# US 10,313,201 B2 · Modular control device of an industrial automation system, and method for configuring the modular control device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,313,201 B2 - Document ID: US10313201B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/759,064 - Filed: 2016-08-23 - Published: 2019-02-07 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-14 - Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft - Inventors: Harald Albrecht; Reiner Plonka; Hartmut Stutz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10313201B2 ## CPC - H04L 41/0886: {Fully automatic configuration} - H04L 41/0803: Configuration setting - H04L 45/02: Topology update or discovery - H04L 45/04: {Interdomain routing, e.g. hierarchical routing} - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A method in which first routers have an extended router function for a connection to a superordinate communication network, wherein second routers include a restricted router function for a connection to a subordinate field level subnetwork, where when further first routers are present, the router configuration units of the first routers each use priority values to check which first router has the highest priority value associated with it, where the first router having the highest priority value is configured as a superordinate router for a connection to a superordinate communication network so as to configure a modular control device of an industrial automation system that includes a central unit and at least one communication module that includes a respective integrated router, where router configuration units of the first routers detect available router functions and associated priority values of other routers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for configuring a modular control device of an industrial automation system, the modular control device comprising a central processor unit for processing control programs and at least one communication module, which each comprise an integrated router and are interconnected via a backplane bus system, and first routers having an expanded router function for a connection to a superordinate communication network, and second routers having a restricted router function for a connection to a subordinate field-level subnetwork, the method comprising: detecting, router configuration units of the first routers, router functions which are respectively available via router configuration units of other routers and assigned priority bands of respective routers; checking, by respective router configuration units of the first routers, whether other first routers are present, based on detected router functions of other routers; checking, when the other first routers are present, by the respective router configuration units of the first routers check, based on priority values, which first router is assigned a highest priority value; configuring the first router with the highest priority value as a superordinate router for the connection to the superordinate communication network; and configuring all other respective routers as subordinate routers for the connection to the subordinate field-level subnetwork and assuming a name service and subnetwork address configuration which is predefined by the superordinate router. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated router of the central processor unit is configured as the superordinate router if no first routers are present. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the integrated router of the central processor unit assumes a name service and subnetwork address configuration which is predefined via a projection system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the superordinate router assumes, via the router configuration unit, a name service and subnetwork address configuration from the superordinate communication network. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subordinate routers assume, via the respective router configuration units, the name service and subnetwork address configuration of the superordinate router. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein configurations of remaining routers are retained unchanged when a communication module is removed during ongoing operation without replacement. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein, during ongoing operation, the router configuration unit which is assigned to the central processor unit checks, only when a communication module is added, which router is to be configured as a superordinate router; wherein the router configuration unit which is assigned to the central processor unit brings about, only when a change in the superordinate router occurs, a reconfiguration of a router whose configuration is dependent on the change in the superordinate router. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein during a control program sequence the router configuration unit which is assigned to the central processor unit is blocked against configuration changes during a control program sequence. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the router configuration unit which is assigned to the central processor unit is blocked against configuration changes during a control program sequence even when a communication module is added. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the router configuration units of the first routers check whether a projection of a superordinate router, which projection has priority over the priority values of the respective first routers, is stored in the central processor unit when other first routers are present. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first router is configured as the superordinate router in accordance with the projection stored in the central processor unit when a positive checking result occurs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein transmission of data via the backplane bus system is performed in accordance with the internet protocol. ### Claim 13 A modular control device of an industrial automation system, comprising: a central processor unit for processing control programs; and at least one communication module, the central processor unit and the at least one communication module each comprising an integrated router and being interconnected to one another via a backplane bus system, first routers having an expanded router function for a connection to a superordinate communication network, and second routers having a restricted router function for a connection to a subordinate field-level subnetwork; wherein router configuration units of the first routers are configured to detect router functions which are respectively available via router configuration units of other routers and assigned priority values of respective routers; wherein the router configuration units of the first routers are configured to respectively check whether other first routers are present, based on detected router functions of other routers; wherein the router configuration units of the first routers are configured to respectively check, based on priority values, which first router is assigned a highest priority value when the other first routers are present; wherein the routers are configured such that the first router with the highest priority value is configured as a superordinate router for the connection to the superordinate communication network, and such that all other routers are respectively configured as subordinate routers for the connection to the subordinate field-level subnetwork and assume a name service and subnetwork address configuration which is predefined by the superordinate router.