Configuring Programmable Hardware on a Device to Communicate with a Module based on ID Information from the Module

• US 20070233431A1
• Filed: 06/06/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Potter, David, Steger, Perry, Truchard, James, Foote, Garritt, Odom, Brian
• Application Number:
  US11/759,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233431A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/189
• 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 module, comprising;

first circuitry, wherein the first circuitry is operable to perform a function; and

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

a device operable to couple to the module, wherein the device comprises a programmable hardware element;

wherein after the module is coupled to the device, the module is operable to communicate identification information to the device;

wherein a first portion of the programmable hardware element on the device is operable to be configured with a hardware configuration file to communicate with the module, wherein the hardware configuration file is determined based on the identification information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware configuration file is provided by a computer system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the computer system is operable to determine the hardware configuration file based on the identification information.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification information is provided to a server over a network, and wherein the device is operable to receive the hardware configuration file from the server over the network.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware configuration file is received over a network.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a card.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the module comprises a card.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the module comprises a cartridge.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the module and the device are operable to perform one or more of:

one or more data-acquisition (DAQ) operations;

one or more control operations;

one or more analysis operations;

one or more user interface operations;

one or more measurement operations;

one or more image-acquisition operations;

or

one or more automation operations.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is operable to query the module for the identification information, and wherein the module is operable to communicate the identification information in response to the query.

11. A method for configuring a device, comprising:

coupling a module to the device, wherein the device comprises a programmable hardware element;

providing identification information of the module;

determining a hardware configuration file based on the identification information;

configuring the programmable hardware element with a hardware configuration file, wherein after said configuring, the device is operable to communicate with the module.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said providing comprises providing the identification information of the module to a computer system coupled to the device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said determining is performed by the computer system.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

the computer system providing the communication identification information to a server over a network; and

the computer system receiving the hardware configuration file from the server over the network.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the hardware configuration file over a network.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the device comprises a card.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the module comprises a card.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the module comprises a cartridge.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the module and the device are operable to perform one or more of:

one or more data-acquisition (DAQ) operations;

one or more control operations;

one or more analysis operations;

one or more user interface operations;

one or more measurement operations;

one or more image-acquisition operations;

or

one or more automation operations.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

querying the module for the identification information; and

wherein said providing the identification information is performed by the module.