Cyber-physical systems alter automation architectures

Recent automation systems are well structured according to tasks fulfilled by the functions executed on dedicated devices. These functional assignments are also reasons for the design and topology of fieldbus communication systems. New approaches like Cyber Physical System (CPS) require different approaches according to existing communication technologies and engineering. On one side the interaction models advance, and on the other side the demands for industrial plants become a lot more flexible. This article shows upcoming demands on automation systems and discusses new strategies for software deployment of automation applications and communication systems to fulfill these requirements. This includes handling of different types of functional coupling, e.g. loose coupling with internet/web based technologies for interaction and information management. In addition the current device models offering specific device functions have to be adapted to the new CPS approach.