Input/output apparatus and methods for monitoring and/or controlling dynamic environments
AssigneeOpteon Corporation
InventorsT. Eric Hopkins, Timothy N. Schaeffer, Jeffrey Cho
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for flexible input/output signaling over a same signaling channel are described. A programmable interface circuit includes a signaling channel that can be adapted, prior to use or during operation, for transmission and/or reception of different types of analog and digital signals. The interface circuit can be used for communications between an isolating communication controller and components of a machine that use diverse signaling types.
Claims50
A programmable interface circuit to adaptively communicate signals between an isolating communication controller and a component of a machine, the programmable interface circuit comprising:
- a plurality of interconnects to receive programming inputs from the isolating communication controller;
- a signaling channel to carry signals between the programmable interface circuit and the component;
- a programmable analog I/O circuit to couple to the signaling channel and to receive a first analog signal from the isolating communication controller;
- a programmable digital I/O circuit to couple to the signaling channel and to receive a first digital signal from the isolating communication controller;
- and
- a current-sensing circuit to sense an amount of current flowing in the signaling channel,
- wherein the programmable interface circuit is programmable during operation, based on at least a first one of the programming inputs applied to the plurality of interconnects, to provide a second analog signal to the signaling channel based on the first analog signal or a second digital signal to the signaling channel based on the first digital signal.
A programmable interface circuit to adaptively communicate signals between an isolating communication controller and a component of a machine, the programmable interface circuit comprising:
- a plurality of interconnects to receive programming inputs;
- a signaling channel to carry signals between the programmable interface circuit and the component;
- a programmable analog I/O circuit having an operational amplifier to couple to the signaling channel and programmable to receive a first analog signal from the isolating communication controller;
- and
- a programmable digital I/O circuit to couple to the signaling channel and programmable to receive a first digital signal from the isolating communication controller,
- wherein the programmable interface circuit is programmable during operation, based at least on a first one of the programming inputs applied to the plurality of interconnects, to provide a second analog signal to the signaling channel based on the first analog signal or a second digital signal to the signaling channel based on the first digital signal.
A programmable interface circuit to adaptively communicate signals between an isolating communication controller and a component of a machine, the programmable interface circuit comprising:
- a plurality of interconnects to receive programming inputs;
- a signaling channel to carry signals between the programmable interface circuit and the component;
- a programmable analog I/O circuit to couple to the signaling channel and programmable to receive a first analog signal from the isolating communication controller;
- and
- a programmable digital I/O circuit to couple to the signaling channel and programmable to receive a first digital signal from the isolating communication controller, wherein the programmable analog I/O circuit comprises:
- a first feedback circuit path;
- a second feedback circuit path;
- an operational amplifier having a feedback input;
- and
- a multiplexer to connect the feedback input to the first feedback circuit path or the second feedback circuit path based on at least a first one of the programming inputs.
A method of operating a programmable interface circuit, the method comprising:
- receiving a first programming input that programs an interface circuit to receive a first signal from an isolating communication controller for transmission to a component of a machine, wherein the first signal can be either an analog signal or a digital signal;
- receiving the first signal from the isolating communication controller;
- transmitting a first output signal that is based on the received first signal to a signaling channel of the programmable interface circuit, wherein the first output signal is of a same signaling type as the received first signal;
- receiving a second programming input that programs the interface circuit to receive a second signal from the component at the signaling channel, wherein the second signal is of a different signaling type than the first signal;
- receiving the second signal at the signaling channel;
- and
- transmitting a first input signal to the isolating communication controller that is based on the received second signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.