Input/output module with multi-channel switching capability
First Claim
1. A control system comprising:
- a control module having a first encasement configured to mate with a support frame;
an input/output module having a second encasement configured to mate with the support frame, the input/output module communicatively coupled with the control module, the input/output module including a plurality of communication channels within the second encasement, each channel of the plurality of communication channels configured to connect to one or more field devices, the input/output module further including switch fabric within the second encasement, the switch fabric configured to selectively facilitate connectivity between the control module and the one or more field devices via the plurality of communication channels;
a serial communications interface configured for connecting the input/output module to the control module, the serial communications interface connecting the input/output module in parallel with a second input/output module, the serial communications interface configured for transmitting information between the input/output module and the control module; and
a parallel communications interface configured for separately connecting the input/output module to the control module, the parallel communications interface configured for transmitting information between the input/output module and the control module, and transmitting information between the input/output module and the second input/output module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to an input/output module. In some embodiments, the input/output module includes: a plurality of communication channels, each channel of the plurality of communication channels configured to connect to one or more field devices; switch fabric configured to selectively facilitate connectivity between an external control module and the one or more field devices via the plurality of communication channels; a serial communications port configured for connecting the input/output module to the control module in parallel with a second input/output module, the serial communications port configured for transmitting information between the input/output module and the control module; and a parallel communications port configured for separately connecting the input/output module to the control module, the parallel communications port configured for transmitting information between the input/output module and the control module, and transmitting information between the input/output module and the second input/output module.
86 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A control system comprising:
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a control module having a first encasement configured to mate with a support frame; an input/output module having a second encasement configured to mate with the support frame, the input/output module communicatively coupled with the control module, the input/output module including a plurality of communication channels within the second encasement, each channel of the plurality of communication channels configured to connect to one or more field devices, the input/output module further including switch fabric within the second encasement, the switch fabric configured to selectively facilitate connectivity between the control module and the one or more field devices via the plurality of communication channels; a serial communications interface configured for connecting the input/output module to the control module, the serial communications interface connecting the input/output module in parallel with a second input/output module, the serial communications interface configured for transmitting information between the input/output module and the control module; and a parallel communications interface configured for separately connecting the input/output module to the control module, the parallel communications interface configured for transmitting information between the input/output module and the control module, and transmitting information between the input/output module and the second input/output module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An input/output module comprising:
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an encasement configured to mate with a support frame; a plurality of communication channels within the encasement, each channel of the plurality of communication channels configured to connect to one or more field devices; switch fabric within the encasement, the switch fabric configured to selectively facilitate connectivity between an external control module and the one or more field devices via the plurality of communication channels; a serial communications port configured for connecting the input/output module to the control module in parallel with a second input/output module, the serial communications port configured for transmitting information between the input/output module and the control module; and a parallel communications port configured for separately connecting the input/output module to the control module, the parallel communications port configured for transmitting information between the input/output module and the control module, and transmitting information between the input/output module and the second input/output module. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification