logiccloud: Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) as a Smart Service from the Cloud

The article describes the concept and implementation of an industrial-suited PLC from the cloud. The individual control instances can be easily set up using containerization and distributed anywhere in the network to Edge, Fog or Cloud computers and used as a smart service via a pay-per-use billing model. First evaluations show that these logiccloud controls can be used safely for non-critical real-time applications with different process times.

I. Introduction

It is certainly undisputed that the ubiquitous networking of all components plays a decisive role in digitalization of production in the sense of Industry 4.0. Local and global networking based on IP networks is of particular importance here.