A rule-based system for generating a ladder logic control program from a high-level systems model

In this article an interface between a high-level specification of a system and a logic controller of that system is developed. The interface is based on a number of rules to transform an IDEF0 specification into an intermediate-level Petri-net-based controller and to transform the intermediate specification into a ladder logic program which can be run on a PLC. These rules could be used as a basis for developing an expert system to handle the interface. Such an expert system provides an environment for rapid prototyping and analysis of controllers.