Abstract: A method for sequence control of program modules, includes providing a control means and a description file having a configuration for controlling a program sequence. The method further includes providing a plurality of program modules which can be executed by a real-time operating system, the program modules being created using one or different programming languages. The method furthermore includes initiating selected program modules by executing specifications in the description file using the control means.

Abstract: A method for interchanging real-time data between program modules, includes providing a data storage device and storing meta information in the data storage device, wherein the meta information has at least one variable. The method also provides for at least one description file to be provided and for the data storage device to be configured with the description file. The method also includes providing at least one connector, wherein a connection can be established between program modules via the data storage device using the connector on the basis of a request in the description file, and wherein the program modules are created using identical or different programming languages and can be executed by a real-time operating system. The method also includes interchanging at least one variable between one of the program modules and the data storage device via the connector.

Abstract: A method for sequence control of program modules, includes providing a control means and a description file having a configuration for controlling a program sequence. The method further includes providing a plurality of program modules which can be executed by a real-time operating system, the program modules being created using one or different programming languages. The method furthermore includes initiating selected program modules by executing specifications in the description file using the control means.

Abstract: A method for interchanging real-time data between program modules, includes providing a data storage device and storing meta information in the data storage device, wherein the meta information has at least one variable. The method also provides for at least one description file to be provided and for the data storage device to be configured with the description file. The method also includes providing at least one connector, wherein a connection can be established between program modules via the data storage device using the connector on the basis of a request in the description file, and wherein the program modules are created using identical or different programming languages and can be executed by a real-time operating system. The method also includes interchanging at least one variable between one of the program modules and the data storage device via the connector.

Abstract: A process control system is provided which has at least one OPC client and one OPC server which communicate via a standardized OPC interface. Furthermore the process control system has at least two redundantly operated control devices which each communicate with the OPC server by means of a coupling device. Each control device is designed to provide process variables and status information. The status information contains the current role of the respective control device, wherein the current role is either that of a main control device or an auxiliary control device. The OPC server is designed to detect the main control device in response to the status information of at least one control device, to register a list of variables generated by the OPC client at the main control device and/or to transmit to the OPC client only the process variables which have been provided by the main control device.

Abstract: To simplify and/or improve error monitoring in a control and data transmission system for redundant process control, provided is a method for error monitoring in which errors detected by a first control device are stored locally as well as transmitted to at least one redundant second control device, which is arranged remotely, and also stored there so that in each case the error history of both control devices and is available locally for diagnosing the whole redundant system. Further provided is a control and data transmission system designed to carry out the method and a control device for use therein.

Abstract: There is provided a control and data transmission system, comprising at least one control device which, in normal operation, is connected by means of a communication network to at least one process device designed as an input and/or output device, wherein the process device comprises an evaluation unit designed to detect a failure in the control system, an emergency control program which can be parameterized and which is stored in a memory of the process device, and a runtime system designed to execute the emergency control program, and wherein the process device is designed to switch to emergency operation in response to a failure in the control system detected by the evaluation unit, in which emergency operation the process device executes the emergency control program. The invention further provides a process device for use in such a control and data transmission system and a method for redundant process control.

Abstract: To simplify and/or improve error monitoring in a control and data transmission system for redundant process control, provided is a method for error monitoring in which errors detected by a first control device are stored locally as well as transmitted to at least one redundant second control device, which is arranged remotely, and also stored there so that in each case the error history of both control devices and is available locally for diagnosing the whole redundant system. Further provided is a control and data transmission system designed to carry out the method and a control device for use therein.

Abstract: There is provided a control and data transmission system, comprising at least one control device which, in normal operation, is connected by means of a communication network to at least one process device designed as an input and/or output device, wherein the process device comprises an evaluation unit designed to detect a failure in the control system, an emergency control program which can be parameterized and which is stored in a memory of the process device, and a runtime system designed to execute the emergency control program, and wherein the process device is designed to switch to emergency operation in response to a failure in the control system detected by the evaluation unit, in which emergency operation the process device executes the emergency control program. The invention further provides a process device for use in such a control and data transmission system and a method for redundant process control.

Abstract: A process control system is provided which has at least one OPC client and one OPC server which communicate via a standardized OPC interface. Furthermore the process control system has at least two redundantly operated control devices which each communicate with the OPC server by means of a coupling device. Each control device is designed to provide process variables and status information. The status information contains the current role of the respective control device, wherein the current role is either that of a main control device or an auxiliary control device. The OPC server is designed to detect the main control device in response to the status information of at least one control device, to register a list of variables generated by the OPC client at the main control device and/or to transmit to the OPC client only the process variables which have been provided by the main control device.