OPC-driven data exchange between MATLAB and PLC-controlled system

Abstract

Many manufacturing, and mechatronics systems, are controlled by PLCs and SCADAsystems. These systems provide very limited possibilities for research, optimisation, testing and simulation. The main advantage of this proposed solution, which uses OPC, is an integration of the numerical, computational and graphical strengths of MATLAB with the robustness of industrial systems. The experimental setup, the processing of the data and the results are presented with particular emphasis on student use in a laboratory environment but the techniques employed in the experiments will likely to be seen by the students in their subsequent employment after completion of their college careers