IEC 61499 is the newly adopted standard for distributed control systems and follows on from the IEC 61131 standard for programmable logic controllers (PLC). This book is a practical guide for component-based development of distributed embedded and control systems as proposed by the new international standard. Each chapter is designed as an independent study unit, making the book ideal for use in university courses, industrial training, or self-study. Working knowledge of the IEC 61499 standard can be achieved in approximately 10 to 15 learning hours. For the control, automation, or software engineer and the embedded systems developer, this book provides concrete directions on how to specify and implement a distributed system according to the IEC 61499 standard and how to create an IEC 61499-compliant control device.