StandardFBs

StandardFBs are a curated collection of reusable function blocks designed to express common control and data-processing patterns in industrial automation. They are intended to be portable across different automation platforms and toolchains, aligning with the function block concept from IEC 61131-3 and, in some environments, with IEC 61499. The objective is to promote interoperability, reduce duplication, and improve maintainability by providing well-documented, tested building blocks that developers can assemble into larger control solutions.

Structure and interfaces: Each StandardFB defines a set of inputs and outputs, and often an execution or event interface to manage its state transitions. They are designed to be deterministic and have behavior that remains within the scope of the block, with clear data-type conventions to facilitate reuse and porting. The interface typically specifies the data types, timing semantics, and lifecycle events required by the block.

Common examples: Timing blocks such as on-delay and off-delay timers; counting blocks; edge detectors; latches and flip-flops; basic arithmetic and comparison blocks; selection or multiplexer blocks; and simple data-handling blocks like move or convert. The exact catalog of blocks varies by library and standard, but the aim is a consistent, well-documented set of building blocks that can be combined across projects and platforms.

Implementation and use: StandardFBs are typically provided as vendor libraries, open-source collections, or formal standards documents. They enable engineers to compose control logic with less custom coding and to improve cross-project maintainability. When adopting StandardFBs, teams consider compatibility, versioning, naming conventions, and how blocks map to platform-specific resources. See also IEC 61131-3, IEC 61499, function block, and control libraries.