Programmable Measurement System with Modular Measurement Modules that Convey Interface Information

• US 20090105985A1
• Filed: 12/22/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• 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., Odom, Brian Keith
• Granted Patent: US 7,881,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/127
• 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 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.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

3. The method of claim 1, 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.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

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

5. The method of claim 1, 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.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

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

7. The method of claim 5, 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.

8. 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.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

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

10. 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.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

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

12. 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.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

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

14. 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.

15. The measurement system of claim 14, 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.

16. The measurement system of claim 15,

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.

17. The measurement system of claim 14,

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

18. 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.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 18, 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.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 18, further comprising:

the first measurement module communicating an identifier (ID) for the first measurement module to the carrier unit;

referencing an interface protocol describing the interface based on the ID; and

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