Field instrument with data bus communications protocol
US5928345A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention includes a process control instrument having an improved data bus protocol for facilitating communications between master and slave nodes. The process control instrument includes a microprocessor operating in accordance with the SPI data bus protocol, first and second peripheral devices, and a data bus coupled to the microprocessor and the first and second peripheral devices. The improved data bus protocol used in the process control instruments of the present invention provides numerous advantages such as reduced printed circuit board space requirements and greater interchangeability of peripheral and master node components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.