation.

Uploaded by

Shiju Kp.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views3 pages

Program flow modifications1.

The document discusses ladder logic programming techniques for controlling fill motor starters, emphasizing the use of state-machine representations and cycle-based programming for better design and troubleshooting. It highlights the evolution of ladder logic with assembler-style instructions that operate on entire words and the impact of program flow modifications through commands like GO TO and subroutines. The benefits of these programming methods include improved design decisions, easier stakeholder understanding, and enhanced documentation.

Uploaded by

Shiju Kp.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

The programmable controller’s ladder logic code for the

fill motor starter controls is shown in Figure 5.6c. It shows

how the start/stop station and the level interlock functions in

order to guarantee that the tank does not overflow.

Some programmers advocate the use of state-machine

representation as a planning tool and then implementing the

program directly in ladder logic. Sequential function charts

(SFCs) can be used the same way. The benefits are:

• Design decision are made before programming begins.

• Project engineers can review and make changes before

programming.

• Stakeholders can more easily understand and review

the state-machine representation.

• Once the diagram is finished, it is easy to program.

• The diagrams help document the ladder logic.

Another programming technique is based on the cycles

of a machine. The cycles for the machine are numbered in

sequence and are called states. The set conditions of coils or

a counter is used to indicate which step the machine is in.

All the actions that take place in that particular step are

executed and when completed, the condition is defined to

move to the next state. In addition to the cycle states, an

initial state and a default safe state should also be defined. If

the machine gets stuck in a state because of a malfunction,

this programming technique is easy to troubleshoot, because


only the logic in that step needs to be examined.

LADDER LOGIC ADVANCES

Section 5.2 discussed ladder diagrams and their generation

of commands that energize, latch, and unlatch coils. Other

ladder logic commands read live inputs, outputs, or internal

bits and perform instructions based on their state. Timers and

counters are other sources of ladder logic commands.

In most medium- and large-size controllers, these ladder

logic-style commands are augmented by assembler-style

instructions. Rather than working on bits alone, they operate on

entire words. Some ladder logic extensions take on the character

of high-level languages such as C or Basic.

The assembly language is a primitive computer language,

which Bryan defines as “a symbolic programming language

that can be directly translated into machine language instructions.”

While a particular assembly language is dependent

on the type of machine used, each of the ladder logic extensions

has its basis in some type of assembler language. For

a survey of the many ways of using assembler (and advanced

ladder logic), see the books by Knuth.

Table 5.6d lists some

typical assembler-style instructions along with their comparable

ladder logic instructions.


Program Flow Modification

Some of the ladder logic extensions shown in Table 5.6d

modify the program flow. Conventional relay logic commands

execute sequentially. In this case there are no changes

in program flow, because each instruction is executed in every

program scan.

A GO TO command, when invoked, dictates that certain

portions of the program will not be executed during the

particular (current) scan. It allows the program flow to jump

over the commands between the GO TO and the destination

that is indicated in the GO TO.

While the GO TO instruction is frequently used in general

programming practice, it can make programs difficult to

understand and maintain. A better device that serves the same

purpose is the subroutine. The subroutine has a beginning,

usually marked by a subroutine number, and an end, noted

by a RETURN. The subroutine is executed by a JSR (jump

to subroutine) or similar command (GOSUB, for example).

When this occurs, the program flow goes to the label indicated

in the command and executes the instructions that

follow.

You might also like