Synchronous clocked communication system with decentralized input/output modules and method for linking decentralized input/output modules into such a system

A synchronous clocked communication system having characteristics of equidistant communication cycles comprising:

• a means for generating a communication clock, a first station and a second station, each communicatively coupled to the means for generating a communication clock, at least one data network communicatively coupled to the means for generating a communication clock and the two stations and each of a first decentralized input/output module associated with the first station and a second decentralized input/output module associated with the second station communicatively coupled to the means for generating a communication clock, the two stations and the at least one data network, wherein the communication system is operable to link the decentralized input/output modules to at least one other element of the synchronous clocked communication system;
• wherein the communication system has at least one time adjusting device for adjustment of time for registration and detection of signals of a device to be controlled at the input of an input/output module with respect to the communication clock of the communication system or a clock derived therefrom;
• and wherein the communication system is operable to synchronize the registration and detection of signals at the input of the decentralized input/output modules of at least two devices to be controlled which are in each case connected to a different decentralized input/output module, in such a manner that the registration and detection takes place at the same time with respect to the communication clock of the communication system at the respective decentralized input/output modules.