Intelligent sensor system with network bus
AssigneeEndevco Corporation
InventorsAlexis G. Karolys, Nikul Kapadia, Fernando Gen-Kuong
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Abstract
This invention disclosure describes an intelligent sensor system in which different types of sensors are connected to a network communication bus. Analog and digital signals are transferred bi-directionally on the common communication bus between the distributed sensors and an application specific controller referred to as a bus converter/controller module (BCM). The traditional analog type sensors are connected to the communication bus through interface devices referred to as transducer-to-bus interface modules (TBIM). The TBIM provides sensor identification, self-test and data correction functions.
Claims16
A sensor system comprising:
- a first communication bus;
- a plurality of sensors coupled to the first communication bus for providing sensor signals;
- a bus converter device coupled to the first communication bus operable to control the plurality of sensors and to convert sensor signals received on the first communication bus to a format compatible with a second communication bus;
- and
- a host computer coupled to the second communication bus for controlling the bus converter device;
- wherein in an analog mode the first communication bus carries analog sensor signals and wherein in a digital mode the first communication bus carries digital sensor signals.
A communication device comprising:
- an analog signal conditioner for conditioning analog measurement signals received from a transducer;
- a converter circuit for converting the conditioned analog measurement signals to digital measurement signals;
- and
- a bus interface for connecting signals to a communication bus wherein in an analog mode, the conditioned analog measurement signals are transmitted over the communication bus and wherein in a digital mode, the digital measurement signals are transmitted over the communication bus.
A method of communication comprising the steps of:
- a) coupling sensor signals from a plurality of sensors to a first communication bus wherein in an analog mode the first communication bus carries analog sensor signals and wherein in a digital mode the first communication bus carries digital sensor signals;
- b) converting the sensor signals received on the first communication bus in a bus converter device to a format compatible with a second communication bus;
- and
- c) coupling a host computer to the second communication bus for controlling the bus converter device and receiving the sensor signals.
A method of communication comprising the steps of:
- acquiring an analog measurement signal from a transducer;
- conditioning the analog measurement signal;
- converting the conditioned analog measurement signal to a digital measurement signal;
- in a digital mode, transmitting the digital measurement signal over a first communication bus to a bus converter device, and in an analog mode, transmitting the conditioned analog measurement signal over the first communication bus to the bus converter device;
- and
- converting the digital measurement signal in the bus converter device to a format compatible with a second communication bus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.