Modular downhole testing tool

A formation testing system, comprising:

• a tubular positioned within a wellbore;
• a packer connected to the tubular to fix a position of the tubular within the wellbore;
• and
• a downhole evaluation system connected to the tubular, comprising:
• a plurality of actuatable downhole modules;
• a universal control circuit connected to each of the plurality of actuatable downhole modules independently and irrespective of a relative positioning therebetween;
• and
• a universal control module connected the plurality of actuatable downhole modules via the universal control circuit for selectively controlling an actuation of each of the plurality of actuatable downhole modules.

A method of operating a downhole evaluation system, comprising:

• receiving a control signal with a universal control module;
• based on the control signal, communicating a first actuation signal via a universal control circuit connecting the universal control module to a first actuatable downhole module and to a second actuatable downhole module,
• communicating the first actuation signal including:
• when the first actuatable downhole module is positioned uphole of the second actuatable downhole module, communicating the first actuation signal along a first circuit path to the first actuatable downhole module;
• and
• when the second actuatable downhole module is positioned uphole of the first actuatable downhole module, communicating the first actuation signal along the first circuit path to the first actuatable downhole module;
• and
• actuating the first actuatable downhole module based on the first actuation signal.