Method and apparatus determining order and identity of subunits by inputting bit signals during first clock period and reading configuration signals during second clock period
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A unit train comprising:
- a base unit comprisinga bit generator for generating a bit pulse,a clock for generating a clock signal having first and second clock periods,a bit signal line and a single clock/data line, andan interpreter circuit coupled to the bit generator and the clock and responsive to couple the bit generator to output a ONE bit pulse on the bit signal line, and afterward responsive during the first clock period to couple the clock signal as output to the clock/data line only during the first clock period, and during the second period to couple itself to the clock/data line for input only of a subunit configuration data signal; and
a plurality of subunits responsive to the bit generator and clock for generating the subunit configuration data signal, each subunit comprisinga shift register having N bit positions, coupled in parallel to the clock and in series to the bit signal line, anda logic unit coupled for input to the shift register at preselected bit positions identifying the particular subunit and coupled in parallel for outputting a ZERO on the clock/data line during the second clock period whenever there is a ONE in any of the preselected bit positions of the shift register.
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Abstract
A unit train (10) includes a base unit (12). Base unit (12) generates a clock signal and a bit signal. Base unit (12) also receives and interprets a data signal. Unit train (10) also includes a plurality of subunits (14) serially coupled in a certain order. Each subunit (14) receives the clock signal and the bit signal. Each subunit (14) also generates a portion of the data signal. Additionally each of the subunits (14) has a corresponding identity. Also included in the unit train (10) is a clock/data line (67) for relaying the clock signal and the data signal between the base unit (12) and each subunit (14).
64 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A unit train comprising:
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a base unit comprising a bit generator for generating a bit pulse, a clock for generating a clock signal having first and second clock periods, a bit signal line and a single clock/data line, and an interpreter circuit coupled to the bit generator and the clock and responsive to couple the bit generator to output a ONE bit pulse on the bit signal line, and afterward responsive during the first clock period to couple the clock signal as output to the clock/data line only during the first clock period, and during the second period to couple itself to the clock/data line for input only of a subunit configuration data signal; and a plurality of subunits responsive to the bit generator and clock for generating the subunit configuration data signal, each subunit comprising a shift register having N bit positions, coupled in parallel to the clock and in series to the bit signal line, and a logic unit coupled for input to the shift register at preselected bit positions identifying the particular subunit and coupled in parallel for outputting a ZERO on the clock/data line during the second clock period whenever there is a ONE in any of the preselected bit positions of the shift register. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for using a number of subunits, serially coupled in a certain order, each subunit having a certain identity, to determine the certain order and the certain identity of each subunit comprising the steps of:
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providing a bit generator for generating a bit pulse; providing a clock for generating a clock signal having first and second clock periods; providing a bit signal line and a single clock/data line; providing an interpreter circuit coupled to the bit generator and the clock and responsive to couple the bit generator to output a ONE bit pulse on the bit signal line, and afterward responsive during the first clock period to couple the clock signal as output to the clock/data line only during the first clock period, and during the second period to couple itself to the clock/data line for input only of a subunit configuration data signal; and providing a plurality of subunits responsive to the bit generator and clock for generating the subunit configuration data signal. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for using a number of subunits, serially coupled in a certain order, each subunit having a certain identity, to determine the certain order and the certain identity of each subunit comprising the steps of:
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providing a bit generator for generating a bit pulse; providing a clock for generating a clock signal having first and second clock periods; providing a bit signal line and a single clock/data line; providing an interpreter circuit coupled to the bit generator and the clock and responsive to couple the bit generator to output a ONE bit pulse on the bit signal line, and afterward responsive during the first clock period to couple the clock signal as output to the clock/data line only during the first clock period, and during the second period to couple itself to the clock/data line for input only of a subunit configuration data signal; and providing a plurality of subunits responsive to the bit generator and clock for generating the subunit configuration data signal, each subunit comprising a shift register having N bit positions, coupled in parallel to the clock and in series to the bit signal line, and a logic unit coupled for input to the shift register at preselected bit positions identifying the particular subunit and coupled in parallel for outputting a ZERO on the clock/data line during the second clock period whenever there is a ONE in any of the preselected bit positions of the shift register.
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Specification