Aspect-Oriented Programming for Manufacturing Automation Control Systems

Paper in proceeding, 2009

The languages defined by the standard IEC 6-1131 for Programm\-able Logic Controllers (PLCs), have both benefits and drawbacks compared to object-oriented programming languages. For example, the current programming approach is good for maintaining the system, since it is easy to program and comprehend for a plant floor personal with limited programming experience. The main drawbacks are reusability, code dependability and flexibility. This paper proposes an aspect-oriented programming (AOP) approach as an alternative solution, which can keep the benefits and eliminate the drawbacks. AOP is an emerging programming methodology in computer science, which helps the programmer by separating different crosscutting concerns in the program. These crosscutting concerns and tangled behavior are especially important issues in PLC programming, which makes AOP a suitable approach. The paper describes how to adapt the AOP methodology into PLC program development and how it can benefit the control design process.