In an electronic system for the transmission of data between a plurality of stations the control signals and functions of the basic elements of power supply, watchdog and signal converter in each station are linked to one another so as to ensure that the number of possible modes of operation, taken for all the elements, is reduced to a number necessary for the corresponding task and thereby guarantees a more reliable operation. Moreover, the linkage leads to an optimum default behavior of the station with regard to application-specific power-saving and safety requirements, even when, for example, the malfunction of the microcontroller of the station persists.