The invention relates to a synchronous, clocked communication system, for example a distributed automation system, whose users can be any automation components and that are interconnected via a data network (1). The method for integrating local input/output components (2, 3) allows integration of the local input/output components (2, 3) into the synchronous, clocked communication system in such a manner that they can use its properties without reservation, thereby allowing the detection of input signals and the output of output signals in a deterministic and synchronous manner in the local input/output components (2, 3). The inventive method further allows for the detection of input signals with an exactness smaller than the length of a communication cycle of the communication system and for the support of switching the output signals in smaller time segments than the length of a communication cycle, which is especially useful for control cams. The invention further allows for the synchronization of the detection of actual values and the output of desired values of various automation components such as, for example, input/output components (2, 3) and digital drives (4, 5,6). Any bus system such as, for example, field bus, profibus, Ethernet, Industrial Ethernet, FireWire or for example PC-internal bus systems (PCI) etc. can be used as the data network (1) of the communication system.