Autonomous node for a test instrument system having a distributed logic nodal architecture
First Claim
1. A Node apparatus for an analytical instrument system having system controller and a CANBUS, comprising:
- a CANBUS interface to connect to a CANBUS;
a microcontroller connected to the CANBUS interface;
at least one circuit operable to perform an analytic instrument function connected to the microcontroller, said circuit operation being responsive to said microcontroller; and
a reset circuit connected to the microcontroller and the CANBUS interface, the reset circuit being operable to cause the microcontroller to reinitialize the Node in response to a predetermined dominant CANBUS signal being in a low state for at least a predetermined length of time.
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Abstract
A node having an on-board microprocessor and circuits to perform a particular function in an analytic instrument system having a CANBUS and using distributed logic to control the various analysis functions, including data acquisition, system control, and data transition. The various node circuits and functions include generating a signal to control a motor by pulse width modulation and feedback, control of temperature for sample and reagent reactions (incubations), monitoring the status of instrument control panel switches and visual indicators, voltage sources, test sample location, processing calorimeter measurements, and the like. Each node includes a CAN interface and a reset circuit, which is responsive to the system controller for performing the specific node function and responding to controller commands. The reset circuit allows for reinitializing the node microcontroller on, e.g., system startup, or on demand from the system controller or any other node on the CANBUS.
89 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A Node apparatus for an analytical instrument system having system controller and a CANBUS, comprising:
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a CANBUS interface to connect to a CANBUS; a microcontroller connected to the CANBUS interface; at least one circuit operable to perform an analytic instrument function connected to the microcontroller, said circuit operation being responsive to said microcontroller; and a reset circuit connected to the microcontroller and the CANBUS interface, the reset circuit being operable to cause the microcontroller to reinitialize the Node in response to a predetermined dominant CANBUS signal being in a low state for at least a predetermined length of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification