Patent ID: 9448549
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: G05B,G06F,H04L

Claim Text:
1. A method of operating an automation system comprising an automation device connected for communication with a central unit, the automation device cyclically communicating in accordance with a send clock and a predetermined reduction ratio utilizing a first cycle time, and the central unit utilizing a send clock for its communication, storing in a database of the central unit information about the send clock for the automation device, and communicating with the automation device taking into account the send clock and the predetermined reduction ratio of the automation device, the method comprising: a) dividing the send clock for the automation device by the send clock of the central unit, a result of the division being a non-power-of-2 value; b) selecting a largest power-of-2 value smaller than the result of the division and multiplying the selected largest power-of-2 value with a reduction ratio of the automation device to obtain a reduction ratio of the central unit for communicating with the automation device; and c) utilizing the reduction ratio of the central unit to step down the send clock of the central unit for cyclically communicating with the automation device using a second cycle time;