Abstract: An automated machine wherein messages exchanged between components of the machine are forwarded to at least one component at a first time point that temporarily stores them and from that component to a central unit at a second time point is disclosed. Said first time point preceding said second time point within the framework of a cycle time of the automated machine. The time points are determined relative to that cycle time and provided to respective components in conjunction with a startup of the automated machine. The component temporarily storing messages forwards them in the manner of a layer-3 switch. This message forwarding is driven by the respective time points, rather than event-driven, can operate seamlessly in existing systems wherein communications are time-slot controlled, and decouples the components so that real-time communications within the machine can be optimized.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a basic clock pulse system having a plurality of synchronized components with a higher-ranking clock pulse system includes, in a first step of the synchronization, determining a phase difference between an actual phase of the basic clock pulse system and a nominal phase of the higher-ranking clock pulse system and transmitting the phase difference to the components of the basic clock pulse system and, in a second step of the synchronization, using the determined phase difference as a pilot control for each component, i.e. for the pilot control of a clock pulse generator of each component.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a basic clock pulse system having a plurality of synchronized components with a higher-ranking clock pulse system includes, in a first step of the synchronization, determining a phase difference between an actual phase of the basic clock pulse system and a nominal phase of the higher-ranking clock pulse system and transmitting the phase difference to the components of the basic clock pulse system and, in a second step of the synchronization, using the determined phase difference as a pilot control for each component, i.e. for the pilot control of a clock pulse generator of each component.

Abstract: For real-time communication between a number of network subscribers in a communication system using Ethernet physics, the slave units are synchronized to the master unit in that each slave unit is clocked via a respective timer with a predetermined overall cycle time, which timer is set cyclically by the reception of respective slave-specific synchronization information which is determined by the master unit. In this case, each timer in a slave unit automatically starts a new cycle once the predetermined overall cycle time has elapsed, even in the absence of the respective synchronization information. Access control for the transmission mode and reception mode between the network subscribers is provided using a timeslot access method.

Abstract: Uniform distribution of a correction determined by a PLL over the subordinate clock signals is undertaken by dividing a phase-regulated value by the number of subordinate clock signals. Division by way of successive addition is performed such that time conflicts with subordinate clock signals generated in real time are successfully avoided despite the required time duration of such a division. The synchronicity can be further raised by also uniformly distributing a division remainder. A particularly effective implementation of this division employs subsequent rounding for real time use.

Abstract: Uniform distribution of a correction determined by a PLL over the subordinate clock signals is undertaken by dividing a phase-regulated value by the number of subordinate clock signals. Division by way of successive addition is performed such that time conflicts with subordinate clock signals generated in real time are successfully avoided despite the required time duration of such a division. The synchronicity can be further raised by also uniformly distributing a division remainder. A particularly effective implementation of this division employs subsequent rounding for real time use.

Abstract: For real-time communication between a number of network subscribers in a communication system using Ethernet physics, the slave units are synchronized to the master unit in that each slave unit is clocked via a respective timer with a predetermined overall cycle time, which timer is set cyclically by the reception of respective slave-specific synchronization information which is determined by the master unit. In this case, each timer in a slave unit automatically starts a new cycle once the predetermined overall cycle time has elapsed, even in the absence of the respective synchronization information. Access control for the transmission mode and reception mode between the network subscribers is provided using a timeslot access method.