EE 474 - Programmable Controllers

2 lecture hours 2 lab hours 3 credits

Course Description
This course provides the theory and hands-on experience necessary to enable students to design programmable controller system applications. This course highlights the systems approach as an aid to understanding modern industrial programmable controllers. Coverage begins with a review of controller basics and conventional approaches and proceeds through the concept of programmable logic including the use of microprocessors as controller elements. In addition, programming, input/output elements, peripherals, and standards and codes that govern interfacing aspects are covered. Development, design and understanding of analog input/output devices are also covered. The use of PCs as a device to program PLCs is developed. The material is reinforced by laboratory sessions that provide the opportunity to learn to develop several popular system applications. (prereq: EE 3401, EE 2902 or CE 1910)

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe and demonstrate the role of programmable controllers in the industrial control area
Program PLC timers and counters, and develop programs that utilize subprograms and other program flow commands
Program PLCs using advanced instructions for data manipulation, comparison, and set-point control
Program PLC sequencers, shift registers, and other high-level data flow instructions
Develop PLC-based control systems consistent with modern practices for safety, usability, and reliability
Be aware of modern techniques for data acquisition and communication, computer-controlled manufacturing, and robotic automation

Prerequisites by Topic

Number Systems (Binary, Octal, Hexadecimal)
Computer Codes (BCD, ASCII)
Binary Arithmetic
Boolean Algebra
Fundamental logic operators (AND, OR, NOT, etc.)
Logic Circuits

Course Topics

Overview of programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
PLC Architecture
Programming basics
Traditional control circuits
I/O devices and converting schematics
Basic timers
Retentive and cascading timers
Basic counters
Program control
Special functions
Data manipulation, comparisons, and set-point control
Math instructions
Sequencers and Shift registers
PLC practices, maintenance, and troubleshooting
Process control
Controllers and data acquisition systems
Computer-controlled machines and processes
Data communications, computer numeric control, and robotics

Laboratory Topics

Laboratory experiments are designed to reinforce lecture topics. In addition, a project will be assigned to be worked on over several laboratory periods. Each student is required to submit a formal project report or give a presentation

Coordinator
Richard Kelnhofer

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EE 474 - Programmable Controllers