Towards component-based control system engineering with IEC61499

Component technology has rapidly expanded and become the dominating development technology in industrial automation. But the adoption of component-based control system engineering (CBCSE) is significantly slower due to the lack of appropriate methodologies. To address this problem, the IEC61499 Function Block (FB) standard is exploited. Based on a specific view on component technology as well as CBCSE, the component model and framework in the context of IEC61499 are identified. By integrating new technologies in software engineering with IEC61499, an innovative engineering methodology for CBCSE is proposed. The FB construct is employed as the main building component for modern industrial control system. Illustration is presented of a typical experimental system using the proposed engineering methodology, which promises to improve reusability, modularity, scalability and maintainability in automation systems, while supporting control engineering in a cost- and time effective manner.