Processing device and method for configuring an automation system

A processing device for an automation system, the automation system being configured by

• obtaining a first function block including a first interface, which first function block is configured for a sequential first application compliant with a first standard, the first function block being created by use of a first tool compliant with the first standard;
• creating a platform independent model for an event-driven second application compliant with a second standard with a second tool compliant with the second standard, wherein creating the platform independent model comprises incorporating a second function block comprising the first interface and an event interface;
• creating a platform definition model of a first controller for the second application to form a first controller configuration;
• creating a platform specific model for the second application, wherein creating the platform specific model for the second application comprises:
• allocating and compiling, with the second tool, a primary part of the second application including the second function block for the first controller and a secondary part of the second application for a second controller;
• instantiating the first function block with the first tool;
• allocating, with the first tool, logical input/outputs to physical input/outputs;
• and
• compiling the first function block with the first tool into a first application;
• and
• downloading the first controller configuration, the first application, and the primary part of the second application to the first controller, the processing device comprising:
• the first controller or the second controller configured to execute in parallel the sequential first application compliant with the first standard, and the event-driven second application compliant with the second standard,
• the first application embedding the first function block having the first interface and the second application embedding the second function block comprising the first interface and the event interface.

A method for operating an automation system with a plurality of controllers including a first controller and a second controller, the automation system being configured by

• obtaining a first function block including a first interface, which first function block is configured for a sequential first application compliant with a first standard, the first function block being created by use of a first tool compliant with the first standard;
• creating a platform independent model for an event-driven second application compliant with a second standard with a second tool compliant with the second standard, wherein creating the platform independent model comprises incorporating a second function block comprising the first interface and an event interface;
• creating a platform definition model of the first controller for the second application to form a first controller configuration;
• creating a platform specific model for the second application, wherein creating the platform specific model for the second application comprises:
• allocating and compiling, with the second tool, a primary part of the second application including the second function block for the first controller and a secondary part of the second application for the second controller;
• instantiating the first function block with the first tool;
• allocating, with the first tool, logical input/outputs to physical input/outputs;
• and
• compiling the first function block with the first tool into a first application;
• and
• downloading the first controller configuration, the first application, and the primary part of the second application to the first controller. the method comprising:
• executing a sequential task of the first application, the first application embedding the first function block with the first interface;
• and
• executing the second application in parallel with the first application, the second application embedding the second function block comprising the first interface and the event interface.