Inventors:
Joseph G. Vazach - Mentor OH, US
Edward C. Hopsecger - Mentor OH, US
Anthony G. Gibart - New Berlin WI, US
David A. Vasko - Solon OH, US
Assignee:
Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH
International Classification:
G08B 21/00
US Classification:
340679, 340680, 340 101, 340 1051, 714 4, 714 7, 714 10, 714 11, 709246, 709249, 709250
Abstract:
A system serializes control signals within a safety control architecture wherein a safety serial interface at least one of receives and transmits signals from one or more processing components. A serialization component receives and serializes at least one data packet from the safety serial interface to control at least one of an input and an output associated with the safety control architecture. A safety related test circuit verifies input signals associated with the serialization component are not internally falsifying the state of the input signals. A heartbeat watchdog component verifies a true heartbeat bit in the at least one data packet is opposite a complement heartbeat bit in the at least one data packet within a predetermined time interval and shuts off power to at least one of an output and an input if such a condition is not met.