A control layer automation device comprises a processor, one or more control layer applications, a database, a wireless interface, a device memory. Each control layer application is configured to perform a discrete set of automation functions. The database comprises a plurality of operator device identifiers and the wireless interface allows the one or more control layer applications to communicate with a plurality of operator devices via the plurality of operator device identifiers. The device memory comprises the one or more control layer applications. The control layer application manager is configured to manage execution of the one or more control layer applications on the processor.

An IO-Link master includes: an IO-Link communication port that communicates with an IO-Link device according to a predetermined communication protocol; a digital input port that receives a first signal value output from the IO-Link device; and a determiner that determines whether abnormality is generated in a digital input line connecting the digital input port to the IO-Link device based on a second signal value received with the IO-Link communication port and the first signal value.

A control device includes a controller that executes a control arithmetic calculation controlling a control target; a communication device that executes processing for secure communication using a certificate; a detector that detects that an end of the certificate approaches; and a notification device that notifies that the end of the certificate approaches.

A master device manages a plurality of slave devices constituting a network including a ring topology. The plurality of slave devices includes: a first slave device serving as a starting point and a terminal point of the ring topology; and a plurality of second slave devices connected between a first output port of the first slave device and a second output port thereof and constituting the ring topology. On the basis of a network configuration detected when the second output port and the output port of a second slave device paired with the second output port are available and of a network configuration detected when the second output port and the output port paired therewith have been made unavailable, the master device determines an incorrect wiring path between the first output port and the second output port and outputs information indicating the incorrect wiring path to an information processing device.

A control layer automation device comprises a processor, one or more control layer applications, a database, a wireless interface, a device memory. Each control layer application is configured to perform a discrete set of automation functions. The database comprises a plurality of operator device identifiers and the wireless interface allows the one or more control layer applications to communicate with a plurality of operator devices via the plurality of operator device identifiers. The device memory comprises the one or more control layer applications. The control layer application manager is configured to manage execution of the one or more control layer applications on the processor.

A control system includes a controller for controlling a control target and redundant devices accessible from the controller. The control system includes a feature quantity generation unit that generates a feature quantity from data associated with the redundant devices, an abnormality detection unit that determines whether an abnormality has occurred in one of the redundant devices based on the feature quantity generated by the feature quantity generation unit and a predetermined abnormality detection parameter, a switch unit that switches the redundant devices between a working mode and a standby mode when the abnormality detection unit determines that an abnormality has occurred, and a learning unit that performs machine learning using the data associated with the redundant devices to determine the abnormality detection parameter.

Provided is a highly convenient communication device capable of detecting a communication error caused by an abnormality of a state of communication. A communication device capable of mutually communicating with an electrical device includes: a superimposed signal receiving unit that periodically receives a data signal related to the electrical device as a signal superimposed on an operation signal; a period determination unit that determines whether or not a communication error of the data signal detected by the superimposed signal receiving unit is able to be regarded as having occurred in a transition period of a value of the operation signal; and a state determination unit that determines a state of communication with the electrical device in accordance with the determination by the period determination unit.

A method for configuring a process control system includes coupling an I/O module to a PLC coupled to field devices. For each field device, the PLC has registers storing data of values associated with the field device. The PLC is configured such that each field device is associated with a PLC control tag, and each control tag is associated with tag parameters corresponding to the registers for the field device. The method includes configuring the I/O module to associate the tag parameters with corresponding controller parameters such that, for each control tag, there is a set of controller parameters associated with the tag parameters for the control tag. The method includes instantiating an integration object and associating the integration object with one of the control tags. The integration object configures itself, according to the set of controller parameters that is associated with the tag parameters for the control tag, as an analog input function block, a discrete input function block, an analog output function block, or a discrete output function block.

A method for configuring a process control system includes coupling an I/O module to a PLC coupled to field devices. For each field device, the PLC has registers storing data of values associated with the field device. The PLC is configured such that each field device is associated with a PLC control tag, and each control tag is associated with tag parameters corresponding to the registers for the field device. The method includes configuring the I/O module to associate the tag parameters with corresponding controller parameters such that, for each control tag, there is a set of controller parameters associated with the tag parameters for the control tag. The method includes instantiating an integration object and associating the integration object with one of the control tags. The integration object configures itself, according to the set of controller parameters that is associated with the tag parameters for the control tag, as an analog input function block, a discrete input function block, an analog output function block, or a discrete output function block.

A master device manages a plurality of slave devices constituting a network including a ring topology. The plurality of slave devices includes: a first slave device serving as a starting point and a terminal point of the ring topology; and a plurality of second slave devices connected between a first output port of the first slave device and a second output port thereof and constituting the ring topology. On the basis of a network configuration detected when the second output port and the output port of a second slave device paired with the second output port are available and of a network configuration detected when the second output port and the output port paired therewith have been made unavailable, the master device determines an incorrect wiring path between the first output port and the second output port and outputs information indicating the incorrect wiring path to an information processing device.