Distributed processing of process data

A local bus with at least a first and a second data bus subscriber and a local bus master, the local bus master comprising:

• a transmitter to send a data packet with process data;
• wherein the first data bus subscriber comprises:
• a receiver to receive the data packet with process data;
• a process unit to preprocess at least one process data item of the received data packet;
• and
• a transmitter to send the data packet with the at least one preprocessed process data item to the second data bus subscriber;
• wherein the second data bus subscriber comprises:
• a receiver to receive the data packet with the at least one preprocessed process data item;
• and
• a process unit to further process the at least one preprocessed process data item.

A method for the distributed processing of process data in a local bus, in particular a ring bus, with at least two data bus subscribers and a local bus master, the method comprising:

• determining a workload of the first data bus subscriber, the workload indicating whether the first data bus subscriber is adapted to perform a preprocessing of process data for a second data bus subscriber within working cycles available to the first data bus subscriber;
• generating at least one instruction list, wherein the at least one instruction list comprises a set of instructions for preprocessing the process data by the first data bus subscriber, the instructions for the preprocessing depending on the determination of the workload;
• sending the at least one instruction list to the first data bus subscriber;
• and
• sending a data packet with the process data through the local bus master via the local bus.

A local bus master of a local bus, in particular a ring bus, having at least two data bus subscribers, the local bus master comprising:

• a determination unit to determine the workload of the first data bus subscriber, wherein the workload indicates whether the first data bus subscriber is adapted to perform a preprocessing of process data for a second data bus subscriber within work cycles available to said first data bus subscriber;
• a generator to generator at least one instruction list, the at least one instruction list comprising a set of instructions for the preprocessing of the process data by the first data bus subscriber, the instructions for preprocessing being dependent on the determination of the workload;
• a transmitter for sending the at least one instruction list to the first data bus subscriber;
• and
• a transmitter for sending a data packet with the process data via the local bus.