Synchronization of Measurement Values Delivered in an Individual Measurement Phase for a Safety Function

A method for synchronizing measurement values supplied in a respective measurement phase, the measurement values being processed by a safety-oriented controller in a monitoring phase in accordance with a safety function, the method comprising:

• comparing respective counter increments of the measurement values with one another in comparison with a previous monitoring cycle during a current monitoring cycle of the monitoring phase, and determining a maximum counter increment;
• adjusting measurement values which do not have the maximum counter increment based on the maximum counter increment;
• and
• establishing, by the safety function, at least one monitoring value based on the adjusted measurement values and the measurement values associated with the maximum counter increment.

A safety-oriented controller for synchronizing measurement values delivered in a respective measurement phase, the measurement values being processed by the safety-oriented controller in a monitoring phase in accordance with a safety function, the safety-oriented controller comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• memory;
• wherein the safety-oriented controller is configured to:
• compare respective counter increments of the measurement values during a current monitoring cycle of the monitoring phase in comparison to a previous monitoring cycle and to determine a maximum counter increment;
• adjust the measurement values that do not have the maximum counter increment based on the maximum counter increment;
• and
• form at least one monitoring value based on the adjusted measurement values and the measurement values associated with the maximum counter increment via the safety function.