Method, device and system for exchanging data via a bus system

A method for exchanging data in messages between at least two stations connected via a bus system. The messages contain the data being transmitted by the stations over the bus system, and the messages are controlled over time by a first station in such a manner that the first station repeatedly transmits a reference message containing time information of the first station over the bus system at least one specifiable time interval. The time interval is subdivided as a basic cycle into time windows of specifiable length, and the messages are transmitted in the time windows. When data is exchanged, a pause period of variable duration is provided at the end of at least one basic cycle, by which a time change of the beginning of the basic cycle is corrected by adaptation of the duration of the pause period.