Method for computer-aided coupling a processing module into a modular technical system and modular technical system

A method for computer-aided decoupling of a processing module in a modular technical system, with the technical system including a host system providing a virtual machine having real-time capability, and with the processing module including a hardware unit having a sensor, an actuator, a connection unit with a communication component for controlling the hardware unit by way of control instructions, and a data memory storing configuration data and a control program providing the control instructions, with the connection unit coupling the processing module to the host system for interchanging data messages, said method comprising the steps of:

• a2) causing a safe state of the processing module;
• b2) terminating the virtual machine assigned to the processing module and removing the virtual machine from the host system;
• c2) removing established network connections;
• and
• d2) decoupling the processing module.

A modular technical system, comprising:

• a host system providing a virtual machine having real-time capability;
• a processing module comprising a hardware unit having a sensor, an actuator, a connection unit with a communication component for controlling the hardware unit by way of control instructions, and a data memory storing configuration data and a control program providing the control instructions, with the connection unit coupling the processing module to the host system for interchanging data messages and
• a management entity executed on the host system and configured to
• a1) read the configuration data and the control program from the data memory;
• b1) instantiate a virtual machine on the host system;
• c1) load the configuration data and the control program into the virtual machine on the host computer;
• and
• d1) the host system configured to execute the virtual machine for providing the control instructions and transmitting the control instructions to the processing module for controlling the hardware unit.

A computer program product stored on a non-transitory medium and comprising software code sections, which when loaded into an internal memory of a digital computer and executed on the digital computer, cause the digital computer to couple a processing module into a modular technical system, with the technical system including a host system providing a virtual machine having real-time capability, and with the processing module including a hardware unit having a sensor, an actuator, a connection unit with a communication component for controlling the hardware unit by way of control instructions, and a data memory storing configuration data and a control program providing the control instructions, with the connection unit coupling the processing module to the host system for interchanging data messages, and with a management entity executed on the host system by:

• a1) reading the configuration data and the control program from the data memory;
• b1) instantiating a virtual machine on the host system;
• c1) loading the configuration data and the control program into the virtual machine on the host computer;
• and
• d1) executing the virtual machine for providing the control instructions and transmitting the control instructions to the processing module for controlling the hardware unit.