Method for operating a control network, and control network

• Main Authors: LUDWIG, HARTMUT, ZIEGLER, ANDREAS, KIRSCH, ANDREAS, SCHWARZ, TINO, PORSCH, ROLAND
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.04.2014
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; PHYSICS

The invention relates to a method for operating a control network. It should be possible to perform the method reliably with relatively little complexity. According to the invention, a method for operating a control network (1) is suitable for this purpose, said control network having a single physical connection between a first control computer (ST1) and a second redundant control computer (ST2) by means of a data line network (2), to which several functionally important data processing devices (A, C, D, F, H, K, L) are connected. The data connection between the control computers (ST1, ST2) and the functionally important devices (A, C, D, F, H, K, L) is achieved by means of a redundant and diverse heartbeat, wherein the communication connection between the two control computers (ST1, ST2) is checked in order to start the operation of the control network (1). If the result of the check is positive, a master function is assigned to a control computer (ST1), or if the result of the check is negative, both control computers (ST1, ST2) connect the functionally important devices (A, C, D, F, H, K, L) to themselves according to a defined sequence. If a specified quantity of the functionally important devices (A, C, D, F, H, K, L) is connected to one of the two control computers (ST1), said control computer assumes the master function and the other control computer (ST2) assumes the standby function, or if the number of functionally important devices (A, C, D, F, H, K, L) connected to each of the two control computers (ST1, ST2) lies below the specified quantity, a signal is generated that signals a faulty state of the control network (1). The invention further relates to a control network.