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US5043911A
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Multiplexing A/D converter for a generator control unit
Assignee: Sundstrand Corp
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Filing: 1989-12-22
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Granted: 1991-08-27
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Expires: 2009-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A "reversible master/slave" handshaking protocol is disclosed for addressing the problem of interfacing a multiplexing analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, having a first operating rate, to a microprocessor, having a second operating rate. In the specific embodiment of a generator control unit (GCU) for an electrical power generating system, an analog multiplexer (124), an A/D converter (126), and a dual-port RAM (130) are controlled by an A/D controller (134) to provide data words to a voltage regulator processor (92). If a fast A/D converter is used, then the A/D controlling system will multiplex and convert samples from all of the analog input signals, load the RAM, and wait for the processor to read the RAM. If the A/D conversion rate is slow, the A/D controller will continuously sample all the multiplexed channels, while the processor waits for the appropriate channel information to be loaded into the RAM. In this manner, data acquisition can be perform utilizing A/D converters having various conversion rates, multiplexers having additional channels, or microprocessors having numerous feedback control loops.
Inventors
- 👤 Abdul Rashid
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/05; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B19/0423; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/21; G05B2219/21008; G05B2219/25; G05B2219/25431; G05B2219/25432; G05B2219/25474; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for controlling the operation of first and second digital controllers during the acquisition of data derived from a plurality of analog input signals, said method comprising the steps of: (a) addressing a multiplexer by said first controller to output a particular one of said plurality of analog input signals as a time-multiplexed analog output signal; (b) converting a portion of said time-multiplexed analog output signal into digital data to provide a data sample; (c) addressing a particular storage location in a memory; (d) storing said data sample at said particular storage location in said memory; (e) providing an end-channel signal from said first controller to said second controller; (f) repeating the above steps using new multiplexer and memory addresses until data samples from a desired plurality of said analog input signals have been stored in said memory; (g) reading a plurality of storage locations of said memory by said second controller only after the end-channel signal corresponding to that storage location has been received; (h) providing a start-multiplexing signal from said second controller to said first controller only after the desired storage locations have been read; and (i) waiting for said start-multiplexing signal from said second controller before repeating the above steps.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for controlling the operation of first and second digital controllers during the acquisition of data derived from a plurality of analog input signals, said method comprising the steps of: (a) addressing a multiplexer by said first controller to output a particular one of said plurality of analog input signals as a time-multiplexed analog output signal; (b) converting a portion of said time-multiplexed analog output signal into digital data to provide a data sample; (c) addressing a particular storage location in a memory; (d) storing said data sample at said particular storage location in said memory; (e) providing an end-channel signal from said first controller to said second controller; (f) repeating the above steps using new multiplexer and memory addresses until data samples from a desired plurality of said analog input signals have been stored in said memory; (g) reading a plurality of storage locations of said memory by said second controller only after the end-channel signal corresponding to that storage location has been received; (h) providing a start-multiplexing signal from said second controller to said first controller only after the desired storage locations have been read; and (i) waiting for said start-multiplexing signal from said second controller before repeating the above steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second digital controllers have first and second operating rates, respectively, and further comprising the step of controlling said first and second controllers such that they exhibit a reversible master/slave relationship as determined by their respective operating rates, whereby the slave controller waits for the master controller to provide its respective signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said converting step is performed by an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter having a first operating rate, and wherein said second digital controller is a microprocessor having a second operating rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said microprocessor executes multiple sets of instructions corresponding to multiple feedback control loops, said multiple feedback control loops utilizing data derived from said plurality of analog input signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second digital controllers are components of a generator control unit for an electrical power generating system including a generator having a power output signal which is controllable by a generator control signal, and further comprising the steps of: monitoring various parameters of said generator power output signal, thereby providing said plurality of analog input signals; providing a digital control signal in response to data derived from said plurality of stored data samples; and conditioning said digital control signal to provide said generator control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein at least one of said first and second digital controllers is a component of a digital voltage regulator, and further comprising the step of maintaining the voltage level of said generator power output signal at a constant level.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for controlling the acquisition of data derived from a plurality of analog input signals to be read by a microprocessor, said method comprising the steps of: (a) waiting for a start-multiplexing signal from said microprocessor; (b) addressing a multiplexer to output a particular one of said plurality of analog input signals at a particular time as a single analog output signal; (c) providing a start-sampling signal to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter; (d) digitally sampling in said A/D converter said single analog output signal to provide a data sample; (e) providing an end-sampling signal from said A/D converter; (f) addressing a particular storage location in a memory; (g) storing said data sample at said particular storage location in said memory; (h) providing an end-channel signal to said microprocessor; (i) incrementing said multiplexer and memory addresses; (j) repeating steps (b) through (i) until data samples from all of said plurality of analog input signals have been stored in said memory; (k) reading at least one of said particular storage locations of said memory by said microprocessor only after the corresponding end-channel signal for that storage location has been received; and (l) providing said start-multiplexing signal only after the desired storage locations have been read.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for controlling the acquisition of data derived from a plurality of analog input signals to be read by a microprocessor, said method comprising the steps of: (a) waiting for a start-multiplexing signal from said microprocessor; (b) addressing a multiplexer to output a particular one of said plurality of analog input signals at a particular time as a single analog output signal; (c) providing a start-sampling signal to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter; (d) digitally sampling in said A/D converter said single analog output signal to provide a data sample; (e) providing an end-sampling signal from said A/D converter; (f) addressing a particular storage location in a memory; (g) storing said data sample at said particular storage location in said memory; (h) providing an end-channel signal to said microprocessor; (i) incrementing said multiplexer and memory addresses; (j) repeating steps (b) through (i) until data samples from all of said plurality of analog input signals have been stored in said memory; (k) reading at least one of said particular storage locations of said memory by said microprocessor only after the corresponding end-channel signal for that storage location has been received; and (l) providing said start-multiplexing signal only after the desired storage locations have been read.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
251 words
A generator control unit for an electrical power generating system including a generator having a power output signal which is controllable by a generator control signal, said generator control unit comprising: a plurality of input means for monitoring various parameters of said generator power output signal, and for providing a corresponding plurality of analog input signals; means for multiplexing said plurality of analog input signals as a multiplexed analog signal; means for converting said multiplexed analog signal into a plurality of data words, said converting means having a first operating rate; buffer means for storing said plurality of data words; processor means for providing a digital control signal in response to said plurality of stored data words, said processor means including: internal memory means for storing multiple sets of instructions corresponding to multiple feedback control loops, said multiple feedback control loops corresponding to said various parameters of said generator power output signal; logic means, having a second operating rate, for executing each of said multiple sets of instructions utilizing information provided by at least one of said plurality of stored data words; and interface means for controlling said multiplexing means, said converting means, said buffer means, and said logic means in response to said first and second operating rates, such that said logic means and said converting means exhibit a reversible master/slave relationship as determined by their respective operating rates; and said generator control unit further comprising: output means for conditioning said digital control signal, thereby providing said generator control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
251 words
A generator control unit for an electrical power generating system including a generator having a power output signal which is controllable by a generator control signal, said generator control unit comprising: a plurality of input means for monitoring various parameters of said generator power output signal, and for providing a corresponding plurality of analog input signals; means for multiplexing said plurality of analog input signals as a multiplexed analog signal; means for converting said multiplexed analog signal into a plurality of data words, said converting means having a first operating rate; buffer means for storing said plurality of data words; processor means for providing a digital control signal in response to said plurality of stored data words, said processor means including: internal memory means for storing multiple sets of instructions corresponding to multiple feedback control loops, said multiple feedback control loops corresponding to said various parameters of said generator power output signal; logic means, having a second operating rate, for executing each of said multiple sets of instructions utilizing information provided by at least one of said plurality of stored data words; and interface means for controlling said multiplexing means, said converting means, said buffer means, and said logic means in response to said first and second operating rates, such that said logic means and said converting means exhibit a reversible master/slave relationship as determined by their respective operating rates; and said generator control unit further comprising: output means for conditioning said digital control signal, thereby providing said generator control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of analog input signals includes a voltage signal, and wherein said processor means includes means for providing a digital control signal, in response to said voltage signal, which maintains the generator output power signal at a desired voltage level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, wherein said generator control signal is a pulse-width modulated signal having a duty cycle in accordance with said digital control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, wherein said converting means is an analog-to-digital converter having a first operating rate corresponding to its conversion rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, wherein said buffer means is a random-access memory which is accessible to both said processor means and said converting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, wherein said multiple feedback control loops include a voltage feedback control loop and a current feedback control loop.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, wherein said generator power output signal has multiple voltage phases, and wherein said input means includes means for monitoring each of said multiple voltage phases.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, further comprising means for addressing said multiplexing means in response to addressing signals provided by said interface means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, wherein said various generator power output signal parameters include the output voltage and output current of said generator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, wherein said interface means includes means for providing an end-channel signal to said logic means only after said buffer means has stored each data word corresponding to each of said plurality of analog input signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The generator control unit according to claim 17, wherein said logic means includes means for waiting for a particular end-channel signal from said interface means before said logic means executes a particular set of instructions which utilizes information provided by those stored data words corresponding to said particular end-channel signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The generator control unit according to claim 8, wherein said logic means includes means for providing a start-multiplexing signal to said interfacing means only after desired stored data words have been read from said buffer means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The generator control unit according to claim 19, wherein said interface means includes means for waiting for said start-multiplexing signal from said logic means before continuing to control said multiplexing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-26 | 1995-02-25 | 1995-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-26 | 1999-02-25 | 1999-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-26 | 2003-02-25 | 2003-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |