Abstract: A method for maintaining and/or qualitatively improving a communication path in a relay system, in particular in a radio network, wherein information is transmissible between two devices (A0, An) via one or more additional devices (A1, . . . An−1) along a thus-formed communication path, and wherein at least one leg of the communication path can be replaced with a substitution path as a function of at least one predeterminable parameter, or be used at least at times simultaneously with a substitution path. The method permits maintaining a link quality at a high level, even when transmission conditions vary in the course of time.

Abstract: A method for operating an automation system and an associated automation system in which all the error-free information is exchanged cyclically with a safety protocol, whereby information losses can thereby be recognized. Data that do not change even in the course of multiple transmissions are transmitted only once.

Abstract: According to the invention, monitoring the data processing and transmission in a data processing unit can be achieved, whereby, in a data processing unit (1) with a number of software modules (2A, 2B), between which data (D) is exchanged, a check sum (P) is allocated to the data (D) of a data transmission, which, in selected software modules (2B) is advanced by a number of places (n) allocated thereto, on a successful passage of said data (D) through one of said software modules (2B).

Abstract: Device (1) for controlling and/or monitoring external technical processes, in particular a device for use in connection with safety-related controls. The device includes an input functionality, an output functionality and a processing functionality that can be connected with at least one higher-level unit (5) for transfer of process-influencing and/or process-monitoring signals by way of a bus system (4) to and/or from actuators (3) and/or sensors (2) connected to the device. A guaranteed response time over the bus system (4) is determined on one hand by the cycle time of the higher-level unit (5) and on the other by the signal cycle time over the bus system (4) itself. In order to provide a shorter response time than this in appropriate circumstances, the device (1) uses the processing functionality thereof to execute logical links internally.