Patent ID: 8943188
Filing Date: 2015-01-27
Classification: G05B,H04L,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An automation network, comprising: an automation equipment comprising a processor with an operating system and sequencer for running a user program that comprises a cyclic part providing process-specific operations and an acyclic part providing event-controlled operations, the automation equipment connected to a data transmission network having a communication mechanism that complies with the PROFINET I/O standard; a plurality of field devices connected to the data transmission network for performing functions associated with a process and configured to transmit process messages between the plurality of field devices and the automation equipment cyclically, wherein all of the field devices are classified as a first device class defined by the PROFINET I/O standard via corresponding device master files; a plurality of network components segmenting the data transmission network and connecting the plurality of field devices to the data transmission network, each of the plurality of network components comprising processor with an operating program for implementing Ethernet-based communication across the data transmission network, wherein all of the network components are classified as a second device class defined by the PROFINET I/O standard via corresponding device master files, wherein the second device class of the network components is configured as a special class of field devices distinct from the first device class of the field devices without input/output (I/O) signals that influence the process to enable differentiation of network component status messages from other system messages in the automation network based on device class, wherein the network components are configured to transmit network component status messages concerning network component status to the automation equipment acyclically.