Abstract: An electronic data processing system for real time data processing compri a plurality of spatially distributed microcomputer stations which work simultaneously in real time especially for process control. The microcomputer stations contain gates between their components such as the microcomputer, input/output devices and so on. They are additionally interconnected by a bus line system through at least two independent data paths. Furthermore sensors and actuators are redundantly connected to two or more microcomputer stations. According to the invention in case of a breakdown of any component the real time data processing and data communication tasks will be performed by means of a second independent path between sensors and associated actuators.