Journal of Software Engineering and Applications, 2011, 4, 172-180
doi:10.4236/jsea.2011.43019 Published Online March 2011 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/jsea)
Development of Equivalent Virtual Instruments
to PLC Functions and Networks
Mohammad A. K. Alia, Tariq M. Younes, Mohammad Abu Zalata
Mechatroncis Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman, Jordan.
Received February 20th, 2011; revised March 5th, 2011; accepted Ma r c h 10 th, 2011.
ABSTRACT
This research is a continuation to our work which was published in [1]. Eight different timing VIs are designed and
tested. These include ON-Delay, OFF-Delay, Single Shot, Retriggerable Monostable, and Accumulative software-based
timers. Using hardware programmable counter/timer ch ip (DAQ-STC-24bit) and PCI MIO-16E-1 DAQ board, another
two precise timers are designed. At the end of the paper, for illustration purposes, an electro-pneumatic drive system
was developed and controlled utilizing designed on-delay timers VI functions. Results of experiment show complete
coincidence bet w een the PLC -b ased control and Vi rt ual PL C -b ase d pro gram results.
Keywords: PLC, Virtual PLC, LabVIEW, Programmable Timers
1. Introduction
In our work “Design of a virtual PLC using LabVIEW”
we have shown how it is possible to create LabVIEW
VIs which represent PLC functions and networks. We
compared between PC-based and PLC-based control
systems, and came to the fact that both systems are con-
tinuously developing in the same direction in order to ob-
tain better programmability, connectivity and communi-
cation interfacing. At the time being the PC-based DCSs
are suited for industrial applications. They are robust and
they easily work in an open architecture mode, while
PLCs are equipped with specific MMI software and
pseudo-standard commutation software also. We have
shown that in order to improve the programmability of
PACs, we practically brought the PLC to the computer
utilizing by that nu merous advantages of computers such
as multitasking, unlimited memory, high speed and the
possibility of creating unlimited number of programma-
ble objects such as counters, timers, shift registers and
others. Because of the limited size of previous work, we
were not able to cover other important VIs which may be
used also as the analog of PLC functions. In this paper
we shall develop different types of programmable timers
using LabVIEW software [2] and NI DAQ board hard-
ware also. The LabVIEW basic functions that provide
timing on millisecond level are the “wait” and “wait for
Next ms Multiple” VIs. Both are based on the same un-
derlying mechanism. Most applications work comforta-
bly with available LabVIEW measurements that resolve
milliseconds, and many more operate with second reso-
lution [3-4]. A few applications demand sub-millisecond
resolution and response time, which is problematic due
primarily to operating system and not a LabVIEW limi-
tation [5]. If the application requires higher accuracy or
resolution than the built-in timing functions can supply,
then one will hav e to use some additio nal hardware, su ch
as NI-DAQ boards or an external clock [6]. NI-boards
have two 24bit counter chips and several on-board clocks
that can be counted to produce accurate timing (intervals).
With the DAQ counter-timer VIs, one can configure the
on-board versatile ha rdware for a variety of tasks includ -
ing the accurate generation of timed pulses, counting
events, and the measurement of periods and frequencies.
The counter output generates a pulse when a preprogram-
med terminal count (TC) is reached. The pulse may be
used for sequencing purposes.
Similar hardware-based timing may be performed us-
ing windows API function “Query performance counter”.
This function looks at a high resolution system hardware
counter that runs at approximately 1.2 MHz or 0.8 micro-
second count. The actual resolution, once we account for
the delay in calling the function, will be considerab ly less,
but still far better than one millisecond.
Concerning Real-Time operating systems (RTOS), they
are designed to run a single program with very precise

Development of Equivalent Virtual Instruments to PLC Functions and Networks 173
timing. They can allow to run lo ops with nearly the same
thing each iteration (typically within microseconds).
Timing for hard RTOSs can be performed using the
DAQ card’s internal clock, giving better accuracy than
software timing functions [7]. At the time being, some
hardware platforms feature an on-board FPGA, that may
be programmed using LabVIEW FPGA module. NI
ComactRIO and single-board RIO are examples. The
default clock rate of LabVIEW FPGA is 40 MHz. Gen-
eral FPGA timing VIs [2] may gener ate one clock p eriod .
One-shot pulse or measure the period, pulse width, ac-
cumulate period over a specified number of pulses and
count pulses over a specified period of time. Neverthe-
less FPGA VIs do not include ready On-delay timers,
OFF-delay timers and momostable retriggerable timers
which find extensive app lications in PLC sequential con-
trol programs.
Building on the above, the target of this work is to il-
lustrate the design of different types of timing VIs using
LabVIEW software in order to be used as programming
elements in virtual PLC programs.
2. ON-Delay Timer
1) ON-Delay Timer-1
Figure 1 shows the front panel and the block diagram
components of a software-based ON-Delay Timer. The
loop iteration is indicated in seconds. Because the loop
iteration starts from zero, the increment function is added
in order to start it at one. Since the wait icon has 100 ms
delay between every two iteratio ns a factor of 10 is mul-
tiplied by timer preassigned value, in order to measure
the time delay in seconds.
After the application of enable signal it takes some
delay time interval for the equal function to have a true
state at the output. If the input signal is disabled, the ti-
mer output instantly changes to low state.
2) ON-Delay Timer-2
The components of the VI are shown in the block dia-
gram, Figure 2. Initially the input signal is not enabled
and the false case is activated. The output of select icon
will be zero, which is lower than the timer preset value,
and as a result of that the output of the timer is OFF.
When the input signal is enabled the true case is ex-
ecuted and the select icon will output th e value that comes
form the output of the case structure. The initial valu e of
the iteration local variable is zero, then it will be incre-
mented after a delay caused by the wait icon, and then
compared by timer preset value. When the output of the
comparison function is true, the output of the timer be-
comes high. When the enable input signal becomes low,
the output of the timer becomes low simultaneously. In
this VI, the checking of the case structure is continuous
at a scan rate equal to one millisecond, which is accepted
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 1. On-delay timer-1, (a) The Block Diagram; (b) The
Front Panel; (c) Subic on.
for many applications.
3. OFF-Delay Timer
1) OFF-Delay Timer-1
The front panel and block diagram are shown in Fig-
ure 3. The while loop and other VI components are lo-
cated inside the false case of the case structure.
The true case has a local variable of the timer output,
which is wired to the selector terminal. The enable input
signal is connected to the selector terminal of the false
case.
2) OFF-Delay Timer-2
The block diagram is given in Figure 4. When the in-
put is enabled the true case is activated and the select icon

Development of Equivalent Virtual Instruments to PLC Functions and Networks 174
(a)
(b)
Figure 2. On-delay timer-2, (a) True case; (b) False case.
will be selected to zero. In this case the output of the
comparison function is false and the timer output is true.
When the input signal is disabled the false case executes,
and the select icon is selected to the value that comes
from the output of the case structure. When the off-delay
time interval elapses the output of the comparison func-
tion is true and the timer output is false.
4. Single-Shot Timer
The block diagram and front panel are shown in Figure 5.
The Boolean indicator prevents the timer output to turn
ON again after the elapse of the preset value of one-shot
timer. During the false case the output is OFF, and dur-
ing the comparison time the timer output enabled high.
At the end of comparison the timer output is low again.
5. Retriggerable Monostable Timer VI
Figure 6 shows the block diagram and the front panel of
this timer. When the enable input switches ON, the timer
output immediately turns ON and the timer starts timing.
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 3. OFF-delay timer, (a) The block diagram; (b) The
front panel; (c) Subicon.

Development of Equivalent Virtual Instruments to PLC Functions and Networks 175
(a)
(b)
Figure 4. OFF delay timer 4, (a) True case; (b) False case.
As soon as the preset time value has elapsed, the timer
output switches OFF, even if the enable input is still ON.
Every OFF to ON transition of the enable input resets
the timer, i.e. the elapsed time is set to pre-set value and
timer output is switched ON.
Figure 7 shows a three mode delay timer. ON delay,
OFF delay and Retriggerable Monostable timers are built
in one block diagram, where the programmer can select
the required timer mode.
6. Accumulative Timer–VI
The timer block diagram and front panel are shown in
Figure 8. The output of the add function and the timer
preset value are connected to the equal comparison func-
tion. The output equal comparison function is connected
to one terminal of the OR gate. The oth er inpu t of the OR
gate function is connected to the inverted input signal.
The output of OR function is connected to conditional
terminal of the while loop.
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 5. Single-shot timer, (a) Block diagram; (b) Front
panel; (c) Subicon.

Development of Equivalent Virtual Instruments to PLC Functions and Networks 176
(a)
(b)
Figure 6. Retriggerable Monostable timer, (a) The block diagram; (b) Front panel.

Development of Equivalent Virtual Instruments to PLC Functions and Networks 177
(a)
(b)
Figure 7. 3-mode delay timer, (a) Block diagram; (b) Front panel.

Development of Equivalent Virtual Instruments to PLC Functions and Networks 178
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 8. Accumulative timer VI, (a) True case; (b) False
case; (c) Front panel; (d) Subicon.
The conditional terminal is connected to one terminal
of the AND gate. The other input of the AND gate is
connected to local variable of the input signal. The out-
put of the AND gate is the timer output. The while loop
and above mentioned components are inside the true case
of the case structure. When the input signal is not en-
abled the false case is activated, then the local variable of
accumulative indicator has a zero value and that value
will be stored in the current time indicator.
The true case will be activated when the input sign al is
enabled. If the input signal is disabled before the equal
comparison function is true, the false case is activated
and the local variable of the loop iteration has that value
at which the loop was stopped and this value will be
stored in the current time indicator. If the input signal is
activated again, the true case is activated and the pre-
vious operation is repeated again, where the loop itera-
tion is added to the previous value, which is stored in the
current timer indictor, then it is compared with the timer
preset value.
The process of enabling and displaying the input sig-
nal continues until the output of the equal comparison
function becomes true and as a result the timer output
turns ON. Figure 9 shows a designed VI in order to
measure time interval in the range of nanoseconds.
A hardware programmable counter/timer chip (DAQ-
STC-24 bit )and a hardware time base signal source lo-
cated on PCI-MIO-16E-1 DAQ-Board are utilized. The
program is built using the advance subVIs because they
are more flexible than the easy VIs or intermediate VIs.
A closely related issue is the use of two hardware
counters for measurement of sampling time interval. In
such a case the signal of interest is fed to a counter sour-
ce terminal and to the gate terminal of another counter.
The source terminal of the second counter is fed by a
periodic clock signal with a much higher frequency than
the expected sampling frequency. Normally, the internal
time base of the counter provides more than adequate
source to count (i.e. 20 MHZ and above).
To receive an accurate indication of the time, both
counters must start at the same instant. By diving the
count of the seco nd counter by the fr equency we find th e
time.
As an example, we shall consider an electro-pneumatic
drive system. The drive circuit is given in Figure 10.
PLC input/output assignments are given in Table 1.
Input/output channels assignment for LabVIEW DAQ-
board are given in Table 2.
System operation sequence is as follows:
In order to initialize operation an external pushbutton
is used. As a result of that solenoid valve (SV) is ener-
gized and cylinder outstrokes. At the end of stroke the
cylinder actuates limit switch (LS), which, enables an

Development of Equivalent Virtual Instruments to PLC Functions and Networks 179
Figure 9. Time interval measurement VI.
Figure 10. Electro-pneumatic drive system.
Table 1. PLC input/output assignments.
Device Letter
Identification No.
PLC Lab VIEW
Inputs: ON push button ON 1 I0.0 ON
OFF push button OFF 2 I0.1 OFF
Limit Switch LS 3 I0.2 LS
Counter Reset R 4 I0.3 R
Ouputs: Solenoid valve SV 1 Q0.0 SV
ON-Delay timer (T1). After the elapse of the timer preset
time value the (SV) is deenergized and returns to its ini-
tial position. At this instance ON-Delay timer (T2) is en-
abled, up counter CTU is incremented, the timer T1 is
disabled, and the solenoid valve is actuated again and the
sequence repeats. The sequence is continued until the
counter instantaneous count is equal to counter preset
value and the sequ ence stops. For Siemens PLC (S7-214 ),
the ladder diagram is shown in Figure 11, and the equiv-
alent LabVIEW ladder diagram is shown in Figure 12.
Experimental results show completely coincidence be-
tween both diagrams.

Development of Equivalent Virtual Instruments to PLC Functions and Networks 180
Table 2. Input/output channels assignment for LabVIEW
DAQ-board.
The Channel Pin Number State (I,O) Symbol in the
Program
DIO 5 51 Output SV
DIO 2 49 Input LS
DIO 4 19 Input ON
DIO 0 52 Input OFF
Figure 11. The PLC ladder diagram.
7. Conclusions
Using LabVIEW environment, seven different timing
virtual instruments have been designed and tested. Ap-
plying the same approach it is possible to design a com-
plete set of PLC functions in order to realize program-
Figure 12. The labVIEW equivalent Ladder diagram.
able PC-based virtual PLC. In this case the virtual PLC
will gain the advantag es of PC-Based control.
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