Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are applied in a wide field of application and, especially, for safetycritical controls. Thus, there is the demand for high reliability of PLCs. Moreover, the increasing complexity of the PLC programs and the short time-to-market are hard to cope with. Formal verification techniques such as model checking allow for proving whether a PLC program meets its specification. However, the manual formalization of PLC programs is error-prone and time-consuming. This paper presents a novel approach to apply model checking to machine controls. The PLC program is modeled in form of Unified Modeling Language (UML) statecharts that serve as the input to our tool that automatically generates a corresponding formal model for the model checker NuSMV. We evaluate the capabilities of the proposed approach on an industrial machine control

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The correct designing of today's logistic systems has become an increasingly cumbersome process, especially due to their growing sizes and heterogeneities. While simulation methods provide a means to validate the functional behaviour of logistic systems, formal methods allow for proving that the system completely fulfills its specification. This paper presents a novel approach to the formal verification of material handling systems, which is based on setting up material handling system elements that are proven to be correct. The application of the approach is shown using an illustrative example

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) get increasing importance in different application areas. In building automation, applications on WSN are expected to utilize a large number of nodes in a heterogeneous environment. They are too complex to be developed in the traditional way of prototyping and debugging. In fact, new techniques are needed to support the design of WSN applications efficiently. Simulation is one important method to decrease design time and to increase design quality. This is crucial for applications in building automation because very high reliability and robustness are required. In this paper major challenges of simulating wireless sensor network applications are discussed. Using a WSN simulation framework, functional simulation and the evaluation of robustness of WSN applications in building automation environments are demonstrated

The goal of the research project enerMAT is the reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions of buildings. Especially solar heating systems are installed in more and more buildings. This paper introduces a novel approach for simulation and optimisation that aims to improve the performance of building controllers and especially solar heating controllers by simulation and model-in-the-loop tests. A new generation of energy-aware optimised building energy management systems (BEMS) will be discussed and its advantages over the older controllers highlighted. The energy-aware optimisation will be shown on a model-based approach with an overall building system model enabling the assessment of the energy performance for different design and operation alternatives of the building automation system in interaction with the building. This system model will allow a simulation-based, energy-aware, global, dynamic, multi-criterial optimisation of BEMS. In this paper, the idea, the approach, and the actual state of the project research is presented with a focus on solar heating controllers.