Data processing network for performing reliable data processing

A data processing network for performing a plurality of successive data processing steps in a redundant and validated manner, said data processing steps each used to generate output data from input data, at least some of the output data from a first data processing step are at a same time the input data of a further data processing step, the data processing network comprising:

• at least one first data processing module and at least one second data processing module configured to perform each data processing step;
• and
• a comparator module,
• wherein the first data processing module and the second data processing module are configured to perform the data processing steps, selectively in a first working mode with parallel operation, or in a second working mode with an upstream data processing module and a downstream data processing module,
• wherein in the first working mode with parallel operation, control parameters of individual data processing steps are transmitted to the comparator module, and the comparator module is configured to perform at least one comparison of corresponding control parameters that were transmitted by the first data processing module and the second data processing module, and to provide at least one synchronized control parameter based on this comparison, the at least one synchronized control parameter containing control information regarding at least one performed data processing step, and
• wherein, in the second working mode which has the upstream data processing module, and the downstream data processing module, a sequence of successive data processing steps is performed in the upstream data processing module without transmitting the control parameters to the comparator module between the data processing steps and comparing them there for verification, and after performing the sequence of successive data processing steps, the control parameters are transmitted to the comparator module, causing a recalculation of the sequence of successive data processing steps in the downstream data processing module.