Device and method for simulating a controlled machine or installation

A device for simulating a controlled machine or installation, the device comprising:

• a process simulation apparatus comprising a first virtual clock and an event receiver, the process simulation apparatus configured to perform first simulation steps as a function of a first virtual time so as to simulate a physical process of the machine or installation, and
• a controller simulation apparatus comprising a second virtual clock and an event generator, the controller simulation apparatus configured to perform second simulation steps so as to simulate a controller of the machine or installation as a function of a second virtual time,
• wherein the process simulation apparatus and the controller simulation apparatus exchange output values so as to simulate the controlled machine or installation in the respective first and second simulation steps,
• wherein the controller simulation apparatus is configured to transmit an item of information to the process simulation apparatus, which item of information describes a virtual result time for an end of a second simulation step, said virtual result time based on the second virtual clock,
• wherein the process simulation apparatus further comprises a device configured to adjust a duration of at least one of the first simulation steps based on the first virtual dock depending on the virtual result time such that the at least one of the first simulation steps ends at the virtual result time,
• wherein the event generator is configured to generate an event signal describing the virtual result time when a second simulation step is terminated by the controller simulation apparatus, and the event receiver is configured to receive the event signal, and
• wherein the controller simulation apparatus is configured to transmit the output values determined during the second simulation steps to the process simulation apparatus at the virtual time result, and wherein the process simulation apparatus is configured to use the transmitted output values from the controller simulation apparatus as input values for performing at least one subsequent first simulation step so that the process simulation apparatus and the controller simulation apparatus operate sequentially in a co-simulation with up-to-date input values, wherein the controller simulation apparatus comprises an emulator for the controller program to be executed in a software-emulated controller.