Glossary · Distributed automation and IEC 61499
Application mapping
Also known as: Mapping (IEC 61499), Application distribution
German: Anwendungszuordnung
In IEC 61499, application mapping is the assignment of the function block instances of an application to the resources of the devices in a system configuration, which determines where each part of the application executes.
- IEC 61499
- Standards
In one sentence
In IEC 61499, application mapping assigns the function blocks of an application to device resources, deciding where each runs.
Example
The conveyor control application is mapped so that its drive blocks run on the controller in the motor cabinet and its sorting blocks on an edge device.
How it applies
- Engineering: IEC 61499 separates what an application does from where it runs. The application is designed as a Function block network first; mapping then distributes its blocks to resources. Connections that cross device boundaries require communication, which the tool typically realizes with communication service interface function blocks.
- Commissioning: A different mapping can change timing, because events and data travel over the network instead of within one resource. Performance must be checked for the final mapping.
- Change management: Remapping an application to other devices is a change to the system, even if the application logic is unchanged. It needs testing and a record in Configuration control.
- Documentation: Document the mapping as a table or diagram: which block instances run on which device and resource, and which connections cross the network.
Application mapping vs. function block mapping
Application mapping describes the distribution of a whole application. Function block mapping is the individual assignment of one function block instance to a resource. Application mapping is the sum of these assignments.