Autonomous process interface systems based on data distribution service middleware

A method of retrieving and processing real-time data, the method comprising:

• retrieving a plurality of electrical signals from one or more field instruments hardwired to an associated junction box of a plurality of junction boxes;
• converting each electrical signal to digital data via an autonomous process interface system of each junction box;
• processing the digital data for status changes, sequence of events, and publication of changed values, via a virtual input/output system associated with a master autonomous process interface system of a master junction box, the master junction box connected to each junction box;
• publishing output signal changes received from one or more virtual controllers to the master autonomous process interface system, acquired by the virtual input/output system;
• and
• interconnecting process control applications of each virtual controller with the autonomous process interface system of each junction box and the master autonomous process interface system, via real-time data distribution service (DDS) middleware.