Input signal coordination and method for use with an expansion module

A method for monitoring and controlling an industrial automation system, comprising:

• communicatively interfacing, by an expansion module comprising a processor, with an industrial controller communicatively connected to the expansion module, wherein the industrial controller executes a control program;
• executing, by the expansion module, an expansion control program stored on a memory of the expansion module;
• translating, by the expansion module, an electrical input signal received at a digital or analog input of the expansion module to yield an input value;
• sending, by the expansion module, the input value to the industrial controller for processing by the control program;
• rendering, by the expansion module, the input value accessible by the expansion control program;
• setting, by the expansion module, an output value of a digital or analog output of the expansion module in accordance with a control command received from the industrial controller generated by the control program;
• and
• setting, by the expansion module, the output value of the digital or analog output in accordance with an instruction from the expansion control program.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause an expansion module comprising at least one processor and communicatively connected to an industrial controller to perform operations, the operations comprising:

• executing an expansion control program stored on a memory of the expansion module in parallel with execution of a primary control program that executes on the industrial controller;
• translating an electrical input signal received at a digital or analog input of the expansion module to yield an input value;
• sending the input value to the industrial controller for processing by the primary control program;
• processing the input value in accordance with the expansion control program;
• setting an output value of a digital or analog output of the expansion module in accordance with a control command received from the industrial controller and generated by the control program;
• and
• setting the output value of the digital or analog output in accordance with an instruction generated by the expansion control program based on the processing of the input value in accordance with the expansion control program.