5.

9 PROGRAM SCAN, SCAN PROCESS

AND SCAN PATTERN

5.10 PLC PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

Reported by: Michael Adrian V. Ygnacio

Program Scan

1. Input Scan

2. Logic Execution or Execute Program

3. Output Scan
 1. Input Scan
First the PLC takes a look at each I/O to
determine if it is on or off.
Data is taken from all input modules in system
and placed into an area of PLC memory referred
to as input image area.
 2. Execute Program
During program scan, the input data stored is
applied to user program, the user program is
executed and output image area is updated.

PLC executes the program one instruction at a

time.
 3. Output Scan
Data is taken from the output image area and sent
to all output modules in the system.
Scan Pattern

1. Rung Scanning

2. Column Scanning
Rung Scanning or Horizontal Scanning
Column Scanning or Vertical Scanning
PLC Programming Language
Ladder Diagram

Functional Block Diagram

Structured Text

Instruction List

Sequential Function Chart

Function Block Diagram

Also called Function Chart or Function plan

Based on function and function block composition
FBD transforms textual programming (ST) into connecting (already defined) building
blocks
Structured Text
a high-level procedural programming language.
ST enforces data typing and support structured programming.
Close to high languages like C, pascal
Every command ends with a semicolon
Allows conditions like if/case and loops
Instruction List

a low-level textual language with a structure similar to assembler.

Very lightweight language
Every line consists of command and operand
Sequential Function Chart

Only used for sequencial data flows

Consists of actions and transitions
Ladder Diagram
Graphical programming language evolved from electrical relay circuit
Ladder logic language closely resembles hardwired relay circuits
Each program statement is a line called the rung with inputs to the left and the
output to the right.
Example 1
Switching ON the Lamp using two switches

ON ON

Switch 1 Switch 2
 Switch Switch Output
ON ON 1 2
0 0 0
Switch 1 Switch 2 1 0 0
0 1 0
1 1 1
Truth Table
Example 2
Detecting the standing bottles on the conveyor and pushing
falling bottles in tray.