Simultaneously acting network layers in an IEC 61499 modeling system at the example of Eclipse-4DIAC, the cloud-oriented MSB and XML-RPC

As modern control systems in manufacturing evolve into highly grained and split up systems of systems, two special demands appear: Initially, such systems of systems require flexible communication structures in order to provide not only communication between strongly different controlling components but also communication with higher-level systems. Communication with higher-level systems is strongly demanded because of the desire to digitally represent the systems of systems. Besides this, software tools which allow comprehensible modelling, configuring and programming of distributed systems are needed too. These software tools must also control the communication structures. This paper shows the implementation and usage of two different means of communication specifications as layers in the IEC 61499 based modelling system 4DIAC. The implementation shall be an example of how the two mentioned demands can be met.