Method and apparatus for configuring an automation system

An apparatus for configuring an automation system, comprising:

• a user interface enabling a user to specify a peripheral channel of the automation system and a required fault behavior for handling a fault in said peripheral channel;
• a memory unit storing a plurality of possible configurations of said peripheral channel and a fault behavior associated with each configuration;
• a processor coupled to said user interface and said memory unit said processor adapted to select a suitable configuration from said memory unit by comparing said required fault behavior to said fault behaviors stored in said memory unit, said processor further adapted to configure said user-specified peripheral channel according to said suitable configuration;
• and
• an output unit for communicating said suitable configuration to the automation system.

A method for configuring an automation system, comprising the steps of:

• identification by a user of a peripheral channel of the automation system, said peripheral channel being communicated to a programming unit;
• specification by said user of a required fault behavior for handling a fault in said peripheral channel, said required fault behavior being communicated to said programming unit;
• determination by said programming unit of a configuration of said peripheral channel capable of providing said required fault behavior, said determination made using information stored in a knowledge base;
• and
• configuration by said programming unit of said peripheral channel according to said configuration.