Synchronization of Data Delivery in Control Systems

A computer-assisted method comprising:

• receiving, via a network protocol on a network with a backplane, a plurality of output data to be transmitted to at least one of a plurality of input/output (I/O) devices;
• using a service processor of a synchronized communication device, associating the plurality of output data with a service that triggers immediate transfer of the plurality of output data to the at least one of the plurality of I/O devices;
• and
• using the service executed through the service processor, transmitting the plurality of output data to the least one of the plurality of I/O devices.

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:
• receiving, via a Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) over an Ethernet Industrial Protocol (EtherNet/IP) network, a plurality of output data to be transmitted to at least one of a plurality of input/output (I/O) devices;
• associating the plurality of output data with an application trigger service of the CIP, wherein the application trigger service triggers immediate transfer of the plurality of output data to the at least one of the plurality of I/O devices;
• and
• using the application trigger service, transmitting the plurality of output data to the least one of the plurality of I/O devices.