Summary of AN AFFORDABLE AND PROGRAMMABLE PLC
This article explores repurposing an inexpensive Chinese PLC clone, identified as using an STM32F103 processor, for industrial automation within the Arduino IDE ecosystem. The author demonstrates how to access bootloader mode and program the device despite unchangeable bootloaders. By reverse-engineering hardware inputs and outputs, users can leverage this cost-effective solution without needing extensive custom interface circuitry, offering a robust alternative to more expensive industrial controllers.
Parts used in the Inexpensive Chinese PLC Clone:
- STM32F103 processor
- PLC programming environment
- Arduino IDE
- Protected interfaces
- Hardware input components
- Hardware output components
We’re all used to general purpose microcontroller boards such as the Arduino or its many imitators, but perhaps we don’t see as much of their industrial cousins. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is a computer designed to automate industrial machinery, and comes with protected interfaces and usually a specific PLC programming environment. Thus [Galopago]’s work with an inexpensive Chinese PLC clone is especially interesting, providing a route forward to using it within the Arduino IDE ecosystem.
Opening it up, the processor is identified as an STM32F103, and the connection needed to place it in bootloader mode is identified. Then it can be programmed from the Arduino IDE, even though its bootloader can’t be changed. Then to complete the process it’s necessary to identify the various different inputs and outputs by old-fashioned hardware reverse engineering.
This PLC may not be quite as robust as some products costing much more money, but it still represents a cost-effective way to access a microcontroller board with much of the interface circuitry already installed that would normally be required for controlling machinery. We expect that we’ll be seeing it appear on these pages over the coming months, and perhaps there might even be another comparison in the air.
Source: AN AFFORDABLE AND PROGRAMMABLE PLC
- What is a programmable logic controller?
A computer designed to automate industrial machinery with protected interfaces. - How can you identify the processor in the discussed PLC?
The processor is identified as an STM32F103 by opening the device. - Can the bootloader of this specific PLC be changed?
No, the bootloader cannot be changed even though it can be programmed from the Arduino IDE. - What method is needed to identify the various inputs and outputs?
You must use old-fashioned hardware reverse engineering to identify the inputs and outputs. - Is this PLC as robust as products costing much more money?
No, it may not be quite as robust as some products costing much more money. - Does this project allow access to a microcontroller board with installed interface circuitry?
Yes, it represents a way to access a board with much of the required interface circuitry already installed. - What ecosystem does this work provide a route forward into?
It provides a route forward to using the device within the Arduino IDE ecosystem.
