Universal sensor interface system and method
First Claim
1. A method of automatically determining the sensor configuration in an aircraft sensor system, comprising the steps of:
- sending a plurality of initialization signals to a digital signal processor;
converting said initialization signals into a plurality of predetermined sensor check signals with said digital signal processor;
driving a plurality of sensor units with said sensor check signal;
receiving a response signal from each of said sensor units;
comparing each of said response signals with a pre-selected database of sensor responses; and
selecting the appropriate sensor based on said comparison.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A universal sensor interface system that utilizes a common hardware and software interface to drive many types of sensors. A variety of stimulation signals are generated that are transmitted to a plurality of sensors. The stimulation signals cause the sensors to generate response signals in the form of parametric measurements, which are then converted into a common format. The sensor response signals are processed and output as usable inputs to a data consuming apparatus. A method of automatically determining the sensor configuration in an aircraft sensor system is also provided. During operation the host computer system or digital signal processor is programmed to analyze sensor response signals to detect sensor faults, help predict sensor failures, and determine if there has been a sensor error. The universal sensor interface system is also capable of notifying a system operator of wiring problems with a particular sensor or if a particular sensor is malfunctioning.
120 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A method of automatically determining the sensor configuration in an aircraft sensor system, comprising the steps of:
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sending a plurality of initialization signals to a digital signal processor; converting said initialization signals into a plurality of predetermined sensor check signals with said digital signal processor; driving a plurality of sensor units with said sensor check signal; receiving a response signal from each of said sensor units; comparing each of said response signals with a pre-selected database of sensor responses; and selecting the appropriate sensor based on said comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of automatically recognizing sensors for a universal sensor interface, comprising the steps of:
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generating an arbitrary waveform to power a plurality of sensor units; acquiring a plurality of sensor response signals from said sensor units; converting said acquired sensor response signals into a parametric measurement; receiving said parametric measurement; and selecting an appropriate sensor type based on a comparison of said parametric measurement. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of initializing a universal sensor interface, comprising the steps of:
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generating a plurality of arbitrary initialization signals; outputting said arbitrary initialization signals to a digital processor; transforming said arbitrary initialization signals into analog sensor stimulation signals to drive a plurality of sensors; directing said sensor stimulation signals to said plurality of sensors; receiving a plurality of initialization response signals from said plurality of sensors at said digital processor; communicating said sensor response signals from said digital processor; and interpreting said initialization response signals according to a predetermined set of sensor responses. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A universal sensor interface system for an aircraft measurement and control system, comprising:
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a central processing unit; a standard interface unit connected with said central processing unit for communicating system information to said aircraft measurement and control units; a first communication port coupled with said central processing unit; a digital signal processing unit having a second communication port coupled with said first communication port on said central processing unit for transferring data between said central processing unit and said digital signal processing unit; and a mixed signal unit in communication with said digital signal processor and a plurality of sensors for generating stimulation signals and receiving response signals from said plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of providing a universal sensor interface to an aircraft comprising the steps of:
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stimulating a plurality of sensors with a means for selectively driving said sensors with an analog stimulation signal, said sensors being capable of generating aircraft system signals, controlling said sensors with said stimulation signal generated by a digital processor, sensing said aircraft system signal with an input port of said digital processor, converting said aircraft system signals into parametric outputs; and providing said parametric outputs in a standard format for consumption by other devices. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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33. A universal sensor interface, comprising:
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means for generating a plurality of different stimulation signals to drive a plurality of sensors of different types;
said generating means including a digital processor having an output coupled to at least one digital to analog converter for selectively driving each sensor of said plurality with an analog stimulation signal based on the sensor type thereof;means coupled to said plurality of sensors for accepting a plurality of sensor response signals and converting said sensor response signals into parametric measurements having a common format; and means coupled to said means for accepting sensor response signals for outputting said parametric measurements as useable inputs to a sensor data consuming apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification