Abstract: In a system for real-time process control according to the invention, a processing unit (201) running either a real-time operating system or a hybrid real-time/non real-time operating system (231, 232) acts as a real-time computation server. Actuating or sensing units (211, 212, 213) equipped with an onboard communication interface (221, 222, 223) for client-server communication, act as clients. The actuating or sensing units (211, 212, 213) thereto send messages to the processing unit (201) requesting timely execution of a computational task. The message implicitly or explicitly specifies a time constraint for the processing unit (201) to respond. The onboard communication interface (221) comprises a clock (314) enabling the actuating or sensing unit (211, 212, 213) to decide autonomously when to sample process parameters, and/or when to modify actuating or sensing unit settings, and/or when to send a message to the processing unit (201).