Data source and converter

A motion controller having an engineering system and a run time system, and that functionally combines classic tasks of a programmable logic controller and a numerical controller, comprising:

• a uniform run level model comprising a plurality of run levels of different types having differing priorities, the plurality of run levels comprising a plurality of user-levels and system-levels having differing priorities;
• a data source for containing description information for at least one of the group consisting of system variables, alarms and commands;
• a converter coupled to the data source, the engineering system, and the run time system;
• wherein the data source provides description information to the engineering system via the converter, and the converter generates, based on input received from the data source, parameterization information for the engineering system and the run time system, the generated parameterization information transferred to the engineering system and the run time system, such that the generated parameterization information is internally consistent in the motion controller;
• and
• the motion controller being further configured to permit a technology packet to be loaded into at least one of the group consisting of the engineering system and the run time system, the technology packet permitting a user to expand the funcionality of the controller.

A combined programmable logic controller (PLC) and numerical controller (NC) that functionally combines tasks of a process controller and a motion controller, the combined PLC/NC controller comprising:

• a uniform run level model comprising a plurality of run levels of different types having differing priorities, the plurality of run levels configured to minimize communication between the tasks of the process controller and the motion controller by arranging the taks of the process controller and motion controller within the plurality of run levels of different types having different priorities, such that programming of the PLC/NC controller is facilitated by a uniform programming language;
• a data source for description information for at least one of the group consisting of system variables, alarms and commands;
• a converter coupled to the data source, the engineering system, and the run time system, the converter generating, based on input received from the data source, parameterization information for the engineering system and the run time system, the generated parameterization information transferred to the engineering system and the run time system, such that the generated parameterization information is internally consistent in the motion controller;
• and
• a technology packet for loading into at least one of the group consisting of the engineering system and the tun time system, the technology packet permitting a user to expand the functionality of the controller.