Is IEC 61499’s Ecosystem Mature Enough To Compete With IEC 61131-3?

IEC 61131-3 has long been the foundation of industrial automation, with well-established tools and a highly skilled workforce. However, the industry is evolving, and the gap between traditional automation practices and modern software engineering is growing wider. As IEC 61499 gains traction, the question arises: Is its ecosystem mature enough to be a viable alternative?

You Should Know:

1. IEC 61131-3 Maturity Challenges:

Legacy Code: Many systems still run on legacy IEC 61131-3 code, which can be difficult to maintain and update.
Generation Gap: The programming languages used in IEC 61131-3 are far removed from modern software development practices, making it less attractive to younger engineers.

2. IEC 61499 Advancements:

Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert: This commercial-grade implementation proves that IEC 61499 can support industrial-scale automation.
Open-Source Platforms: Platforms like 4DIAC offer vendor-neutral implementations, demonstrating the standard’s flexibility and adaptability.
Global Adoption: Initiatives in China and other regions show growing interest in IEC 61499 beyond Western markets.

3. UniversalAutomation.org:

Shared-Source Runtime: This nonprofit association provides a shared-source runtime for IEC 61499, helping vendors avoid the need to develop their own runtime from scratch.
Vendor-Neutral: Ensures that the runtime remains vendor-neutral, encouraging a more open automation ecosystem.

4. Workforce Readiness:

University Integration: Increasingly, universities and research institutions are integrating IEC 61499 into their curricula.
Training Programs: Companies adopting IEC 61499 are investing in training programs to up-skill existing engineers.
Modern Practices: The standard’s alignment with modern software engineering practices makes it more attractive to younger generations of programmers.

Practical Steps and Commands:

Setting Up 4DIAC:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install 4diac

Running EcoStruxure Automation Expert:

./ecostruxure-automation-expert --start

Git Integration for Automation Projects:

git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit for IEC 61499 project"
git remote add origin <repository-url>
git push -u origin master

Unit Testing Framework:
```
pytest test_automation.py
```
CLI Based Builds:
```
make build
make deploy
```

What Undercode Say:

The transition from IEC 61131-3 to IEC 61499 represents a significant shift in industrial automation. While IEC 61131-3 has a well-established ecosystem, its limitations in modern software practices are becoming increasingly apparent. IEC 61499, with its growing maturity and alignment with contemporary software engineering, offers a promising alternative. The involvement of major players like Schneider Electric and the support from UniversalAutomation.org are accelerating its adoption. However, the success of IEC 61499 will largely depend on the industry’s ability to bridge the workforce gap and integrate modern practices into traditional automation workflows. The future of industrial automation lies in the balance between innovation and standardization, and IEC 61499 is poised to play a crucial role in this evolution.

For further reading, check out:

References:

Reported By: Franco Antonio – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

Join Our Cyber World:

💬 Whatsapp | 💬 Telegram

Listen to this Post