Abstract: In an automation system, a protocol converter is provided between a first network and a second network for converting safety-related messages between the first and second networks that use different network protocols for message exchange. In the protocol converter, a single-channel filter connected to a single-channel interface determines messages having a first safety communication protocol from messages received from the interface over the first network and messages having a second safety communication protocol received over the second network. An at least dual-channel safety module connected to the single-channel filter then converts the messages with the first safety communication protocol determined by the single-channel filter into messages with the second safety communication protocol, or converts the messages with the second safety communication protocol determined by the single-channel filter into messages with the first safety communication protocol.

Abstract: In an automation system, a protocol converter is provided between a first network and a second network for converting safety-related messages between the first and second networks that use different network protocols for message exchange. In the protocol converter, a single-channel filter connected to a single-channel interface determines messages having a first safety communication protocol from messages received from the interface over the first network and messages having a second safety communication protocol received over the second network. An at least dual-channel safety module connected to the single-channel filter then converts the messages with the first safety communication protocol determined by the single-channel filter into messages with the second safety communication protocol, or converts the messages with the second safety communication protocol determined by the single-channel filter into messages with the first safety communication protocol.

Abstract: A safety module for a secured drive control of an automated drive system is configured to receive encoder data sent from an encoder unit to a drive unit, based on an encoder protocol via a protocol active unit. The safety module is configured to forward the encoder data from the protocol active unit to a safety logic and a protocol passive unit, check the forwarded encoder data with the aid of the safety logic for correspondence with predetermined safety criteria relating to operation of a motor unit, and transmit the forwarded encoder data via the protocol passive unit to the drive unit, in respective data packets based on the encoder protocol. The safety module can stop operation of the motor unit with the aid of the safety logic, if the encoder data does not correspond to the predetermined safety criteria. A corresponding drive system and automation system are also provided.

Abstract: A drive controller comprises an evaluation unit to receive and evaluate a first item of feedback information from a motor connected to the drive controller, a control-signal block connected to secure inputs of the drive controller to receive condition control signals and to provide the condition control signals as input signals, a drive-signal block connected to the evaluation unit to calculate a first speed and/or a first position on the basis of the first item of feedback information on at least a first channel and to provide a first speed signal and/or a first position signal, a programmable logic unit connected to the control-signal block and the drive-signal block to realize the safety functions and the speed signal and/or the position signal to provide switch-off signals, and an output unit connected to the logic unit and to secure outputs of the drive controller to output switch-off signals on safety-switch-off paths.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system are described for monitoring a first node in a communications network by a second node, where the first node has a single-channel design and is designed to execute a safety-oriented application. The second node has a dual-channel design, and a safety protocol is used for a data transfer between the first and second node. The second node determines at each of two consecutive time points a time value based on an internal timer, and sends each determined time value to the first node. The first node in response to each receipt of the time values determines a further time value based on a further internal timer. The first node compares a difference between the two time values from the second node with a difference between the two further time values from the first node, and goes into an error state depending on the comparison.

Abstract: A drive controller comprises an evaluation unit to receive and evaluate a first item of feedback information from a motor connected to the drive controller, a control-signal block connected to secure inputs of the drive controller to receive condition control signals and to provide the condition control signals as input signals, a drive-signal block connected to the evaluation unit to calculate a first speed and/or a first position on the basis of the first item of feedback information on at least a first channel and to provide a first speed signal and/or a first position signal, a programmable logic unit connected to the control-signal block and the drive-signal block to realize the safety functions and the speed signal and/or the position signal to provide switch-off signals, and an output unit connected to the logic unit and to secure outputs of the drive controller to output switch-off signals on safety-switch-off paths.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system are described for monitoring a first node in a communications network by a second node, where the first node has a single-channel design and is designed to execute a safety-oriented application. The second node has a dual-channel design, and a safety protocol is used for a data transfer between the first and second node. The second node determines at each of two consecutive time points a time value based on an internal timer, and sends each determined time value to the first node. The first node in response to each receipt of the time values determines a further time value based on a further internal timer. The first node compares a difference between the two time values from the second node with a difference between the two further time values from the first node, and goes into an error state depending on the comparison.