Method for integrating into a data transmission a number of I/O modules connected to an I/O station, station head for carrying out a method of this type, and system having a station head of this type

A station head for an I/O station with a number of I/O modules connected to the I/O station according to a configuration for processing process data, which can be assigned according to this configuration, comprising:

• a bus coupler or a decentralized controller, wherein the station head is adapted to be operable in an integration mode,
• wherein the station head is arranged, during operation in the integration mode, to analyze the number of I/O modules connected to the I/O station with regard to their actual configuration at the I/O station and to check whether a predefined target configuration, which is specified by a first device superordinate to the I/O station, for connecting a number of I/O modules to the I/O station for processing primary data, which is assigned in accordance with this target configuration, is already stored in a memory of the station head or of the first device, wherein the target configuration is to be protected together with the primary data;
• wherein the station head, when operating in the integration mode, is further arranged, in response to such a target configuration stored in the memory, to check whether the target configuration can be found in the actual configuration of the number of analyzed connected I/O modules by comparing the target configuration with the actual configuration,
• wherein the station head is further arranged, when operating in the integration mode after analysis of the number of connected I/O modules and in response to the finding of the target configuration, to assign each I/O module identified as required for finding the target configuration to the target configuration and each I/O module identified as not required for finding the target configuration to a new configuration toprocess secondary data that is assigned to this new configuration,
• the station head being further arranged in response to the assignment to the new configuration, for operating the I/O station with each I/O module assigned to the target configuration exclusively in accordance with the target configuration, and for operating the I/O station with each I/O module assigned to thenew configuration independently of and/or in parallel with the target configuration exclusively in accordance with the new configuration, for processing the secondary data which is assigned to this new configuration independently of the target configuration.