Platform for an open architecture controller based on a general operation system with a hard real-time extension

Abstract

A new open architecture controller, Platform for Open Architecture Controller (POAC), is discussed. Using a general operating system with a hard real-time extension, POAC divides the application software of the controller into the developing and application systems. The developing system includes the function subsystem and communication subsystem, which respectively realize the function module capable of running on the different operating systems and the communication interface uniform to all kinds of operating systems. The application system defines the model of the task module, realizing the interoperability and interchangeability between the task modules. POAC establishes a modular developing method and implements the real-time and non-real-time functions separately. The comparison with Next Generation Controller (NGC), the Open System Architecture for Controls within Automation Systems (OSACA), the Open, Modular Architecture Controls (OMAC) and the Open System Environment for Controller (OSEC) shows that POAC is a good, open architecture controller with the advantages of real-time performance, simplicity and practicability. In summary, POAC develops a simple and practical architecture and a standard of open architecture controller that largely decreases the developing time from the standard to the product.