Apparatus and method for iteratively and interactively planning an I/O station for an automation controller

An apparatus for iteratively and interactively project planning an I/O station for an automation control system, the apparatus comprising:

• a selection device adapted to determine a selection of signals for the I/O station in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I/O station based on user input
• a database device adapted to provide property data for a plurality of I/O devices and I/O stations;
• a configuration device adapted to determine, based on the signal data, the planning data, and the property data, a system configuration for the I/O station that includes at least one I/O device among the plurality of I/O devices, wherein the configuration device is further adapted to perform a technical check of the specific construction rules of the respective I/O station of the system configuration and to change the system configuration in case of failure of the technical check:
• a display device adapted to display the system configuration for the I/O station;
• and
• wherein the property data further comprises at least one I/O function from an I/O device of the plurality of I/O devices, or wherein the signal data further comprises at least one I/O function of the signals.

A method of iteratively and interactively project planning an I/O station for an automation controller, the method comprising the steps of:

• specifying a selection of signals for the I/O station in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I/O station based on user input by means of a selection device;
• providing property data for a plurality of I/O devices and I/O stations by means of database device;
• determining a system configuration for the I/O station based on the signal data, the planning data, and the property data by configuration device, the system configuration including at least one I/O device among the plurality of I/O devices, wherein a technical check of the specific design rules of the respective I/O station of the system configuration is further performed by the configuration device, and in case of failing the technical check, the system configuration is changed;
• and
• displaying the system configuration for the I/O station by means of a display device.