Reconfigurable I/O Channels for Flexible Measurement Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic modules for monitoring or control applications often have complex hardware interfaces with dedicated channels that are inflexible, leading to clutter and reduced adaptability due to the need for multiple terminals for each channel, which can hinder system flexibility and increase complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of reconfigurable channels that can function as both inputs and outputs, utilizing software or firmware to control channel hardware with analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion capabilities, allowing for flexible configuration and reduced physical interface complexity, including the use of a single non-ground terminal and a ground or reference terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated hardware interface channels are used for current or voltage mode operation with multiple terminals per channel, then the hardware interface provides robust control and measurement capability, but the hardware interface becomes cluttered and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements reconfigurable channels that can dynamically switch between different operational modes (current mode, voltage mode, input, output) and terminal configurations (2-terminal, 3-terminal, 4-terminal). A single physical channel can serve multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated channels, reducing hardware clutter while maintaining full control and measurement capabilities through software-controlled reconfiguration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If separate dedicated input and output channels are permanently configured, then each channel has fixed functionality, but system adaptability is hindered when requirements evolve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically reconfigurable channels that can change their operational mode and terminal configuration at runtime based on system requirements. The channels transition from static permanent configurations to dynamic flexible configurations through software control, allowing the system to adapt to evolving requirements while maintaining stable operation in each configured state.
3Measurement precision
If multiple dedicated terminals are provided per channel for current or voltage mode operation, then comprehensive measurement capability is achieved, but the number of physical terminals increases needlessly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dedicated terminal functions into shared reconfigurable terminals. The same physical terminals are reused across different operational modes and measurement configurations through time-multiplexed reconfiguration, eliminating the need for separate dedicated terminals for each function while maintaining comprehensive measurement precision for current, voltage, and resistance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems for monitoring or control can include reconfigurable input and output channels. Such reconfigurable channels can include as few as a single terminal and a ground pin, or such channels can include three or four terminal configuration such as for use in four-terminal resistance measurements. Channel reconfiguration can be accomplished such as using software-enabled or firmware-enabled control of channel hardware. Such channel hardware can include analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion capability, including use of a digital-to-analog converter to provide field power or biasing. In an example, the interface circuit can provide a selectable impedance.