The hardware layer 36 is controlled by an operating system 46 that forms the second sector and is, for example real-time capable. The operating system 46 comprises a CAN driver 48 that controls the CAN bus 38. The operating system 46 furthermore comprises a USB driver 50 for controlling the USB connection 40.

The encoder 42 is controllable by the operating system 46 via an encoder driver 52. An Ethernet stack 54 ensures the function of the Ethernet connector 12. A graphics driver 56 takes over the control of the touch-sensitive screen 44.

The operating system 46 additionally provides different services which include an input/output management 58 (I/O management), the monitoring service 34 and a hot code swap service 60. The I/O management 58 in this respect enables access to hardware functions, for example to the CAN bus 38. The monitoring service 24 permits processes of the operating system 46 to be monitored and individual registers of the operating system 46 to be displayed, for example.

To change the functionality of the PLC 10 in ongoing operation, the hot code swap service 60 is used that enables changes to be made to the operating system 46 with respect to the runtime.

The operating system 46 additionally provides the web server 20.