124 Rockwell Automation Publication 2080-UM002N-EN-E - November 2022
Chapter 7          Program Execution in Micro800
Execution Rules
This section illustrates the execution of a program. The execution follows four main steps 
within a loop. The loop duration is a cycle time for a program. 
 
When a cycle time is specified, a resource waits until this time has elapsed before starting the 
execution of a new cycle. The POUs execution time varies depending on the number of active 
instructions. When a cycle exceeds the specified time, the loop continues to execute the cycle 
but sets an overrun flag. In such a case, the application no longer runs in real time.
When a cycle time is not specified, a resource performs all steps in the loop then restarts a 
new cycle without waiting.
Optional Module Normally before the read inputs step, the controller will verify the presence of any configured 
plug-in and expansion I/O modules. If a plug-in or expansion I/O module is missing, the 
controller will fault. In Connected Components Workbench software release 10 or later, an 
Optional Module configuration option is added to prevent a missing plug-in I/O or expansion
I/O module from faulting the controller if enabled. This option can be enabled separately for 
each plug-in I/O or expansion I/O module.
Controller Load and 
Performance 
Considerations
Within one program scan cycle, the execution of the main steps (as indicated in the Execution 
Rules diagram) could be interrupted by other controller activities that have higher priority than 
the main steps. Such activities include,
1. User Interrupt events, including STI, EII, and HSC interrupts (when applicable);
2. Communication data packet receiving and transmitting;
3. PTO Motion engine periodical execution (if supported by the controller).
When one or several of these activities occupy a significant percentage of the Micro800 
controller execution time, the program scan cycle time will be prolonged. The Watchdog 
timeout fault (0xD011) could be reported if the impact of these activities is underestimated, 
and the Watchdog timeout is set marginally. The Watchdog setting defaults to 2 s and 
generally never needs to be changed.
In firmware revision 21.011, Ethernet Implicit I/O messaging performance can be affected by 
significant usage of interrupts in the project. As the interrupt has a higher priority than 
Implicit messaging, use the Ethernet Diagnostics in Connected Components Workbench 
software to check if there are dropped or missed packets with the desired setup.
1. Read inputs
2. Execute POUs
(1)
/programs
3. Write outputs
4. Housekeeping (data log, recipe, communications)
(1) Program Organizational Unit.
4
1
2
3
1
2
3
ATTENTION: If the optional module feature is enabled, use the 
MODULE_INFO instruction to verify that the module is present because the 
controller will not fault if the module is missing.