Overview
IEC 61499-2:2012 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies software tool requirements for engineering distributed industrial-process measurement and control systems (IPMCSs). It serves as Part 2 in the IEC 61499 series focusing on function blocks, essential for designing and managing distributed control applications.
This standard defines the functional requirements for software tools that support critical system engineering tasks such as defining function block types, resource and device types, and managing distributed systems through specification, analysis, validation, configuration, implementation, operation, and maintenance. It also facilitates the exchange of information among software tools to promote interoperability.
IEC 61499-2:2012 is a technical revision of the first edition from 2005 and incorporates updates, including enhanced support for algorithm content using CDATA sections to improve text handling.
Key Topics
-
Function Block Type Specification
Defines how software tools should support the creation and management of function block types, including event and data interfaces, internal variables, algorithms, and execution control charts (ECC).
-
Resource and Device Type Specification
Covers modeling and functional description of resources and devices that host function blocks within distributed IPMCSs.
-
Distributed IPMCS Lifecycle Support
Software tools must enable specification, analysis, validation, configuration, implementation, operation, and maintenance of distributed industrial control systems.
-
Library Element Management
Software tools are required to exchange library elements (such as function blocks and device types) in standardized formats (see Annex A of IEC 61499-2), supporting interoperability across different tools and vendors.
-
Information Delivery by Software Tool Suppliers
Suppliers must provide clear information regarding the types of library elements supported and the engineering tasks the tools address.
-
Intellectual Property and Implementation Disclosure
Library element providers may supply implementations while protecting intellectual property but must provide sufficient functional details to enable effective use.
-
Display and Editing of Declarations
Tools must present library element declarations in graphical or textual formats suitable for the engineering task and support modifications and validations.
Applications
IEC 61499-2:2012 is essential for organizations involved in:
-
Development of Industrial Automation Software
Software vendors can use this standard to create compliant engineering environments that support IEC 61499-compliant function blocks and distributed control systems.
-
Design and Engineering of Distributed Control Systems
System engineers benefit from standardized tool features to design, validate, and maintain complex distributed IPMCSs across manufacturing, process control, and automation industries.
-
Supplier and Customer Tool Interoperability
Enabling seamless exchange of library elements across software platforms ensures multi-vendor compatibility and eases system integration challenges.
-
Intellectual Property Protection in Software Components
Library element providers can protect proprietary implementations while still delivering usable and fully functional elements for end users.
Related Standards
-
IEC 61499-1:2012 – Architecture
Defines the architectural framework for function blocks and distributed control systems which IEC 61499-2 complements by specifying software tool requirements.
-
IEC 61131-3:2003 – Programmable Controllers Programming Languages
Provides programming language specifications for programmable logic controllers (PLCs), offering foundational concepts related to control software development.
-
IEC 61499-4 – Compliance Profiles for Devices and Resources
Details classifications and technical profiles for devices and resources hosting function blocks in distributed automation systems.
-
ISO/IEC 8824 – ASN.1 Specification
Supports standardized data exchange formats critical for interoperability between software tools exchanging IEC 61499 library elements.
Keywords: IEC 61499-2, function blocks, software tool requirements, industrial-process measurement and control systems, IPMCS, distributed control systems, library elements, engineering support system, interoperability, IEC standards, automation software.
