Programmable Logic Controller Block Monitoring System for Memory Attack Defense in Industrial Control Systems

Cyberattacks targeting industrial control systems(ICS)are becoming more sophisticated and advanced than in the past.A programmable logic controller(PLC),a core component of ICS,controls and monitors sensors and actuators in the field.However,PLC has memory attack threats such as program injection and manipulation,which has long been a major target for attackers,and it is important to detect these attacks for ICS security.To detect PLC memory attacks,a security system is required to acquire and monitor PLC memory directly.In addition,the performance impact of the security system on the PLC makes it difficult to apply to the ICS.To address these challenges,this paper proposes a system to detect PLC memory attacks by continuously acquiring and monitoring PLC memory.The proposed system detects PLC memory attacks by acquiring the program blocks and block information directly from the same layer as the PLC and then comparing them in bytes with previous data.Experiments with Siemens S7-300 and S7-400 PLC were conducted to evaluate the PLC memory detection performance and performance impact on PLC.The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system detects all malicious organization block(OB)injection and data block(DB)manipulation,and the increment of PLC cycle time,the impact on PLC performance,was less than 1 ms.The proposed system detects PLC memory attacks with a simpler detection method than earlier studies.Furthermore,the proposed system can be applied to ICS with a small performance impact on PLC.

Programmable Logic Based on Large Magnetoresistance of Germanium

We find extremely large low-magnetic-field magnetoresistance （~350% at 0.2 T and ~180% at 0.1 T） in germa- nium at room temperature and the magnetoresistanee is highly sensitive to the surface roughness. This unique magnetoelectric property is applied to fabricate logic architecture which could perform basic Boolean logic in- cluding AND, OR, NOR and NAND. Our logic device may pave the way for a high performance microprocessor and may make the germanium family more advanced.

HRPDF: A Software-Based Heterogeneous Redundant Proactive Defense Framework for Programmable Logic Controller

Programmable logic controllers(PLCs)play a critical role in many industrial control systems,yet face increasingly serious cyber threats.In this paper,we propose a novel PLC-compatible software-based defense mechanism,called Heterogeneous Redundant Proactive Defense Framework(HRPDF).We propose a heterogeneous PLC architecture in HRPDF,including multiple heterogeneous,equivalent,and synchronous runtimes,which can thwart multiple types of attacks against PLC without the need of external devices.To ensure the availability of PLC,we also design an inter-process communication algorithm that minimizes the overhead of HRPDF.We implement a prototype system of HRPDF and test it in a real-world PLC and an OpenPLC-based device,respectively.The results show that HRPDF can defend against multiple types of attacks with 10.22%additional CPU and 5.56%additional memory overhead,and about 0.6 ms additional time overhead.

Digital signal acquisition system for complex nuclear reaction experiments

A digital data-acquisition system based on XIA LLC products was used in a complex nuclear reaction experiment using radioactive ion beams.A flexible trigger system based on a field-programmable gate array(FPGA)parametrization was developed to adapt to different experimental sizes.A user-friendly interface was implemented,which allows converting script language expressions into FPGA internal control parameters.The proposed digital system can be combined with a conventional analog data acquisition system to provide more flexibility.The performance of the combined system was veri-fied using experimental data.

Design and verification of an FPGA programmable logic element based on Sense-Switch pFLASH

This paper proposes a kind of programmable logic element(PLE)based on Sense-Switch pFLASH technology.By programming Sense-Switch pFLASH,all three-bit look-up table(LUT3)functions,partial four-bit look-up table(LUT4)functions,latch functions,and d flip flop(DFF)with enable and reset functions can be realized.Because PLE uses a choice of operational logic(COOL)approach for the operation of logic functions,it allows any logic circuit to be implemented at any ratio of combinatorial logic to register.This intrinsic property makes it close to the basic application specific integrated circuit(ASIC)cell in terms of fine granularity,thus allowing ASIC-like cell-based mappers to apply all their optimization potential.By measuring Sense-Switch pFLASH and PLE circuits,the results show that the“on”state driving current of the Sense-Switch pFLASH is about 245.52μA,and that the“off”state leakage current is about 0.1 pA.The programmable function of PLE works normally.The delay of the typical combinatorial logic operation AND3 is 0.69 ns,and the delay of the sequential logic operation DFF is 0.65 ns,both of which meet the requirements of the design technical index.

Real Time Control System for Metro Railways Using PLC & SCADA

This paper proposes to adopt SCADA and PLC technology for the improvement of the performance of real time signaling&train control systems in metro railways.The main concern of this paper is to minimize the failure in automated metro railways system operator and integrate the information coming from Operational Control Centre(OCC),traction SCADA system,traction power control,and power supply system.This work presents a simulated prototype of an automated metro train system operator that uses PLC and SCADA for the real time monitoring and control of the metro railway systems.Here,SCADA is used for the visualization of an automated process operation and then the whole opera-tion is regulated with the help of PLC.The PLC used in this process is OMRON(NX1P2-9024DT1)and OMRON’s Sysmac studio programming software is used for developing the ladder logic of PLC.The metro railways system has deployed infrastructure based on SCADA from the power supply system,and each station’s traction power control is connected to the OCC remotely which commands all of the stations and has the highest command priority.An alarm is triggered in the event of an emergency or system congestion.This proposed system overcomes the drawbacks of the current centralized automatic train control(CATC)system.This system provides prominent benefits like augmenting services which may enhance a network’s full load capacity and networkflexibility,which help in easy modification in the existing program at any time.

REVIEW OF ADVANCED FPGA ARCHITECTURES AND TECHNOLOGIES

Field Programmable Gate Array(FPGA) is an efficient reconfigurable integrated circuit platform and has become a core signal processing microchip device of digital systems over the last decade. With the rapid development of semiconductor technology, the performance and system integration of FPGA devices have been significantly progressed, and at the same time new challenges arise. The design of FPGA architecture is required to evolve to meet these challenges, while also taking advantage of ever increased microchip density. This survey reviews the recent development of advanced FPGA architectures, including improvement of the programming technologies, logic blocks, interconnects, and embedded resources. Moreover, some important emerging design issues of FPGA architectures, such as novel memory based FPGAs and 3D FPGAs, are also presented to provide an outlook for future FPGA development.

Research on rapid development platform of PLC control system

In the field of industrial process control,a fast-development platform for programmable logic controller(PLC)systems is designed in order to solve two main problems of rapid development of PLC control system and programmability of controlling software.In the aspect of design,the platform is composed of hardware controlling and software monitoring and is taking industrial computer as the core.Under the Windows environment,the platform establishes the control instruction set,develops the configuration function and visual programming function of the monitoring software and it integrates PLC controller based on Visual Basic software.In order to achieve the function of data monitoring,it has realized the serial communication between computer and PLC by using RS-485 and RS-232 serial ports line communication.The platform designs the intelligent instruction scheduling strategy by studying the encoding and decoding rules of the communication instruction set.It proposes a method for rapidly developing control programs by adopting the expert control mode,which enables clients to develop and modify programs conveniently by importing instructions in a non-coded manner.After experimental testing,the platform is proved successful achieving both the rapid development of PLC control system and the rapid modification of monitoring software.

The Designed Operation of the Machine Control System on HL-2A Tokamak

The Ethernet and field-bus communications are used in the machine control system （MCS） of HL-2A. The control net, with a programmable logic controller （PLC） as its logic control master, an engineering control management station as its net server, and a timing control PC connected to a number of terminals, flexibly and freely transfers information among the nodes on it with the Ethernet transmission techniques. The PLC masters the field bus, which carries small pieces of information between PLC and the field sites reliably and quickly. The control net is connected into the data net, where Internet access and sharing of more experimental data are enabled. The communication in the MCS guarantees the digitalization, automation and centralization. Also provided are a satisfactory degree of safety, reliability, stability, expandability and flexibility for maintenance.

基于PLC和变频器技术在制冷压缩机电机正反转寿命试验装置的应用

制冷压缩机电机正反转寿命试验是压缩机电机出厂前所必需的环节。为解决传统压缩机电机正反转试验装置中设备易损坏,数据采集易出现误差以及功能单一,不易控制的不足,文章设计了基于PLC、触摸屏和变频器技术的制冷压缩机电机正反转寿命试验装置,详细介绍了该装置的PLC控制原理及程序流程。并将其进行了实际应用对比,测试结果表明:该试验装置具备能够长期运行,采集数据稳定良好,功能多样,操控简单等优势,并提高了此类试验装置的安全性。

Identifying and Verifying Vulnerabilities through PLC Network Protocol and Memory Structure Analysis

Cyberattacks on the Industrial Control System(ICS)have recently been increasing,made more intelligent by advancing technologies.As such,cybersecurity for such systems is attracting attention.As a core element of control devices,the Programmable Logic Controller(PLC)in an ICS carries out on-site control over the ICS.A cyberattack on the PLC will cause damages on the overall ICS,with Stuxnet and Duqu as the most representative cases.Thus,cybersecurity for PLCs is considered essential,and many researchers carry out a variety of analyses on the vulnerabilities of PLCs as part of preemptive efforts against attacks.In this study,a vulnerability analysis was conducted on the XGB PLC.Security vulnerabilities were identified by analyzing the network protocols and memory structure of PLCs and were utilized to launch replay attack,memory modulation attack,and FTP/Web service account theft for the verification of the results.Based on the results,the attacks were proven to be able to cause the PLC to malfunction and disable it,and the identified vulnerabilities were defined.

Synchro Controller of Radar on FPGA

This paper mainly represents the realization of synchro controller based on the programmable logic devices FPGA by request of HF ground wave radar synchro controller under the instance of making the best of the virtues of FPGA. This design introduces the data communication between PC and synchro controller by PC Bus, which can carry the synchronous signals parameters to RAM of synchro controller, then according to the theory that the result of comparing counter value with signals parameters is the needed wave, we produce all waves HF ground wave radar needs, moreover all waves are produced time-sharing in order to save resources.

A Control System of Material Handlingin FMS

The design of a control system for the material transport as used in gear-box flexible manufacturing system is presented in this paper. The scope of investigation covers material transport control, automatic vehicle, material exchange station, multi-storeyed warehouse system, NC and CNC machines and host computer etc. The paper describes the transport control system and its design, and briefly describes the communication among devices and warehouse access principles.

Design and Development of Mechatronic Application in Agricultural Irrigation Device

In order to help the small-scale farmer, an automatic irrigation control system was proposed. This system will provide an irrigation system that will ease the burden of the citizen to take care of the plant. This system will run automatically by referring to the time set by the user. As the name itself is a water control system, this system will only start irrigating when the time set triggered the water control level for the plant to grow healthily. It will automatically stop when the timer is off (1 hour). The brain of the system is the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). This is the place where all the activities are done. The irrigation will be provided by a pump that is also connected to the microcontroller. The pump will be activated until the timer has reached its time set. This system will continue running until the user presses the OFF button.

一种用于精密铸造工艺的树脂模具高效多功能固化设备的开发与应用

开发了一种基于stereo lithography appearance(SLA)光固化增材制造技术的、用于精密铸造领域树脂模具制作的后处理高效多功能固化设备。通过对核心机械结构的全新设计和加工工艺的深入探究,实现了可变循环散热、可变紫外功率、可变速固化、可变固化时间、舱门互锁等多项新功能。以programmable logic controller(PLC)和human machine interface(HMI)为中央控制器和人机交互平台,通过图形化界面编程实现了一键固化、个性化参数匹配、温差限值安全锁定等控制功能。最后通过多组目标件测试及数据对比,验证了设备具有固化目标高质量、固化过程高效率、界面操作简便、使用过程高安全等特性。其作为高效多功能的SLA光固化树脂模具后处理核心设备,具有很高的使用和推广价值。

A Versatile High-speed Image Processing System Based on DSP and CPLD

In this paper, we present an optimized design method for high-speed embedded image processing system using 32 bit floating-point Digital Signal Processor （DSP） and Complex Programmable Logic Device （CPLD）. The DSP acts as the main processor of the system： executes digital image processing algorithms and operates other devices such as image sensor and CPLD. The CPLD is used to acquire images and achieve complex logic control of the whole system. Some key technologies are introduced to enhance the performance of our system. In particular, the use of DSP/BIOS tool to develop DSP applications makes our program run much more efficiently. As a result, this system can provide an excellent computing platform not only for executing complex image processing algorithms, but also for other digital signal processing or multi-channel data collection by choosing different sensors or Analog-to-Digital （A/D） converters.

Design of transfer device for magnetic thin sheet material

In order to realize the processing and retrieval of magnetic thin sheet materials in industrial production, this paper proposed a kind of transfer device for magnetic thin sheet raw material, which uses rodless cylinders as the main motive device and the programmable logic controller （PLC） to achieve the required functions, and applies the finite element analysis method to analyze its main components in the end of the design.

A driving pulse edge modulation technique and its complex programming logic devices implementation

With the continual increase in switching speed and rating of power semiconductors, the switching voltage spike becomes a serious problem. This paper describes a new technique of driving pulse edge modulation for insulated gate bipolar transistors(IGBTs). By modulating the density and width of the pulse trains, without regulating the hardware circuit, the slope of the gate driving voltage is controlled to change the switching speed. This technique is used in the driving circuit based on complex programmable logic devices(CPLDs), and the switching voltage spike of IGBTs can be restrained through software, which is easier and more flexible to adjust. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed method.

Implementation of Dynamic Matrix Control on Field Programmable Gate Array

High performance computer is often required by model predictive control(MPC) systems due to the heavy online computation burden.To extend MPC to more application cases with low-cost computation facilities, the implementation of MPC controller on field programmable gate array(FPGA) system is studied.For the dynamic matrix control(DMC) algorithm,the main design idea and the implemental strategy of DMC controller are introduced based on a FPGA’s embedded system.The performance tests show that both the computation efficiency and the accuracy of the proposed controller can be satisfied due to the parallel computing capability of FPGA.

Compact first and second order polarization mode dispersion emulator

We propose a 1st and 2nd order polarization mode dispersion emulator （PMDE） with one variable differential group delay （DGD） clement using birefringence crystals and four polarization controllers （PCs）. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the output 1st and 2nd order polarization mode dispersion （PMD） generated by the PMDE consists with statistic theory. Compared with former PMDEs, this design is tunable, lower-cost, and more integrated for fabrication, which shows response time of 150μs, response frequency of 3.8 kHz, working wavelength of 1550 nm, total power consumption of less than 3 W, working range of 0 84 ps and 0 3600 ps^2 for 1st and 2nd order PMD emulation, respectively. Also, it is programmable and can be controlled by either singlechip or computer. It can be applied to study the outage probability of optical communication systems due to PMD effect and the effectiveness of PMD compensation.