Data array network system

A data acquisition system comprising:

• a. at least two spaced apart array terminals and means for collecting at least one analog signal into each of said terminals;
• b. means in each of said terminals for converting said analog signals to digital signals and storing same in a register means in said terminals;
• c. first conductor means to connect said register means in one of said terminals to register means in the next in series terminals;
• d. clock means in each of said terminals and second conductor means to connect said clock means in said one of said terminals to the next in series terminal;
• and
• e. means on command simultaneously to transmit from said one of said terminals to the next in series of said terminals the digital signals stored in said register means, and the clock pulses from said clock means.

In a system comprising:

• a plurality of spaced apart terminals and means for collecting at least one analog signal into each of said terminals;
• and
• means for converting said analog signals to digital signals;
• and
• means for storing said digital signals in register means in each terminal;
• and including:
• first conductor means connecting said register means in a first terminal to the next in series second terminal;
• clock means in each terminal, and second conductor means to connect said clock in said first terminal to said second terminal;
• the method of signal transmission, comprising:
• a. transmitting said digital signals from said first terminal sequentially at the pulse rate of said first clock to said second terminal;
• b. transmitting said clock pulses of said first clock over said second conductors to said second terminal;
• c. receiving over said second conductors at said second terminal said clock pulses of said first clock, and over said first conductors said digital signals from said first terminal;
• and
• d. storing said digital signals in register means in said second terminal at said pulse rate of said first clock.

The method of data acquisition in which at least one analog signal is generated at each of a plurality of signal terminals, said terminals connected in serial operative relation, each terminal having its own clock, comprising the steps of:

• a. converting each of said analog signals to digital signals in each of said terminals and storing them in in a first register means;
• b. transmitting from each terminal to the next in series terminal the clock rate of said each terminal, and said digital signals stored in said first register;
• while simultaneously
• c. storing in a second storage register in each terminal at the clock rate received from the preceding in series terminal, the digital signals transmitted from said preceding in series terminal.

In a digital data acquisition system in which at least one analog signal is received in each of a plurality of signal terminals, clock means in each of said terminals;

• means in each of said terminals to convert said analog signals to digital signals and for storing said signals;
• the improvement comprising:
• a. multiple conductor means connecting said terminals in series and to a data storage and control means;
• b. said multiple conductor means including:
• 1. at least two first conductors for digital data signal transmission,
• 2. at least two second conductors for transmission of clock pulses;
• and
• 3. at least two third conductors for transmission of command signals;
• c. means in each terminal to transmit digital data signals over said first conductors in a first direction, to the next in series terminal;
• d. means in each terminal to transmit the pulses of said clock means over said second conductors in said first direction to the next in series terminal and store the data signals at the pulse rate transmitted from the preceding terminal;
• and
• e. means in each terminal to transmit command signals over said third conductors in a second reverse direction from each terminal to the preceding in series terminal.