Cloud-based industrial control services: The next generation PLC

Abstract

The paper presents the concept and implementation for Cloud-based Industrial Control Services (CICS) as a next generation PLC. As a distributed service-oriented control system in the cloud, a CICS controller can replace the traditional PLC for applications with uncritical timing in terms of Industry 4.0. The CICS services are programmed to industry standards, pursuant to standard IEC 61131-3, and executed in a CICS runtime in the cloud. This paper gives an overview about the concept and implementation, discusses the results of application examples as well as the evaluation of the operability of a CICS controller.