PLC-based safety critical software development for nuclear power plants

Junbeom Yoo, Sungdeok Cha, Han Seong Son, Chang Hwoi Kim, Jang Soo Lee

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper proposes a PLC(Programmable Logic Controller)-based safety critical software development technique for nuclear power plants' I&C software controllers. To improve software safety, we write the software requirements specification using a formal specification notation named NuSCR [1]. NuSCR specification is then mechanically transformed into semantically equivalent Function Block Diagram(FBD), a widely used PLC programming language. Finally, we manually refine the FED programs so that redundant function blocks are identified and removed. As CASE tool supplied by PLC vendors automatically compiles the resulting FBD programs into PLC machine code, PLC software development is completed when the final FBD programs are essentially tested. Proposed development technique offers several advantages. Requirement errors are reduced as we use the formal specification notation. Consistency and completeness checks are automated, and model checking can be performed on the NuSCR specification. Safety critical errors are less likely to be introduced to the synthesized FBD programming. As a consequence, cost of developing and validating the PLC-based software can be also reduced. The proposed approach is currently being applied in developing safety-critical control software for a Korean nuclear power plant, and experience to date has been positive.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
EditorsMaritta Heisel, Peter Liggesmeyer, Stefan Wittmann
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages155-165
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)3540231765, 9783540231769
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume3219
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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