Challenges for Software Engineering in Automation

Birgit Vogel-Heuser, Christian Diedrich, Alexander Fay, Sabine Jeschke, Stefan Kowalewski, Martin Wollschlaeger, Peter Göhner

Computer Science 11—Embedded Software Laboratory, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Institute for Applied Computer Science, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.
Institute for Automation and Communication, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
Institute of Automation and Information Systems, Technische Universit?t München, München, Germany.
Institute of Automation Technology, Helmut-Schmidt-University, Hamburg, Germany.
Institute of Industrial Automation and Software Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
Institute of Information Management in Mechanical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.

DOI: 10.4236/jsea.2014.75041                

Abstract

This paper gives an introduction to the essential challenges of software engineering and requirements that software has to fulfill in the domain of automation. Besides, the functional characteristics, specific constraints and circumstances are considered for deriving requirements concerning usability, the technical process, the automation functions, used platform and the well-established models, which are described in detail. On the other hand, challenges result from the circumstances at different points in the single phases of the life cycle of the automated system. The requirements for life-cycle-management, tools and the changeability during runtime are described in detail.

Keywords

Automation, Software Engineering, Models, Tools

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Gohner, P. (2013) Automation Technology I—Lecture Notes. Institute of Industrial Automation and Software Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart.
[2]	Vyatkin, V. (2013) Software Engineering in Factory and Energy Automation: State of the Art Review. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 9, 1234-1249. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TII.2013.2258165
[3]	Jooβ, C., Vossen, R., Leisten, I. and Jeschke, S. (2012) Knowledge Engineering in Interdisciplinary Research Clusters. Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), Hong Kong, 10-13 December 2012, 1845-1852.
[4]	Jazdi, N., Maga, C. and Gohner, P. (2010) Improved Systematisation in Plant Engineering and Industrial Solutions Business—Increased Efficiency through Domain Engineering (Mehr Systematikfür den Anlagenbau und das industrielle Losungsgeschaft—Gesteigerte Effizienzdurch Domain Engineering). Automation Technology (Automatisierungstechnik), 9, 524-532.
[5]	Estévez, E., Marcos, M. and Orive, D. (2007) Automatic Generation of PLC Automation Projects from Component-Based Models. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 35, 527-540. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00170-007-1127-4
[6]	Biffl, S., Schatten, A. and Zoitl, A. (2009) Integration of Heterogeneous Engineering Environments for the Automation Systems Lifecycle. IEEE International Conference on Industrial Informatics, Cardiff, 23-26 June 2009, 576-581.
[7]	Thramboulidis, K. (2010) The 3+ 1 SysML View-Model in Model Integrated Mechatronics. Journal of Software Engineering and Applications, 3, 109-118.
[8]	Vogel-Heuser, B., Braun, S., Kormann, B. and Friedrich, D. (2011) Implementation and Evaluation of UML as Modeling Notation in Object Oriented Software Engineering for Machine and Plant Automation. Proceedings of the 18th IFAC World Congress, 18, 9151-9157.
[9]	International Electrotechnical Commission (2006) International Electrotechnical Vocabulary—Part 351: Control Technology. IEC Standard IEC 60050-351.
[10]	Lauber, R. and G?hner, P. (1999) Prozessautomatisierung 1. Springer, Berlin.
[11]	Maga, C., Jazdi, N. and Gohner, P. (2011) Requirements on Engineering Tools for Increasing Reuse in Industrial Automation. 16th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation (ETFA’11), Toulouse, 5-9 September 2011, 1-7.
[12]	Yazdi, F., Vieritz, H., Jazdi, N., et al. (2011) A Concept for User-centered Development of Accessible User Interfaces for Industrial Automation Systems and Web Applications. International Conference on Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction (UAHCI), Orlando, 9-14 July 2011, 301-310.
[13]	NAMUR (2003) Handling PCT Projects. NAMUR Worksheet NA 35.
[14]	Li, F., Bayrak, G., Kernschmidt, K. and Vogel-Heuser, B. (2012) Specification of the Requirements to Support Information Technology-Cycles in the Machine and Plant Manufacturing Industry. IFAC Symposium on Information Control Problems in Manufacturing (INCOM), Bukarest, 23-25 May 2012, 1077-1082.
[15]	International Electrotechnical Commission (2009) Programmable Logic Controllers—Part 3: Programming Languages. IEC Standard 61131-3.
[16]	Verein Deutscher Ingenieuree (2005) Classification and Evaluation of Description Methods in Automation and Control Technology. VDI/VDE Guideline 3681.
[17]	Vogel-Heuser, B. (Ed.) (2009) Automation and Embedded Systems—Improvement of Efficiency in Engineering (Automation and Embedded Systems—Effizienzsteigerungim Engineering). Kassel University Press, Kassel.
[18]	International Electrotechnical Commission (2010) Function Blocks (FB) for Process Control—Part 3: Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL). IEC Standard 61804-3.
[19]	Feldmann, S., Fuchs, J. and Vogel-Heuser, B. (2012) Modularity, Variant and Version Management in Plant Automation—Future Challenges and State of the Art. International Design Conference (DESIGN), Dubrovnik, 21-24 May 2012, 1689-1698.
[20]	Diedrich, C., Lüder, A. and Hundt, L. (2011) Importance of Interoperability within Engineering and Use of Automated Production Systems (Bedeutung der Interoperabilitatbei Entwurf und Nutzungautomatisierter Produktionssysteme). Automation Technology (Automatisierungstechnik), 59, 426-438.
[21]	Diedrich, C. (2007) Integration Technologies of Field Devices in Distributed Control and Engineering Systems. In: Zurawski, R., Ed., The Industrial Information Technology Handbook, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 11.1-11.24.
[22]	Frank, T., Hadlich, T., Eckert, K., Diedrich, C., Fay, A. and Vogel-Heuser, B. (2012) Using Contact Points to Integrate Discipline Spanning Real-Time Requirements in Modeling Networked Automation Systems for Manufacturing Systems. IEEE International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE), Seoul, 20-24 August 2012, 851-856. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/CoASE.2012.6386422
[23]	Vyatkin, V. (2011) IEC 61499 as Enabler of Distributed and Intelligent Automation: State of the Art Review. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 7, 768-781.
[24]	Vogel-Heuser, B., Feldmann, S., Werner, T. and Diedrich, C. (2011) Modeling Network Architecture and Time Behavior of Distributed Control Systems in Industrial Plant Automation. Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IECON), Melbourne, 7-10 November 2011, 2232-2237.
[25]	Zentralverband Elektrotechnik-und Elektronikindustrie (2012) Life-Cycle-Management for Automation Products and Systems. http://www.zvei.org/Verband/Publikationen/Seiten/Guideline-Life-Cycle.aspx
[26]	International Electrotechnical Commission (2007) Obsolescence Management—Application Guide. IEC Standard 62402.
[27]	Fay, A. (2011) The Role of Models in the Engineering of Automation Systems. Workshop on Model Integrated Mechatronics, Saarbrücken.
[28]	Vogel-Heuser, B., Braun, S. and Kormann, B. (2011) Implementation and Evaluation of UML as Modeling Notation in Object Oriented Software Engineering for Machine and Plant Automation. IFAC World Congress, 18, 9151-9157.
[29]	Barth, M., Drath, R., Fay, A., et al. (2012) Evaluation of the Openness of Automation Tools for Interoperability in Engineering Tool Chains. IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation (ETFA), Krakow, 17-21 September 2012, 1-8.
[30]	Vogel-Heuser, B., Legat, C., Folmer, J. and Feldmann, S. (2014) Researching Evolution in Industrial Plant Automation: Scenarios and Documentation of the Pick and Place Unit. Technical Report No.TUM-AIS-TR-01-14-02. https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/node?id=1208973
[31]	SFB 768 Managing Cycles in Innovation Processes. http://www.sfb768.tum.de/index.php?id=5&L=1
[32]	DFG Priority Programme 1593. Design for Future—Managed Software Evolution. http://www.dfg-spp1593.de/