Analog world interfacing for automated systems

An automation system comprising:

• a first plurality of transducers configured to monitor a first plurality of analog features associated with the automation system, a first plurality of drive-sense circuits operably coupled to the first plurality of transducers, wherein, when enabled, a first drive-sense circuit of the first plurality of drive-sense circuits is configured to:
• drive and sense a first transducer of the first plurality of transducers via a first single line;
• generate a first digital signal representative of a first sensed analog feature to which the transducer is exposed;
• and
• transmit the first digital signal to a first computing device;
• the first computing device, when enabled, is configured to:
• receive first digital signals from at least some of the first plurality of drive-sense circuits;
• and
• process the first digital signals in accordance with an automation process to produce a first automated process command;
• and
• a second plurality of transducers configured to monitor a second plurality of analog features associated with the automation system, a second plurality of drive-sense circuits operably coupled to the second plurality of transducers, wherein, when enabled, a first drive-sense circuit of the second plurality of drive-sense circuits is configured to:
• drive and sense a first transducer of the second plurality of transducers via a second single line;
• generate a second digital signal representative of a second sensed analog feature to which the first transducer of the second plurality of transducers is exposed;
• and
• transmit the second digital signal to a second computing device;
• the second computing device, when enabled, is configured to:
• receive second digital signals from at least some of the second plurality of drive-sense circuits;
• and
• process the second digital signals in accordance with the automation process to produce a second automated process command;
• and
• an automated apparatus, when enabled, configured to:
• execute a first portion of an automated process based on the first automated process command;
• and
• execute a second portion of the automated process based on the second automated process command.

A method for execution by automation system, the method comprising:

• monitoring a plurality of analog features associated with the automation system via a plurality of transducers operably coupled to a plurality of drive-sense circuits;
• operating a drive-sense circuit of the plurality of drive-sense circuits to:
• drive and sense a transducer of the plurality of transducers via a single line;
• generate a digital signal representative of a sensed analog feature to which the transducer of the plurality of transducers is exposed;
• transmit the digital signal to a computing device;
• operating the computing device to:
• receive digital signals from at least some of the plurality of drive-sense circuits;
• and
• process the digital signals in accordance with an automation process to produce an automated process command;
• and
• executing, by an automated apparatus, a portion of an automated process based on the automated process command.