A sensor module includes a first sensor device that outputs first measurement data from a first measurement circuit receiving a signal from a first sensor element and performing a measurement process, a second sensor device that outputs a second measurement circuit receiving a signal from a second sensor element and performing a measurement process, and a microcontroller that receives the first measurement data and the second measurement data, in which the first sensor device includes a first terminal that is used for input of an external synchronization signal or a synchronization signal which is a signal based on the external synchronization signal, and input or output of a communication signal, and the second sensor device includes a second terminal that is used for input of the synchronization signal, and input or output of the communication signal.

A communication device (10) communicates with a communication device (20) in each of time divisions defined by shared time that is shared with the communication device (20). The communication device (10) includes a clocking unit (11) that measures the shared time, an acquirer (13) that acquires, from the communication device (20), error information about a first error of the communication device (20) in measuring the shared time, and a specifier (14) that specifies, to the communication device (20), a suspension duration at least at a start or at an end of each of the time divisions. The suspension duration is a duration for which the communication device (20) suspends data transmission. The suspension duration specified by the specifier (14) is greater than or equal to a greater error of the first error and a second error that is an error of the clocking unit (11) in time measurement.

Provided is a communication system, in which a first industrial machine and a second industrial machine are configured to communicate to/from each other, the communication system comprising circuitry configured to synchronize first time information updated by the first industrial machine and second time information updated by the second industrial machine with each other, wherein the second industrial machine is configured to: acquire state data on the second industrial machine; and transmit to the first industrial machine the second time information at a time when the state data is acquired and the state data.

An apparatus for controlling an automated installation has a first controller and a second controller that are connected to one another via a communication network. The first and second controllers each have a local clock and execute control tasks. The first and second controllers each further have a synchronization service that is used to synchronize the respective local clocks to a common reference clock. A timer repeatedly sends a trigger message to the first and second controllers. Each of the two controllers, on receiving the trigger message, determines a local time. The controllers interchange the respective local time and each compute a difference between their own local time and the local time obtained from the other controller. On the basis of the difference, each of the two controllers controls a local actuator.

A control system, apparatus, and method are provided. In the control system, plural apparatuses in time synchronization with one another are connected to a network, and the network transfers a frame periodically exchanged by the apparatuses. The apparatuses include a control device and an apparatus controlled by the control device. Each apparatus in the control system is connected over the network, to a first apparatus that transmits a frame that arrives at each of the apparatuses and a second apparatus that receives a frame transmitted from each of the apparatuses. Each apparatus includes information on a frame transfer path and transfer timing based on a synchronous time. When a frame does not arrive at defined time through the transfer path and when a condition associated with a cycle is satisfied, one or more of the apparatuses is configured to transmit a resend request through the transfer path.

A control system, apparatus, and method are provided. In the control system, plural apparatuses in time synchronization with one another are connected to a network, and the network transfers a frame periodically exchanged by the apparatuses. The apparatuses include a control device and an apparatus controlled by the control device. Each apparatus in the control system is connected over the network, to a first apparatus that transmits a frame that arrives at each of the apparatuses and a second apparatus that receives a frame transmitted from each of the apparatuses. Each apparatus includes information on a frame transfer path and transfer timing based on a synchronous time. When a frame does not arrive at defined time through the transfer path and when a condition associated with a cycle is satisfied, one or more of the apparatuses is configured to transmit a resend request through the transfer path.

Provided is a communication system, in which a first industrial machine and a second industrial machine are configured to communicate to/from each other, the communication system comprising circuitry configured to synchronize first time information updated by the first industrial machine and second time information updated by the second industrial machine with each other, wherein the second industrial machine is configured to: acquire state data on the second industrial machine; and transmit to the first industrial machine the second time information at a time when the state data is acquired and the state data.

A sensor module includes a first sensor device that outputs first measurement data from a first measurement circuit receiving a signal from a first sensor element and performing a measurement process, a second sensor device that outputs a second measurement circuit receiving a signal from a second sensor element and performing a measurement process, and a microcontroller that receives the first measurement data and the second measurement data, in which the first sensor device includes a first terminal that is used for input of an external synchronization signal or a synchronization signal which is a signal based on the external synchronization signal, and input or output of a communication signal, and the second sensor device includes a second terminal that is used for input of the synchronization signal, and input or output of the communication signal.

A sensor module includes a first sensor device that outputs first measurement data from a first measurement circuit receiving a signal from a first sensor element and performing a measurement process, a second sensor device that outputs a second measurement circuit receiving a signal from a second sensor element and performing a measurement process, and a microcontroller that receives the first measurement data and the second measurement data, in which the first sensor device includes a first terminal that is used for input of an external synchronization signal or a synchronization signal which is a signal based on the external synchronization signal, and input or output of a communication signal, and the second sensor device includes a second terminal that is used for input of the synchronization signal, and input or output of the communication signal.

An apparatus for controlling an automated installation has a first controller and a second controller that are connected to one another via a communication network. The first and second controllers each have a local clock and execute control tasks. The first and second controllers each further have a synchronization service that is used to synchronize the respective local clocks to a common reference clock. A timer repeatedly sends a trigger message to the first and second controllers. Each of the two controllers, on receiving the trigger message, determines a local time. The controllers interchange the respective local time and each compute a difference between their own local time and the local time obtained from the other controller. On the basis of the difference, each of the two controllers controls a local actuator.