Abstract: A technique for exchanging signals between a control system (200) and at least two field devices (300) is described. One device aspect of the technique comprises a base (102) that comprises a control interface (104) and at least two slots (106). The control interface (104) is configured to connect (108.1) to at least two electrical line channels (108) of the control system (200) and the at least two slots (106) are each configured to detachably mechanically connect (106.1) to a module (110) and to pass (106.2) at least one of the line channels (108) to the respective module (110).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a provisioning server for providing a secured control parameter for multi-channel control of a machine using a plurality of distributed controls that output single-channel control parameters. The provisioning server includes a first communication interface configured to receive a plurality of single-channel control parameters from the plurality of distributed controls, a processor configured to compare the received single-channel control parameters and output one of the received control parameters as the secured control parameter if a threshold number of the single-channel control parameters are in agreement, and a second communication interface configured to send the secured control parameter to the machine via a communication network.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a provisioning server for providing a secured control parameter for multi-channel control of a machine using a plurality of distributed controls that output single-channel control parameters. The provisioning server includes a first communication interface configured to receive a plurality of single-channel control parameters from the plurality of distributed controls, a processor configured to compare the received single-channel control parameters and output one of the received control parameters as the secured control parameter if a threshold number of the single-channel control parameters are in agreement, and a second communication interface configured to send the secured control parameter to the machine via a communication network.

Abstract: An electrical interface module (IM) has a memory device MEM) for storing data and an integrated interface (IO) that provides data to an external reading device (RW). The electrical interface module (IM) contains a carrier (2) on which the memory device (MEM) and the integrated interface (IO) are arranged, the electrical interface module (IM) can exchange data and/or power with other electrical interface modules (IM) in the vicinity via the integrated interface, and adjacent electrical interface modules (IM) form a logical data bus via the integrated NFC interfaces, which can be addressed and/or controlled by at least one head module or a master module with a higher control and/or monitoring device.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an electrical interface module. The electrical interface module has a memory device for storing data and an integrated interface that provides data to an external reading device, wherein the electrical interface module contains a carrier on which the memory device and the integrated interface are arranged, wherein the electrical interface module can exchange data and/or power with other electrical interface modules as set forth in any one of the preceding claims in the vicinity via the integrated interface, and wherein adjacent electrical interface modules form a logical data bus via the integrated NFC interfaces, which can be addressed and/or controlled by means of at least one head module or a master module with a higher control and/or monitoring device.

Abstract: A modular bus system for data and/or power transfer, which comprises at least two bus subscribers that can be placed side by side. Each bus subscriber comprises a housing having a plurality of walls. In or on a first wall of the housing, an antenna is arranged which defines a geometrical area which has an area ratio to the surface area of the first wall of at least 0.5. The bus subscribers are electrically coupled to each other by having an antenna of each bus subscriber electromagnetically coupled to an antenna of another bus subscriber, for transferring data and/or power. The first walls of bus subscribers that are electrically coupled to each other are arranged approximately in parallel to each other.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the transmission of data via a bus network to which a plurality of subscribers are connected. The method includes a first step of transmitting data from at least one subscriber, e.g., Master, to at least another subscriber, e.g., TNx or STNx, by employing a data transmission protocol designed for point-to-point transmission. The method includes a second step of defining a broadcast message, within which selected data can be transmitted in a broadcast transmission mode, within the point-to-point transmission protocol. In a supplementary or alternative embodiment, the method includes inserting a safety broadcast message in addition to a standard or general broadcast protocol. There is also provided an apparatus for transmission of data via a bus network.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that secure data transmission in a communications system employed to control safety-relevant processes, through the provision of cooperating evaluators arranged in a shared manner in communications stations in order to evaluate safety-oriented data in a simple and cost-effective way. In the disclosed method, a data report is transmitted from a first station, by means of a communications system designed for serial data transmission, to a second station and said data report is checked by means of a second evaluator arranged in the second station. Depending on the results of the check of the data report, an acknowledgement report is transmitted from the second station to the first station, which acknowledgement report likewise is checked by the evaluator arranged in the first station. Furthermore, the disclosed system carries out the method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for operation of an automation system having at least one bus system connected to at least one subscriber, and having a central control system. The method includes parameterizing and/or programming the at least one bus subscriber by the central control device, identifying an interruption in the connection to the control device by the at least one bus subscriber, and controlling at least one output of the at least one bus subscriber as a function of the parameterizing and/or the programming upon identification of the interruption in the connection. The invention also provides an automation system which is suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A data processing system ensures maximum reaction times. A novel and significantly improved way of ascertaining, checking and/or observing maximum reaction times in data processing systems includes complex or distributed, safe and/or nonsafe systems, particularly between a safe input signal and the corresponding safe output signal, in a flexible and universally applicable manner. Input and/or output data, which are present on the input side of users incorporated in the system, are read in synchronously during each data cycle and checked in relation to currency parameters, which are based on at least one data cycle and associated with the input and/or output data An error is identified in response to a defined discrepancy being reached between at least one currency parameter and a defined currency threshold, and a defined function, particularly a safety-oriented function, are triggered in response to identification of an error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transmission of safe process information including detecting two or more process signals redundantly, identifying an event that is relevant to system safety, and converting said process signals to a single process signal for further system-based processing.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement allows data, which are necessary for building up fault-tolerant structures, to be transmitted on standard ring-shaped bus systems. Its implementation requires a monitoring unit and input and output units which transmit or receive data for control. The circuit arrangement handles the task of detecting any faults which can become a danger for the process within a machine or plant. Due to its internal configuration, the circuit arrangement identifies any fault even before the detection of the fault and initiates a protected switch-off. In this arrangement, it is of no importance whether it is the external control unit or the bus system used which is responsible for the fault.

Abstract: The invention achieves secure data transmission in a communications system (1) employed to control safety-relevant processes, through the provision of cooperating evaluators (212, 222) arranged in a shared manner in communications stations (21, 22) in order to evaluate safety-oriented data in a simple and cost-effective way. Accordingly, the invention provides a method in which a data report is transmitted from a first station (21), by means of a communications system (1) designed for serial data transmission, to a second station and said data report is checked by means of a second evaluator (222) arranged in the second station (22). Depending on the results of the check of the data report, an acknowledgement report is transmitted from the second station (22) to the first station (21), which [acknowledgement report] likewise is checked by the evaluator (212) arranged in the first station (21). Furthermore, the invention provides for a system to carry out the method.

Abstract: The present circuit arrangement allows data, which are necessary for building up fault-tolerant structures, to be transmitted on standard ring-shaped bus systems. Its implementation requires a monitoring unit and input and output units which transmit or receive data for control. The circuit arrangement handles the task of detecting any faults which can become a danger for the process within a machine or plant. Due to its internal configuration, the circuit arrangement identifies any fault even before the detection of the fault and initiates a protected switch-off. In this arrangement, it is of no importance whether it is the external control unit or the bus system used which is responsible for the fault.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for operation of an automation system having at least one bus system connected to at least one subscriber, and having a central control system. The method includes parameterizing and/or programming the at least one bus subscriber by the central control device, identifying an interruption in the connection to the control device by the at least one bus subscriber, and controlling at least one output of the at least one bus subscriber as a function of the parameterizing and/or the programming upon identification of the interruption in the connection. The invention also provides an automation system which is suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety-related automation system, and to a method for operating such a system. In order to provide a safety-related automation bus system which needs only a low level of hardware redundancy and can be flexibly matched to the respective requirements, the automation system comprises at least one safety analyzer, which is connected by means of an interface to the bus and monitors the data flow via the bus, the analyzer being set up for carrying out safety-related functions. The automation system is distinguished in that the standard control device drives at least one safety-related output, and the safety analyzer is designed for checking and/or for processing safety-related data in the bus datastream.

Abstract: A control and data transmission installation and a process for transmission of safely-related data in a control and data transmission installation. In accordance with the invention, safety procedures of existing field bus systems, particularly the interbus, are improved in such a way that there is no need either for additional lines for the transmission of control signals or redundant, safety-related units. In the inventive control and data installation, a master control device and a number of bus subscribers each include respective safety-related devices for carrying out predetermined safety functions. The safety-related devices can communicate with each other by way of a field bus.

Abstract: A control and data transmission installation and a process for transmission of safety-related data in a control and data transmission installation. In accordance with the invention, safety procedures of existing field bus systems, particularly the interbus, are improved in such a way that there is no need either for additional lines for the transmission of control signals or redundant, safety-related units. In the inventive control and data installation, a master control device and a number of bus subscribers each include respective safety-related devices for carrying out predetermined safety functions. The safety-related devices can communicate with each other by way of a field bus.