The fieldbus Application Layer (FAL) provides user programs with a means to access the fieldbus communication environment. In this respect, the FAL can be viewed as a window between corresponding application programs.
This part of IEC 61158 provides common elements for basic time-critical and non-time-critical
messaging communications between application programs in an automation environment and
material specific to Type 26 fieldbus. The term time-critical is used to represent the
presence of a time-window, within which one or more specified actions are required to be
completed with some defined level of certainty. Failure to complete specified actions within
the time window risks failure of the applications requesting the actions, with attendant risk to
equipment, plant and possibly human life.