Abstract
SFC (Sequential Function Chart) is a kind of graphic representations, which is included in IEC standards for sequential control systems. It is introduced as a specific form of PC's (Programmable Controller's) programs. For the simplicity of graphic representations and the clarity of relations of sequences, SFC is much superior to Ladder Diagram that has been so far, widely used in sequential control systems. Each element of SFC is meaningful just by the connections and SFC is strong in the representation of a flow of control sequence. However, SFC has a weak point that it is difficult to describe logic by conditions in detail like interlock relations and to represent interrupt processing. But production rules are obviously suitable for representing logic by conditions and also for interrupting process.
In this paper, we propose a method to translate SFC into production rules, and to implement SFC by production rules using RTPS (Real Time Production System) in which PSL (Production System Language) is used to describe production rules. SFC has three description elements: step representing states in systems, transition representing transition conditions of systems, and link representing the connections between step and transition. We classify the flows of SFC to three types: single sequence, selective sequence and parallel sequence, and, show that each sequence can be described by pairs of transition-step. Conceming a pair of transition-step, a rule for translating the pair of transition-step into production rules is presented. These production rules will be represented by PSL. Finally, we show an example that is implemented by an RTPS.
