Patent ID: 7778814
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A method for simulating operation of an automation system having system components comprising a control component that can be clocked by means of an external clock source, and at least one simulation component that can be clocked by means of an external clock source, said method comprising the steps of: providing a coordinated clock system for the system components by means of a timing coordinator that is independent of the control component; providing with the timing coordinator a two-phase timing coordination, which also coordinates data exchange between individual system components; clocking in a first phase all system components, causing a change in a state vector of each system component whilst maintaining an output vector of the corresponding system component at a constant value; and maintaining in a second phase the state vector of individual system components at a constant value whilst updating the output vector in accordance with a transfer function of the state vector.