After successful completion of the course, students are able to...

• explain how a PLC works
• explain how distributed control systems are operated in accordance with IEC 61499
• create simple control programs according to IEC 61131 and IEC 61499
• reliability, probability of failure, failure rate and other parameters and to interpret them
• implement simple programs in sequential function charts
• write simple programs in structured text
• write simple programs in ladder diagram
• create simple programs and your own function blocks in IEC 61499

Lecture part:

Chapter I: Process control technology

Instrumentation and control architectures, process plants, open and closed-loop control in process engineering, fundamentals of pneumatics

Chapter II: Programmable logic controllers

Connection-programmed controls; structure, mode of operation and programming languages of PLCs according to IEC 61131

Chapter III: Control system design

Design methods for automation programs, state machine theory, Petri nets

Chapter IV: Distributed Control and Flexible Automation

Paradigm shift, event-based controls according to IEC 61499, service-oriented automation

Chapter V: Reliability and Safety

The contents of these units are hazard and risk assessment for process plants, safety measures and their requirements as well as methods for determining failure probabilities.

Laboratory part:

The following laboratory exercises are part of this course:

• Process Control (VT - Verfahrenstechnik)
  This exercise incorporates PLC programming using the IEC 61131-3 languages Sequential Function Chart (SFC) as well as Structured Text (ST) for a laboratory process plant. One afternoon is scheduled for this exercise for each group of 4 students.

• Distributed Control (VS - Verteilte Steuerungen)
  IEC 61499. One afternoon is scheduled for this exercise for each group of 4 students.

Lecture with excercise part

The subject areas are dealt with in eight lecture units and are deepened by two specific laboratory exercises.

• Completion of two laboratory exercises: preparation, entry exam, exercise implementation
• Oral lecture exam