Method and apparatus for advanced control using function blocks in industrial process control and automation systems

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one memory device comprising a shared memory;
• and
• at least one processing device configured to:
• during execution of a first function block, (i) receive multiple input data values associated with an industrial process control and automation system, (ii) pre-process the input data values, and (iii) store the pre-processed input data values in the shared memory;
• during execution of a second function block, (i) receive references to the pre-processed input data values in the shared memory, (ii) invoke execution of one or more core functions to implement a process control algorithm, and (iii) store output data values in the shared memory;
• and
• during execution of a third function block, (i) receive references to the output data values in the shared memory, (ii) post-process the output data values, and (iii) outputting multiple output signals containing the post-processed output data values.

A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying at least one computer program, the at least one computer program comprising:

• computer readable program code that defines a first function block configured to (i) receive multiple input data values associated with an industrial process control and automation system, (ii) pre-process the input data values, and (iii) store the pre-processed input data values in a shared memory;
• computer readable program code that defines a second function block configured to (i) receive references to the pre-processed input data values in the shared memory, (ii) invoke execution of one or more core functions to implement a process control algorithm, and (iii) store output data values in the shared memory;
• and
• computer readable program code that defines a third function block configured to (i) receive references to the output data values in the shared memory, (ii) post-process the output data values, and (iii) output multiple output signals containing the post-processed output data values.