Homebrew Programmable logic controller


 

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LadderWORK Automation Software 2.x ADVANCED

 
Quick page links:
LadderWORK Overview
The Integrated Development environment (IDE)
Download section
Content of LadderWORK Package
Other related documents
On-Line Manual
LadderWORK FAQ(s)
Subscribe LadderWORK discussion group on Yahoo
Would you build a programmable logic controller (PLC) supported by LadderWORK? Click Here
 

LadderWORK Overview

LadderWORK is the easiest way to create automation control programs. Use of LadderWORK is immediate. With the use of the mouse only, you simply place functional objects in your worksheet , connect the components with wires and configure the components property. Microprocessor assembler code will be generated at the simply push of the BUILD button. 
LadderWORK software integrate a powerful schematic editor with multi view feature and context-sensitive help. 
LadderWORK's generated code is really efficent. Microprocessor's assembly code it's directly generated by the compiler so no other instructions charge will affect your result ( NO 'C' SOURCE GENERATED AND COMPILED PROCESS ). In this way with LadderWORK you always are sure to obtain the best size & speed optimized code. 
LadderWORK produce a Intel-Std HEX file as output. Also intermediate assembler and listing files are available as output of LadderWORK compile process so you can check instruction by instruction the generated code. Many PLC devices supported by LadderWORK software can directly upload the generated code simply pushing the UPLOAD button. A great number of build-in functional components are ready to be placed in your project. LadderWORK software includes a standard set of LADDER DIAGRAM (RELAY LOGIC) devices and a set of extra components, like pure-logical ports and user-programmable functions. 
Full ADVANCED version includes over 30 devices : input/output devices, relays, d-type flip flops, debouncers, clock generators, delay lines, up/down counters, comparators, fifo/lifo queues, A/D & D/A converters, and/or/not logical ports and user programmable functions.LadderWORK produce a Intel-Std HEX file as output. Also intermediate assembler and listing files are available as output of LadderWORK compile process so you can check instruction by instruction the generated code. Many PLC devices supported by LadderWORK software can directly upload the generated code simply pushing the UPLOAD button.

 

More than a Ladder language

Ladder standard language is strongly rigid. Components must be forced in predeterminated cells along two rails called rungs. Moreover Ladder standard language has great limitations about feedback connections. LadderWORK broken these limitations introducing the first free schematic ladder diagram. LadderWORK includes a powerful schematic editor. Components can be placed anywhere and there isn't limitation on feedback connections. LadderWORK schematic is more similar to an electrical circuit. Moreover LadderWORK includes extra components like logical ports and flip-flops so if you are well-versed in boolean logic you can approach your problem using these traditional notation.

Electrical notation approach

LadderWORK is remarkably intuitive!
With LadderWORK you haven't to know nothing about assembler, interrupts or hardware architectures. All you have to do is think your project as a electrical scheme where you have to disposition switches, relays and lamps. Switches means inputs, lamps means outputs and relays gives the way to create states and elementary memory cells. Many problems related to control automation can be resolved in few minutes using LadderWORK.Put a PLC into your microcontroller! With LadderWORK you can transfrom a microcontroller in a PLC . Microcontroller support is activated simply selecting your MPU model during project setup. For example if i select the 8051 MPU the system put to disposition all the 8051 chip I/O resources. So when i configure my input or output devices i directly see the resource named P.0 .. P.7 which means that the system will drive the relative hardware pin. Full 8051 ADVANCED version includes USER FUNCTIONS so if you need a particular device you can write your assembly routine for your needing.
LadderWORK run-time kernel is really small and the system requirements are minimum. For example, in a 8051 system the hardware requiments are just the TIMER 0, used for global timing, and less than 20 bytes of internal RAM including stack area.
8051 version of LadderWORK can be configured to use internal or external RAM with customizable memory mapping.


The LadderWORK Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

The picture below, represents the apperance of the program LadderWORK on your computer. LadderWORK has an integrated environment feature, allowing you to draw schematics, compile programs and upload code to PLC always working on the same window. The integrated environments are composed by several parts described below.

Customizable Code Generation & Linker parameters

The 8051 microcontroller has an amount of RAM inside the chip. Normally this RAM array is 64 to 256 bytes. The 8051 can address an external RAM bank up to 64KBytes. LadderWORK can be configured to use the internal memory, the external memory or both. With LadderWORK you can easily create your custom mapping/compiler setting to fit the your embedded board requirements and save it in files called profiles.

 
LadderWORK software integrated extra features

Watching and probing capability: The variables related to the objects placed in the schematic could be watched. During PLC running a watch window will show real-time, the value of this variables. Also, the nodes in the schematic could be probed. Placing the probe component in a particular node will show the value of the node during running. Note that these feature will require a dedicated serial port.

MODBUS Protocol: LadderWORK integrates MODBUS(R) RTU protocol. You can use the protocol to read or write data from and to the PLC.  This feature allow you to connect your devices to SCADA and SUPERVISION systems
Customizable Code Generation & Linker parameters: You can use LadderWORK as a generic ladder compiler for 8051 microcontrollers. Code generations and linker options can be adapted for your own system
HMI & MMI: LadderWORK integrates the possibility to create HMI (Human-Machine-Interface) or MMI (Man-Machine-Interface) directly with the using of dedicated components like DISPLAY and FIELD. The HMI kernel allow you to drive up to four distinct character-based operator panel.
 

 

Next software features

For the future a lot of new features will be implemented in LadderWORK software.

IEC 1131-3 Compliant function blocks : Our goal is to meet the IEC / CEI 1131-3 standard. A lot of new standard-compliant function blocks will be ready in the next issues of the software.

 

IMPORTANT : Since January 2002 the software package don't includes paper manuals ( PDF & Electronics format only )



Download a functional demo of LadderWORK now!


Other related documents

File Name Description Size
applw008.zipAPPLW008 - MODBUS 8x8 extension
This application note demonstrate how to realize a complete 8 inputs / 8 outputs MODBUS extension (RTU mode protocol) using LadderWORK. The project can be easily transferred on any 8051 core with a simple UART hardware on-board. The application note is complete of documentation and sample project.
141KB
applw002.zipA/D Converter with histeresis sample circuit
This application note shows how to add an histeresis behavior to an A/D circuit. The project is based on the standard AD_CONV component and requires just five components
115KB
applw004.pdfUsing CMP_W magnitude comparator
This document is related to the using of CMP_W component (Magnitude comparator)
68KB
tchlw007.rarMaking your own designed PLC with LadderWORK
This document allow you to create you 8051-based PLC teaching you how to customize LadderWORK software
6MB
tchlw008.pdfMaking a LED connected to a 8051 port BLINK!
This is your very first project with LadderWORK!
***** YOU CAN'T MISS IT! *****
What you need to try this project is just a 8051 chip and a LED connected to a port pin.
A REAL COMPLETE TUTORIAL to run your first LadderWORK project.
TRY IT!
5Mb
tchlw009.zipAdding HMI Interface to your own PLC
This is a complete tutorial that helps you to add a complete HMI (Human Machine Interface) to your
LadderWORK based 8051 PLC
With this tutorial you learn how to add a custom DISPLAY and KEYPAD to your system
1.8Mb

LadderWORK Software package includes:
CD-ROM with self-extract installation & Electronic PDF documentation
Hardware dongle key (Parallel or USB)
Product registration form (PRF)
Quick reference for the main components
 

Links/Web resources

  Description Go!
View LadderWORK presentation at GRIFO web site site ... go to link
View LadderWORK presentation at Sample Electronics web site ... go to link

 

 

 

   
 

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