Automatic generation of VHDL code from traditional ladder diagrams applying a model-driven engineering approach
Diego Alonso, Juan Suardíaz Muro, Pedro Navarro, Pedro María Alcover, Juan Antonio López · 2009
Automation industry is experiencing a boom in the deployment of FPGA based controlling systems, which beat the run-time characteristics and behavior of microprocessors-based systems and which will bring new possibilities to the sector. Particularly, FPGAs are being progressively applied to develop PLCs. However, the end user, accustomed to traditional PLC programming environments, is reluctant to this new technology, which requires an additional effort for learning a new language and development environment. This paper presents a prototype tool that applies the relatively new Model-Driven Software Development approach to program these new devices using the classical ladder diagram notation. It also demonstrates its application in the classic star-delta starter for 3-phase motors.