Industrial control module providing universal I/O
US10684611B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2203/45151
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An industrial control I/O module for interfacing with industrial control equipment, such as sensors and actuators, can be configured to dynamically provide differing resistances in each channel as may be required for reliably achieving particular modes of operation in the channel. Providing differing resistances in such channels flexibly allows different modes in the channel to provide universal I/O capability. Modes of operation could include, for example, digital output, digital input, analog output, analog input and the like, in the same channel, but at different times. In one aspect, a processor or voltage divider can be used to control an amplifier, with feedback, driving a transistor in a channel to dynamically adjust resistance in the channel by selectively biasing the transistor to achieve a resistance in the channel suitable for the selected mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.