Raspberry Pi

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Following these instructions, you can turn your Raspberry PI B or B+ into a complete IEC-61131 PLC.

Hardware Setup

The LLExec PLC runtime has been tested on Raspberry PI Model B and B+, Raspberry PI 2 model B and Raspberry PI 3 model B, with I/O expansions PIFace or PIFace Digital 2, depending on the model of Raspberry PI. The runtime PLC runs even without I/O expansion, it can be used to drive standard fieldbus modules, following the Modbus TCP standard. It can be used to drive Modbus RTU devices as well, but you need an external and supported (by raspbian) RS485 to USB device. It also requires an SD or uSD at least 8GB to program the modified Raspbian image.

Software Setup

You can proceed in two alternative ways:

  • (3) Program a SD or uSD card with a full Raspbian image, already configured to run LLExec PLC runtime.
  • (4) Install LLExec PLC runtime on a standard Raspbian image.

Follow one of the two options, then go to section (5) Get the free licence

Program a SD or uSD card with a full Raspbian image, already configured to run LLExec PLC runtime

The image is used to program an SD card, containing:

  • the Raspbian distribution
  • a modified version of the kernel that allows more accurate timing when used with PIFace I/O expansions and only on Raspberry PI models 1.
Note: if you are using Raspberry PI 2 or 3, this kernel is not needed.
  • the LLExec PLC runtime

Download image

You can download the file rasppi_191122_raspbian_plc_nodered.rar from our site at url: 

http://www.axelsoftware.it/pwiki/pub/rasppi_200116_raspbian_plc_nodered.rar

Unzip the image

Use the preferred utility to decompress the archive (eg. WinRAR)

Program an SD or uSB (at least 8 GB)

Using the preferred utility (eg. Win32DiskImager), write rasppi.img into an SD card or uSD.

Login into the system

Login as user pi, password axel


Install LLExec PLC runtime on a standard Raspbian image

With this procedure you can install the runtime Exec in a existing Raspberry PI Raspbian image. With this procedure you will have less precise timings when using PIFace I/O expansions and Raspberry PI models 1.

Download the runtime

You can download the latest PLC runtime from our website axelsoftware.it from the Downloads section.

In the Downloads section expand the list Software -> Runtimes and please select LLExec for RaspberryPI (Linux ARM)

Unzip the runtime

Use the preferred utility to decompress the archive (eg. WinRAR)

Copy the entire directory plc on Raspberry PI

Copy in the default path that is /data/plc , and make sure the file LLExec has execute permissions.

Create a standard startup script

As an example the included LLExecDaemon can be used, and hook it to the init sequence. This script will change the current directory to /data/plc and launch the file ./LLExec, with root permissions - required. 

sudo cp /data/plc/LLExecDaemon /etc/init.d
sudo ln -s /etc/init.d/LLExecDaemon /etc/rc5.d

Enable SPI driver (optional)

This step is necessary only if you use a PIFace expansion card. Run the command 

sudo raspi-config

Click the Advanced options Choose the A6 SPI and press Yes for the SPI interface to be enabled at startup.

Configure the network

Change the file /etc/network/interfaces in order to assign your preferred IP address.

Installation and first use of LogicLab

Downloads of LogicLab Automation Suite

Go to our website axelsoftware.it, In the Downloads section expand the list Software -> LogicLab Automation Suite Download the file LogicLab Automation Suite

Install the setup

Launch LogicLab

Press New Project Select target Raspberry Pi 1.1 Give the project a name and press the OK button.

  • From the menu On-line select Setup communication.

Select the protocol GDB, then press the Properties button.

  • Change the IP address, with your Raspberry PI one and confirm.
  • Choose Connect from the menu Online:

If everything went correctly, you should see the green word Connected on the status bar in the lower right corner of LogicLab

Demo mode and licensing

The LLExec runtime will run in demo-mode: this means that is fully operational for 30 minutes.
After this time is expired, is required to reboot the Raspberry PI.

To obtain a full license you can ask for:

  • Free licenses that will be offered ONLY after presenting a detailed description of the purpose of the license.If you need it for educational purpose please introduce you, your school and your class project including teacher references.
    PLEASE NOTE: any incomplete request will be denied.
  • Commercial license: please ask for a quotation.

To request a license you need first to retrieve your HardwareID. On LogicLab switch to the tab "Resources", then click on the root node "Raspberry PI". This will open a window, if the device is connected, you will see "Status: Not licensed". Please click '"Read"' on HardwareID field, then sent that string to support@axelsw.it.


More informations

For more information you can consult the online manual, or follow our tutorials available in the news section of the website or on YouTube by following the link below: 

https://www.youtube.com/user/Axelsrl

In case of troubles: save a Log File

In the case of any trouble, you can save the log file, this file can be sent to support@axelsw.it Steps:

  • login into the Raspberry PI
  • acquire root priviledges
sudo -s
  • go to directory /data/plc
  • launch ./AlTracePrint LLExec
  • press s
  • insert the preferred filename
  • then press q to quit AlTracePrint
  • send us the log file you saved

Extend runtime

Please consult the page Raspberry Pi Dev

Support

For any technical issue please send an email support@axelsw.it

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