DISTRIBUTED INPUT/OUTPUT CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for controlling a system that operates responsive to a plurality of input control signals are disclosed. During operation the system generates a plurality of output status/control signals. A master controller has at least first and second controllers. The first controller outputs and inputs signals over a first communication path, and the second controller outputs and inputs signals over a second communication path. The first and second controllers output signals based on input signals received over the first and second communication paths, respectively, and also based on stored control data. A plurality of input/output modules are provided. Each of the input/output modules has first and second slave controllers. The first slave controller of each of the input/output modules inputs and outputs signals over the first communication path to the first controller, and the second slave controller outputs and inputs signals over the second communication path. Each of the first slave controllers outputs and inputs signals to and from a first input/output circuit, and each of the second slave controllers outputs and inputs signals to and from a second input/output circuit. Each of the input/output modules also includes a combiner circuit. At least some of the input control signals for controlling the system are generated by the combiner circuit of each input/output module based on signals output from both the first and second input/output circuits. The output control signals for controlling the system are generated based on output status/control signals from the system that are coupled to each of the first and second input/output circuits of the input/output modules.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A distributed redundant control system utilizing inputs and outputs for controlling at least one piece of equipment, the system comprising:
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a main controller module for controlling the at least one piece of equipment, the main controller being configured to communicate first and second signals to a plurality of input/output (I/O) modules over first and second communication paths, respectively, wherein the second signals are redundant of the first signals; and each I/O module being configured to input and output the first and second signals over the first and second communication paths, the first and second communication paths being coupled to a set of I/O drivers, the inputs/outputs from each of the I/O drivers are logically combined to provide a single I/O signal from the redundant signals of the I/O drivers, wherein each of the input/output drivers comprises a predetermined number of input/output nodes, wherein the input/output nodes are programmed to be either inputs or outputs. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A distributed control system having redundant control, wherein the system operates responsive to a plurality of input control signals, wherein during operation the system generates a plurality of output status/control signals, comprising:
a plurality of input/output modules, wherein each of the input/output modules comprises a first slave controller and a redundant, second slave controller, wherein the first slave controller of each of the input/output modules inputs and outputs a first plurality of signals over the first communication path to the first controller, wherein the redundant, second slave controller outputs and inputs the first plurality of signals over the second communication path to the redundant, second controller, wherein each of the first slave controllers outputs and inputs a second plurality of signals to and from a first input/output circuit, wherein each of the second slave controllers outputs and inputs the second plurality of signals to and from a second input/output circuit, wherein each of the input/output modules further comprises a combiner circuit for outputting input control signals for controlling the system, wherein the combiner circuit generates the input control signals based on redundant signals output from both the first and second input/output circuits. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A distributed control system having redundant control, wherein the system operates responsive to a plurality of input control signals, wherein during operation the system generates a plurality of output status/control signals, comprising:
a master controller having a first controller and a redundant, second controller, wherein the first controller outputs and inputs a first plurality of signals over a first communication path, wherein the redundant, second controller outputs and inputs the first plurality of signals over a second communication path, wherein the first and redundant, second controllers output signals based on input signals received over the first and second communication paths, respectively, and also based on stored control data. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
Specification