Device for coupling network components

Abstract

Device for coupling network components, wherein the device is configured to receive first data from at least one first network component and to at least temporarily perform at least a part of an adjustment loop based on at least a part of the first data, in particular to determine an adjustment variable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for coupling network components.

[0002] The present disclosure also relates to a method of operating a device for coupling network components.

[0003] The present disclosure also relates to a control device for a device for coupling network components.

[0004] The present disclosure also relates to a method of operating a control device for a device for coupling network components. SUMMARY

[0005] Preferred embodiments relate to a device for coupling network components, wherein the device is configured to receive first data from at least one first network component and to at least temporarily execute at least a part of an adjustment loop, in particular to determine an adjustment variable, based on at least a part of the first data. Thereby, it can be at least partially advantageous to provide one or more adjustment loops directly in the device, which can in particular improve the efficiency of data transmission in a network having the device and the operation of the one or more adjustment loops and can reduce latency times.

[0006] In other preferred embodiments, "executing at least a part of an adjustment loop" is to be understood as determining or forming at least one adjustment variable of the adjustment loop by the device, in particular based on an adjustment deviation, which can be determined based on a control variable and an adjustment variable of the adjustment loop, for example. In other words, in other preferred embodiments, a nearly complete adjustment loop can be executed by the device, in particular except for an adjustment section on which the adjustment variable is to act, for example having a sensor and / or an actuator. In other preferred embodiments, the formation of the adjustment variable can also be described or understood as the execution of an adjustment algorithm.

[0007] In other preferred embodiments, the device can output the adjustment variable, for example formed (preferably locally in the device), to the first network component and / or at least one other network component, for example depending on where an adjustment section on which the adjustment variable is to act is located. For example, if the adjustment variable is to act on an actuator arranged in the area of a second network component, for example, the device can output the adjustment variable to the second network component. In other preferred embodiments, the second network component can be directly connected to the device. In other preferred embodiments, the second network component can be indirectly connected to the device, i.e. one or more other network components can also participate in sending the adjustment variable to the second network component, if necessary.

[0008] In other preferred embodiments, the at least one regulating loop can have or be configured as at least one of the following elements: a) a P (proportional) regulator, b) an I (integral) regulator, c) a D (derivative) regulator or a mixture thereof, such as a PID or a PI, etc.

[0009] In other preferred embodiments, the at least one regulating loop can alternatively or additionally have other elements not mentioned above.

[0010] For example, according to other preferred embodiments, a PID regulator or regulating algorithm for determining the regulating variable can be implemented in the device according to the following equation:

[0011] [Equation 1],

[0012] where "Actuation(t)" represents an output signal that can be determined by means of the PID regulator, such as for example for actuating the at least one actuator, which is also referred to as the regulating variable, where err(t) represents the regulating deviation, where K p is the gain of the proportional P component, where K i is the gain of the integral I component, and where K d is the gain of the derivative D component of the PID regulating algorithm.

[0013] In other preferred embodiments, the device is configured as a switch, in particular an Ethernet switch, in particular also for example configured to forward input first data in the form of data packets, which data are associated with the second layer ("Layer 2", data link layer) of the ISO / OSI standard reference model.

[0014] In other preferred embodiments, the device can also provide the functionality of a router, i.e. to forward data packets based on information from the third layer ("Layer 3", network layer) of the ISO / OSI standard reference model, for example.

[0015] In other preferred embodiments, the device can also perform functions on layers above Layer 3, for example associated with a protocol and / or packet format in particular "of its own".

[0016] In other preferred embodiments, it is provided that the device is configured to determine second data by means of at least a part of the regulating loop and to output at least a part of the second data to the first network component and / or at least one other network component, wherein the second data is in particular the regulating variable or the regulating variable.

[0017] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the at least one regulating loop a) is configured as a real-time regulating loop and / or b) has a cycle time of less than or equal to 1 second, in particular less than or equal to 100 milliseconds (ms), in particular less than or equal to 50 milliseconds.

[0018] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the at least one regulating loop is configured as a real-time regulating loop and has a cycle time of less than or equal to 100 ms, in particular less than or equal to 10 ms, wherein for example in some embodiments a cycle time in the range of 100 microseconds is also conceivable.

[0019] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the device is configured to at least temporarily store configuration data for the at least one regulating loop, wherein in particular the configuration data, preferably depending on the type of the regulating loop, has at least one parameter for at least one of the following elements of the at least one regulating loop: a) gain of the proportional P component, b) gain of the integral I component, c) gain of the derivative D component, see for example the above-mentioned parameter K p , K i , K d In other preferred embodiments with regulating loops of different types, the configuration data can also have further parameters.

[0020] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the device is configured to at least temporarily store assignment data, which characterizes the assignment of incoming data, in particular data packets, to the at least one regulating loop. Thereby it can be determined effectively whether an incoming data packet is assigned to a regulating loop or to which of possibly several regulating loops the data packet is assigned.

[0021] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the device is configured to at least temporarily store operating data for the at least one regulating loop, wherein in particular the operating data characterizes state information of the at least one regulating loop. Thereby, for example, the values of the integral and / or derivative components of the regulating loop can be stored by means of the device.

[0022] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the device is configured to extract data, in particular sensor data, from the incoming data on the basis of the assignment data and to process the extracted data by means of the at least one regulating loop, for example in order to determine a regulating variable or a new value of the regulating variable of the at least one regulating loop.

[0023] Other preferred embodiments relate to a method of operating a device for coupling network components, the method comprising receiving, by means of the device, first data from at least one first network component, performing, by means of the device, at least one part of an adjustment loop based on at least one part of the first data, in particular determining an adjustment variable.

[0024] Other preferred embodiments relate to a control device for a device for coupling network components, in particular a device according to an embodiment, wherein the control device is configured to at least temporarily influence, in particular configure, at least one part of an adjustment loop of the device or at least one part of at least one adjustment loop of the device.

[0025] Other preferred embodiments can be configured both at installation time and dynamically at system runtime (e.g. values of one or more adjusters can be dynamically modified / adapted via the control device).

[0026] Other preferred embodiments relate to a method of operating a control device for a device for coupling network components, in particular a device according to an embodiment, wherein the control device at least temporarily influences, in particular configures, at least one part of an adjustment loop of the device or at least one part of at least one adjustment loop of the device.

[0027] Other preferred embodiments relate to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method according to an embodiment.

[0028] Other preferred embodiments relate to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method according to an embodiment.

[0029] Other preferred embodiments relate to a data carrier signal characterizing and / or transmitting a computer program according to an embodiment.

[0030] Other preferred embodiments relate to a system, in particular a cyber-physical system CPS, having at least one sensor, at least one actuator and having at least one device according to an embodiment.

[0031] Further preferred embodiments relate to the use of the device according to the embodiments and / or the control device according to the embodiments and / or the method according to the embodiments and / or the computer-readable storage medium according to the embodiments and / or the computer program according to the embodiments and / or the data carrier signal according to the embodiments and / or the system according to the embodiments, in particular the CPS, for at least one of the following: a) executing at least one part of an adjustment loop in the device for coupling network elements, b) providing actuating data for at least one actuator by means of the device for coupling network elements, c) providing at least partially a plurality of adjustment loops for a target system within at least one device for coupling network elements, in particular within a plurality of devices for coupling network elements, d) configuring the at least one adjustment loop by means of a preferably central control device.

[0032] Further features, applications possibilities and advantages of the present application result from the following description of embodiments of the present application, which are shown in the individual figures of the drawing. Herein, all features described or shown, either individually or in any combination, form the subject of the present application, regardless of their summary in the claims or their citation, and regardless of their illustration in the description or the drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] In the drawing:

[0034] Figure 1 a simplified block diagram of a device according to a preferred embodiment is schematically shown,

[0035] Figure 2 a simplified block diagram of a memory according to a further preferred embodiment is schematically shown,

[0036] Figure 3 a simplified block diagram of a device according to a further preferred embodiment is schematically shown,

[0037] Figure 4 a simplified flow chart according to a further preferred embodiment is schematically shown,

[0038] Figure 5 a simplified flow chart according to a further preferred embodiment is schematically shown,

[0039] Figure 6 an aspect of the use according to a further preferred embodiment is schematically shown,

[0040] Figure 7 a simplified block diagram according to a further preferred embodiment is schematically shown,

[0041] Figure 8 a simplified block diagram of an adjustment loop according to a further preferred embodiment is schematically shown, and

[0042] Figure 9 A simplified block diagram of a system according to further preferred embodiments is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 A simplified block diagram of a device 100 according to preferred embodiments is schematically shown. The device 100 is arranged for coupling network components 10, 11 and can thus at least temporarily support or perform data exchange between the network components 10, 11. For example, the device 100 can forward data packets it obtains from a first network component 10 to at least one other network component 11.

[0044] According to further preferred embodiments, the device 100 is configured to receive first data D1 from at least one first network component 10 and to at least temporarily perform at least a part of an adjustment loop RK1 based on at least a part of the first data D1, in particular to determine an adjustment variable. Thereby, it can be at least partially advantageous to provide one or more adjustment loops RK, RK' directly in the device 100, which can in particular improve the efficiency of data transmission in a network having the device 100 as well as the operational efficiency of the adjustment loop RK or the adjustment loop RK, RK', in particular for example also reducing latency times.

[0045] In other preferred embodiments, "performing at least a part of an adjustment loop" is to be understood as determining or forming at least one adjustment variable of the adjustment loop RK1 by the device 100, in particular based on an adjustment deviation, which can for example be determined based on a control variable and an adjustment variable of the adjustment loop RK1. In other words, in other preferred embodiments, an almost complete adjustment loop RK1 can be performed by the device 100, in particular except for an adjustment section on which the adjustment variable acts. In other preferred embodiments, the formation of the adjustment variable can also be described or understood as the execution of an adjustment algorithm.

[0046] To this end, Figure 8An adjustment loop according to another preferred embodiment is schematically illustrated. An adjustment deviation e is determined by means of an adder (or subtractor) S, based on the feedback RF of the adjustment variable y and (typically pre-given) a control variable w, also referring to the variable “err(t)” according to [Equation 1], which can be fed to an adjuster R. The adjuster R evaluates, for example, a PID-type adjustment algorithm and thus forms an adjustment variable u based on the adjustment deviation e, which can be fed to the adjustment segment RS. The adjustment segment RS may, for example, have at least one actuator (not shown), which can be manipulated by means of the adjustment variable u. In addition to the adjustment variable u, a disturbance parameter d may also be applied to the adjustment segment RS if necessary, wherein the adjustment variable y is derived based on the adjustment variable u and, if necessary, based on the disturbance variable d.

[0047] In other preferred embodiments, device 100 at least evaluates according to Figure 8 The adjuster R, and therefore the adjustment variable u is formed based on the adjustment deviation e. This is in Figure 8 It is shown in the dashed box B1.

[0048] In other preferred embodiments, the device 100 is evaluated based on Figure 8 The regulator R, and additionally the adjustment deviation e is determined from the control variable w and the feedback adjustment variable y. This is in Figure 8 It is shown in the dashed box B2.

[0049] In other preferred embodiments, device 100 ( Figure 1 Therefore, it is advantageous to perform an adjustment loop that can be used in accordance with... Figure 8 The function is equivalent to that of block B1 or block B2. In other preferred embodiments, device 100 ( Figure 1 Advantageously, multiple adjustment loops can be executed separately, according to... Figure 8 The functions are equivalent to those of box B1 or box B2.

[0050] In other preferred embodiments, device 100 ( Figure 1 The adjustment variable u (preferably formed locally in device 100) can be used, for example. Figure 8 The output is sent to the first network component 10 and / or at least one other network component 11, depending, for example, on the location of the adjustment segment to which the adjustment variable should act. This is in Figure 1 The arrow D2 is used to represent this.

[0051] For example, if the regulation variable u is to act on an actuator, for example, arranged in the area of ​​the second network component 11, then the device 100 can output the regulation variable u to the second network component 11. In other preferred embodiments, the second network component 11 can be directly connected to the device 100, see [link to other embodiments].Figure 1 In other preferred embodiments, the second network component 11 can be indirectly connected to the device 100, i.e. one or more other network components (not shown) can also participate in sending the manipulated variable u to the second network component 11 if necessary.

[0052] In other preferred embodiments, the at least one regulating loop RK1, RK' can have or be configured as at least one of the following elements: a) a P (proportional) regulator, b) an I (integral) regulator, c) a D (derivative) regulator or a hybrid form thereof, such as a PID or a PI, etc. These elements can be implemented, for example, within the regulator R, see Figure 8 .

[0053] In other preferred embodiments, the at least one regulating loop RK1, RK' can alternatively or additionally have further elements not mentioned above.

[0054] For example, according to other preferred embodiments, a PID regulator or regulating algorithm for determining the manipulated variable u can be implemented in the device 100 according to the following equation:

[0055] [Equation 1],

[0056] where "Actuation(t)" characterizes an output signal, which can be determined by means of the PID regulator, for example for actuating the at least one actuator, which is also referred to as the manipulated variable u, where err(t) characterizes the regulating deviation (see also reference e according to Figure 8 , where K p is the gain of the proportional P component, where K i is the gain of the integral I component, and where K d is the gain of the derivative D component of the PID regulating algorithm.

[0057] In other preferred embodiments, the device 100 ( Figure 1 ) is configured as a switch, in particular an Ethernet switch, in particular also for example configured to forward the input first data D1 in the form of data packets, such information being associated with the second layer ("Layer 2", data link layer) of the ISO / OSI standard reference model, for example in the form of data packets.

[0058] In other preferred embodiments, the device 100 can also provide the functionality of a router, i.e. to forward data packets, for example based on information from the third layer ("Layer 3", network layer) of the ISO / OSI standard reference model.

[0059] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the device 100 is configured to determine the second data D2 and to output at least a part of the second data D2 to the first network component 10 and / or to at least one other network component 11 by means of at least a part of the adjustment loop RK1, wherein in particular the second data D2 has the adjustment variable u or said adjustment variable u.

[0060] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the at least one adjustment loop RK, RK' a) is configured as a real-time adjustment loop and / or b) has a cycle time of less than or equal to 1 second, in particular less than or equal to 100 milliseconds, in particular less than or equal to 50 milliseconds.

[0061] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the device 100 ( Figure 1 ) is configured to at least temporarily store configuration data KD for the at least one adjustment loop RK, for example in a local memory 110 of the device 100, wherein in particular the configuration data KD have at least one parameter for the at least one adjustment loop RK, RK' for at least one of the following elements: a) gain of the proportional P component, b) gain of the integral I component, c) gain of the derivative D component, see for example the above-mentioned parameter K p , K i , K d .

[0062] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the device 100 is configured to at least temporarily store allocation data (ZD) Figure 2 ) which characterizes an allocation of the input data D1, in particular of data packets, to the at least one adjustment loop RK. Thereby it can be efficiently determined whether an input data packet is allocated to an adjustment loop RK or to which of possibly several adjustment loops the data packet is allocated. In other preferred embodiments the allocation data ZD can likewise be stored in the memory 110 of the device 100, see also the detailed illustration according to Figure 2 .

[0063] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the device 100 is configured to at least temporarily store operating data BD for the at least one adjustment loop Rk, Rk', wherein in particular the operating data BD characterize state information of the at least one adjustment loop Rk, Rk'. Thereby, for example, values of the integral component and / or of the derivative component of the adjustment loop Rk, Rk' can be stored by means of the device 100. In other preferred embodiments the operating data BD can likewise be stored in the memory 110 of the device 100, see Figure 2 .

[0064] In other preferred embodiments it is provided that the device 100 ( Figure 1) configured to extract data, in particular sensor data, from the input data D1 based on the assignment data ZD and to process the extracted data by means of at least one adjustment loop Rk, Rk', for example to determine an adjustment variable u of said at least one adjustment loop or a new value of said adjustment variable u.

[0065] Figure 3 A simplified block diagram of a device 100a according to a further preferred embodiment is schematically shown. For example, the device 100a according to Figure 3 may have a similar or identical configuration as the embodiment 100 according to Figure 1 . For example, the device 100a is configured as a network switch with the additional functionality of evaluating at least one part R or B1, B2 of at least one adjustment loop Rk, Rk' (see Figure 8 ).

[0066] The network switch 100a can be controlled, in particular configured or reconfigured, for example by means of a control device 200, see arrow A1. Here, the configuration can in particular also include at least one part R or B1, B2 of at least one adjustment loop Rk, Rk' (see Figure 1 ). The reference sign D1' denotes a sensor data stream which is input into the switch 100a, for example in the form of a plurality of data packets, and processed as described in more detail below.

[0067] The switch 100a preferably has a parser 101 which determines, for example using assignment data ZD (see Figure 1 ), which of the input data packets D1' are assigned to one or more of the possible adjustment loops Rk, Rk'. The parser 101 can also preferably be configured to extract sensor data values from the data stream D1', said sensor data values for example characterizing a feedback adjustment variable y (see Figure 8 ).

[0068] The first processing stage 102 is configured to determine to which of the possible adjustment loops the input data packets D1' or their sensor data values are assigned. To this end, the first processing stage 102 can have, for example, at least one look-up table LUT LUT1 which can for example have assignment data ZD.

[0069] The second processing stage 103 is configured to determine which parameters should be used for the adjustment loops involved in the possible adjustment loops. To this end, the second processing stage 103 can for example have at least one look-up table LUT LUT2 which can for example have configuration data KD.

[0070] Block 104 represents a third processing stage, which is configured to determine an adjustment variable u (or a current value of the adjustment variable u based on the input one or more packets D1' or sensor data values thereof) of an adjustment loop involved. In particular, block 104 can also at least temporarily store operational data BD (e.g. values of an integral component) for said at least one adjustment loop Figure 2 .

[0071] Block 105, which can also be referred to as a packet interpreter, for example, compiles at least one output data packet, for example with a current adjustment variable determined by means of block 104, see also the output data packet stream D2', which is delivered, for example, to at least one actuator Akt. Optionally, block 105 can also add control data, such as identification data ("flow identifier"), to the data packet D2', by means of which, for example, a message stream or packet stream can be characterized.

[0072] In other preferred embodiments, in addition to the above-mentioned steps essentially relating to the evaluation of the adjustment loop, the switch 100a can also perform a (conventional) forwarding of the data packets on the basis of L2 information ("switching") and / or L3 information ("routing").

[0073] In other preferred embodiments, in particular the data or LUTs that can be used by the stages 102, 103 according to Figure 3 , in particular can be (re)configured by the control device 200, see arrow A1. Preferably, said configuration / reconfiguration can also be carried out dynamically, that is to say, at runtime of the device 100a.

[0074] The above-mentioned reference to Figure 3 the exemplary described blocks 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 can also be seen as a packet processing pipeline, which at least partially evaluates or executes one or more adjustment loops RK1, RK'.

[0075] In other preferred embodiments, the pipeline can also be interrupted after one of the blocks 102, 103 (for example for pre-processing / filtering) and the data can be delivered, for example, to a further pipeline (which, for example, maps a further adjustment loop), for example in block 100.

[0076] Further preferred embodiments (see Figure 4 ) relate to a method of operating a device 100 for coupling network components 10, 11, the method comprising: receiving 300, by means of the device 100, first data D1 from at least one first network component 10, performing 310, by means of the device 100, at least a part R, B1, B2 of an adjustment loop on the basis of at least a part of the first data D1,Figure 8 ), in particular determining the regulating variable u. Optionally, the regulating variable u can then be output, for example in the form of the second data D2, to a target, for example at least one actuator Akt of said regulating loop.

[0077] Further preferred embodiments (cf. Fig. 1 1 ) relate to a computer-readable storage medium SM comprising instructions PRG which, when executed by a computer 402, cause the computer 402 to perform a method according to an embodiment. Figure 5 ) to a control device 200 (cf. Fig. 1 1 ) of a device 100, 100a for coupling network components, in particular according to an embodiment, wherein the control device 200 at least partially influences, in particular configures 350, at least one part of a regulating loop of said device or at least one part of at least one regulating loop of said device, see also arrow Al according to an embodiment. Figure 3 Optionally, in particular also dynamically and / or repeatedly, at least one regulating loop RK1 can be reconfigured 352. For example, block 352 can be repeatedly performed in further preferred embodiments to perform multiple reconfigurations. Figure 3

[0078] Further preferred embodiments (cf. Fig. 1 1 ) relate to a computer-readable storage medium SM comprising instructions PRG which, when executed by a computer 402, cause the computer 402 to perform a method according to an embodiment. Figure 7 Further preferred embodiments relate to a computer program PRG comprising instructions which, when the program PRG is executed by a computer 402, cause the computer to perform a method according to an embodiment.

[0079] Further preferred embodiments relate to a data carrier signal DCS characterizing and / or transmitting a computer program PRG according to an embodiment.

[0080] The computer 402 can for example be configured as a computing device 402 having at least one computing core. Preferably, a storage device 404 assigned to the computing device 402 is also provided for at least temporarily storing at least one of the following elements: a) data DAT, b) a computer program PRG, in particular for performing a method according to an embodiment.

[0081] In further preferred embodiments, the data DAT can for example have sensor data values or output values of the regulating variable u extracted from the input data packets D1, D1 '.

[0082] In further preferred embodiments, the storage device 404 has a volatile memory 404a (for example, a working memory (RAM)) and / or a non-volatile memory 404b (for example, a flash memory EEPROM), or a combination thereof or other memory types not explicitly mentioned.

[0083] In further preferred embodiments, the storage device 404 has a volatile memory 404a (for example, a working memory (RAM)) and / or a non-volatile memory 404b (for example, a flash memory EEPROM), or a combination thereof or other memory types not explicitly mentioned.​

[0084] In other preferred embodiments, an optional data interface 405 is provided for receiving a data carrier signal DCS.

[0085] The block 406 represents input and output connection terminals of the device 100, 100a via which data (packets) can be received and transmitted.

[0086] Other preferred embodiments (see Figure 6 ) relate to a device 100 according to an embodiment and / or a control apparatus 200 according to an embodiment and / or a method according to an embodiment and / or a computer-readable storage medium SM according to an embodiment and / or a computer program PRG according to an embodiment and / or a data carrier signal DCS according to an embodiment and / or a system 1000 according to an embodiment (see below, Figure 9 ), in particular the use 500 of a CPS for at least one of the following elements: a) performing 502 at least a part R, B1, B2 of an adjustment loop RK1, RK' in said device for coupling network elements, b) providing 504 actuation data u for at least one actuator Akt by means of a device 100 for coupling network elements, c) providing 506 at least partially a plurality of adjustment loops RK1, RK' for a target system within at least one device 100, 100a for coupling network elements, in particular within a plurality of devices for coupling network elements, d) configuring 508 at least one adjustment loop RK1, RK' by means of a preferably central control apparatus 200.

[0087] Other preferred embodiments (see Figure 9 ) relate to a system 1000, in particular an information-physical system CPS 1000, with at least one sensor 1004, at least one actuator 1008 and at least one device 100 according to an embodiment, which can be connected to the sensor 1004 and the actuator 1008, for example by means of a network 1006 (for example a (virtual) private network and / or a public network). An optional CPS controller 1002 (see also control apparatus 200) can control or configure the device 100, see arrow CTRL (or for example Figure 3 A1 in it).

[0088] The principles according to the preferred embodiments can advantageously be used in switches and / or routers, for example to provide adjustment loops distributed over a network, which can advantageously be dynamically configured, in particular also on site. The principles according to the preferred embodiments can also advantageously be applied to networks of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, wherein for example adjustment loops, which are usually contained in (conventional) control devices such as ABS (anti-lock braking system), ESP (electronic stability program), can at least partially be placed into the device 100 or can be executed or evaluated by the device 100. The principles according to the preferred embodiments can also advantageously be applied to networks for industrial automation, for example in production plants.

Claims

1. A device (100) for network components (10, 11; 1004, 1008) of a network, wherein the device (100) at least partially supports or carries out an exchange of data between the network components (10, 11; 1004, 1008), wherein the device (100) is configured as a switch and also provides the functionality of a router, wherein the device (100) is further configured to receive first data (Dl) from at least one first network component (10; 1004) and to at least temporarily carry out at least a part of an adjustment loop (RKl) based on at least a part of the first data (Dl), wherein the device (100) carries out a forwarding of the first data (Dl) based on L2 information and / or L3 information and carries out at least a part of the adjustment loop (RKl) based on assignment data.

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The device (100) is configured to determine second data (D2) by means of at least a part of the adjustment loop (RKl) and to output at least a part of the second data (D2) to the first network component (10; 1004) and / or at least one other network component (11; 1008), wherein the second data (D2) has an adjustment variable or the adjustment variable (u).

3. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The at least one adjustment loop (RKl) is a) configured as a real-time adjustment loop and / or b) has a cycle time of less than or equal to 1 second.

4. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The device (100) is configured to at least temporarily store configuration data (KD) for the at least one adjustment loop (RKl), wherein the configuration data (KD) has at least one parameter for at least one of the following elements of the at least one adjustment loop (RKl): a) gain of a proportional P component, b) gain of an integral I component, c) gain of a derivative D component.

5. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The device (100) is configured to at least temporarily store assignment data (ZD), which assignment data characterizes an assignment of input data (Dl) to the at least one adjustment loop (RKl).

6. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The device (100) is configured to at least temporarily store operating data (BD) for the at least one adjustment loop (RKl), wherein the operating data (BD) characterizes state information of the at least one adjustment loop (RKl).

7. The device (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The device (100) is configured to extract data from the input data (Dl) based on the assignment data (ZD) and to process the extracted data by means of the at least one adjustment loop (RKl).

8. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein Carrying out at least a part of the adjustment loop (RKl) includes determining an adjustment variable (u).

9. The device (100) according to claim 3, wherein The cycle time is less than or equal to 100 milliseconds.

10. The device (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The cycle time is less than or equal to 50 milliseconds.

11. A method of operating a device (100) for coupling network components (10, 11) of a network, wherein the device (100) at least partially supports or performs an exchange of data between the network components (10, 11), wherein the device (100) is configured as a switch and also provides the functionality of a router, the method comprising: Receiving (300) first data (Dl) from at least one first network component (10) by means of the device (100), carrying out (310) at least a part of an adjustment loop (RKl) based on at least a part of the first data (Dl) by means of the device (100), wherein the forwarding of the first data (D1) is performed based on L2 information and / or L3 information and the at least one part of the regulation loop (RK1) is performed based on allocation data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The performing of the at least one part of the regulation loop (RK1) comprises determining a regulation variable (u).

13. A control device (200) for a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control device (200) is configured to configure (350) at least temporarily at least one part of a regulation loop (RK1) of the device (100).

14. A method of operating a control device (200) for a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control device (200) configures (350) at least temporarily at least one regulation loop (RK1) of the device (100) or the at least one regulation loop (RK1) of the device (100).

15. A computer-readable storage medium (SM) comprising instructions (PRG) which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 11 and 14.

16. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 11 and 14.

17. Use (500) of a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and / or of a control device (200) according to claim 13 and / or of a method according to any one of claims 11 and 14 and / or of a computer-readable storage medium (SM) according to claim 15 and / or of a computer program product according to claim 16 for at least one of the following: a) performing (502) at least one part of a regulation loop (RK1) in the device (100) for coupling network elements, b) providing (504) actuating data for at least one actuator (Akt; 1008) by means of a device (100) for coupling network elements, c) providing (506) a plurality of regulation loops (RK1, RK') for a target system within at least one device (100) for coupling network elements, d) configuring (508) the at least one regulation loop (RK1, RK') by means of a control device (200).

18. A system (1000) having at least one sensor (1004), at least one actuator (1008) and at least one device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the system is a cyber-physical system, CPS.

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