In today’s high‑precision automation landscape, OEMs face increasing pressure to deliver faster throughput, tighter synchronization, and more adaptive machine logic — all without compromising reliability. While proprietary motion control programming languages provides a robust real‑time programming environment making motion control programming simpler, this can be less efficient for implementing computation-intensive algorithms
That’s where Real‑Time C Functions come into play providing a familiar programming language for advanced applications giving even greater flexibility and computational efficiency.
These capabilities, supported across ACS motion controllers, give machine builders the freedom to implement customized, high‑performance algorithms directly in C — executed deterministically within the controller’s real‑time environment. This unlocks new levels of performance, control sophistication, and IP protection that are simply not achievable with proprietary languages or traditional PLC‑style programming.
Why Real‑Time C Functions Matter
1. Execute Complex Algorithms at Deterministic Controller Cycle Rates
Real‑Time C Functions run inside the controller’s deterministic loop — even as fast as one controller cycle — enabling the implementation of advanced algorithms that must be evaluated with microsecond‑level precision. This is ideal for:
- High‑speed compensation
- Real‑time signal processing
- Complex machine logic
- Application‑specific control algorithms
These C‑based functions “can be executed on the controller in real‑time (e.g. 1 controller cycle),” ensuring no delay between computation and motion execution.
2. Combine Flexibility with the ACSPL+ Ecosystem
ACSPL+ already provides:
- Up to 10 kHz execution rates
- Up to 64 simultaneous real‑time buffers
- Easy motion/event synchronization
- User‑defined subroutines and interrupts
But when needed, ACSPL+ functions can seamlessly call C‑based functions for heavy‑duty computation or specialized routines. This highlights how engineers can “develop sophisticated algorithms efficiently with real-time C functions” and integrate them directly into ACSPL+ program flows.
This tight integration gives machine builders the best of both worlds:
- Rapid development using ACSPL+
- Maximum flexibility and computational efficiency using C
3. Accelerate Throughput with Custom Logic and Processing
Many high‑speed applications — such as laser processing, metrology, advanced packaging, and scanning systems — require per‑cycle decisions or corrections. Real‑Time C Functions allow engineers to embed application‑specific decision‑making and processing directly into the control loop.
These C functions can:
- Significantly increase process throughput
- Allow execution of “complex algorithms efficiently” directly in C
- Support rapid evaluation and debugging through ACS’s MMI Controller Simulator
By reducing the need for external controllers or host‑side computation, machines become faster, more deterministic, and more robust.
4. Protect Your Intellectual Property
Machine builders often view their algorithms as competitive differentiators. ACS supports this by providing IP protection, including:
- Encapsulation of C code
- Encryption of real‑time functions
- Optional password protection inside ACSPL+ programs
Real‑Time C Functions come with encapsulation + encryption = full IP protection, ensuring proprietary logic remains secure on customer machines. This is essential for OEMs deploying equipment across multiple regions and customers.
5. Develop and Test with Robust Simulation Tools
Both ACSPL+ and Real‑Time C Functions are fully supported by ACS’s MMI Controller Simulator environment. This lets developers:
- Test algorithms without hardware
- Validate real‑time execution behavior
- Debug safely and quickly
- Shorten development cycles
Putting It All Together: A More Capable Machine Architecture
Real‑Time C Functions expand what’s possible inside your ACS motion controller by enabling:
- Machine‑specific control loops
- Real‑time kinematics and transformation logic
- Filtering, compensation, and signal analysis
- Integrated process control unique to your domain
With the ability to combine these functions with ACSPL+’s multitasking environment, 10 kHz execution rates, and event‑synchronized motion, OEMs can build smarter, faster, and more flexible systems.
Conclusion
As machine performance requirements continue to escalate, the freedom to create deterministic, cycle‑accurate logic inside the controller becomes essential. ACS’s Real‑Time C Function support delivers exactly that: a powerful blend of speed, customization, and security — all within the trusted ACS motion control architecture.
Whether you’re optimizing throughput, integrating custom algorithms, or adding unique process intelligence, Real‑Time C Functions give you the tools to push machine capability to the next level.