Extension of Control Functionality through the Integration of Container Technologies (ESIC)

可编程控制器（plc）是自动化技术的核心部件。在配置和编程plc时，重点是稳定性。符合硬实时标准和长使用寿命（15年以上）是规则。在工业4.0的过程中，plc的应用领域不断扩大。增加了与云系统、面向服务的软件架构、人工智能的使用、增值服务的集成和使用的数据传输接口。如今，这些应用场景通过使用虚拟化技术（例如管理程序或容器）实现为云服务。由于现场级与云之间的通信链路增加，直接与流程相连、要求硬实时性的应用场景无法实现云服务。因此，有必要将这些应用场景直接集成到控制系统中，并能够实现短开发周期和高更新频率。在云环境中，这可以通过使用容器技术实现。这些技术在控制环境中的应用，特别是在PLC中的应用，还需要进一步的研究。符合硬实时标准的容器的可执行性、容器间通信和控制体系结构上进程的隔离是有待研究的领域。

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are core components of automation technology. When configuring and programming PLCs, the focus is on stability. Compliance with hard real-time criteria and a long service life (15+ years) are the rule. In the course of Industry 4.0, the field of application of PLCs has expanded. Interfaces for data transmission with cloud systems, service-oriented software architectures, the use of artificial intelligence, the integration and use of value-added services have been added. Today, these application scenarios are realized as cloud services using virtualization technologies (e.g. hypervisor or container). Due to the increased communication link between the field level and the cloud, application scenarios, which are directly linked to the process and require hard real-time, cannot be implemented as cloud services. It is therefore necessary to integrate these application scenarios directly into the control system and to be able to realize the short development cycles and high update frequencies. In the cloud environment, this is made possible by the use of container technologies, among other things. There is still a need for research into the use of these technologies in the control environment, especially in the PLC. The executability of containers in compliance with hard real-time criteria, inter-container communication and the isolation of processes on control architectures are open fields of research.