Systems, and/or Devices to Control the Synchronization of Diagnostic Cycles and Data Conversion for Redundant I/O Applications

• US 20090063739A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Weddle, Robert Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,974,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/110
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2239 Reallocate, reschedule execution of controlled functions if one processor fails
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24173 One sensor, two I-O channels each for different processor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24184 Redundant I-O, software comparison of both channels
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24186 Redundant processors are synchronised
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24187 Redundant processors run identical programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1675 Temporal synchronisation or re-synchronisation of redundant processing components

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a first analog input module adapted to, via a sent synchronization signal, automatically terminate a diagnostic cycle of a second analog input module. The synchronization signal can be adapted to cause an initiation of a data conversion cycle at the second analog input module.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first analog input module adapted to;

request mastership with respect to a second analog input module;

output a synchronization pulse to said second analog input module;

initiate a diagnostic cycle; and

initiate a data conversion cycle; and

said second analog input module, said second analog input module adapted to assume a slave role with respect to said first analog input module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first analog input module is further adapted to:

define a master/slave relationship with respect to said second analog input module.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is adapted to:

define a master/slave relationship between said first analog input module and said second analog input module.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said first analog input module is further adapted to:

receive from said second analog input module an acknowledgment of a request to establish communication between said first analog input module and said second analog input module.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first analog input module is further adapted to:

establish communication with said second analog input module.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said first analog input module is further adapted to:

assume mastership with respect to said second analog input module.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said second analog input module is further adapted to:

upon completion of said diagnostic cycle, send acknowledgment that said diagnostic cycle is complete.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said second analog input module is further adapted to:

upon completion of said data conversion cycle, send acknowledgment that that data conversion cycle is complete.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said second analog input module is further adapted to:

if initiation of said diagnostic cycle does not occur within a predetermined time, assume mastership with respect to said first analog input module.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said second analog input module is further adapted to:

if initiation of said data conversion cycle does not occur within a predetermined time, assume mastership with respect to said first analog input module.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said diagnostic cycle is adapted to automatically detect a broken wire.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said data conversion cycle is adapted to automatically obtain a temperature value from a thermocouple.

4. The system of cl aim 1, wherein said first analog input module is further adapted to:

send to said second analog input module a request to establish communication with said second analog input module.

14. A system comprising:

a first analog input module adapted to, via a sent synchronization signal, automatically terminate a diagnostic cycle of a second analog input module, said synchronization signal adapted to cause an initiation of a data conversion cycle at said second analog input module, said synchronization signal sent subsequent to an acknowledged request to establish communication with said second analog input module.

15. A method comprising:

via a sent synchronization signal sent by a first analog input module of a programmable logic controller, automatically causing a diagnostic cycle of a second analog input module to terminate, said synchronization signal adapted to cause an initiation of a data conversion cycle at said second analog input module, said synchronization signal sent subsequent to an acknowledged request to establish communication with said second analog input module.

16. A method comprising:

at a first analog input module;

requesting mastership with respect to a second analog input module, said second analog input module adapted to assume a slave role with respect to said first analog input module;

outputting a synchronization pulse to said second analog input module;

initiating a diagnostic cycle; and

initiating a data conversion cycle.