An Embedded PLC development for laboratory purpose.

As the PLC is part of an automated system there are several modules that should be included, or be a prerequisite, in any course. Those modules are software engineering, electrical design and in some cases, mechanical design. The PLC apart from being run as a “stand alone� course is now an integral part of courses ranging from agricultural engineering to mechatronics and industrial automation. PLC courses, as for all control engineering courses, must deliver “a balance of practical skills and theoretical knowledge� and as such are laboratory based. Increasingly, in response to demands from industry PLC courses are being run in-house, in training rooms, away from the traditional venue of the automation laboratory using hardwired “kits� and PC based simulators. Concept and features of PLC and embedded system found possible to combine and develop an embedded PLC for teaching students in laboratory. Flexibility of the Embedded PLC makes it relatively easy and less costly to teach the basic principle of different kinds of PLCs. Aim to design embedded PLC is to combine the advantage of PLC and embedded system together. As PLC has become major functional block in industrial automation. Engineering education places a heavy priority on laboratory experience of PLC operation. To give practical experience of PLC operation, PLC setup in laboratories is required. A cost incurred in the setting up of comprehensive and modern PLC laboratory facilities is very high. Such laboratory requires periodic updating of teaching material and equipment. PLC designed for educational purpose has to be flexible and should meet a wide range of end-user need to give best experience of experimental results.