Method for deriving addresses for a plurality of system components in response to measurement of times of receipt of two signals by each component

A method for assigning addresses to a plurality of modules in a series, wherein the series has an initial module and a terminal module at opposite ends with at least one intermediate module there between, said method comprising:

• sending a first signal to the plurality of modules;
• upon receiving the first signal, starting a first timer within each intermediate module and within the terminal module;
• a predefined period after receiving the first signal, the initial module sending a timing signal to an adjacent module in the series;
• upon each intermediate module and the terminal module receiving a timing signal, starting a second timer within the respective intermediate module and terminal module;
• a predefined period after receiving the timing signal, each intermediate module sending a timing signal to an adjacent module in the series;
• upon receiving a timing signal, the terminal module sending a second signal to the plurality of modules;
• in response to receiving the second signal, each of the intermediate modules deriving an address in response to its first timer and the second timer;
• and
• the terminal module deriving an address from its first timer.

A method for assigning addresses to a plurality of modules is a system wherein all of the plurality of modules are connected to a common conductor, and are connected in a daisy chain such that an initial module and a terminal module are connected to one adjacent module and intermediate modules connected between the initial module and a terminal module are connected to two adjacent ones of the plurality of modules, said method comprising:

• sending a first signal via the common conductor;
• upon receiving the first signal, starting a first timer within each intermediate module and within the terminal module;
• a predefined period after receiving the first signal, the initial module sending a timing signal to an adjacent module in the daisy chain;
• upon each intermediate module and the terminal module receiving a timing signal, starting a second timer within the respective one of the intermediate modules and the terminal module;
• a predefined period after receiving the timing signal, each intermediate module sending a timing signal to an adjacent module in the daisy chain;
• upon receiving a timing signal, the terminal module sending a second signal via the common conductor;
• in response to receiving the second signal, each of the plurality of modules stopping its first timer and its second timer;
• each of the intermediate modules deriving an address from values of its first timer and its second timer;
• and
• the terminal module deriving an address from a value of its first timer.

A method for assigning addresses to a plurality of modules in a series, wherein the series has an initial module and a terminal module at opposite ends with at least one intermediate module there between, said method comprising:

• sending a first signal to the plurality of modules;
• each intermediate module and the terminal module commencing measurement of time in response to receiving the first signal;
• a predefined period after receiving the first signal, the initial module sending a timing signal to an adjacent module in the series;
• a predefined period after receiving a timing signal, each intermediate module sending a timing signal to an adjacent module in the series;
• and
• each intermediate module and the terminal module deriving an address in response to its measurement of a time interval between receiving the first signal and receiving the timing signal.