Modular system with synchronized timing

• US 20020169993A1
• Filed: 05/09/2001
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Hamilton, Bruce, Woods, Stanley P., Sitte, Hans J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,983,391 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/400
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25035 Star network
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25174 Ethernet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25213 Synchronisation, address and data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25216 Packet switching
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25314 Modular structure, modules
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25479 Synchronize controllers using messages, add transmission time afterwards

Abstract

A system with a set of modules having synchronized timing. The synchronized timing of the modules enables precise coordination of measurements and stimuli for an arbitrary number of modules. The modules communicate and maintain time synchronization using a communication mechanism that may be adapted to localized positioning of modules and/or widely dispersed positioning of modules with no change to the underlying functionality in the modules.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

communication means;

a set of modules each capable of communication via the communication means and each having a synchronized clock and means for performing a function of the system such that the functions are coordinated by a synchronized time in the synchronized clocks.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication means and the modules are contained in an instrument bay.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the instrument bay includes means for providing power to the modules.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for performing a function in one or more of the modules comprises means for applying a stimulus in response to the synchronized time.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for performing a function in one or more of the modules comprises means for obtaining a measurement and for generating a time-stamp for the measurement using the synchronized time.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for performing a function in one or more of the modules comprises means for obtaining a measurement at a given time using the synchronized time.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication means is preselected to enable placement of the modules at localized and widely dispersed positions without substantial modification to software in the modules or the use of the modules by application software.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a set of power lines for providing power to one or more of the modules.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the power lines are included in a cable that also includes a set of communication lines for the modules.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication means includes a communication network.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the modules are connected to separate sub-nets of the communication network.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the modules includes means for obtaining a message via the communication means that includes an identification of a measurement and a time at which the measurement is to be obtained.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the modules includes means for obtaining a message via the communication means that includes an identification of a stimulus and a time at which the stimulus is to be applied.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the modules includes means for obtaining a message via the communication means that includes an identification of a measurement and a time interval during which a series of the measurements are to be obtained.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the modules includes means for obtaining a message via the communication means that includes an identification of a stimulus and a time interval during which the stimulus is to be applied.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the modules includes means for transferring a message via the communication means that includes a measurement and a time at which the measurement was obtained.