Phoenix Contact Gmbh + Co. Kg

Rainer Esch

Viktor Oster

Heinz-Carsten Landwehr

Johannes Kalhoff

Steffen Horn

Thorsten Matthies

Frank Mueller

Andreas Engel

An input/output system including: an input/output base unit which has a plurality of slots into which input/output modules are pluggable; an evaluation device; and at least one cover element which is arrangeable on one of the plurality of slots of the input/output base unit. The evaluation device detects a presence of the at least one cover element at a slot of the plurality of slots.

Input / output system

The invention relates to a signal processing device having a first signal processing unit (), a second signal processing unit (), a third signal processing unit (), and a safety unit (). The first signal processing unit () and the second signal processing unit () are operable in parallel for providing signal processing redundancy, and are designed to output an output signal in each case in response to an input signal. The safety unit () is designed to replace the first signal processing unit () or the second signal processing unit () with the third signal processing unit ().

Signal processing device

A method and an apparatus are provided, which provide for single-channel bus coupling of safety-relevant processes. The method is distinguished in that a data record which is relevant for the safety-critical process is processed via at least two redundant processing channels, in particular on a protocol-specific basis, in accordance with identical laws for in each case one safe protocol and the redundant safety messages for single-channel bus coupling are joined together to form a common safe protocol, to be precise in that each of the processing channels accesses a common buffer register, with write authorization for each register location being allocated only once, in such a way that the common safe protocol is joined together in components by in each case writing in different components of the respective safety messages.

Method and apparatus for bus coupling of safety-relevant processes

Method and device in which a data set that is relevant for a safety-critical process is processed by at least two redundant processing channels according to identical laws for each safe protocol and the redundant safe protocols are assembled into a common safe protocol, in that each processing channels accesses a common buffer register. For each register location, a write authorization is allocated only once such that the common safe protocol is assembled proportionally by writing different portions of the corresponding safe protocols. The contents of each register location of the buffer register is read before the transfer of the common safe protocol from the buffer register for verification of the safe protocol formed in common from each of the redundant processing channels. The safe protocol formed in common is released only as a reaction to a release for transmission by each redundant processing channel.

Method and device adapted for performing single-channel bus coupling of a safety-critical process

The system according to the present invention for data transfer between microcomputer devices contains a standard protocol controller, a generally known ethernet controller, for example, as a coupling device instead of the known multipart RAM. Instead of a parallel data connection, the microcomputer devices are coupled to one another via a standardized, serial data connection, for example, ethernet. Using functions of ethernet switches already known, a number of microcomputer devices in the system may be increased.

System for data transfer between microcomputer devices

Generally, a means for coupling widely differing fieldbus or network systems to their own respective safety mechanisms is provided, in such a way as to ensure the transmission of safety data between at least two bus/network systems with different safety mechanisms. A method and an apparatus are provided for coupling at least two (field)bus/network systems to respectively different safety mechanisms, in particular respective proprietary safety mechanisms, with safety data which is to be transmitted between the different system-based safety mechanisms being processed additionally using a safe data structure which is defined but is system-independent.

Coupling of safe fieldbus systems

Apparatuses for level adjustment are essential to make adjustments to signals between integrated circuits having differing signal levels in electronic circuits. To assure signal adjustment for a large number of signals, as occur in parallel busses, an apparatus for level adjustment is used. This digital level adjustment uses the I/O cells already present in the integrated circuits with an externally wired pullup resistor and an internal digitally programmed or constructed signal connection for controlling output drivers.

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Blomberg, Germany

Rainer Esch