Abstract
The MatPLC is an international project to create and distribute a program similar to a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) for POSIX Operating Systems, and licensed under the GNU Public License. Considerable effort has been put into designing a robust and scalable system, which includes novel features and capabilities not found in standard PLCs.

Abstract
The MatPLC is an international project to develop a program similar to a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) for POSIX operating systems. It is an open source application consisting of a core, generic modules, and tools for creating custom modules. Since many control and monitoring systems are distributed in nature, they require that the application be running on an embedded system capable of withstanding harsh environments. This paper describes the porting of the MatPLC code base to a commercial embedded system running on a PowerPC CPU. Time measurements were taken to determine whether the resulting code would be suitable for control applications.

Abstract
When developing applications with high integrity requirements, the choice of programming language is of utmost importance. In fact, IEC 61508 includes a table with suggested programming languages for each SIL (Safety Integrity Level). The languages defined in IEC 61131-3 are included in this table, but are only highly recommended for the higher SILs if a subset of the languages are used. In this paper we propose restrictions and changes to the IEC 61131-3 languages that constitute a subset of the languages with the objective of making them appropriate for the development of high integrity applications.

Abstract
The IEC 61499 standard defines function blocks with which distributed control applications may be developed, and how these are interpreted and executed. With the distributed nature of the control application, many issues also need to be taken into account. In this paper we propose a replication management framework for IEC 61499 applications, and discuss some mechanisms and protocols that may be used for this purpose.

Abstract
As with most disciplines, the best way to learn and understand the relevant theoretical aspects related to industrial automation is by applying them to solve concrete problems. In order to increase the motivation of students a physical model of a manufacturing cell was acquired, which is, however, easily susceptible to being damaged through incorrect control sequences. To allow students safe access to this physical model, an interlocking application was designed and implemented. Additionally, a configurable software based simulator was also devised, which allows the students to work away from the laboratory in their own time. These tools have resulted in a higher flexibility in organizing courses and class work, due to their configurability and the way the physical model was integrated into the laboratory.

Abstract
The international Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61499 architecture incorporated several function block with which distributed control application may be developed, and how these are interpreted and executed. However, due the distributed nature of the control applications, many issues also need to be taken into account. Most of these are due to the new error model and failure modes of the distributed hardware on which the distributed application is executed and also due the incomplete standards definition of the execution models. IEC 61499 frameworks does not clarify how to handle with replication of software and hardware components. In this paper we propose a replication model for IEC 61499 applications and which mechanisms and protocols may be used for their support.