A collector included in a data collection apparatus performs data collection to collect data from a PLC. A controller included in the data collection apparatus determines whether the collector is valid depending on whether the collector at a time when an instruction to start the data collection is provided matches the collector at a preset time, and causes the collector to start the data collection in response to the collector being valid.

A collector (110) included in a data collection apparatus (100) performs data collection to collect data from a PLC (604, 605). A controller (150) included in the data collection apparatus (100) determines whether the collector (110) is valid depending on whether the collector (110) at a time when an instruction to start the data collection is provided matches the collector (110) at a preset time, and causes the collector (110) to start the data collection in response to the collector (110) being valid.

A safety input system for monitoring a sensor can include a voltage sensing circuit configured to produce a first detection output upon sensing a signal exceeding a voltage threshold, and a current sensing circuit configured to produce a second detection output upon sensing the signal exceeding a current threshold and/or voltage threshold. The signal can come from a sensor in an industrial automation system, such as a light curtain. The first detection output can be provided to a first processor, and the second detection output can be provided to a second processor, so that two processors can independently monitor the sensor. The signal can be monitored by separate input systems. Periodically the first processor can inject a first test signal into the input system for the second processor to detect, and the second processor can inject a second test signal into the input system for the first processor to detect.

In example implementations described herein, the power of time series machine learning is used to extract the statistics of Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) data and external sensor data. The accuracy of time series machine learning is improved by manufacturing context-dependent segmentation of the time series into states which is factory may be in. The invention can capture subtle trends in these time series data and be able to classify them into several outcomes from ICS security attacks to normal anomalies and machine/sensor failures.

Monitoring the integrity of industrial automation systems is provided. For example, a negative impact on integrity caused by unauthorized access should be identified. This is made possible by comparing state data which describe the operating state of the industrial automation system, with sensor data which describe an environmental influence of the automation system.

A safety input system for monitoring a sensor can include a voltage sensing circuit configured to produce a first detection output upon sensing a signal exceeding a voltage threshold, and a current sensing circuit configured to produce a second detection output upon sensing the signal exceeding a current threshold and/or voltage threshold. The signal can come from a sensor in an industrial automation system, such as a light curtain. The first detection output can be provided to a first processor, and the second detection output can be provided to a second processor, so that two processors can independently monitor the sensor. The signal can also be monitored by separate input systems. Periodically, for additional protection, the first processor can inject a first test signal into the input system for the second processor to detect, and the second processor can inject a second test signal into the input system for the first processor to detect.

A method for monitoring a transmitter (1) with a measurement (2) and a transmission unit (3), with which a measurement (2) signal is generated that is dependent on a measurement quantity, and with the transmission unit (3) receiving the measurement signal, and based on the measurement signal, an output signal is transferred to a signal transmission element (4). To makes it possible to recognize an error, an input signal is taken from the signal transmission element (4) and is transferred to the measurement unit (2) as a comparison signal which corresponds to the input is compared with a stored signal and based upon the outcome of the comparison, either the measurement signal is transferred from the measurement unit (2) to the transmission unit (3) or the transmission unit (3) is shifted into a definable state and an error signal is transferred to it.

A production system (10) for manufacturing a product (20), in particular a biological-pharmaceutical product, which comprises multiple processing units (30, 50, 702, 704) for accommodating and/or treating an educt (40), and/or to a method for this purpose.

A fail-safe central processing unit for a programmable logic controller (PLC) includes one or more sub-slot(s) configured to receive a signal board with multiple input/output (I/O) channels, wherein the signal board is configured as a fail-safe signal board and allows expansion of multiple fail-safe VO channels to the fail-safe central processing unit.

A production system for manufacturing a product, in particular a biological-pharmaceutical product, which comprises multiple processing units for accommodating and/or treating an educt, and/or to a method for this purpose.