1. How does benchmarking evaluate PLC hardware performance?
Benchmarking evaluates PLC hardware performance by designing and running simple test programs on different PLCs to measure their performance and compare them. It focuses on aspects such as processing speed, memory usage, and I/O capabilities. The benchmarking process helps identify the strengths and weaknesses of different PLCs, aiding in choosing the right one for a given application. Standardized tests are conducted to compare different devices, although non-standardized platforms may pose challenges. Benchmarking has also been used for evaluating embedded systems and comparing performance between open-source software like openPLC and commercial PLC solutions. The goal is to determine which platform provides the best value and performance for industrial automation applications.
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2. What hardware devices were selected for comparing PLC performance?
For commercial PLCs, a device from Wago PFC200 family (750-8214 with 8DO module 750-1515) was selected. Open-source solutions like Arduino UNO (ATmega328 based), Arduino MEGA2560 (ATmega2560 based), and NodeMCU ESP8266 were chosen. OpenPLC with default options and CODESYS 3.5 IDE were used for testing. Programs were designed in FBD programming language and measured real output signal parameters. Rigol DS1052E digital oscilloscope was used for timing measurements.
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