Abstract: An input module for an industrial controller is configurable to simplify setup and commissioning. The input module includes input terminals configurable, for example, as a counter input. Still other input terminals may be configured to trigger events as a function of the input signals present at the terminals. Time signals corresponding to transitions in state of the input terminals, triggering of events, or operation of the counters may be recorded. The input module is further configurable to transmit data back to the processor or to transmit data directly to another module in the industrial control network.

Abstract: An output module for an industrial controller configurable to simplify setup and commissioning is disclosed. The output module includes configurable PWM outputs that may be scheduled to start at different times within the PWM period, that may be configured to generate a fixed number of PWM pulses, and that may have an extendable PWM period. The output terminals are configurable to enter a first state upon generation of a fault and further configurable to enter a second state after a configurable time delay following the fault being generated. The output module may receive inputs signals directly from another module and set output signals at the terminals responsive to these signals.

Abstract: A machine is operated by a programmable controller that executes a ladder logic control program. A custom ladder logic processor is provided for high speed execution of the more common ladder logic instructions and a microprocessor interprets the remaining ladder logic instructions. A first section of memory contains a ladder logic control program in which some of the instructions are macro instructions executable by the ladder logic processor. Each macro instruction specifies an operation code, a first memory file containing data to be processed by the macro instruction, a second memory file containing control data governing the processing, and a storage location for results produced by execution of the macro instruction. Another memory section stores a library file containing a ladder logic software routine for each macro instruction, and stores a directory which identifies a starting location of the macro instruction routine for each operation code.