US 9,852,036 B2 · Configurable input/output sub-channels for optimized diagnostics

Abstract

A novel diagnostics and verifiable input/output (DVIO) channel may reduce fixed diagnostic circuitry and allow standard input/output channels to be repurposed as diagnostics for specific deployments. The DVIO channel may include a digital input sub-channel and a digital output sub-channel, with each sub-channel including basic protection and diagnostic circuitry for performing basic diagnostics. The two sub-channels may be used independently of each other, and they may also be coupled together to create an enhanced digital input or digital output channel, which is capable of performing more advanced diagnostics such as output readback or test pulse generation, for example. Multiple DVIO channels may be coupled together to create a multiple-channel digital input or digital output with redundant signal paths. In this way the input/output resources may be configured to meet the specific needs of a given application, and minimize the test and diagnostic circuitry required in traditional implementations.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A configurable digital input/output channel comprising:

an input terminal;
an output terminal;
a digital input sub-channel configured to selectively couple to the input terminal and further configured to perform first diagnostics;
and
a digital output sub-channel coupled to the output terminal and configured to perform second diagnostics;
wherein the digital input sub-channel and the digital output sub-channel are configured to be selectively coupled together, wherein when coupled together, the digital input sub-channel and the digital output sub-channel interoperate as an enhanced digital channel configured to perform advanced diagnostics in addition to the first diagnostics and the second diagnostics.

3 more elements

A configurable multi-channel digital input/output device, the device comprising:

a plurality of configurable digital input/output channels, wherein each respective configurable digital input/output channel comprises:
an input terminal;
an output terminal;
a digital input sub-channel configured to selectively couple to the input terminal and further configured to perform first diagnostics;
and
a digital output sub-channel coupled to the output terminal and configured to perform second diagnostics;
wherein the digital input sub-channel and the digital output sub-channel are configured to be selectively coupled together, wherein when coupled together, the digital input sub-channel and the digital output sub-channel interoperate as an enhanced digital channel configured to perform advanced diagnostics in addition to the first diagnostics and the second diagnostics;
wherein a first configurable digital input/output channel and a second configurable digital input/output channel of the plurality of configurable digital input/output channels are configured to provide a redundant path for failure detection.

5 more elements

An electronic system comprising:

a first device comprising a first configurable digital input/output channel;
a second device comprising a second configurable digital input/output channel;
wherein the first configurable digital input/output channel and the second configurable digital input/output channel each comprise:
a respective input terminal;
a respective output terminal;
a respective digital input sub-channel configured to perform respective first diagnostics;
and
a respective digital output sub-channel coupled to the output terminal and configured to perform respective second diagnostics;
wherein the respective digital input sub-channel and the respective digital output sub-channel are configured to be selectively coupled together, wherein when coupled together, the respective digital input sub-channel and the respective digital output sub-channel interoperate as a respective enhanced digital channel configured to perform advanced diagnostics in addition to the respective first diagnostics and the respective second diagnostics;
wherein the first configurable digital input/output channel and the second configurable digital input/output channel are configured to operate as a single multi-channel input/output device when at least portions of the first configurable digital input/output channel are coupled to at least portions of the second configurable digital input/output channel.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Configurable input/output sub-channels for optimized diagnostics

Life of this patent

Configurable input/output sub-channels for optimized diagnostics

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20