Control Software Reuse Strategies with IEC 61499

Abstract

The IEC 61499 gives developers considerable freedom and offers several features that support reuse.Although this can help the adoption of the standard into an organization's development process, the range of design decisions can also harm the reusability of software, ifcomponents are developed with incompatible design principles. Guidelines are needed, but the unique backgrounds and market positions of industrial players must be respected. The paper analyzes some alternative solutions that were developed by automation designers using IEC 61499, although the solutions differ considerably, it is very difficult to rate their reuse potential absolutely. The factors that must be addressed in a reuse strategy are discussed, concluding with the suggestion that it is not possible to present detailed guidelines that would apply to the entire industry.

Evolution of software in automated production systems: Challenges and research directions

“…Even software design patterns for IEC 61499 programs, e.g., Distributed Application, Proxy and Model-View-Controller, were defined (Christensen, 2000) and evaluated (Strömman et al, 2005). However, although IEC 61499 runtimes on state of the art controllers exist (Vyatkin, 2011), "IEC 61499 has a long way in order to be seriously considered by the industry" (Thramboulidis, 2013).…”

Usability Experiments to Evaluate UML/SysML-Based Model Driven Software Engineering Notations for Logic Control in Manufacturing Automation

“…The same challenge occurs with case studies testing industrial experts and/or researchers as e.g. described in [27] and [28]. In both studies, a significant small group of participants were observed during courses on programming in accordance to the IEC 61499 compared to IEC 61131-3 standard and an Object Oriented approach.…”

“…Using different notations modeled solutions are different two regarding number of nodes and edges of the correct master model (see Appendix B for an example). As Strömmann [27] already realized often different correct solutions are created by different subjects, which should be evaluated equally good. Moreover, equality of nodes in a class diagram (abstract representation) and nodes and edges in an activity diagram (low level, object related) are rated equally by Schalles.…”

“…Strömman et al [27] compared IEC 61499 with IEC 61131-3 in logic control design to foster reuse. Professionals and researchers act as subjects programming a lifter application during a workshop.…”

Professional designers' adaptations of IEC 61499 to their individual work practices

“…This added freedom of design can be used to increase advantages in several areas as decentralization, reuse, flexibility, optimization, formal verification et.c. For example the solutions can be designed for different kind of reusability goals [21].…”