A computer program, a computer-readable medium and to a system and method for checking an industrial facility formed as an automation facility, wherein real components of a provided real facility and/or data stemming from the real facility and/or simulated components of a provided simulated facility and/or data stemming simulated facility are manipulated using a computer program that includes at least one random algorithm, in particular during ongoing operation, such that random-based fault situations are caused in the real facility and/or the simulated facility.

A simulation device includes a storage unit to store a PLC program for operating PLC systems, and a simulation unit to construct a virtual network system simulating a configuration of a network system that includes the PLC systems, and simulate an operation of the network system using the virtual network system and the PLC program. The network system includes the PLC systems, the virtual network system includes a plurality of virtual PLC systems to simulate an operation of the PLC systems, and the simulation unit causes the virtual PLC systems to execute the PLC program while synchronizing time in the virtual network system.

A system for secure, oblivious-client optimization of manufacturing processes includes manufacturer exchange module executing on a secure server, which receives from a plurality of manufacturer clients at least an identification of a manufacturing device operated by the at least a manufacturer and at least a manufacturing constraint, an avatar generator e configured to generate at least a manufacturing avatar, and a simulator executing on the secure server, the simulator designed and configured to receive a design of a part to be manufactured using an automated manufacturing device and at least an optimization criterion, and simulate at least a first manufacturing process using a first avatar manufacturer avatar of the plurality of manufacturer avatars.

According to one embodiment, a distributed control system comprises a communication network and a plurality of control devices configured to control devices to be controlled, respectively. The control devices each include a simulator to which a program organization unit is allocated in advance, configured to simulate the allocated program organization unit, and a shared memory that stores a simulation result of the program organization unit simulated by the simulator to be shared with another control device. At least one of the control devices includes a simulation table database that can store therein an execution time of each of the program organization units allocated in advance to the control devices, and a simulation commander that stores, in the simulation table database, the execution time of each of the program organization units corresponding to the simulation result.

A system for secure, oblivious-client optimization of manufacturing processes includes manufacturer exchange module executing on a secure server, which receives from a plurality of manufacturer clients at least an identification of a manufacturing device operated by the at least a manufacturer and at least a manufacturing constraint, an avatar generator e configured to generate at least a manufacturing avatar, and a simulator executing on the secure server, the simulator designed and configured to receive a design of a part to be manufactured using an automated manufacturing device and at least an optimization criterion, and simulate at least a first manufacturing process using a first avatar manufacturer avatar of the plurality of manufacturer avatars.

A simulation device includes a storage unit to store a PLC program for operating PLC systems, and a simulation unit to construct a virtual network system simulating a configuration of a network system that includes the PLC systems, and simulate an operation of the network system using the virtual network system and the PLC program. The network system includes the PLC systems, the virtual network system includes a plurality of virtual PLC systems to simulate an operation of the PLC systems, and the simulation unit causes the virtual PLC systems to execute the PLC program while synchronizing time in the virtual network system.

A distributed process control system having at least one automation unit on the plant side that calculates a plurality of first process variables and influences the process that is connected by first data link to a monitoring system that controls and/or monitors the process. The system has an external computing unit that is connected by a distributed communication mechanism to the automation unit and exchanges data with it using a second data link. The external computing unit calculates a plurality of second process variables that the of the automation unit uses to influence the process. A method for extending the function of at least one plant-side automation unit is also disclosed.

A device for simulating a controlled machine or installation includes a process simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a physical process of the machine or installation, and a controller simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a controller of the machine or installation. The process simulation apparatus and the controller simulation apparatus exchange particular output values so as to simulate the controlled machine or installation in the respective simulation steps. The controller simulation apparatus transmits an item of information to the process simulation apparatus, which item of information describes a result time for an end of a simulation step performed by the controller simulation apparatus, while the process simulation apparatus is designed to adjust a duration of at least one of the simulation steps depending on the result time.

A device for simulating a controlled machine or installation includes a process simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a physical process of the machine or installation, and a controller simulation apparatus designed to perform simulation steps that simulate a controller of the machine or installation. The process simulation apparatus and the controller simulation apparatus exchange particular output values so as to simulate the controlled machine or installation in the respective simulation steps. The controller simulation apparatus transmits an item of information to the process simulation apparatus, which item of information describes a result time for an end of a simulation step performed by the controller simulation apparatus, while the process simulation apparatus is designed to adjust a duration of at least one of the simulation steps depending on the result time.

An information processing device includes an actuator emulator simulating a behavior of a first drive apparatus that is for driving a first control target, an actuator emulator simulating a behavior of a second drive apparatus that is for driving a second control target, a storage device for storing a PLC program including an instruction group with respect to the actuator emulator and a robot program including an instruction group with respect to the actuator emulator, a timer generating a virtual time, and a PLC emulator for repeatedly executing the instruction group included in the PLC program in each predetermined first control period in accordance with measurement using the virtual time, and a robot controller emulator for sequentially executing the instruction group included in the robot program in a predetermined execution order in accordance with the virtual time.