When learning ladder logic, I was told that some new PLC systems were moving to scripted programming languages. My instructor assured us that we would not need to know anything other than ladder logic ...

When a PLC is used primarily to replace relays, timers, and counters, it's hard to beat the simplicity and usefulness of ladder diagram programming. Their ability to accept programming in ladder ...

A recent EDN article dealt with a number of programming tips for embedded microcontrollers. One of those tips, using state machines, is a programming approach that is especially useful, yet probably ...

This installment starts a new segment of lessons about state machines. The subject conceptually continues the event-driven theme and is one of my favorites [1,2]. Today, you’ll learn what event-driven ...

Most embedded systems are reactive by nature. They measure certain properties of their environment with sensors and react on changes. For example, they display something, move a motor, or send a ...