Abstract: Updating method for coupling a supplementary automation system (AGS) to an overall automation system (AGS) having a basic system and transferring the contents of the main memory area (BAS) of the basic system (BAS) by section-by-section readout and writing to the main memory area (ZAS) of the supplementary system (ZAS), with the same data being written to a buffer memory area both when data is read section-by-section from the main memory area of the basic system and when data is written from and to the main memory area of the basic automation system and being transferred from the buffer memory area to the main memory of the supplementary system.

Abstract: A synchronization method for a redundant automation system composed of at least two subsystems is provided, where these subsystems execute functionally identical sequences of machine instructions, said sequences of functionally identical machine instructions having increment instructions at corresponding locations for incrementing a synchronization counter. Synchronization is performed on the basis of the value of a synchronization counter at least when one subsystem registers a special event. To do so, a synchronization counter target value is determined so that the subsystems interrupt the execution of the sequence of machine instructions on attaining a synchronization position at which the values of the respective synchronization counters attain the synchronization counter target value.