Multiple channel data acquisition system
First Claim
1. A multiple channel data acquisition system for converting analog signals from a multiplicity of data channels into digital data samples and for transferring the data samples to a host processor, said data acquisition system comprising:
- a plurality of data acquistion modules, each including a local processor means, module memory means, channel conversion means, front end buffer (FEB) means, and communications coupling means;
a high speed communication pathway which couples each communications coupling means of a respective module to the host processor;
each of said data acquisition modules further including a module bus for coupling said FEB means, said module memory means, said local processor means, and said communication coupling means, said module bus adapted for bidirectional communications between said FEB means and said module memory means, said FEB means and said communications coupling means, or said module memory means and said communications coupling means;
said channel conversion means including means for periodically converting the analog signals from at least one of said data channels into the data samples, cache memory means, means for storing the data samples in said cache memory means, and means for periodically transferring the data samples stored in said cache memory means to said FEB means;
wherein said host processor controls communications between said communications coupling means and said module memory means or said FEB means; and
wherein said local processor controls communications between said module memory means and said FEB means or said communications coupling means.
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Abstract
A multiple channel data acquisition system for the transfer of large amounts of data from a multiplicity of data channels has a plurality of modules which operate in parallel to convert analog signals to digital data and transfer that data to a communications host via a FASTBUS. Each module has a plurality of submodules which include a front end buffer (FEB) connected to input circuitry having an analog to digital converter with cache memory for each of a plurality of channels. The submodules are interfaced with the FASTBUS via a FASTBUS coupler which controls a module bus and a module memory. The system is triggered to effect rapid parallel data samplings which are stored to the cache memories. The cache memories are uploaded to the FEBs during which zero suppression occurs. The data in the FEBs is reformatted and compressed by a local processor during transfer to the module memory. The FASTBUS coupler is used by the communications host to upload the compressed and formatted data from the module memory. The local processor executes programs which are downloaded to the module memory through the FASTBUS coupler.
66 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A multiple channel data acquisition system for converting analog signals from a multiplicity of data channels into digital data samples and for transferring the data samples to a host processor, said data acquisition system comprising:
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a plurality of data acquistion modules, each including a local processor means, module memory means, channel conversion means, front end buffer (FEB) means, and communications coupling means; a high speed communication pathway which couples each communications coupling means of a respective module to the host processor; each of said data acquisition modules further including a module bus for coupling said FEB means, said module memory means, said local processor means, and said communication coupling means, said module bus adapted for bidirectional communications between said FEB means and said module memory means, said FEB means and said communications coupling means, or said module memory means and said communications coupling means; said channel conversion means including means for periodically converting the analog signals from at least one of said data channels into the data samples, cache memory means, means for storing the data samples in said cache memory means, and means for periodically transferring the data samples stored in said cache memory means to said FEB means; wherein said host processor controls communications between said communications coupling means and said module memory means or said FEB means; and wherein said local processor controls communications between said module memory means and said FEB means or said communications coupling means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for converting the analog signals from a multiplicity of data channels into digital data samples and for transferring the data samples to a host processor, said method comprising:
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sampling the multiplicity of data channels in parallel in response to a trigger signal by the host processor to generate the data samples; storing the data samples of each channel into an associated multiplicity of first memories; transferring said data samples from a plurality of channels stored in said first memories into an associated multiplicity of second memories; processing said data samples into processed data samples during said transfer from said first to said second memories; transferring said processed data samples from a plurality of second memories into an associated multiplicity of third memories; processing said processed data samples into information samples during said transfer from said second to third memories; and transferring said information samples from each of said third memories to said host processor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification