| Although Programmable Logical Controllers (PLCs) are often covered in control-related course, many educational institutions lack resources needed to help student to become proficient PLC programmers. Computers in general and the development of virtual instrument technology, a kind of new experiment means for teaching is put forward. It is significant to develop an integrated virtual experimentation instrument which is universal flexible and easy to expand for training high-level PLC technicians and promoting the PLC applications in areas of economy. The main task of my research is to study the key problems of the PLC simulation experimentation platform, and build the system with reusable function block software.Analyzed the deficiency of PLC education, the project that is to precede the PLC teaching based on virtual instrument technology was put forward. The presented virtual PLC experimentation system runs on the common computer. It is wrote in LabVIEW by component designed, considered the IEC 61131-3 international standard. The system consists of command expression customization module, graphical program editor, program language translation module and program execution simulator. It enables the user to enter and modify PLC programs by graphic language. The algorithm for transformation between ladder and IL program has been studied and designed. Based on data structure designed, the program in ladder language can be automatic translated to equivalent IL programs implementing the control behavior on a PLC simulation module.As a result of system being used, the virtual PLC experimentation platform provides an effective and visual environment, and makes easy for student to get sufficient opportunities to practice. |
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