Programmable automation controller based optimization

A method, comprising:

• executing, by an industrial controller comprising a processor, an industrial control program using scan-based processing, wherein the executing comprises monitoring input signals from industrial input devices of an automation system and controlling output signals to industrial output devices of the automation system based on the input signals;
• and
• executing, by the industrial controller, an optimization algorithm using the scan-based processing, wherein the executing of the optimization algorithm comprises
• performing, during respective different scan cycles performed by the industrial controller on the industrial control program, an initialization step of the optimization algorithm and multiple iteration steps of the optimization algorithm,
• determining, based on execution of the multiple iteration steps, a set of values for respective control variables that minimize an objective function subject to one or more constraints, and
• for each scan cycle of the respective different scan cycles,
• deferring execution of a current step, of the initialization step or one of the multiple iteration steps, in response to determining that the industrial controller is executing a task defined as having a high priority, and
• permitting execution of the current step in response to determining that the industrial controller is not performing the task defined as having the high priority.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, in response to execution, cause an industrial controller comprising a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

• executing an industrial control program using scan-based processing supported by the industrial controller, wherein the executing comprises monitoring input signals from industrial input devices of an automation system and controlling output signals to industrial output devices of the automation system based on the input signals;
• and
• executing an optimization routine using the scan-based processing, wherein the executing of the optimization routine comprises
• performing, in respective different scan cycles of the industrial control program, an initialization step of the optimization routine and multiple iteration steps of the optimization routine,
• determining, based on results of the multiple iteration steps, a set of values for respective control variables that minimize an objective function subject to one or more constraints, and
• for each scan cycle of the respective different scan cycles,
• deferring execution of a current step, of the initialization step or one of the multiple iteration steps, in response to determining that the industrial controller is executing a task defined as having a high priority, and
• permitting execution of the current step in response to determining that the industrial controller is not performing the task defined as having the high priority.