A current sensing module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a 16-channel current sensing module (1) which is connected to test equipment and products being tested, is used in the SLSC housing 5 and which performs current measurement.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A CURRENT SENSING MODULE

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a 16-channel current sensing module which is connected to test equipment and products being tested, is used in the SLSC housing and which performs current measurement.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Today, advanced integrated circuit technologies allow many different technical features to be combined into a single product and therefore lead to complex and compact product designs. The performance test infrastructures of advanced, complex and compact products also change according to the emerging needs. The ability to perform multi-port measurements simultaneously while maintaining the expected performance level of the device, shortening test times, renewable / modular test systems and cost-effective solutions have created needed requirements in the test and measurement market and created a competitive environment in the test and measurement field. Embedded software testing has become one of the most important fields, especially since embedded software is critical in terms of security in various fields with complex structures, mainly in the automotive, aircraft and defense industries. Performing hardware-in-the-loop tests (HIL Test System) on the hardware is encountered as one of the most widely adopted methods in the industrial field in testing embedded software, which is critical for safety due to its ability to simulate the inputs of the system to be tested. HIL test systems enable tests to be performed as often as desired, saving time without the risk of damaging high-cost hardware and without carrying the security risks of the untested product. At this point, SLSC Modules have taken its place in the worldwide market as a product that has emerged as an attachment to the measurement and control platform of HIL test systems for more practical and more efficient operation.

[0007] The SLSC Module system consists of 4 main components as chassis, modules, Rear Transition Interface (RTI) and cabling. The chassis, in addition to being a unit designed to be used in combination with the PXI (PCI Extensions for Instrumentation), offers more power and board space which is ideal for high power loads, switching and signal conditioning. The chassis enables the communication between the modules and performs the cooling function of the system. On the other hand, SLSC Modules provide switching, load simulation or signal conditioning for signal paths. SLSC Modules can communicate and be fed through the chassis, or they can communicate through auxiliary lines on the modules themselves. On the other hand, the rear transition interface RTI provides a standard connection for bringing signals back to the cable options of the SLSC modules and to the data acquisition modules (DAQ). The cabling of the SLSC module system allows signals to be transmitted within standard available cables and simplifies overall system integration by reducing the need for cabling.

[0008] The SLSC Module system, which can be defined as a companion platform in addition to HIL systems, contains front-end modules that can be used in PXI or CompactRIO (cRIO) extensions and specific to the system to be tested. The SLSC Module, in addition to comprising a rear transition interface that provides a standardized connection between itself and the PXI or cRIO, has a standard cable function diagram. Therefore, it enables the function to be fulfilled while using standard cables, without the need for a detailed point-to-point cable connection. The SLSC module system, which can eliminate the vulnerability to error resulting from the lack of the need for point-to-point cable connection, facilitates the test and measurement process due to its standardized connections. SLSC Modules can operate in stand-alone, pass through, or cascaded / sequential mode within the chassis. The cascade mode allows the signal path to pass through more than one SLSC module. Each SLSC chassis also comprises an SLSC digital data bus that allows users to explore, configure and set parameters on individual modules. Signals can pass through SLSC modules through both the front connection point and through the rear transition interface (RTI) connection.

[0009] Points such as renewable test systems, repeated uses, finding cost-effective solutions aim to solve the needs created by today's technology in the easiest and most reliable way. In this context, it has become a need to produce signal conditioning and switching systems that can provide the most effective results for the increasing need for test systems and solutions. SLSC Module Systems, while being the product that emerged as a result of these needs, has been a product that saves time and cost by eliminating the difficulty and inefficiency of detailed point- to-point cable connection that HIL systems encounter. In addition, the SLSC Module system provides advantages in real-time and simulation-oriented test and measurement systems in terms of preventing damage to the systems to be tested and performing the tests repeatedly. It has a structure that can be adapted to technological developments since it is a system that not only allows the creation of configurations formed by different modules specific to the system to be tested, but also allows the modules to be developed on their own. In particular, expanding the test intervals of the feature of the system to be tested is stated as a need to be met for products with the latest technological design by product development companies.

[0010] The Turkish patent document no. TR2020 / 09554, an application included in the state of the art, discloses an automatic current source test device. The said invention relates to an automatic current source test device which has network terminals that feed the invention that can perform all tests related to the said systems by automatically injecting current to the test sample with the same precision in the tests desired to be performed for all systems operating from the lowest current level to the highest current level; a master switch that turns the invention on and off; a power supply that can obtain voltage at a frequency of 50-60 Hz by first converting the AC network voltage into DC voltage and then converting the DC voltage into AC voltage again in pure sine form at the network input of the current source in order not to be affected by network fluctuations during the test and therefore enables tests to be performed at both 50 Hz and 60 Hz; the first variac group consisting of three variacs that adjust the output voltage according to the current value required in the test sample and the second variac group; special transformer 1 and special transformer 2 that enable the invention to perform current changes at very low sensitivities; a power contactor that disconnects the invention from the test sample and connects it to the test sample until the invention obtains the current value required in the test sample; the first current transformer group that is connected to the power contactor, protects the test sample from overcurrent and consists of three current transformers; the second current transformer group that is connected to the special transformer 2, measures the current value delivered to the test sample and consists of three current transformers; power terminals that are connected to the test sample that allow current adjustment according to the declared current value up to 10000 amperes by being connected in series and parallel to each other.

[0011] The International patent document no. WO2022205821, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a digital output circuit, digital output device, and digital output system. The said invention describes discloses a digital output circuit, digital output device, and digital output system. The digital output circuit comprises a digital output function circuit and a digital output leakage current detection circuit; the digital output function circuit is electrically connected to the digital output leakage current detection circuit; the digital output function circuit is used to electrically connecting an input power supply and an upper computer, to provide a digital signal for the upper computer; the digital output leakage current detection circuit is used to perform leakage current detection on the digital signal, so as to control the on-off state of the input power supply on the basis of the leakage current detection result. Leakage current detection is performed on the digital signal of the digital output function circuit by means of the digital output leakage current detection circuit, and thus, the function safety of digital output is improved. The United States patent document no. US5734261, an application included in the state of the art, discloses an input protection circuit which includes optocoupler protection during over-voltage conditions. The said invention describes an input protection circuit for an instrumentation system which receives an input signal, and which is adapted for providing a current and / or voltage limited version of the input signal to a measurement system. The input protection circuit of this invention utilizes an optocoupler and also includes circuitry which protects the optocoupler from damage if an over-voltage condition is detected. The input protection circuit includes a comparator which is operable to disable or turn off the optocoupler when the current limited version of the input signal exceeds a preset value. The input protection circuit preferably includes a resistor connected in parallel with the optocoupler, which provides an alternative path for the input signal when the optocoupler has been cut off. Therefore, the invention provides an improved input protection circuit which also protects the optocoupler from damage if an overvoltage condition is detected, but still allows the input signal to be measured during this time.

[0012] The United States patent document no. US2014118877, an application included in the state of the art, discloses programmable protected input circuits. The said invention may include an input node to receive an input signal and may further include an output node to provide a protected output signal based on the input signal. Protection circuitry may be coupled between the input node and the output node to establish a current path that bypasses the input node and pulls the output pin to a specified reference voltage level in the event of a transient at the input node. A push-pull power supply may be used to provide the reference voltage to the current path and dissipate any excess voltage by burning it off in a semiconductor device included in the push-pull power supply circuitry.

[0013] The United States patent document no. US2023152355, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a nanoseconds-pulse based current / voltage measurement for testing vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The said invention describes an open-loop test system for testing vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). A high-speed pulse generator may be used to produce nanoseconds pulses provided to the VCSEL device. A high-speed oscilloscope may be used to measure the resultant nanoseconds pulses across the VCSEL device. The VCSEL device voltage and VCSEL device current may be obtained from the measured nanosecond pulses according to compensation data derived from the system. A pretest compensation procedure may be used to obtain the compensation data, which may include representative characteristics of each system component. The compensation procedure may also include capturing specified pulse trains under different load conditions of the pulse generator to obtain a scaling relationship between the VCSEL device current and an input voltage used for the pulse generation, and also for obtaining various parameters later used to derive an accurate VCSEL device voltage and an accurate VCSEL device current.

[0014] The Chinese patent document no. CN113433381, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a real-time testing system and method for link delay of flexible direct-current transmission control system. The said invention describes a real-time testing system and method for link delay of flexible direct-current transmission control system. The method comprises the steps of receiving a sine alternating-current voltage signal transmitted by a real-time simulator through a high-speed interface board card through an acquisition and measurement device, carrying out the voltage conversion, hardware filtering, digital-to-analogue conversion and modulation processing, and converting the sine alternating-current voltage signal into a trigger pulse signal; sending the trigger pulse signal to the realtime simulator through the interface device, and feeding the state information of each flexible DC converter valve sub-module in the real-time simulator back to the control link; and after receiving the pulse trigger signal, triggering the sub-module unit to output a corresponding trigger AC voltage, calculating the time delay of the synchronous AC voltage signal and the trigger AC voltage signal, and removing the time delay in the high-speed interface board card and the interface device to obtain the time delay of the control link. According to the invention, the problem that the measurement is difficult because the zero-crossing point cannot be accurately obtained, or the preset voltage threshold needs to be introduced when the zerocrossing point is judged when the input signal of the direct current control protection system is obtained can be avoided.

[0015] Summary of the Invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to realize a 16-channel current sensing module which is used to perform current measurement, is connected to test equipment and products being tested and is used in the SLSC housing.

[0017] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0018] “A Current Sensing Module” realized to fulfd the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figure attached, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a top view of an inventive current sensing module.

[0020] The components illustrated in the figure are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

[0021] 1. Current sensing module

[0022] 2. Module carrier board

[0023] 3. Current input module

[0024] 4. CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) module

[0025] 5. Front panel

[0026] 6. Front panel fixer

[0027] 7. Mounting mechanism

[0028] 8. Connection element An inventive current sensing module (1) which is connected to test equipment and products being tested, is used in the SLSC housing and performs current measurement comprises, in its basic state, at least one module carrier board (2); at least one current input module (3) which is located on the module carrier board (2); and at least one CPLD module (4) which is configured to provide analogue voltage information in the range of 0.5-4.5V by using current in the range of ± 100mA that it receives from the current input module (3).

[0029] An inventive current sensing module (1) further comprises at least one front panel (5); at least one front panel fixer (6) which is used for fixing the front panel (5) to the module carrier board (2), at least one mounting mechanism (7); and a plurality and variety of connection elements (8).

[0030] The CPLD module (3) used in an inventive current sensing module (1) is configured to provide analogue voltage information in the range 0.5-4.5V by using current in the range ±100mA from the input. The CPLD module (3) is configured to use the formulation of “2.5V + (20 x Measured Current)” in order to calculate the measurement voltage. The signal inputs of the CPLD module (3) are relay controlled, and the relay control is performed by the controller on the module. Diagram 1. Block diagram of DE91000 Current Input Module

[0031] The inventive current sensing module (1) is a 16 -channel sensing module and is used in combination with the SLSC case. The current sensing module (1) has an independent channel configuration and has 15% resolution and a -22V / +60V load connectivity range. The current sensing module (1) comprises two slots on the module carrier board (2) for instrumentation modules.

[0032] Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “An Current Sensing Module (1)”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A current sensing module (1) which is connected to test equipment and products being tested, is used in the SLSC housing and performs current measurement characterized by at least one module carrier board (2); at least one current input module (3) which is located on the module carrier board (2); and at least one CPLD module (4) which is configured to provide analogue voltage information in the range of 0.5-4.5V by using current in the range of ± 100mA that it receives from the current input module (3).

2. A current sensing module (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by at least one front panel (5); at least one front panel fixer (6) which is used for fixing the front panel (5) to the module carrier board (2), at least one mounting mechanism (7); and a plurality and variety of connection elements (8).

3. A current sensing module (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the CPLD module (3) which is configured to provide analogue voltage information in the range 0.5-4.5V by using current in the range ±100mA from the input.

4. A current sensing module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the CPLD module (3) whose signal inputs are relay controlled and wherein the relay control is performed by the controller on the module5. A current sensing module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by module carrier board (2) which comprises two slots for instrumentation modules.

Images