Interface circuit for process connections
OwnerHartmut B. Brinkhusinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A universal, programmable interface circuit which contains a plurality of controllable switches, a plurality of controllable multiplexers, at least one analog/digital converter, and at least one digital/analog converter. These components are activated, deactivated, or changed in their operating or switching states by means of control signals, wherein different functions can be assigned to each bidirectional input connection. Thus, each input connection can have a plurality of digital or analog functions for bidirectional exchange of data, measurement values, control signals, or the like between a computer and instruments of a technical process.
Claims19
An interface circuit for process connections to computers, the interface circuit comprising:
- at least one bidirectional input connection;
- at least one bidirectional output connection, which is connected to a logic circuit;
- a plurality of switches, which can be controlled by signals, whose inputs are connected directly or indirectly to at least one input connection;
- several multiplexers which can be controlled by signals;
- at least one analog comparator;
- and
- at least one digital/analog converter;
- wherein according to the state of one or more of the signals which control the switches and multiplexers the components are activated, deactivated, or changeable into different operating or switching states, with different analog or digital functions being assignable to the one or more bidirectional input connections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.