Abstract: Provided is a control unit of an automation system for determining the execution time of a user program, including a first time-determining unit, wherein the first time-determining unit determines the execution time for the control unit and/or another control unit in a first operating mode, wherein at least one boundary condition is taken into account in the determination of the execution time, and wherein statistical data about the running time of commands of the user program of the control unit or of a linear representation of the real time of the control unit are taken into account in the determination of the execution time. A corresponding method and to a computer program product is also provided.

Abstract: A device for simulating a controlled machine or installation includes a process simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a physical process of the machine or installation, and a controller simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a controller of the machine or installation. The process simulation apparatus and the controller simulation apparatus exchange particular output values so as to simulate the controlled machine or installation in the respective simulation steps. The controller simulation apparatus transmits an item of information to the process simulation apparatus, which item of information describes a result time for an end of a simulation step performed by the controller simulation apparatus, while the process simulation apparatus is designed to adjust a duration of at least one of the simulation steps depending on the result time.

Abstract: Provided is a control unit of an automation system for determining the execution time of a user program, including a first time-determining unit, wherein the first time-determining unit determines the execution time for the control unit and/or another control unit in a first operating mode, wherein at least one boundary condition is taken into account in the determination of the execution time, and wherein statistical data about the running time of commands of the user program of the control unit or of a linear representation of the real time of the control unit are taken into account in the determination of the execution time. A corresponding method and to a computer program product is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a system and a simulator for the disengageable simulation of installations or machines within programmable logic controllers, in which control program and simulation program are strictly separate within the same processing environment, wherein the direction of access for the input/output memory area during normal operation and the consistent reversal thereof in the simulation part are ensured, and which involves the simulation program being executed between the program cycles, with a virtual clock being stopped during the simulation. As a result, the test on an unaltered user program in the PLC avoids errors in the startup or test phase through code changes, and a timing response as in the genuine installation, particularly in the event of tests on timers and under race conditions, achieves a higher level of program quality through better test results.