Methods and apparatus to generate schedules to execute functions in a process control system

A machine accessible medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a machine to:

• generate a first quantity of start time offsets indicating a quantity of executions of a first function during a first sub-schedule associated with a first time period, wherein the first function is to be performed by a first field device communicatively coupled to a process controller via a data bus and a second function is to be performed by a second field device communicatively coupled to the process controller via the data bus, wherein the first field device communicates first information associated with the first function via the data bus based on a first data communication time period, wherein the second field device communicates second information associated with the second function via the data bus based on a second data communication time period, and wherein the first quantity of start time offsets are generated based on a slowest function block execution period associated with the first field device configured to perform the first function and a function block execution period of the first function
• generate a second quantity of start time offsets indicating a quantity of executions of the second function during the first sub-schedule, wherein the first quantity of start time offsets is different from the second quantity of start time offsets;
• and
• generate a schedule associated with a schedule time period based on two instances of the first sub-schedule and based on the first data communication time period being less than the second data communication time period.

A method to generate a schedule to execute functions in a process control system, the method comprising:

• generating a first quantity of start time offsets indicating a quantity of executions of a first function during a first sub-schedule associated with a first time period, wherein the first function is to be performed by a first field device communicatively coupled to a process controller via a data bus and a second function is to be performed by a second field device communicatively coupled to the process controller via the data bus, wherein the first field device communicates first information associated with the first function via the data bus based on a first data communication time period, wherein the second field device communicates second information associated with the second function via the data bus based on a second data communication time period, and wherein the first quantity of start time offsets are generated based on a slowest function block execution period associated with the first field device configured to perform the first function and a function block execution period of the first function
• generating a second quantity of start time offsets indicating a quantity of executions of the second function during the first sub-schedule, wherein the first quantity of start time offsets is different from the second quantity of start time offsets;
• and
• generating, via a processor, a schedule associated with a schedule time period based on two instances of the first sub-schedule and based on the first data communication time period being less than the second data communication time period.