Peripheral component with high error protection for stored programmable controls
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorJoachim Väth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a peripheral component with high error protection for stored programmable controls. The invention relates particularly to an analog-input circuit with at least two channels substantially identical in design, for parallel signal input and/or output, which are parallel connected and/or parallel connectable in the region of the peripheral interface. Said analog-input circuit also comprises at least one data processing component (μP or μC) for testing the channels without any disruption of the data flows.
Claims24
An interface module (4) having a high level of error immunity for programmable logic controllers (1, 5), particularly an analog-input circuit, characterized by at least two channels (10, 17) of largely identical design for parallel signal input and/or output which are connected in parallel, and/or can be connected in parallel, in the region of the peripheral interface (7), and by at least one data processing block (μP or μC;
- 13) for testing the channels (10, 17) without interrupting the flow of data.
The interface module as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a two-channel input module (4) is provided with an additional output channel (30), and a two-channel output module is provided with an additional read-in channel, which can be coupled (8, 19) to each of the two remaining channels (10, 17) in order to form a loop via a respective one of the two parallel channels (10, 17), so that correct processing of a test signal (32) can be checked.
The interface module as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two channels (10, 17) are arranged on the same circuit board.
The interface module as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both channels (10, 17), and preferably also a test channel (30), are provided with a potential isolator (45).
The interface module as claimed in one of the preceding claims for analog input and/or output, characterized in that signal conversion (46, 47) takes place between analog current or voltage levels (9, 18), on the one hand, and an alternating signal (pulse train;
- 48, 49) with a frequency which is proportional to the analog signal (9, 18), on the other hand.
A method for operating an interface module as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one channel (10, 17) is always used for signal transmission while the other (17, 10) is operated for test and/or correction purposes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.