Method and apparatus to identify connected device types on an i/o channel based on current characteristics

A system for identifying a type of connected device to I/O channels of an I/O module, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-usable medium embodying computer program code, wherein the computer-usable medium communicates with the at least one processor, the computer program code comprising instructions executable by the at least one processor and configured for:
• applying a current for a predefined time duration to at least one I/O channel associated with an I/O module;
• initiating a current readback at a regular interval of time within the predefined time duration;
• determining values of the current readback for each of a time interval during the predefined time duration;
• storing the values of the current readback in a memory associated with the I/O module;
• determining a pattern as a function of the values of the current readback and a sample of time interval for a device connected to the at least one I/O channel;
• and
• identifying a type of the device connected to the at least one I/O channel based on a determined pattern of a current sink of the device connected to the at least one I/O channel.

An apparatus, comprising:

• an I/O (Input/Output) module having at least one I/O channel, and a memory associated with the I/O module;
• wherein a current is applied for a predefined time duration to at least one I/O channel associated with an I/O module;
• wherein a current readback is initiated at a regular interval of time within the predefined time duration;
• wherein values of the current readback are determined for each of a time interval during the predefined time duration;
• wherein the values of the current readback are stored in the memory associated with the I/O module;
• wherein a pattern is determined as a function of the values of the current readback and a sample of time interval for a device connected to the at least one I/O channel;
• and
• wherein a type of the device connected to the at least one I/O channel is identified based on a determined pattern of a current sink of the device connected to the at least one I/O channel.