Modular communication system having self-identifying modules
AssigneeNorthern Telecom Limited
InventorErnst A. Munter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Trunk and line circuits packaged as modules are provided with circuitry for generating self-identifying type-code information which is retrievable on request by the central control unit of the system. The received information is compared with the type-code information contained in the data memory of the central control unit. Upon non-correlation between the received and the stored type-code information, an alarm signal is generated. In the described embodiment, the type-code information generating circuitry on each board comprises a voltage level source individual of the type of board and an analog to digital converter circuit associated with the board.
Claims9
In an electronic modular system having a central control unit and a plurality of types of modules each one being located at a respective addressable location accessible by the central control unit, said central control unit having data storage means containing type-code information associated with respective ones of the modules of the system, a system for surveying the integrity of the modular system comprising:
- each module of the system having a respective memory means containing type-code information associated therewith, each of said modules comprising means responsive to a polling signal for transferring said type-code information to the central control unit;
- means located in the central control unit for comparing the received type-code information with the type-code information contained in its data storage means at the location associated with said polling signal;
- and
- means for generating an error signal upon non-correlation between the received type-code information and the data storage means type-code information.
In an electronic modular system having a central control unit and a plurality of types of modules each one being located at a respective addressable location accessible by the central control unit, said central control unit having data storage means containing type-code information associated with respective ones of the modules of the system, and each module of the system having a respective memory means containing type-code information associated therewith, a method for surveying the integrity of the modular system comprising:
- polling each of the modules to cause them to transfer the type-code information stored in their respective memory means to the central control unit;
- comparing the received type-code information from the modules with the type-code information contained in the data storage means of the central control unit;
- and
- generating an error signal upon non-correlation between the received type-code information and the data storage means type-code information.
In an electronic modular system having a central control unit and a plurality of types of modules each one being located at a respective addressable location accessible by the central control unit, said central control unit having data storage means containing type-code information associated with respective ones of the modules of the system, a system for surveying the integrity of the modular system, comprising:
- each module of the system having means for generating type-code information associated therewith, each of said modules comprising means responsive to a polling signal for transferring said type-code information to the central control unit;
- means located in the central control unit for comparing the received type-code information with the type-code information contained in its data storage means at the location associated with said polling signal;
- and
- means for generating an error signal upon non-correlation between the received type-code information and the data storage means type-code information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.