Device for exchanging data and process for operating it

Abstract

A device or arrangement for exchanging data between a main station (master) (10) and at least one secondary station (slave) (12, 12n), which each have access to at least one common data line (11) via interfaces CAN, and processes for operating the device. Except for an individual identifier (a, b, . . . , d) of each slave (12, 12n), which is stored in an identifier memory (27, 27n) disposed in the slave (12, 12n), the slaves (12, 12n) are identical. The master (10) likewise includes an identifier memory (22), in which the identifiers (a, b, . . . , d) of the slaves (12, 12n) are to be stored, so that the master can address the slaves (12, 12n) in a targeted way and can process the data output by the slaves (12, 12n). The processes according to the invention pertain to the storage of the identifiers (a, b, . . . , d) in the identifier memory (22) of the master (10) and to the procedure in the event of ai failure of slaves (12, 12n) and/or of the master (10), taking into account the case where no external computer (14) that could furnish all the required information is available. The device according to the invention and the processes according to the invention are especially suitable for use in a multiplexing system that is preferably disposed in a motor vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.