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Introduction into IEC 61131-8
Guidelines for the application and implementation of
programming languages

(From the Working Draft 3)

Scope

This technical report applies to the programming of programmable controller systems using the programming languages defined in IEC 61131-3. It also provides guidelines for the implementation of these languages in programmable controller systems and their programming support environments (PSEs).

IEC 61131-4 should be consulted for other aspects of the application of programmable controller systems.


Overview

The intended audience for this technical report consists of:

  • users of programmable controller systems as defined in IEC 61131-3, who must program, configure, install, and maintain programmable controllers as part of industrial process measurement and control systems; and

  • implementors of programming languages, as defined in IEC 61131-3, for programmable controller systems. This may include vendors of software and hardware for the preparation and maintenance of programs for these systems, as well as vendors of the programmable controller systems themselves.

    • IEC 61131-3, in contrast, is mainly oriented toward the implementors of programming languages for programmable controllers. Users who wish a general introduction to these languages and their application should consult any of several generally available textbooks on this subject. Subclause 1.4 of IEC 61131-3 should be consulted by those who wish a "top-down" overview of the contents of IEC 61131-3.

Clause 2 of this technical report provides a general introduction to IEC 61131-3, while clause 3 provides complementary information about the application of some of the programming language elements specified IEC 61131-3. Clause 4 provides information about the intended implementation of some of these programming language elements, while Clause 5 provides general information about requirements for hardware and software for program development and maintenance. Hence, it is expected that users of programmable controllers will find Clauses 2 and 3 of this document most useful, while programming language implementors will find Clauses 4 and 5 more useful, referring to the background material in Clauses 2 and 3 as necessary.


TABLE OF CONTENT IEC 61131-8

1. General 7
1.1 Scope 7
1.2 Normative references 7
1.3 Overview 7
2. Introduction to IEC 61131-3 8
2.1 General considerations 8
2.2 Overcoming historical limitations 10
2.3 Basic features in IEC 61131-3 11
2.4 New features in the second edition of IEC 61131-3 12
2.5 Software engineering considerations 12
2.5.1 Application of software engineering principles 12
2.5.1.1 Encapsulation and hiding 12
2.5.1.2 Explicit representation of state 13
2.5.1.3 Mapping to the application domain 13
2.5.1.4 Mapping of design to implementation 13
2.5.1.5 Structured programming 14
2.5.1.6 Software reuse 14
2.5.2 Portability 15
2.5.2.1 Inter-language portability 15
2.5.2.2 Inter-system portability 15
3. Application guidelines 16
3.1 Use of data types 16
3.1.1 Type vs. variable initialization 16
3.1.2 Use of enumerated and subrange types 17
3.1.3 Use of BCD data 17
3.1.4 Use of REAL data types 19
3.1.5 Use of character string data types 19
3.1.6 Use of time data types 20
3.1.7 Use of multi-element variables 21
3.1.8 Use of bit string data types 21
3.2 Data passing 21
3.2.1 Global and external variables 22
3.2.2 In-out (VAR_IN_OUT) variables 23
3.2.3 Formal and non-formal invocations and argument lists 25
3.3 Use of function blocks 29
3.3.1 Function block types and instances 29
3.3.2 Scope of data within function blocks 30
3.3.3 Function block access and invocation 31
3.4 Differences between function block instances and functions 32
3.5 Use of indirectly referenced function block instances 32
3.5.1 Establishing an indirect function block instance reference 33
3.5.2 Access to indirectly referenced function block instances 35
3.5.3 Invocation of indirectly referenced function block instances 35
3.5.4 Recursion of indirectly referenced function block instances 38
3.5.5 Execution control of indirectly referenced function block instances 38
3.5.6 Use of indirectly referenced function block instances in functions 38
3.6 Recursion within programmable controller programming languages 39
3.7 Single and multiple invocation 39
3.8 Language specific features 40
3.8.1 Edge triggered functionality 40
3.8.1.1 Edge triggering in LD language 40
3.8.1.2 Use of edge triggered function blocks 41
3.8.2 Use of EN/ENO in functions and function blocks 42
3.8.3 Use of non-IEC 61131-3 languages 43
3.9 Use of SFC elements 43
3.9.1 Action control 44
3.9.2 Boolean actions 45
3.9.3 Non-SFC actions 50
3.9.4 SFC actions 51
3.9.5 SFC function blocks 53
3.9.6 "Indicator" variables 53
3.10 Scheduling, concurrency, and synchronization mechanisms 54
3.10.1 Operating system issues 54
3.10.2 Task scheduling 56
3.10.2.1 Performance effects 57
3.10.2.2 Concurrency effects 57
3.10.3 Semaphores 57
3.10.3.1 General 57
3.10.3.2 Deadlocks 58
3.10.4 Messaging 58
3.10.4.1 Global storage 59
3.10.4.2 Mailboxes and queues 59
3.10.5 Time stamping 59
3.11 Communication facilities in ISO/IEC 9506/5 and IEC 61131-5 59
3.11.1 Communication channels 60
3.11.2 Reading and writing variables 60
3.11.3 Communication function blocks 60
3.12 Recommended programming practices 61
3.12.1 Global variables 62
3.12.2 Jumps in Function Block Diagram (FBD) language 62
3.12.3 Multiple invocations of function block instances in FBD 62
3.12.4 Coupling of Sequential Function Chart (SFC) networks 62
3.12.5 Dynamic modification of task priorities 63
3.12.6 Execution control of function block instances by tasks 63
3.12.7 Use of RTC (Real Time Clock) Function Blocks 63
4. Implementation guidelines 64
4.1 Resource allocation 64
4.2 Implementation of data types 64
4.2.1 REAL and LREAL data types 64
4.2.2 Character strings 64
4.2.3 Time data types 65
4.2.4 Multi-element variables 65
4.3 Execution of functions and function blocks 65
4.3.1 Functions 66
4.3.2 Function blocks 66
4.4 Implementation of Sequential Function Charts (SFCs) 67
4.5 Task scheduling 67
4.5.1 Classification of tasks 68
4.5.2 Task priorities 68
4.6 Error handling 69
4.6.1 Error handling mechanisms 69
4.6.2 Run-time error handling procedures 71
4.6.2.1 Reporting of errors 71
4.6.2.2 System-defined error handling procedures 71
4.6.2.3 User-defined error handling procedures 73
4.7 System interface 73
4.8 Compliance 73
4.8.1 Compliance statement 73
4.8.2 Controller instruction sets 73
4.8.3 Compliance testing 74
4.9 Compatibility with IEC 617-12, 617-13, and 848 74
5. Programming support environment (PSE) requirements 74
5.1 User interface 74
5.2 Programming of programs, functions and function blocks 75
5.3 Application design and configuration 76
5.4 Separate compilation 76
5.5 Separation of interface and body 77
5.5.1 Invocation of a function from a programming unit 77
5.5.2 Declaration and invocation of a function block instance 78
5.6 Linking of configuration elements with programs 79
5.7 Library management 82
5.8 Analysis tools 83
5.8.1 Simulation and debugging 83
5.8.2 Performance estimation 83
5.8.3 Feedback loop analysis 83
5.8.4 SFC analysis 83
5.9 Documentation requirements 86
5.10 Security of data and programs 87
5.11 On-line facilities 87
Annex A Changes to IEC 61131-3 2nd Edition 88
A.1 Reasons for the 2nd edition of part 3 88
A.2 Corrigendum 88
A .3 Amendment 89
A.3.1 Numeric literals (2.2.1) – typed literals 90
A.3.2 Elementary data types (2.3.1) - double-byte strings 90
A.3.3 Derived data types (2.3.3) - enumerated data types 90
A.3.4 Single element variables (2.4.1.1) - 'wild-card' direct addresses 91
A.3.5 Declaration (2.4.3) - Temporary variables 91
A.3.6 Type assignment (2.4.3.1) - RETAIN and NON_RETAIN Variable attributes 92
A.3.7 of Function ( 2.5.1) – Use EN/ENO 92
A.3.8 Declaration (2.5.1.3) - Function invocation with VAR_IN_OUT 92
A.3.9 Type conversion functions (2.5.1.5.1) 93
A.3.10 Functions of time data types (2.5.1.5.6) 93
A.3.11 Function blocks (2.5.2) - Extended initialisation facilities 93
A.3.12 Pulse action qualifiers (2.6.4.4) 94
A.3.13 Action control (2.6.4.5) 94
A.3.14 Configuration initialisation (2.7.1) 94
A.3.15 Instruction List (3.2) 95
A.3.16 Formal specification of language elements (Annex B) 97
A.3.17 Further amendments 97
ANNEX B SOFTWARE QUALITY MEASURES 99
ANNEX C INDEX 101