Configurable io-channel system with embedded microcontroller
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsDaniel Milton Alley, Alan Carroll Lovell
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Abstract
The present technology provides for an IO module system (e.g., an industrial control system) that can provide multiple-channel analog and digital interfaces to a number of sensor devices of different types, where each channel of the IO module is programmably configurable as a digital input, a digital output, an analog input, and an analog output. Each sensor interface is implemented on an individual channel basis using discrete components in communication with a microcontroller. The present technology enables the rapid implementation of an IO channel operable in a wide range of voltage and current modes needed for common sensor interfaces.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a plurality of configurable input-output (IO) channels operatively coupled to the processor to provide analog and digital interfaces to a plurality of device types, the analog and digital interfaces being configurable as a digital input, a digital output, an analog input, and an analog output based on control signals outputted between the processor and a given configurable IO channel, wherein the plurality of device types include a first device type and a second device type, wherein the first device type is different from the second device type, and
- wherein each configurable IO channel of the plurality of configurable IO channels comprises a microcontroller operatively coupled to an IO switching unit, wherein the IO switching unit is configurable to direct IO signals from one or more terminals of the configurable IO channel to an IO peripheral unit of the microcontroller.
A universal IO channel configurable to provide analog and digital interfaces to a plurality of device types, wherein the analog and digital interfaces are configurable as either a digital input, a digital output, an analog input, or an analog output, wherein the plurality of device types include a first device type and a second device type, and wherein the first device type is different from the second device type, the universal IO channel comprising:
- a microcontroller comprising an integrated circuit having a processor unit, a memory unit, and a programmable IO peripheral unit, collectively integrated on a single die;
- and
- an IO switching unit operatively coupled to the microcontroller, wherein the IO is configurable to direct IO signals from one or more terminals of the configurable IO channel to the IO peripheral unit of the microcontroller, wherein the IO switching unit is fabricated on a second die, and wherein the first die is different from the second die.
A method for interfacing to a plurality of device types, including a first device type and a second device type, wherein the first device type is different from the second device type, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a microcontroller, a first configuration signal from a processor of a control system controller, wherein the microcontroller is operatively coupled to a plurality of switch components and a plurality of peripheral components, wherein each of the switch and peripheral components has a plurality of states, and wherein the switches and peripheral components form one of a plurality of signal paths between a terminal and a peripheral IO unit of the microcontroller, and wherein each signal path is associated with a sensor type mode;
- determining, by the microcontroller, a set of states of the plurality of switch components and the plurality of peripheral components based on the first configuration signals;
- in response to the determination, transmitting second configuration signals to the plurality of switch components and the plurality of peripheral components according to the determined set of states;
- and
- receiving, along the signal path, at the peripheral IO unit of the microcontroller, interface signals corresponding to input or output signals received at the terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.