Problems such as an operation stop of a controller caused by leaving out a mismatch requiring a change can be prevented. When a setting value is changed in a unit operation setting, an allocation management part specifies a storage capacity required for a storage of input data based on the changed setting value, and judges whether a mismatch occurs in an allocation state between the input data and a storage area specified in an I/O allocation setting.

An input-output apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a lower-level layer interface connected to a field device, a higher-layer interface connected to a controller, a maintenance interface connected to a setting apparatus, a switch, and a control device. The switch switches between a first connection and a second connection. The control device, in an engineering mode, permits the switch to transition freely between the first connection and the second connection, and in an operation mode, controls the switch to switch to the first connection and prohibits communication through the maintenance interface. In response to a permission command received through the higher-level layer interface, the control device permits communication through the maintenance interface, and in response to a connection request received through the maintenance interface when the control device permits communication with the maintenance interface, the control device controls the switch to switch from the first connection to the second connection.

An input-output apparatus which is used in a process control system is provided. The input-output apparatus includes a first interface to which a lower-level apparatus is connected; a second interface to which a higher-level apparatus is connected; a third interface to which an external setting apparatus is connected; a switcher which switches between a connection of the second interface to the first interface and a connection of the third interface to the first interface; and a control device which, when in a first state in which the second interface is connected to the first interface by the switcher and the connection of the third interface to the first interface is permitted, controls the switcher to cause transitioning to a second state in which the third interface and the first interface are connected when a connection request to the first interface is input through the third interface.

The present disclosure is possible to increase types of executable work. In a slave device, normal connection support and Fast Connect support can be preset by user.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for iterative and interactive scheduling of an I/O station for an automation control system. The apparatus includes a selection device adapted to specify a selection of signals for the I/O station in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I/O station based on user input. The apparatus also includes a database device adapted to provide property data for a plurality of I/O devices and I/O systems and a configuration device adapted to determine, based on the signal data, the planning data, and the property data, a system configuration for the I/O station that includes at least one I/O device among the plurality of I/O devices. The configuration device is further adapted to perform a technical check of the specific construction rules of the respective I/O system of the system configuration and to change the system configuration in case of failure of the technical check. The apparatus also includes a display device adapted to display the system configuration for the I/O station.

The present technology provides for an IO module system (e.g., an industrial control system) that can provide multiple-channel analog and digital interfaces to a number of sensor devices of different types, where each channel of the IO module is programmably configurable as a digital input, a digital output, an analog input, and an analog output. Each sensor interface is implemented on an individual channel basis using discrete components in communication with a microcontroller. The present technology enables the rapid implementation of an IO channel operable in a wide range of voltage and current modes needed for common sensor interfaces.

The present technology provides for an IO module system (e.g., an industrial control system) that can provide multiple-channel analog and digital interfaces to a number of sensor devices of different types, where each channel of the IO module is programmably configurable as a digital input, a digital output, an analog input, and an analog output. Each sensor interface is implemented on an individual channel basis using discrete components in communication with a microcontroller. The present technology enables the rapid implementation of an IO channel operable in a wide range of voltage and current modes needed for common sensor interfaces.

A module includes one or more output channels, wherein each output channel is configured to transmit digital output signals, wherein each output channel comprises switching devices and a load is connectable between the switching devices, and wherein each output channel is individually configurable to operate according to a first output type or a second output type.

A module includes one or more output channels, wherein each output channel is configured to transmit digital output signals, wherein each output channel comprises switching devices and a load is connectable between the switching devices, and wherein each output channel is individually configurable to operate according to a first output type or a second output type.