Method and device for computer-aided simulation of modular technical systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for computer-aided simulation of a modular technical system, wherein a corresponding virtual module (VM) is generated (S1) for a corresponding real module of the modular technical system. The virtual module (VM) comprises a controller for controlling a module-specific process and at least one module-specific simulation model (SM) for simulating the module-specific process, to which model type information is assigned. The virtual module is configured to simulate a module-specific process controlled by the controller and / or a controller of the real module by means of the module-specific simulation model (SM), and to provide the virtual module as a data container for computer-aided simulation of the modular technical system (S2). The invention in particular enables virtual commissioning of modular process facilities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for computer-aided simulation of a modular technical system, wherein corresponding virtual modules are generated for respective real modules of the technical system. Background Art

[0002] Modular process facilities can be used more and more in process technology, for example in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry. For this purpose, process technology modules, also called modular process units (English: Process Equipment Module), are usually used, which are closed and can be interconnected by module integrators to form complex overall facilities. The interconnection of modules makes it possible to reduce the planning and reconstruction time of new facilities. Usually, these modules can each include their own control or automation technology, which can be controlled by the central process orchestration layer (English: Process Orchestration Layer) based on capabilities or across modules when operating the modular facility, without the need for a process orchestration layer. In order to describe the module type, a standard description language can be used, such as StandardModuleTypePackage (standard module type package), abbreviated as MTP, which describes the interfaces, services and functions of the module automation technology and enables the module to be integrated into the process orchestration layer.

[0003] Virtual commissioning can be performed before the real commissioning of a modular process plant. This virtual commissioning can be realized, for example, with the aid of real control ("hardware in the loop", HiL) or simulated control ("software in the loop", SiL or "model in the loop", MiL) and / or as a simulation of the process behavior. For the virtual commissioning of each module, a simulation model of the process and a simulation of the automation technology are therefore required, which can be arranged in accordance with the plant topology. The simulation models and simulations required are generally not available, are not provided by the module manufacturer and / or are based on different software. As a result, the virtual commissioning of a plant consisting of modules from different manufacturers requires a lot of effort or is impossible, since the automation technology and / or the processes integrated in the modules are only known to one manufacturer. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to facilitate the virtual commissioning of modular technical systems, in particular modular process plants.

[0005] This object is achieved by the measures described in the independent claim. Advantageous developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for computer-aided simulation of a modular technical system, wherein a processor is used to simulate corresponding real modules of the modular technical system.

[0007] a) reading module-specific data of the real module and generating a corresponding virtual module according to the module-specific data, wherein the virtual module includes

[0008] - controllers for controlling module-specific processes,

[0009] and

[0010] at least one module-specific simulation model for simulating the module-specific process, to which model type information is assigned,

[0011] and the virtual module is arranged to simulate a module-specific process controlled by the controller and / or to simulate a controller of the real module by means of the module-specific simulation model, and

[0012] b) Providing the virtual module as a data container for computer-aided simulation of the modular technical system.

[0013] The method according to the invention can in particular be implemented as a computer-implemented method. In particular, the method can be executed by a device comprising at least one processor.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, a "processor" may be understood to mean, for example, a machine or an electronic circuit. A processor may in particular be a main processor (CPU), a microprocessor or a microcontroller (e.g. an application specific integrated circuit or a digital signal processor, possibly in combination with a memory unit for storing program commands), a server, etc.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, a "modular technical system" can be understood in particular as a modular facility, a modular process facility or a modular production facility. The modular technical system comprises at least one module. In the context of the present invention, a "module" can be understood in particular as a hardware module, a sub-facility or a facility module, such as a device or a pump. A module can also be referred to as a modular process unit (English: Process Equipment Module). The components of a module can in particular be actuators, sensors, process technology connections, control and communication interfaces and the automation technology itself.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, a "virtual module" can be understood as a data container, in particular a data container with a fixed (data) structure, a predetermined exchange format or in particular a partially executable data structure. A virtual module in particular forms a real module, i.e. it comprises virtual or simulated components of a real module. In particular, a virtual module can include at least one controller and a module-specific simulation model, to which at least one description is respectively assigned, for example a description relating to details and executability. The controller and at least one simulation model of the virtual module can preferably be coupled to one another via a communication layer in the virtual module, so that, for example, control data can be transmitted from the controller to the simulation model.

[0017] "Computer-aided simulation" can be understood in particular as a simulation and / or virtual commissioning of the operation and / or process of a modular technical system. Virtual commissioning includes, for example, various tests, such as signal tests, tests of field devices or tests of process behavior. In the case of testing process behavior, different processed media or substances can be modeled in particular. In addition, the control or automation technology of a module or an entire facility can be tested with the help of virtual commissioning. In particular, only real automation or control software can be used here, that is, the so-called "hardware in the loop" solution can be implemented. Alternatively, a simulation of automation or control technology can also be implemented, that is, the so-called "software in the loop" or "model in the loop" solution. For this purpose, the virtual module includes a controller, which can also be called a virtual controller and can exist in particular as a hardware project or simulation. If the controller of the virtual module exists as a hardware project, the virtual module can be coupled to a real controller that corresponds to at least the controller of the real module. Alternatively, the controller can also exist as a simulation in the virtual module.

[0018] The virtual module according to the invention can preferably be generated and provided for the corresponding real module by the module manufacturer. The data of the real module, in particular module-specific data, such as configuration data and / or specification data, are determined and read in. For example, the data can be detected by means of a sensor or derived from the description of the real module. The virtual module is generated according to the module-specific data. In particular, the virtual module includes at least one module-specific simulation model and associated model type information. The simulation model includes, for example, information about process technology, actuators or sensors, process technology connections, communication with a controller, simulated physical interfaces and control options, input / output interfaces for cross-model exchange of variables or parameters, etc. The module-specific simulation model can be particularly pre-generated and / or pre-configured and provided in this manner. For example, a module manufacturer can generate at least one corresponding simulation model. The virtual module preferably includes a large number of module-specific simulation models, each of which is assigned model type information, so that, for example, various types of simulations can be performed in a simple manner.

[0019] The module-specific simulation model and / or the controller of the virtual module can also be implemented, for example, as a link to a manufacturer's homepage and / or as an IP address executed directly on a manufacturer's server.

[0020] The advantage of the present invention is that the virtual module includes the information required to virtually configure and simulate the modular system in a simple manner in a simulation environment. For example, if the configuration of a real modular facility changes, the facility configuration can be virtually checked with the help of the virtual module.

[0021] Due to the standardized method and the specific packaging of the individual components of the virtual module in the data container, the virtual commissioning of the modular technical system can be created automatically and, in particular, can be realized independently of special simulation software. The modeling effort can be reduced and / or modeling errors can be avoided because the virtual module can include all the information required for simulating the modular system, which is provided as a data container. If real modules from different manufacturers are available, the virtual commissioning can be created without further effort and / or special simulation tools.

[0022] In an advantageous specific embodiment of the method, the model type information may include information about the type of the simulation model, about the execution of the simulation model and / or about the level of detail of the simulation model.

[0023] The model type information can be understood in particular as a description of the corresponding module-specific simulation model. For example, in order to automatically integrate the module-specific simulation model into a simulation environment, it is advantageous to provide an accurate description of the module-specific simulation model.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the module-specific simulation model can have a first interface via which cross-model variables of the module-specific simulation model are exchanged.

[0025] In particular, each module-specific simulation model integrated in the virtual module can have at least one first interface. In particular, variables can be exchanged across models via the first interface. Here, variables can be defined as cross-module or module-internal and include, for example, physical quantities or signals. Preferably, couplings with other virtual modules can be established via the first interface, for example, to virtually set up a modular technical system. The first interface thus delivered particularly includes those couplings that the real module also has, for example, for exchanging signals or physical quantities.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the module-specific simulation model can have a second interface via which parameter values ​​and / or functions of the module-specific simulation model can be read in and used to configure the module-specific simulation model.

[0027] In particular, each module-specific simulation model integrated in the virtual module can have at least one second interface. Via the second interface, in particular, parameter values ​​and / or functions and / or secondary simulation models can be read in. For example, a secondary simulation model can be encapsulated in a function and called by a module-specific simulation model. A secondary simulation model can include, for example, a simulation of reaction dynamics. For example, customer-specific parameter values, parameterized functions, etc. can be input for the simulation model via the second interface. In particular, access to a database can be achieved. The module-specific simulation model can be configured by means of input via the second interface and then executed.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the module-specific simulation model can comprise a third interface for cross-module communication and status data of the module-specific simulation model can be read in and / or read out via the third interface.

[0029] The virtual module preferably includes at least one third interface similar to the real module. For example, the third interface can be implemented as a communication interface, an operation interface (English: Human-Machine-Interface, human-machine interface) or a connection to a central control layer or a process orchestration layer. In particular, the status data required for virtual commissioning can be exchanged via the third interface. For example, an error state can be read out or set. The third interface in particular enables data transmission or data exchange, such as the input of control commands. In addition, the third interface allows the input of status data of the simulation model and / or the output of status data of the simulation model. The status data in particular includes the state of the simulation model at a specific point in time. For example, the error state and / or the verification state of the simulation model can be set and / or read out in this way.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the status data of the module-specific simulation model can be output via the evaluation unit.

[0031] The evaluation unit may be, for example, an operating screen for displaying states etc. In particular, internal state data of the simulation model may be displayed.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, a further module-specific simulation model can be integrated into the virtual module, which further module-specific simulation model is assigned further model type information.

[0033] The virtual module is preferably configured to be able to bind further module-specific simulation models. This makes it possible, for example, to set up further simulation types with the aid of the virtual module.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the virtual module can be encapsulated and / or encrypted and provided in this manner.

[0035] For example, the virtual module may be provided as a packaged and / or encrypted data container. In particular, known methods for data packaging and / or cryptographically encrypting data may be used.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, a) a real module of the technical system can be selected according to predefined configuration information of the modular technical system, a corresponding virtual module can be provided for the selected real module and read into the simulation environment,

[0037] as well as

[0038] b) The virtual modules can be coupled to each other in the simulation environment according to the configuration information, and a computer-aided simulation of the modular technical system can be performed, wherein, according to the predetermined simulation type information of each virtual module, the module-specific process controlled by the corresponding controller is simulated with the help of the corresponding module-specific simulation model, the model type information assigned to the corresponding module-specific simulation model satisfies the simulation type information, and / or the control of the corresponding module-specific process is simulated.

[0039] The simulation type information can be provided or predetermined by the facility integrator in particular according to the requirements for the simulation of the modular technical system. The simulation type information includes, for example, a test type, such as a signal test, a field device test, or an automation test.

[0040] The modular technical system can be simulated in a simulation environment or simulator with the aid of a virtual module for each existing real module. The virtual module preferably includes all information required for setting up and executing the simulation. The configuration and / or topology of the virtual facility composed of the virtual modules is carried out according to the configuration information of the real facility. In particular, the required simulation model can be determined based on a comparison of the simulation type information and the model type information.

[0041] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the technical system can be configured and / or controlled as a function of the result of the simulation performed on the module.

[0042] A further aspect of the invention relates to a device for computer-aided simulation of a modular technical system, the device having at least one processor which is configured to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a computer program product which can be directly loaded into a programmable computer, comprising program code portions which, when the program is executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the method / steps of the method, and to a computer-readable storage medium having the computer program product according to the invention.

[0044] The computer program product may, for example, be located on a storage medium such as a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, non-volatile / persistent storage medium or be provided or delivered in the form of a file downloadable from a server in a network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention and of the device according to the invention are shown by way of example in the drawings and are explained in more detail based on the following description.

[0046] Figure 1 A flow chart of the method according to the present invention is shown;

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an apparatus according to the invention; and

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the structure of a virtual module integrated in a simulation environment.

[0049] Objects that correspond to one another are provided with the same reference symbols in all the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In particular, the following embodiments merely show exemplary implementation possibilities, as such an implementation, in particular according to the teaching of the present invention, might look like, since a description of all such implementation possibilities is not possible and is not advantageous or necessary for an understanding of the present invention.

[0051] In particular, the (relevant) person skilled in the art with knowledge of one or more method claims is of course aware of all possibilities for realizing the invention that are common in the prior art, so that they do not need to be disclosed separately in the specification. In particular, these implementation variants that are customary and known to those skilled in the art can be realized only by hardware (components) or only by software (components). Alternatively and / or additionally, those skilled in the art can select any combination of hardware (components) and software (components) according to the invention to a large extent within the scope of their professional knowledge to realize the implementation variants according to the invention.

[0052] Figure 1An embodiment of a method according to the invention for computer-aided simulation of a modular technical system is shown. The modular technical system can in particular be a modularly constructed process facility, for example for the chemical or pharmaceutical industry. The method can in particular be implemented as a computer-implemented method, wherein the steps of the method are at least partially performed by a processor.

[0053] A modular technical system may include a plurality of interchangeably configurable modules. For example, the modules may in particular each include their own control or automation technology, which controls the sensors and / or actuators of the modules. The different modules may preferably be coupled to one another via physical interfaces. For example, a module may implement a process step of a process and / or only a part of a process step. The control of the processes of the modular technical system may in particular be controlled by a central process orchestration layer which controls the controllers of the respective modules.

[0054] Before commissioning the modular technical system, it is preferably possible to simulate the technical system, i.e. to commission it virtually. This can be, for example, a pure signal test, a field device level test, a process dynamics test or a transient test of the process behavior. In particular, different operating procedures, different system specifications and / or error scenarios can be represented. Virtual commissioning can be performed in a suitable engineering environment or simulation environment.

[0055] In a first step S1 of the method according to the invention, a virtual module is generated for the corresponding real module of the modular technical system based on the module-specific data of the corresponding real module. The module-specific data of the real module can be, for example, configuration data or specification data. The virtual module can be implemented as a data container, in particular as a data structure, an executable data structure with a fixed predetermined structure, for example in Figure 3 as shown in .

[0056] The virtual module is in particular configured such that it can simulate or emulate module-specific processes and / or simulate or emulate the control of the corresponding real module by means of a module-specific simulation model. Since the virtual module comprises both a controller and at least one module-specific simulation model, a simulation of the corresponding real module can be set up in a simulation environment.

[0057] The virtual module preferably comprises a plurality of module-specific simulation models, each of which is assigned model type information. The module-specific simulation models can in particular be pre-generated. They reflect, for example, the processes running in the module.

[0058] Furthermore, the virtual module comprises a simulated controller or a control project, which comprises an interface for connecting to a real controller for controlling a module-specific process. Furthermore, the virtual module may comprise a third interface for cross-module communication. Via the third interface, the virtual module can be interconnected with other virtual modules to form a virtual facility, in particular in a simulation environment. Furthermore, the third interface allows data to be exchanged across module boundaries, for example to output status data of a module-specific simulation model to an evaluation unit.

[0059] The virtual modules are each generated in a manner similar to real modules, i.e., the virtual modules in particular include images of all control possibilities, interfaces, capabilities and functions like real modules and thus allow the simulation of the entire modular technology. In particular, the virtual modules include a large number of different simulation models with different model type information, so that, for example, different types of simulations of modules and / or modular facilities can be performed. In addition, the virtual modules include a controller, which can be designed as a simulated controller, for example. The virtual modules can in particular be provided as encapsulated and / or encrypted data containers.

[0060] The virtual module is preferably configured so that it can be combined with other virtual modules in a simulation environment to form a virtual technical system. The virtual module here comprises a module-specific controller and at least one module-specific simulation model, which are advantageously coupled to one another via a communication layer so that real modules, their controllers and / or real processes can be simulated.

[0061] Preferably, the manufacturer of the real modules of the process-technical installation provides the corresponding virtual modules together with a standardized description of the real modules (eg MTP description) as data container, step S2. The virtual modules can be stored, for example, in a storage unit, a database or a server.

[0062] Next, a simulation of the modular technical system can be set up and executed. For this purpose, in the next step S3, all real modules are identified for the modular technical system to be simulated and corresponding virtual modules are provided for them. This is done based on predefined configuration information of the modular technical system, which includes, for example, information about the plant topology from the process orchestration layer, about the links between the modules and their variable exchange and / or information from, for example, the MTP description. Furthermore, in step S3, it is determined based on the predefined simulation type information which type of simulation and / or which type of control should be performed.

[0063] Read the supplied virtual modules into a suitable simulation environment. For example, a commissioning engineer or a facility integrator of a modular process facility can read the virtual modules into a suitable engineering environment.

[0064] In the next step S4, the virtual modules are coupled to each other in the simulation environment according to the configuration information, that is, the interfaces of the simulation models are connected to each other so that variables can be exchanged. Therefore, a commissioning engineer or a facility integrator can set up a virtual image of the modular technical system according to the configuration information. To this end, in particular, the simulation models of the corresponding virtual modules are selected respectively, and the model type information of the simulation model corresponds to or meets the pre-given simulation type information. The simulation type information in particular determines the type of virtual commissioning, such as signal testing, process testing, hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop or model-in-the-loop for control. In addition, it is determined which type of control is configured according to the simulation type information.

[0065] The virtual modules are interconnected in a simulation environment, wherein a corresponding simulation model and / or a corresponding control type is selected and configured for each virtual module according to the simulation type information.

[0066] Before performing the simulation, i.e. before the virtual commissioning, the facility integrator can set parameter values ​​and / or functions for the respective module-specific simulation model via its second interface, step S4. In particular, parameters and / or functions that are not set by the module manufacturer can be defined. For example, customer-specific parameters, such as material data, can be read in and the respective module-specific simulation model can be configured accordingly.

[0067] The modular technical system can be simulated by means of a simulation based on a virtual module set up. In particular, different error scenarios and / or process behaviors can be simulated with the support of a computer, step S5. Here, the internal state data of the module-specific process simulation model can be output to an evaluation unit, such as an operating screen.

[0068] Furthermore, the status data of the module-specific simulation model can be read in and out via the third interface of the respective virtual module. For example, the status data of the module-specific process simulation model can be set to a predetermined value in order to simulate an error scenario.

[0069] According to the simulation result of the modular technical system, the modular technical system can be operated, configured according to the configuration information and / or controlled. Step S6 of the method includes transmitting the result of the virtual commissioning to, for example, a facility integrator.

[0070] Figure 2 The device 100 according to the invention is shown in a block diagram. The device 100 is designed to perform the method according to the invention. In particular, the device 100 comprises at least one processor P, which performs at least one method step of the method. In addition, the device 100 according to the invention may include at least one storage unit M, in particular to store and provide at least one virtual module.

[0071] Figure 3The schematic diagram shows that the virtual module VM generated according to the method of the present invention is coupled with other virtual modules according to the configuration information of the modular technical system after being integrated into the simulation environment to realize the simulation of the modular technical system. The virtual module VM especially simulates the corresponding real module, that is, the virtual module VM especially includes all components and capabilities of the real module and is especially configured to execute various simulation scenarios. Therefore, the virtual module VM enables various simulation types to be realized for virtual commissioning. The virtual module VM is provided as a data container. Preferably, a data container with a predetermined structure is generated.

[0072] The virtual module VM comprises at least one simulation model SM which simulates or emulates the module-specific process PROC and the connection to the actuators A and / or sensors S. The module-specific simulation model SM comprises in particular information about process technology, actuators, sensors, process technology connections, communication and input / output interfaces for cross-model exchange of variables / parameters.

[0073] The module-specific simulation model SM is described by the assigned model type information. The model type information is preferably provided together with the simulation model SM. For example, the model type information can be encoded across models. The model type information particularly includes instructions on the type of simulation model, such as signal testing or process dynamics testing, instructions on execution or executableness and / or instructions on the level of detail of the simulation model SM. The virtual module VM preferably includes a large number of module-specific simulation models SM, each of which is different, for example, in level of detail.

[0074] Each module-specific simulation model SM in particular comprises at least a first interface IF1 and a second interface IF2. The first interface IF1 enables the exchange of cross-model variables of the module-specific simulation model SM. Cross-model variables can in particular be exchanged across modules and / or within a module. In other words, the first interface IF1 can be regarded as a physical interface and control possibility of the simulation. The second interface IF2 in particular can configure the corresponding simulation model SM. Therefore, the second interface IF2 in particular allows access to the virtual module VM from the outside. The virtual module VM and / or the simulation model SM in particular can include additional interfaces.

[0075] In addition, the virtual module VM includes a controller AS, which exists as a simulation, a control project, a simplified model of the control logic or a simplified functional automation logic. For example, the control project can be implemented as a file. In particular, controller type information can be assigned to the controller, based on which the capabilities and the type of the controller can be derived. The simulation of the controller can be understood as an image of a real controller. The controller AS of the virtual module VM is coupled to the process simulation via the communication layer COM. For example, communication can be performed according to a communication protocol. In addition, the third interface IF3 of the virtual module VM is coupled to at least one module-specific simulation model SM. Via the third interface IF3, for example, the status data of the module-specific simulation model SM can be read out and transmitted to the evaluation unit or the operating screen HMI.

[0076] The executability of the simulation model SM and / or the controller AS can exist in different variants in particular. For example, the execution can be tool-specific, i.e., the execution requires a defined tool, such as simulation software. Alternatively, the execution can be tool-nonspecific, i.e., the simulation model and / or the controller are provided according to a defined standard format, so that the standard format can be loaded into various simulation tools and executed there. In addition, the simulation model and / or the controller can be defined so that they themselves are provided in an executable manner, that is, for example, provided as a standardized executable file, without the need for a specified tool for the execution. The executability of the simulation model and the control model is preferably defined for each virtual module.

[0077] The data container of the virtual module VM may be structured, for example, according to a tree structure.The format and structure of the virtual module VM is preferably the same for each virtual module and is therefore compatible with each other.

[0078] For example, the tree structure may include a folder structure that may be compatible with a standardized description, such as, for example, an MTP description. For example, all available module-specific simulation models, corresponding control variants, and available overall models may be listed in a folder layer, including a coupling table for coupling controllers and simulation models. In particular, an implementation may be defined for each simulation model and controller, i.e., tool-specific, tool-independent, or executable. Each module-specific simulation model is assigned model type information, which may be implemented, for example, as an XML file.

[0079] All described and / or illustrated features can be advantageously combined with one another within the scope of the invention. The invention is not restricted to the described exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A method for computer-aided simulation of a modular technical system, wherein the modular technical system comprises at least one module, wherein each module implements a process step of a process and / or only a part of a process step, wherein a corresponding real module of the modular technical system is simulated by means of a processor a) reading module-specific data of the real module and generating (S1) a corresponding virtual module (VM) according to the module-specific data, the virtual module comprising - controllers for controlling module-specific processes, and at least one module-specific simulation model (SM) for simulating said module-specific process, said module-specific simulation model being assigned model type information, and the virtual module is configured to simulate a module-specific process controlled by the controller and / or to simulate a controller of the real module by means of the module-specific simulation model (SM), wherein the module-specific simulation model (SM) has a first interface (IF1) via which cross-model variables of the module-specific simulation model (SM) are exchanged, b) providing the virtual module (VM) as a data container for computer-aided simulation of the modular technical system (S2), wherein the virtual module (VM) is provided in a packaged manner, c) selecting a real module of the technical system according to the pre-given configuration information of the modular technical system, providing a corresponding virtual module for the selected real module and reading it into the simulation environment (S3), and d) The virtual modules are coupled to each other in the simulation environment according to the configuration information (S4), and a computer-aided simulation is performed on the modular technical system (S5), wherein a module-specific process controlled by a corresponding controller is simulated with the aid of a corresponding module-specific simulation model (SM) according to predetermined simulation type information of each virtual module, the model type information assigned to the corresponding module-specific simulation model satisfies the simulation type information, and / or the control of the corresponding module-specific process is simulated. 2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the model type information comprises information about the type of the simulation model, about the execution of the simulation model (SM) and / or about the level of detail of the simulation model (SM).

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module-specific simulation model (SM) has a second interface (IF2), parameter values ​​and / or functions of the module-specific simulation model (SM) are read in via the second interface, and the module-specific simulation model (SM) is configured (S4) using the parameter values ​​and / or functions.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the module-specific simulation model (SM) includes a third interface (IF3) for cross-module communication, and status data of the module-specific simulation model (SM) is read in and / or read out via the third interface (IF3). 5 . The method according to claim 4 , wherein the status data of the module-specific simulation model (SM) are output via an evaluation unit.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: A further module-specific simulation model (SM) is integrated into the virtual module, to which further model type information is assigned.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual module (VM) is also encrypted and provided in this manner.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the technical system is configured and / or controlled (S6) as a function of the results of the simulation performed on the module.

9. A device (100) for computer-aided simulation of a modular technical system, the device having at least one processor (P) which is configured to execute the method according to any of the preceding claims.

10. A computer program product arranged to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program product according to claim 10.

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