The process data manager PDM is the central component in RTAPLS. PDM processes the incoming data using extensive configuration parameters. The result of these processings is available in the distributed RTAPLS object model.

PDM has two points of interfaces:

• I/O data source interfaces for the transfer from and to the data acquisitions. This interface has been designed in an optimal way for maximum data throughput, and it can cope with short-term overload situations.
• service interface for all user interactions that can be documented in the form of system reports.

Results of PDM processing are:

• records into the process data image
• transfers to configurable event channels, which are also the interfaces for the archives.
• sends output PV`s to the I/O system
• suggestions for calculations of derived values.

Typical configurations process up to 40,000 PV changes per second.

Configurable ways of processing are:

• various ways of scaling (linear, curve, freely programmable)
• supervision of up to four pairs of boundries and two gradients
• configurable alarm processing with up to eight alarm priorities
• automatic and manual block
• substitution of values
• analog/binary filter
• operator-specific authorizations
• derived values
• integral, extreme and average values
• integrated freely programmable mathematics package (RTAPLS - CALC)
• field time and collection time
• dual hierarchy to reflect the plant structure
• project-specific status flags
• comprehensive status record for each PV (including OPC compatibility)
• supervision of feed back

RTAPLS CALC is used for calculations. Essentially, derived values are produced and other operations are performed. Scheduler functions for time-controlled activation of various actions are also integrated in the RTAPLS CALC.

RTAPLS CALC comes with a set of standard functions that can be expanded easily through project-specific functions.
The program language used is RtPL (Realtime Process Language), which is a subset of BASIC. In addition, special extentions for spontaneous and cyclical processing are included. 
RtPL interprets a binary intermediary code, and in so doing, achieves a speed of some 600,000 operations per second.

 
The following data sources (Variable) can be used by RTAPLS CALC:

• PVs, including information on status and on all static and dynamic attributes
• other RTAPLS objects, discretionary RtDb data records and RTA objects
• RtOOS objects (object oriented system)
• system objects (time of day, ...)
• global and local variables

The calculations not only work with the data source values, they also combine their status information accordingly.