Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · Distributed automation and IEC 61499

IEC 61499

Also known as: IEC 61499 standard, IEC 61499 function blocks

German: IEC 61499

IEC 61499 is the international standard series that defines an event-driven function block architecture for distributed industrial process measurement and control systems, covering the architecture (Part 1), software tool requirements (Part 2) and rules for compliance profiles (Part 4).

  • IEC 61499
  • Standards

In one sentence

IEC 61499 defines an event-driven function block architecture for designing control applications distributed across devices.

Example

A machine builder develops its modular line in IEC 61499, so that the same application can be redistributed when customers order more or fewer stations.

How it applies

  • Engineering: IEC 61499 models systems at several levels: system configuration, devices, resources, applications and function blocks. Applications are designed independently of hardware and then mapped to devices. Execution is driven by events rather than by a fixed scan cycle.
  • Tools and runtimes: Commercial and open-source tools and runtimes exist, for example the open-source Eclipse 4diac. Interoperability between products depends on shared compliance profiles.
  • Adoption: IEC 61499 is used in modular machines, energy systems and software-defined automation approaches. Many plants combine it with IEC 61131-3 controllers.
  • Documentation: IEC 61499 projects need documentation at each level: application diagrams, function block type references, mapping tables and device configurations. Its layered models match well with structured documentation approaches such as DITA map hierarchies.

IEC 61499 vs. IEC 61131-3

IEC 61131-3 programs execute cyclically on one controller. IEC 61499 applications are event-driven and can be distributed across devices. IEC 61499 reuses IEC 61131-3 data types and often structured text for algorithms, so skills transfer partly.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 28, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: IEC 61499-1, Function blocks — Part 1: Architecture

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

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