Patent ID: 7181644

Claim:
A method for synchronizing data utilized in a redundant, closed-loop feedback control system, the method comprising: configuring a plurality of control nodes within the control system, each of said plurality of control nodes transmitting and receiving data through a common communication bus; at each of said plurality of control nodes, during a given control loop time T=N, verifying the receipt of externally generated data with respect to each control node, said externally generated data having been generated during a preceding control loop time T=N−1; and at each of said plurality of control nodes, during said given control loop time T=N, calculating output control data using said externally generated data; wherein, during said given control loop time T=N, said calculated output control data from each individual control node is further transmitted over said communication bus to be later utilized by other control nodes coupled to said communication bus during a subsequent control loop time T=N+1.