With the rapid development of industrial automation technology, the demand for control software in the industry is also increasing day by day. The industrial automation ecosystem PLCnext, introduced by Phoenix Contact, a globally renowned provider of industrial automation and electrical connection solutions, has already taken a prominent position in the field of industrial automation. It has won widespread favor from global customers due to its outstanding performance, high reliability, and flexible scalability.

Recently, Phoenix Contact and Forlinx have joined forces to launch the Virtual PLCnext Control virtual controller solution and the IEC61131-3 SoftPLC software solution, bringing unprecedented innovative changes to the field of industrial automation.

01 Virtual PLCnext Control Virtual Controller Solution

Software-Hardware Decoupling, Virtual SoftPLC Solution

Software-Hardware Decoupling, Breaking the Shackles of Tradition

vPLC solution achieves software-hardware decoupling design, freeing PLC software from the reliance on dedicated hardware. It can be flexibly implanted into customer hardware systems, greatly enhancing flexibility and providing a variety of choices to meet various industrial automation needs without being constrained by specific hardware platforms.

Hybrid Programming, Enhancing Development Efficiency

vPLC solution supports IEC61131 standard and advanced languages (C, C#, Python, Simulink, etc.). The hybrid programming approach improves development efficiency, adapts to complex industrial automation scenarios, and is suitable for both traditional PLC programming engineers and advanced language programmers, jointly promoting the rapid development of industrial automation projects.

Efficient Communication, Stable and Reliable

vPLC solution supports multiple communication protocols such as PROFINET, OPC UA, Modbus, gRPC, and RESTful, ensuring efficient and stable communication. It also supports real-time multitasking processing and industrial information security strategies, enabling PLC systems to better integrate into industrial automation networks, achieving efficient data transmission and sharing, and ensuring the stable operation of the system.

Open Compatibility, Flexible Expansion

Forlinx and Phoenix Contact believe that an excellent PLC solution should be powerful and open-compatible. vPLC solution adopts an open design, supports the integration of open-source software, and connects to applications such as AI and vision algorithms, adapting to the future trends of industrial automation. It provides rich solutions for existing systems and future smart factories and IoT applications, continuously creating value and innovation.

Currently, Forlinx has multiple high-performance development board products that support running the vPLC solution and can operate stably under systems like Linux, Debian 11, and OpenEuler.

02 IEC61131-3 SoftPLC Software Solution

MULTIPROG and ProConOS embedded CLR — IEC61131 Programming and Runtime Systems for Automation Technology Manufacturers (OEM)

Phoenix Contact’s MULTIPROG programming system and ProConOS embedded CLR high-performance PLC runtime system are two perfectly matched software components that help customers develop automation systems that comply with IEC61131 standards and achieve extremely fast time-to-market.

Multi-language, Multi-platform, Multi-tasking

ProConOS eCLR • MULTIPROG supports multiple programming languages including IL, LD, FBD, ST, SFC, as well as interface languages such as Chinese, English, German, and Japanese, greatly facilitating the operation and use of global users. It also has multi-platform support capabilities, running on various CPU architectures such as ARM and X86, as well as multiple operating systems like Linux, Intime, FreeRTOS, ThreadX, and VxWorks. Additionally, its multi-tasking processing capabilities are one of its major highlights, with kernel tasks supporting multi-application on OS, and user tasks supporting up to 10 cycles and event-type tasks.

Rich Functions and High Expandability

ProConOS eCLR • MULTIPROG provides rich functions and high expandability.

MULTIPROG has typical features such as force/override, encryption, breakpoint/single-step debugging, offline simulation, logic analysis, etc.

eCLR has strong expandability (IO, Function Block, Shared Mem, etc.), outstanding performance (fully machine-code execution, supporting different hardware platforms), and supports function expansion via C++/C. Furthermore, customers can customize according to their personalized needs, such as adding custom toolbar, custom menu, custom graphical interface, etc.

Currently, Forlinx has six development board products that support the IEC61131-3 SoftPLC software solution, providing rich choices and strong support for automation technology manufacturers (OEM).

03 Collaborating for a Shared Future

The collaboration between Forlinx and Phoenix Contact to launch the vPLC solution and the IEC61131-3 SoftPLC software solution holds significant importance in terms of technological integration and innovation, enhancing industrial automation levels, promoting digital transformation, and expanding application scenarios and market demands. This collaboration not only brings unprecedented innovative changes to the field of industrial automation but also provides strong support for enterprises’ digital transformation and smart manufacturing.

Looking ahead, Forlinx and Phoenix Contact will continue to move forward hand in hand, continuously exploring new technologies and applications in the field of industrial automation, contributing more wisdom and strength to the development of global industrial automation.