User-friendly programming for mobile machines with openSYDE und logi.CAD 3

openSYDE, from the control systems company STW, is a framework and toolset for the implementation, analysis, maintenance and documentation of functions and programs in control systems for mobile machinery. It is characterized above all by its open architecture. It offers the OEM open interfaces to other programs and the possibility to integrate third party components.

The focus of openSYDE is the control system architecture and design, with peripherals. For this purpose, openSYDE has the programming environment logi.CAD 3 integrated into the workflow. logi.CAD 3 can be started directly from openSYDE and with openSYDE generated code, automatically takes over the base configuration of the control system for the further programming. This is one part of the development environment’s lifecycle support, which accompanies the machine manufacturer throughout the entire product lifecycle.

With logi.CAD 3, together with the runtime system Micro-Runtime-System µRTS 3, powerful and cost-effective solutions can be realized. logi.CAD 3 offers a powerful ST (Structured Text) Editor and the graphical FBD (Function Block Diagram) Editor. The environment and control system architecture also allows the integration of C and C++ code, and the complete data storage is in ASCII format. In contrast to proprietary binary codes from other suppliers, this makes further processing far simpler – especially in conjunction with the integrated code generator.

logi.CAD 3 utilizes the open source programming environment Eclipse. This means a large number of additional plugins are available, many of them free of charge. One example is support for the source code management system GIT. Using Eclipse as a basis ensures long-term availability and development of both the environment and plugins.

Another advantage of logi.CAD 3, and thus of openSYDE, is the runtime system µRTS 3 of the programming environment mentioned above. µRTS 3 requires around 30 kB of memory. Thus, the machine manufacturer has almost the entire memory of the target controller available for the application. Further, the CAN safety protocol ECeS developed by STW, which is inherently supported by the STW controllers of the ESX family, is also particularly resource friendly. The SIL2/PL d-certified protocol significantly reduces the amount of data on the CAN bus and provides a higher speed of data transfer than the CANopen safety protocol.

openSYDE, logi.CAD 3 and the ESX controller family complement each other in an optimal way. Together they provide manufacturers of construction, agricultural, forestry and municipal machinery, as well as automated guided vehicles and mobile working robots, with a perfect ecosystem for system design, analysis, monitoring and service of their machines.

About STW

As an internationally active company with Headquarter in Kaufbeuren, we stand for the digitalization, automation and electrification of mobile machines for 35 years. With generic or customer-specific products, systems and solutions developed and manufactured at our headquarters in Germany, we support our customers with innovative technology on their way to making their machines the best in the world.

Supplemented by partner products and accompanied by our training, support and system teams, we help medium-sized companies and large OEMs to increase the performance and efficiency of their machines and increase safety. Through communication between machines, connectivity with cloud platforms and additional partner services, we enable the integration of mobile machines into business processes.