MicroSHADOW Research Catalogue

MicroSHADOW Research

More about MicroSHADOW Research

MicroSHADOW Research offers Ladderwork PLC products, including the innovative LadderWORKS software suite. This comprehensive tool enables efficient PLC programming, debugging, and simulation. It supports various PLC brands and provides features like ladder logic editing, online monitoring, and advanced diagnostics. The software enhances productivity for automation professionals across industries, streamlining the development and maintenance of PLC-based control systems.

LadderDIP IV: embedded PLC module for your own hardware

LadderDIP IV is MicroSHADOW Research's embedded PLC module: a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 controller on a 60-pin socket that you program in ladder logic or function block diagram. It lets an engineer build a complete PLC around their own relay or opto-isolated field interfaces, then program and update it over its native 100 Mbit Ethernet port from a Windows PC.

How LadderDIP IV works

The MicroSHADOW LDP4 LadderDIP4 Module is the controller; your carrier board supplies everything around it. The module runs at 100 MHz (100 MIPS peak) in a 100 mil (2.54 mm) 60-pin socket package and works at 3.3 V TTL levels. You design the field side yourself, such as relay drivers and opto-isolated inputs, and connect it to the module's general purpose I/O and analogue inputs. LadderDIP PLC Studio on a PC connects to the module through Ethernet to download and run the program, so your finished product needs only an RJ45 connector as its programming interface.

You supply the carrier board and field interfaces; the module supplies the controller, and PLC Studio connects to it over Ethernet.

Ladder, FBD and IEC 61131-3

Ladder logic is a graphical PLC language in which you draw a program as switches (inputs), relays (memory) and lamps (outputs), so anyone who can read a relay schematic can read the program. LadderDIP PLC Studio supports Ladder and FBD (Function Block Diagram), and MicroSHADOW states it complies with IEC/CEI 1131-3, the earlier numbering of the IEC 61131-3 standard for PLC programming languages. You do not need assembler, interrupts or hardware knowledge to write the logic. That means the customers who use your product can program it in ladder rather than C, C++ or Basic. This page does not claim support for every language in the standard: the manufacturer names Ladder and FBD only.

LadderDIP IV removes the external programming circuit that the older LadderDIP II needs.

LadderDIP IV and LadderDIP II at a glance

Model	Processor	Package	Ladder code	Programming
LadderDIP IV (LDP4)	ARM Cortex-M3, 100 MHz, 100 MIPS peak	60-pin, 2.54 mm socket	32K	Native 100 Mbit Ethernet, PLC Studio
LadderDIP II	40 MHz, 10 MIPS	40-pin, 2.54 mm socket	24K	Dedicated inputs and external programming circuit, Automation Studio

LadderDIP II is the earlier generation and is not in our catalogue. We stock the LadderDIP IV module and its programming and development products: the LadderDIP4 Development Board (listed as a bare board), the LadderDIP Development System, the LDP4 Programmer and the LadderDIP4 and BRT1L Programmer. Check each product page for what is included.

LadderDIP IV key specifications

Controller: 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 at 100 MHz, 100 MIPS peak.
Program and memory: 32K of ladder user code, plus 4K of retentive user memory (the manufacturer quotes 4 KB on one page and 4K words on another; see product page for the unit).
Digital I/O: up to 27 general purpose I/O lines at 3.3 V TTL levels.
Analogue inputs: 6 channels. The manufacturer's pages give the resolution as both 12-bit and 10-bit; see product page.
Communications: integrated 10/100 Mbit Ethernet (RJ45) and a general purpose UART.
Clock: real-time clock with backup battery.
Supply and debug: 5 to 9 VDC supply; JTAG and ISP interfaces.

Software

LadderDIP PLC Studio is the Windows development environment for LadderDIP IV, with Ladder and FBD editing and an online manual that covers MODBUS/UDP, a function library, a tutorial and error messages. Your own PLC only needs the Ethernet connector as its external programming interface. MicroSHADOW also makes LadderWORK, a separate Ladder/FBD compiler that turns a generic 8051 microcontroller into a PLC. It targets 8051 cores rather than LadderDIP, and we do not list it.

Typical applications

A custom PLC product built around your own relay and opto field interfaces
Adding ladder-programmable control to an existing machine or board design
Networked, Ethernet-connected controllers, where the module's native Ethernet port also carries programming
OEM products whose end users need to edit the control logic themselves in ladder

Frequently asked questions

What is the LadderDIP IV?

The LadderDIP IV module is MicroSHADOW Research's embedded PLC module: an ARM Cortex-M3 controller at 100 MHz on a 60-pin socket, programmed in ladder logic or FBD.

Which programming languages and standard does it use?

Ladder and FBD (Function Block Diagram), written in LadderDIP PLC Studio. MicroSHADOW states compliance with IEC/CEI 1131-3, the earlier numbering of IEC 61131-3. No other languages from the standard are claimed.

How do I program it?

Through its native 100 Mbit Ethernet port from LadderDIP PLC Studio on a Windows PC. No separate programming circuit is needed, unlike the older LadderDIP II. We also list the LDP4 Programmer and a module and BRT1L programmer bundle; see their product pages for details.

Which product should I start with?

To build the module into your own design, start with the LadderDIP IV module. For bench work, the LadderDIP4 Development Board and the LadderDIP Development System are listed for development; check each product page for contents, or ask our engineers.

Do I have to use relays or opto-isolators?

No. The module works at 3.3 V TTL levels and you design your own field interfaces, relay or opto-isolated, without restriction.

What is the analogue input resolution?

The module has 6 analogue input channels. MicroSHADOW's pages quote both 12-bit and 10-bit resolution, so please see the product page or ask our engineers before designing around it.

Source: MicroSHADOW Research product documentation. Need help choosing a model? Ask our engineers.

MicroSHADOW LadderDIP Development System

MicroSHADOW LadderDIP Development System

Vendor:
MicroSHADOW

No reviews

Regular price
€365,75 inc VAT

€304,95 exc VAT

€304,95 EUR exc tax

Regular price Sale price
€365,75 inc VAT

€304,95 exc VAT

€304,95 EUR exc tax

Unit price per
MicroSHADOW LadderDIP4 and BRT1L Programmer

MicroSHADOW LadderDIP4 and BRT1L Programmer

Vendor:
MicroSHADOW

No reviews

Regular price
€153,35 inc VAT

€127,95 exc VAT

€127,95 EUR exc tax

Regular price Sale price
€153,35 inc VAT

€127,95 exc VAT

€127,95 EUR exc tax

Unit price per
MicroSHADOW LadderDIP4 Development Board - bareboard

MicroSHADOW LadderDIP4 Development Board - bareboard

Vendor:
MicroSHADOW

No reviews

Regular price
€239,75 inc VAT

€199,95 exc VAT

€199,95 EUR exc tax

Regular price Sale price
€239,75 inc VAT

€199,95 exc VAT

€199,95 EUR exc tax

Unit price per
MicroSHADOW LDP4 LadderDIP4 Module

MicroSHADOW LDP4 LadderDIP4 Module

Vendor:
MicroSHADOW

No reviews

Regular price
€123,35 inc VAT

€102,95 exc VAT

€102,95 EUR exc tax

Regular price Sale price
€123,35 inc VAT

€102,95 exc VAT

€102,95 EUR exc tax

Unit price per
MicroSHADOW LDP4 Programmer

MicroSHADOW LDP4 Programmer

Vendor:
MicroSHADOW

No reviews

Regular price
€51,35 inc VAT

€42,95 exc VAT

€42,95 EUR exc tax

Regular price Sale price
€51,35 inc VAT

€42,95 exc VAT

€42,95 EUR exc tax

Unit price per