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Virtual safety controller according to IEC 61508 SIL3 without hardware binding

CODESYS® Virtual Safe Control SL

Virtual safety controller according to IEC 61508 SIL3 without hardware binding with container technology

CODESYS Virtual Safe Control SL

Virtualization reduces the dependency on dedicated devices with special properties. A virtualized, dual-channel security controller can now be implemented without a defined, dual-channel hardware substructure via two logical software channels. This allows you to implement security applications with any containerized hardware.

Advantages

Product of the year

Technical conception

Project planning

Pilot customers

Additional information

How to get

Advantages of virtual PLCs compared to classic PLCs:

Cost savings

Replace n physical PLCs with a single platform with n virtual PLCs. Immense cost savings in hardware procurement, wiring, operation, and maintenance.

Scalability

Simple scaling through dynamic generation of control instances and the option of expanding the hardware independently of the software.

Saves space and reduces cabling

CODESYS Virtual Control SL requires neither space in the control cabinet nor cabling. The I/Os are simply connected via Industrial Ethernet.

Flexible orchestration

Set up / delete virtual PLCs with or without Linux knowledge.

Security by design

Security by design by distributing tasks to several independent control instances with powerful intercommunication.

Maintenance made easy

Central maintenance and servicing of virtual control systems with IT system technologies and convenience, including application updates

Flexibility

With CODESYS Virtual Control, you can implement new functions in your machine. New hardware is no longer necessary.

SoftSafety

Realize virtual safety control in accordance with IEC 61508 SIL3 through Diversified Encoding.

Reduced downtime

If a device fails, no redundant PLC structure is necessary. Why? Because a central hardware executes several virtual PLCs. The result: higher availability.

Why CODESYS Virtual Safe Control?

Certified Safety

CODESYS Virtual Safe Control is certified according to IEC 61508 for applications requiring Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL3).

Seamless integration

CODESYS Virtual Safe Control integrates perfectly into existing CODESYS environments. Use proven development tools and methods for your safety‑related applications as well.

Virtual environments

Take advantage of virtualization:
Reduce hardware costs, enjoy greater freedom in your hardware selection, optimize your IT resources, and make your automation solutions even more flexible.

CODESYS Virtual Safe Control SL: Product of the Year 2024

1st place in the "Control and regulation" category of the readers' poll for Product of the Year 2024 ("Computer&Automation"): CODESYS Virtual Safe Control SL. This product makes it possible to implement SIL3-certified safety controllers - without certified hardware!

Processing of the safety application in two separate software channels with coded processing.

Technical conception:

  • 1st channel: Execution of the realized security application in the original
  • 2nd channel: Execution of the safety application with the coded processing algorithms - including initial error detection
  • Execution of both channels: in one process, sequentially one after the other on one CPU core
  • Permanent comparison with functional safety, similar to hardware solutions
  • Diversified encoding: distribution of secure inputs to both channels or merging of outputs from both channels into secure outputs
  • Further resilient safety criterion: Differentiated monitoring of the control flow in the coded channel at runtime of the safety application
  • Supported fieldbus systems: PROFISafe (F-Host), EtherCAT Safety (FSoE®)
  • Perfect addition to functional virtual control systems
  • Joint safety concept from CODESYS and SIListra Systems GmbH approved by TÜV SÜD
  • CODESYS Virtual Safe Control SL, has now officially been certified by TÜV SÜD and is available in the CODESYS Store. The product meets the requirements of IEC 61508 for SIL3 applications.
  • Currently for architectures with x86 CPUs, from mid-2026 also for ARM-based platforms.

 

Project planning in the CODESYS Development System:

  • Prerequisite: Installed "CODESYS Safety Extension" add-on
  • Deployment of virtual controllers via image on the target hardware by users - number and scope (functional or safe virtual controller) depending on the performance reserves of the target system
  • Currently supported deployment tools:
  • Project planning of the functional controller in the CODESYS Development System with virtual safety controller as a child application for the functional PLC

 

CODESYS Store How to get

How to get

Download the images of CODESYS Virtual Safe Control SL from the CODESYS Store and use them as described. Alternatively, install CODESYS Virtual Safe Control SL via the CODESYS Installer.

Purchase the appropriate application-based single licenses for CODESYS Virtual Safe Control SL via the CODESYS Store.

Downloads

CODESYS Virtual PLC / Virtual Safe PLC (Flyer)

Virtualized control systems with CODESYS

3 MB

25.10.2023

CODESYS for Users (Brochure)

CODESYS - One software. All applications. Your automation solution.

2 MB