Modelling Control Systems Using IEC 61499: Applying function blocks to distributed systems

by Robert Lewis

Overview

New technologies and standards are emerging which will have a dramatic effect on the design and implementation of future industrial control systems. PLCs and PC-based soft controllers are beginning to use software components, for example function blocks, to business systems. New tools and techniques are needed to design and model these systems, such as UML and modern fieldbus technology. The IEC 61499 standard has been developed specifically to model distributed control systems. Practical tools based on IEC 61499 are likely to emerge soon to model, validate and simulate the behaviour of complex networks of function blocks and it is expected that this standard will become key to highly-developed distributed systems.

Modelling control systems using IEC 61499 provides a concise yet thorough introduction to the main concepts and models defined in the IEC 61499 standard, and particularly the use of function blocks. Incorporating industrially relevant examples to show how these can be applied, the book is ideal as a user-guide for the application of the standard for modelling distributed systems.

The book will be of particular relevance to those working in industrial control, software engineering, mechatronics and manufacturing systems.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780852967966
Publisher:	The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Publication date:	04/23/2001
Series:	Control, Robotics and Sensors
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

Robert Lewis is the UK expert on two IEC working groups defining new standards for industrial control software, covering distributed control systems (IEC 61499) and PLCs (IEC 61131). One of his particular fields of interest is the application of graphical programming techniques to improve the quality and understanding of industrial control software. He has been involved in the development of software for industrial control applications for over 15 years and recently has been working in the field of design and verification of safety critical systems. He is also the author of Programming industrial control systems IEC 1131-3 (IEE, revised edition, 1998). Robert Lewis holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and a MSc in Computer Science. He is a Fellow of the IEE and is currently Senior Consultant with Fluor Global Services.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: IEC 61499 models and concepts
• Chapter 3: Defining function block and subapplication types
• Chapter 4: Service Interface function blocks
• Chapter 5: Event function blocks
• Chapter 6: Industrial application examples
• Chapter 7: Future development
• Appendices

Editorial Reviews

'In the book, the use of the technique is illustrated in two fairly simple industrial applications. Their simplicity should not obscure the potential value of this injection of the latest developments in computer software writing into control engineering, and the value of this little book in delineating it.'

Robotica

The IEC 61499 standard was developed to model distributed control systems. This book introduces the main concepts and models defined in the IEC 61499 standard, particularly the use of function blocks, covering service interface function blocks, event function blocks, industrial application examples, and future development. The book is written as a user guide for the application of the standard for modeling distributed systems, and will useful for those working in industrial control, software engineering, and manufacturing systems. Lewis is the UK expert on two IEC working groups. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)