Welcome to the
PLCnext Technology ‑ Info Center
In this information platform you find the firmware documentation for some of the PLCnext Control devices. PLCnext Technology is an open industrial automation ecosystem designed by Phoenix Contact. If you're completely new to PLCnext Technology, you might find it helpful to get the gist and read about some use cases in the PLCnext Community first.
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Short introduction
Compared to the classic PLC you'll maybe know well already, the firmware of a PLCnext Control is different. The key feature is the openness of the whole system. To take you on board of this whole new world of opportunities, we set up the following graphic.
By hovering of the above boxes you can use the above drawing as a springboard: stop at interesting items to see its tooltip, then click if you want to follow the link behind it.
PLCnext Runtime System
The PLCnext Runtime System is at the heart of the firmware. Its main parts are shown in the center. It is sitting on a PLCnext-specific, real-time capable Linux® derivative which is the operating system on every PLCnext Control. From that base, you can choose the features and connection standards that suit your use case.
With PLCnext Technology, you can develop in the popular IEC 61131‑3 languages, with Simulink® models, and even in high-level languages. Code of all sources plugs into the PLCnext Runtime System to run synchronized by means of its core components, the ESM, and the GDS.
Services and interfaces
For your convenience, PLCnext Control firmware comes with a range of built-in service components prevailing in industrial automation, such as an OPC UA® Server, DataLogger, and a sophisticated set of notifications and alarms you can rely on in programming. And what's an industrial automation system worth without interfaces for communicating from all the other languages, frameworks, or even applications running out of containers?
Of course you can write your own function extensions to the PLCnext Runtime System as well, enhancing our open industrial automation platform for some use cases. In PLCnext Technology, this goes without saying: If others could benefit from your extraordinary solution, then share or sell it to other users via the PLCnext Store.
Sources of information
There are various sources of information on the subject of PLCnext Technology, depending on your requirements and on which facet of PLCnext Technology you are looking for.
The following overview should help you to find the right source of information.
PLCnext Technology ‑ Info Center (this one!)
User documentation for the PLCnext Runtime System.
PLCnext Technology - Security Info Center
Guidelines for programming according to IEC 62443-2 standard.
User documentation for buying and selling in the PLCnext Store.
PLCnext Control hardware documentation
Overview to manuals and data sheets for PLCnext Control devices and extensions.
PLCnext Engineer software
online help
User documentation for the engineering software PLCnext Engineer.
PLCnext Technology C++ API programming reference
User documentation for C++ programmers.
C++ / C# examples, scripts, and frameworks by Phoenix Contact.
PLCnext Technology support forum
Swap ideas with other users and with Phoenix Contact's Technical Support.
Getting in touch with others
Your questions, hints, and feedback are always welcome. Do not hesitate to connect with other PLCnext Technology users around the world, and our passionate PLCnext Technology team at Phoenix Contact.
- For development-related questions or hints, visit the Forum section in the PLCnext Community;
to post your questions or findings, please register (no costs, no ads). - For further product information, application, and use cases, contact your local subsidiary of Phoenix Contact.
- For feedback to this information platform, please send an email to the authors.