Patent · US Expired

Programmable controller input/output communications system

US4872136A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
12References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 4, 1984
Grant dateOct 3, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 4, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F11/22
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention disclosed is useful in an I/O system of a programmable controller and provides a method and circuitry by which control and diagnostic information is exchanged between a control unit of an I/O module and a plurality of input/output points thereof. A control signal is generated in the control unit in the form of sequential pulse frames such that the control information is defined by a series of pulse width modulated pulses. Each frame includes a no-pulse time period following the review of pulses to mark the end of a frame. Each I/O point receives a control signal of its own and generates a clock pulse in response to each pulse. The clock pulse initiates a sampling of the corresponding pulse and simultaneously initiates return of a diagnostic signal value to the central unit. Thus, the control signal provides for sampling of its own content and provides for a return of a diagnostic data bit for each control bit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.