{"product_id":"soft-plc-architecture-explained-silas-ketter-9798189646133","title":"Soft PLC Architecture Explained: Deploying PC-Based Industrial Controllers for Flexible and Software-Defined Automation","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA practical guide to modern industrial control\u003c\/b\u003e, this book explains how soft PLCs work, where they fit, and how to design them for dependable plant-floor use. It focuses on \u003ci\u003ePC-based controllers\u003c\/i\u003e as real automation platforms, not just software concepts, and shows how architecture, timing, I\/O, security, and deployment decisions shape day-to-day performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders get a structured view of the full stack, from runtime execution and memory models to fieldbus integration, diagnostics, and recovery behavior. The book also connects control logic with real operational concerns such as jitter, logging, versioning, commissioning, and change control, making it useful for engineers who need systems that are both flexible and maintainable.\u003c\/p\u003eInside, you'll find coverage of: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSoft PLC fundamentals\u003c\/b\u003e, including scan cycles, control responsibilities, and comparisons with traditional PLCs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCore architecture\u003c\/b\u003e, such as task scheduling, tag mapping, data blocks, communication layers, and I\/O abstraction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eReal-time performance\u003c\/b\u003e, with practical methods for measuring timing, reducing jitter, and building execution budgets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePlatform choices\u003c\/b\u003e, including operating system behavior, CPU affinity, storage impact, and runtime isolation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eI\/O and field integration\u003c\/b\u003e, from direct and remote I\/O to industrial Ethernet, analog signals, encoders, and safety inputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSoftware-defined automation\u003c\/b\u003e, covering reusable control modules, recipes, parameters, events, and alarms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eProgramming patterns\u003c\/b\u003e, including state machines, function blocks, error handling, and sequencing logic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDiagnostics and maintainability\u003c\/b\u003e, with observability, logging strategies, health indicators, and dashboards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSafety and reliability\u003c\/b\u003e, including watchdogs, output inhibition, restart behavior, and controlled shutdowns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDeployment and security\u003c\/b\u003e, from release workflow and acceptance testing to access control and remote access protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy this book stands out: \u003c\/b\u003e each chapter balances theory with a practical example, helping readers move from architecture decisions to implementation details. The final case study ties everything together in an end-to-end machine design, showing how a soft PLC project can be built, tested, commissioned, and supported in the real world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIdeal for automation engineers, controls developers, system integrators, and technical leaders who want a clear, field-oriented view of software-based industrial control.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Silas Ketter\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798189646133\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/29\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 254\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.31lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.53d","brand":"Silas Ketter","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":50666024435967,"sku":"9798189646133","price":19.21,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_16d7f516-379e-4fbd-ac37-027f96b5dbd7.jpg?v=1792015183","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/soft-plc-architecture-explained-silas-ketter-9798189646133","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}