Abstract: A method operates a safety control in an automation network having a master subscriber which carries out the safety control, at least one first slave subscriber which is assigned a first safety integrity level, and at least one second slave subscriber which is assigned a second safety integrity level. The first safety integrity level and the second safety integrity level differ from each other. A first safety code determination method is assigned to the first slave subscriber and a second safety code determination method is assigned to the second slave subscriber. The first safety code determination method and the second safety code determination method differ from each other. The master subscriber and the first slave subscriber use the first safety code determination method for interchanging a safety data block. The master subscriber and the second slave subscriber use the second safety code determination method for interchanging a safety data block.

Abstract: A communication subscriber for a field-bus system for transmitting data, comprises a safety layer with an error-safety layer protecting the data against random data transmission errors and an information-security layer protecting against manipulation of data and/or against unauthorized reading of data. The communication subscriber is configured during transmission mode to process the data to be transmitted first by means of the error-safety layer and then by means of the information-security layer, and during receipt mode to process the data first by means of the information-security layer and then by means of the error-safety layer.

Abstract: A method operates a safety control in an automation network having a master subscriber which carries out the safety control, at least one first slave subscriber which is assigned a first safety integrity level, and at least one second slave subscriber which is assigned a second safety integrity level. The first safety integrity level and the second safety integrity level differ from each other. A first safety code determination method is assigned to the first slave subscriber and a second safety code determination method is assigned to the second slave subscriber. The first safety code determination method and the second safety code determination method differ from each other. The master subscriber and the first slave subscriber use the first safety code determination method for interchanging a safety data block. The master subscriber and the second slave subscriber use the second safety code determination method for interchanging a safety data block.

Abstract: A device comprises a first time generator for generating an internal time signal, a unit for receiving an external time signal at discrete synchronization times and a generator unit for producing a generated time signal, which generator unit is designed to calculate on the basis of an algorithm the generated time signal at a determination time between two synchronization times from a value of the external time signal at a previous synchronization time and from a value of the internal time signal at the determination time. Said algorithm includes an assumption of a proportionality between an advance in the internal time signal and an advance in the external time signal.

Abstract: A device comprises a first time generator for generating an internal time signal, a unit for receiving an external time signal at discrete synchronization times and a generator unit for producing a generated time signal, which generator unit is designed to calculate on the basis of an algorithm the generated time signal at a determination time between two synchronization times from a value of the external time signal at a previous synchronization time and from a value of the internal time signal at the determination time. Said algorithm includes an assumption of a proportionality between an advance in the internal time signal and an advance in the external time signal.

Abstract: A communication subscriber for a field-bus system for transmitting data, comprises a safety layer with an error-safety layer protecting the data against random data transmission errors and an information-security layer protecting against manipulation of data and/or against unauthorized reading of data. The communication subscriber is configured during transmission mode to process the data to be transmitted first by means of the error-safety layer and then by means of the information-security layer, and during receipt mode to process the data first by means of the information-security layer and then by means of the error-safety layer.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for operating a drive unit having an engine and a transmission, which make possible an improved shifting strategy. In a first operating state, the engine is operated using a first number of active cylinders. In a second operating state, the engine is operated using a second number of active cylinders. The first number is different from the second number. A gear ratio is set as a function of at least one operating variable of the drive unit. The gear ratio is also set as a function of the current or the attainable operating state of the engine with respect to the number of the active cylinders.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for operating an internal combustion engine which allow for an improved diagnosis of the valve mechanism of cylinders of the internal combustion engine. For this purpose, a variable characteristic of a suction performance of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine is ascertained. The variable characteristic of the suction performance is ascertained as a function of the mass flow flowing into an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine and of a change of the intake manifold pressure during an intake phase of the cylinder.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for operating an internal combustion engine which allow for an improved diagnosis of the valve mechanism of cylinders of the internal combustion engine. For this purpose, a variable characteristic of a suction performance of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine is ascertained. The variable characteristic of the suction performance is ascertained as a function of the mass flow flowing into an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine and of a change of the intake manifold pressure during an intake phase of the cylinder.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for operating a drive unite having an engine and a transmission, which make possible an improved shifting strategy. In a first operating state, the engine is operated using a first number of active cylinders. In a second operating state, the engine is operated using a second number of active cylinders. The first number is different from the second number. A gear ratio is set as a function of at least one operating variable of the drive unit. The gear ratio is also set as a function of the current or the attainable operating state of the engine with respect to the number of the active cylinders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for the failsafe transmission of data, the system having at least one component (2, 6, 7), which is enhanced for the failsafe transmission of data. To allow the failsafe transmission of data with reduced hardware outlay, it is proposed according to the invention that the one-channel component (2, 6, 7) is enhanced for the fail-safe transmission of data in that it is connected via a bus (1) to a failsafe computer unit (8), it has a communication driver (23), which maintains the data in standard and non-standard form, the communication driver (23) maintains a marker value, which indicates whether safe replacement values or real values are used, in standard and non-standard form.

Abstract: A one-channel transmission of information on a bus system within an automation system is provided. Data transmission, in compliance with safety integrity level 2 according to IEC 618508, is achieved with reduced hardware outlay. The information to be transmitted via the bus system contains net data, which is present within a processing unit in two channels in the form of a first data set and in the form of a second data set that differs from the first data set at least in the form of representation. The processing unit generates a transmission telegram suitable for one-channel transmission on the bus system from the two data sets, whereby the net data present in the form of the first data set is stored in a first data area of the transmission telegram and a checksum generated on the basis of the second data set is stored in a second data area of the transmission telegram.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the one-channel transmission of information on a bus system (1) within an automation system, with which data transmission in compliance with safety integrity level 2 according to IEC 618508 is achieved with reduced hardware outlay. The information to be transmitted via the bus system (1) contains net data, which is present within a processing unit (4) in two channels in the form of a first data set (2) and in the form of a second data set (3) that differs from the first data set (2) at least in the form of representation. The processing unit generates a transmission telegram (5) suitable for one-channel transmission on the bus system (1) from the two data sets (2,3), whereby the net data present in the form of the first data set (2) is stored in a first data area (6) of the transmission telegram (5) and a checksum generated on the basis of the second data set (3) is stored in a second data area (7) of the transmission telegram (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for the failsafe transmission of data, the system having at least one component (2, 6, 7), which is enhanced for the failsafe transmission of data. To allow the failsafe transmission of data with reduced hardware outlay, it is proposed according to the invention that the one-channel component (2, 6, 7) is enhanced for the fail-safe transmission of data in that it is connected via a bus (1) to a failsafe computer unit (8), it has a communication driver (23), which maintains the data in standard and non-standard form, the communication driver (23) maintains a marker value, which indicates whether safe replacement values or real values are used, in standard and non-standard form, a checksum is generated in the communication driver (23) from the data maintained in non-standard form and a program run control is provided to monitor execution of the program.