Method and apparatus for identifying electronic circuits in a distributed electronic system
First Claim
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1. A method for identifying a plurality of electronic modules, each said electronic module having inputs coupled between positive and negative terminals of one of a series-connected plurality of batteries, said method comprising:
- (a) including a current-dependent voltage source within each electronic module, each said voltage source having an output;
(b) simultaneously switchably coupling each said voltage source output to a common node and measuring a voltage at each said voltage source output;
(c) segregating said plurality of electronic modules into at least two groups, said groups defined by said measured voltages; and
(d) assigning a common address to all electronic modules within each group.
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Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention, a distributed electronic system includes a plurality of electronic modules. Each of the electronic modules is coupled to one battery in a series connection of batteries. The electronic modules are coupled to a central controller via a data bus. Addresses are assigned to the electronic modules based on the potentials of corresponding nodes within the modules.
40 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for identifying a plurality of electronic modules, each said electronic module having inputs coupled between positive and negative terminals of one of a series-connected plurality of batteries, said method comprising:
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(a) including a current-dependent voltage source within each electronic module, each said voltage source having an output; (b) simultaneously switchably coupling each said voltage source output to a common node and measuring a voltage at each said voltage source output; (c) segregating said plurality of electronic modules into at least two groups, said groups defined by said measured voltages; and (d) assigning a common address to all electronic modules within each group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A distributed electronic system comprising:
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a plurality of batteries coupled in series; a plurality of electronic modules, each electronic module coupled across a said battery; wherein each said electronic module further comprises means for providing a voltage at a measurement node within that electronic module;
means for switchably and simultaneously coupling the measurement node in that electronic module to a common point; and
means in electrical communication with the measurement node in that electronic module for measuring a voltage at the measurement node in that electronic module; andmeans in electrical communication with said plurality of electronic modules for segregating a subset of said plurality of electronic modules into at least two groups, each group defined by voltages measured by said measuring means within said subset of electronic modules when said switchable and simultaneous coupling means within said subset of electronic modules simultaneously and switchably couple said measurement nodes of said subset of electronic modules to said common point. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification