Abstract: A system and method includes integrating a plurality of installation modules each having at least one process-technical unit which, besides hardware, also houses control technology, to form a modularly constructed overall installation. The installation modules are arranged three-dimensionally and, according to the description of the overall installation, are connected mechanically and electrically to one another. Between the installation modules, at least one coupling for data exchange is formed via one or more communication protocols. A configuration of the overall installation is assembled and stored on a central server unit having a data link to the installation modules. Each installation module is allocated at least one access path to the configuration.

Abstract: A system and method includes integrating a plurality of installation modules each having at least one process-technical unit which, besides hardware, also houses control technology, to form a modularly constructed overall installation. The installation modules are arranged three-dimensionally and, according to the description of the overall installation, are connected mechanically and electrically to one another. Between the installation modules, at least one coupling for data exchange is formed via one or more communication protocols. A configuration of the overall installation is assembled and stored on a central server unit having a data link to the installation modules. Each installation module is allocated at least one access path to the configuration.

Abstract: A method for configuring an automation system for controlling a process, an automation module, and a computer program product. In the method, a mapping of a physical automation device on a non-instantiated automation module is provided, whereby the non-instantiated automation module specifies a device type and has at least one artifact. Furthermore, the method includes the provision of a non-instantiated automation module in a library and a retrieval of the non-instantiated automation module from the library. Furthermore, the method provides for an instantiation of the automation module and a localization of the instantiated automation modules.

Abstract: A method for configuring an automation system for controlling a process, an automation module, and a computer program product. In the method, a mapping of a physical automation device on a non-instantiated automation module is provided, whereby the non-instantiated automation module specifies a device type and has at least one artifact. Furthermore, the method includes the provision of a non-instantiated automation module in a library and a retrieval of the non-instantiated automation module from the library. Furthermore, the method provides for an instantiation of the automation module and a localization of the instantiated automation modules.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for allocating program components to distributed control devices of a control system, comprising the following steps: a) creating at least two program modules, which each comprise program components, data interfaces and performance parameters for the definition of a performance requirement; b) linking the program modules via data connections between the data interfaces to form a control program; c) ascertaining available control devices and the performance capability thereof in the control system; d) ascertaining possible allocations of the program modules and verification by a comparison between the requirement and performance capability; c) selecting and allocating a verified allocation; and f) configuring data exchange channels between the distributed control devices.

Abstract: In order to configure network nodes as part of the planning and setting-up of an in particular real-time-based and isochronous data transmission between the network nodes, a method and apparatus are proposed, wherein a node is connected via the network to the apparatus which is programmed in such a way that, in response to at least one item of configuration-related information specified by an operator, it generates a set of configuration data which are necessary for configuring at least the one node and transmits at least a subset of this generated set of configuration data to the node via the network.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for allocating program components to distributed control devices of a control system, comprising the following steps: a) creating at least two program modules, which each comprise program components, data interfaces and performance parameters for the definition of a performance requirement; b) linking the program modules via data connections between the data interfaces to form a control program; c) ascertaining available control devices and the performance capability thereof in the control system; d) ascertaining possible allocations of the program modules and verification by a comparison between the requirement and performance capability; c) selecting and allocating a verified allocation; and f) configuring data exchange channels between the distributed control devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimized transmission of data between a control device and a plurality of field devices that are connected to one another via an IP-based communications network, wherein the data transmission is controlled using a Profinet protocol. The invention further relates to a control and data transmission installation (10) that is particularly suited to the performance of the method. With the control and data transmission installation (10), it is possible to transmit the data to be transmitted from a control device (20) to a group of field devices (30, 40, 50) in a single sum frame subdivided into data fields, and to transmit the data to be transmitted from a plurality of field devices to a control device likewise in only one common sum frame subdivided into data fields. In this manner, the transmission rate can be optimized with respect to standard Profinet frames.

Abstract: In order to configure network nodes as part of the planning and setting-up of an in particular real-time-based and isochronous data transmission between the network nodes, a method and apparatus are proposed, wherein a node is connected via the network to the apparatus which is programmed in such a way that, in response to at least one item of configuration-related information specified by an operator, it generates a set of configuration data which are necessary for configuring at least the one node and transmits at least a subset of this generated set of configuration data to the node via the network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimized transmission of data between a control device and a plurality of field devices that are connected to one another via an IP-based communications network, wherein the data transmission is controlled using a Profinet protocol. The invention further relates to a control and data transmission installation (10) that is particularly suited to the performance of the method. With the control and data transmission installation (10), it is possible to transmit the data to be transmitted from a control device (20) to a group of field devices (30, 40, 50) in a single sum frame subdivided into data fields, and to transmit the data to be transmitted from a plurality of field devices to a control device likewise in only one common sum frame subdivided into data fields. In this manner, the transmission rate can be optimized with respect to standard Profinet frames.

Abstract: For solution of the problem of creating a possibility for a comprehensive computer simulation of a plant or machine, the invention proposes a method for the simulation of a plant or a machine by means of a computer, in particular a personal computer, which has at least two core processors, in which a simulation program for simulating at least one process of a plant or machine to be simulated is executed on at least one first core processor and a user program of a programmable logic controller for simulating a programmable logic controller of a plant or machine to be simulated is executed on at least one second core processor and, between the simulation program and the user program, input and output data are transmitted via a transparent channel. For carrying out the method, the method further proposes a computer system having at least two core processors.