Measurement system with modular measurement modules that convey interface information

• US 20030074489A1
• Filed: 07/12/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Foote, Garritt W., Truchard, James J., Steger, Perry C., Potter, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,542,867 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations which uses small form-factor measurement modules or cartridges with a re-configurable carrier unit, sensors, and a computer system to provide modular, efficient, cost-effective measurement solutions. The measurement module includes measurement circuitry, e.g., signal conditioner and/or signal conversion circuitry, and interface circuitry for communicating with the carrier unit. The module communicates interface information to the carrier unit, which informs the computer system how to program or configure a functional unit on the carrier unit to implement the communicated interface, or sends the information directly to the computer system. The computer system programs the carrier unit with the interface, and the programmed carrier unit and measurement module together function as a DAQ, measurement, and/or control device. The carrier unit may receive multiple cartridges, each having a respective interface protocol, where the carrier unit is configurable to support the respective protocols sequentially and/or in parallel.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a measurement module, comprising;

measurement circuitry, wherein the measurement circuitry is operable to perform one or more of signal conditioning and signal conversion; and

interface circuitry, wherein the interface circuitry is operable to provide an interface for the measurement circuitry; and

a carrier unit, operable to couple to the interface circuitry of the measurement module;

wherein the interface circuitry is operable to communicate an interface protocol describing the interface;

wherein the carrier unit comprises one or more functional units which are programmable to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol; and

wherein the measurement module and the programmed carrier unit are together operable to perform as one or more of a DAQ device, a measurement device, and a control device.

2. The system of claim 1,

wherein the interface circuitry is operable to communicate the interface protocol to the carrier unit;

the system further comprising;

a computer system which is operable to couple to the carrier unit, wherein the carrier unit is operable communicate the interface protocol to the computer system; and

wherein the computer system is operable to program the one or more functional units to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the computer system is operable to couple to the carrier unit over a network.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the computer system comprises a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

5. The system of claim 1,

wherein the carrier unit includes a processor, wherein the processor is operable to program the one or more functional units to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer system which is operable to couple to the carrier unit;

wherein the interface circuitry is operable to communicate the interface protocol to the computer system; and

wherein the computer system is operable to program the one or more functional units to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer system which is operable to couple to the carrier unit;

wherein the computer system comprises a processor and a memory;

wherein the memory stores a measurement program which implements one or more measurement functions;

wherein the memory also stores a software program which is executable to deploy the measurement program on the one or more functional units comprised in the carrier unit; and

wherein, in response to said deployment, the carrier unit is operable to perform the one or more measurement functions.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the measurement program comprises a graphical program, and wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the graphical program.

9. The system of claim 7,

wherein the computer system further comprises a computer display;

and

wherein the memory also stores a software program which is executable to display configuration diagram of the system; and

wherein the software program is further executable to display an animation of the deployment of the measurement program on the carrier unit in the configuration diagram of the system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier unit comprises one or more of a networked measurement and control device, and a networked data acquisition device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein carrier unit comprises one or more of an Ethernet carrier, a USB carrier, and a wireless carrier.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier unit comprises a measurement and control system.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the measurement and control system comprises an industrial programmable logic controller, comprising one or more of a real time controller and an embedded controller.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the measurement and control system comprises a PC based measurement and control system.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the PC based measurement and control system comprises one or more of a real time controller and an embedded controller.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the carrier unit comprises one or more of a PCI carrier and a PXI carrier.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier unit comprises a DAQ-in-cable.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier unit is comprised in a PC based measurement and control system.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier unit comprises or is comprised in a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier unit further comprises:

a chassis;

a backplane comprised in the chassis providing for electrical communication; and

one or more slots comprised in the chassis, wherein each of the one or more slots includes a connector that is coupled to the backplane, wherein each of the one or more slots is adapted for receiving the measurement module or another different measurement module.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement module has a small form factor.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement module has dimensions of approximately 1 inch by 2 inches by 3 inches or less.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement module has dimensions of approximately 0.2 inches by 1 inch by 1 inch or more.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the functional units of the carrier unit comprises a programmable hardware element which is configurable to implement the interface protocol.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the programmable hardware element comprises a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

26. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the functional units of the carrier unit comprises:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is operable to execute software instructions from the memory to implement the interface protocol.

27. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor, operable to couple to the measurement module;

wherein the sensor is further operable to send sensor signals to the measurement module for one or more of signal conditioning and signal conversion.

28. The system of claim 1,

wherein performing signal conditioning comprises performing one or more of protection, isolation, filtering, amplification, and excitation;

and

wherein performing signal conversion comprises one or more of analog to digital (A/ID) conversion and digital to analog (D/A) conversion.

29. The system of claim 1,

wherein the measurement module comprises a sensor;

and

wherein the measurement module is operable to perform one or more of signal conditioning and signal conversion on sensor signals received from the sensor.

30. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an actuator, operable to couple to the measurement module;

wherein the actuator is further operable to receive control signals from the measurement module and perform an action based on the received control signals.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry being operable to communicate the interface protocol comprises the interface circuitry being operable to communicate the interface protocol to the carrier unit upon one or more of attachment of the measurement module to the carrier unit, reset of the measurement module, reset of the carrier unit, reboot of the measurement module, and reboot of the carrier unit.

32. The system of claim 1,

wherein the interface circuitry being operable to communicate the interface protocol comprises the interface circuitry being operable to communicate an ID to the carrier unit;

the system further comprising;

a computer system which is operable to couple to the carrier unit, wherein the carrier unit is operable communicate the ID to the computer system;

wherein the computer system is operable to retrieve the interface protocol based on the ID; and

wherein the computer system is operable to program the one or more functional units to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the computer system is operable to retrieve the interface protocol from a central database based on the ID.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the central database is comprised on a server computer accessible by the computer system.

35. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising:

a computer system which is operable to couple to the carrier unit;

wherein the interface circuitry being operable to communicate the interface protocol comprises the interface circuitry being operable to communicate an ID to the computer system;

wherein the computer system is operable to retrieve the interface protocol based on the ID; and

wherein the computer system is operable to program the one or more functional units to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the computer system is operable to retrieve the interface protocol from a central database based on the ID.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the central database is comprised on a server computer accessible by the computer system over a network.

38. The system of claim 1,

wherein the interface circuitry being operable to communicate the interface protocol comprises the interface circuitry being operable to communicate an ID to the carrier unit;

wherein the carrier unit is operable to retrieve the interface protocol based on the ID;

wherein the carrier unit includes a processor, wherein the processor is operable to program the one or more functional units to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the interface protocol.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the carrier unit is operable to retrieve the interface protocol from a central database based on the ID.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the central database is comprised on a server computer accessible by the carrier over a network.

41. A measurement module, comprising:

measurement circuitry, wherein the measurement circuitry is operable to perform one or more of signal conditioning and signal conversion; and

interface circuitry, wherein the interface circuitry is operable to provide an interface for the measurement circuitry;

wherein the interface circuitry is operable to couple to a carrier unit, and wherein the interface circuitry is operable to communicate an interface protocol to the carrier unit describing the interface;

wherein the interface circuitry is operable to communicate signals with the carrier unit in accordance with the communicated interface protocol;

wherein the measurement module is operable to perform as at least a portion of one or more of a measurement device, and a control device.

42. The measurement module of claim 41,

wherein the carrier unit comprises one or more functional units which are programmable to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol;

and

wherein the measurement module and the programmed carrier unit are together operable to perform as one or more of a measurement device, and a control device.

43. The measurement module of claim 41, wherein the measurement module has a small form factor.

44. The measurement module of claim 41, wherein the measurement module has dimensions of approximately 1 inch by 2 inches by 3 inches or less.

45. The measurement module of claim 41, wherein the measurement module has dimensions of approximately 0.2 inches by 1 inch by 1 inch or more.

46. The measurement module of claim 41,

wherein the measurement module is further operable to couple to a sensor;

and

wherein the sensor is operable to send sensor signals to the measurement module for one or more of signal conditioning and signal conversion.

47. The measurement module of claim 41, wherein performing signal conditioning comprises performing one or more of protection, isolation, filtering, amplification, and excitation.

48. The measurement module of claim 41, wherein performing signal conversion comprises one or more of analog to digital (A/D) conversion and digital to analog (D/A) conversion.

49. The measurement module of claim 41,

wherein the measurement module comprises a sensor;

and

wherein the measurement module is operable to perform one or more of signal conditioning and signal conversion on sensor signals received from the sensor.

50. The measurement module of claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry being operable to communicate the interface protocol to the carrier unit describing the interface comprises the interface circuitry being operable to communicate the interface protocol to the carrier unit upon one or more of attachment of the measurement module to the carrier unit, reset of the measurement module, reset of the carrier unit, reboot of the measurement module, and reboot of the carrier unit.

51. A method for configuring a measurement system, comprising:

inserting a first measurement module into a first slot of a carrier unit;

the first measurement module communicating first interface information to the carrier unit, wherein the interface information specifies a first interface for operating with the first measurement module;

the carrier unit communicating said first interface information to a computer system; and

the computer system programming a functional unit on the carrier unit, thereby implementing the specified first interface in the carrier unit;

wherein, after said programming, the carrier unit and the first measurement module are together operable to perform one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

the carrier unit and the first measurement module together performing one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

53. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

removing the first measurement module from the first slot;

inserting a second measurement module into the first slot;

the second measurement module communicating second interface information to the carrier unit, wherein the second interface information specifies a second interface for operating with the second measurement module;

the carrier unit communicating said second interface information to a computer system; and

the computer system programming a functional unit on the carrier unit, thereby implementing the specified second interface in the carrier unit;

wherein, after said programming, the carrier unit and the second measurement module are together operable to perform one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

the carrier unit and the second measurement module together performing one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

55. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

inserting a second measurement module into a second slot of the carrier unit;

the second measurement module communicating second interface information to the carrier unit, wherein the second interface information specifies a second interface for operating with the second measurement module;

the carrier unit communicating said second interface information to a computer system; and

the computer system programming a functional unit on the carrier unit, thereby implementing the specified second interface in the carrier unit;

wherein, after said programming, the carrier unit and the second measurement module are together operable to perform one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising:

the carrier unit and the second measurement module together performing one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

57. The method of claim 55, further comprising:

the carrier unit and the first measurement module together performing one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task; and

the carrier unit and the second measurement module together performing one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

58. A method for configuring a measurement system, comprising:

a measurement module communicating interface information to a carrier unit, wherein the interface information specifies an interface for operating with the measurement module;

the carrier unit communicating said interface information to a computer system; and

the computer system programming a functional unit on the carrier unit, thereby implementing the specified interface in the carrier unit;

wherein, after said programming, the carrier unit and the measurement module are together operable to perform one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

the carrier unit and the measurement module together performing one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

60. A method for configuring a measurement system, comprising:

a measurement module communicating interface information to a carrier unit, wherein the interface information specifies an interface for operating with the measurement module;

the carrier unit programming a functional unit on the carrier unit, thereby implementing the specified interface in the carrier unit;

wherein, after said programming, the carrier unit and the measurement module are together operable to perform one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

the carrier unit and the measurement module together performing one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

62. A method for configuring a measurement system, comprising:

a measurement module communicating interface information to a computer system, wherein the interface information specifies an interface for operating with the measurement module;

the computer system programming a functional unit on a carrier unit, thereby implementing the specified interface in the carrier unit;

wherein, after said programming, the carrier unit and the measurement module are together operable to perform one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising:

the carrier unit and the measurement module together performing one or more of a data acquisition, measurement, and control task.

64. A measurement system, comprising:

a computer system comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a graphical program, wherein the graphical program implements a measurement function, wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the graphical program; and

wherein the memory also stores a software program which is executable to deploy the graphical program on a device;

a device coupled to the computer system, wherein the device includes;

a carrier unit adapted to receive one or more measurement modules, wherein the carrier unit includes at least one functional unit, wherein the at least one functional unit in the device is configurable with the graphical program, wherein after being configured the at least one functional unit implements functionality of the graphical program;

a measurement module adapted to be included in the carrier unit, wherein the measurement module includes;

an input for acquiring a signal; and

measurement circuitry coupled to the input, wherein the measurement circuitry is operable to perform one or more of signal conditioning and signal conversion;

wherein the device is executable to perform the measurement function on an acquired signal.

65. The measurement system of claim 64, wherein the measurement module further includes:

interface circuitry coupled to the measurement circuitry, wherein the interface circuitry is operable to provide an interface for the measurement circuitry.

66. The measurement system of claim 65,

wherein the interface circuitry is operable to couple to the carrier unit, and wherein the interface circuitry is operable to communicate an interface protocol to the carrier unit describing the interface;

and

wherein the at least one functional unit in the carrier unit is programmable to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol.

67. The measurement system of claim 64,

wherein the measurement module and the programmed carrier unit are together operable to perform as a measurement device.

68. A computer-implemented method for configuring a device to perform a measurement function, the method comprising:

creating a graphical program on a computer system, wherein the graphical program implements the measurement function, and wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the graphical program;

deploying the graphical program on a functional unit of the device, wherein the device is coupled to or comprised in the computer system, wherein the device includes a carrier unit and one or more measurement modules, wherein the carrier unit includes the functional unit, and wherein after said deploying the functional unit implements the measurement function of the graphical program;

a first measurement module in the carrier unit acquiring a signal;

the first measurement module performing one or more of signal conditioning and signal conversion on the signal; and

the functional unit performing the measurement function on the signal.

69. The computer-implemented method of claim 68, further comprising:

the first measurement module communicating an interface protocol to the carrier unit describing the interface; and

programming the functional unit in the carrier unit to interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol.