National Instruments Corporation

Alvin G Becker

James A Reimund

James E Nicholson

Kyle R Bryson

Naji S Norder

Michel G Haddad

Paul A Lennous

Daniel Hawley Ousley

Kevin R Kreitz

Alisa T Gartner

Seth Cunningham

Richard Baldwin

A switching element that is at least partially implemented in one or more printed wiring boards (PWBs). A plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs may be integrated into the PWB(s). In some embodiments, a plurality of contact bars may also be comprised in respective contact bar pockets bounded at least partially ab at least one of the PWB(s). The switching element is selectively operable in first and second states, the first state in which at least one contact bar couples one of the plurality of inputs to one of the plurality of outputs such that an analog signal input to the respective input is routed to the respective output and the second state in which at least one contact bar is held in an off state.

MEMS-based switching system

A switching element that is at least partially implemented in one or more printed wiring boards (PWBs). A first input and a plurality of outputs may be integrated into the PWB(s). In some embodiments, a plurality of contacts may also be integrated into the PWB(s). The switching element is selectively operable in first and second states, the first state in which the first input is coupled to a first output and the second state in which the first input is coupled to a second output.

Magnetic switching system

A switch system having a plurality of switch inputs, a plurality of switch outputs, a switch matrix comprising a plurality of N&#xd7;N switching elements to selectively couple one or more of the plurality of switch inputs to one or more of the plurality of switch outputs during use to provide one or more paths for routing signals from one or more of the switch inputs to one or more of the switch outputs during use.

Switch matrix system and method

A 2&#xd7;2 switching element that includes first and second relays each having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal, wherein the first and second relays each operate between a first state to connect the first terminal to the second terminal and a second state to connect the first terminal to the third terminal. The second terminals and third terminals, respectively, of the first and second relays are coupled to one another. The 2&#xd7;2 switching element is selectively operable between: a first switching state where the first relay is operated in the first state and the second relay is operated in the second state, and a second switching state where the first relay is operated in the second state and the second relay is operated in the second state.

Switching element system and method

Provided in some embodiment is a thermocouple system that includes a printed circuit board having a terminal component connection to couple to a connector of a terminal component, a temperature sensing component connection to couple to a connector of a temperature sensing component, a signal plane thermally coupled to the terminal component connection, and a thermal plane thermally coupled to the temperature sensing component connection and electrically isolated from the terminal component connection and the signal plane. The surface area of the thermal plane overlaps a substantial portion of a surface area of the signal plane.

Temperature sensing system and method

A method that includes identifying a desired signal connectivity through a switch matrix, where the switch matrix includes a plurality of switching elements, and where the switching elements are selectively operable in a plurality of states to provide a plurality of signal paths for routing signals through the switch matrix. The method also includes identifying a sorting network model that corresponds to a topology of the switch matrix, applying a sorting algorithm to the sorting network model, and determining, based on the results of applying the sorting algorithm, operational states of the plurality of switching elements to provide signal paths corresponding to the desired signal connectivity.

Switch matrix modeling system and method

An RTD measurement device including a mechanism for automatic selection of a 3-wire or 4-wire configuration mode of operation. The RTD measurement device may include detection circuitry to detect whether an RTD connected to the RTD measurement device via a plurality of wire connections includes a 3-wire configuration or a 4-wire configuration. The RTD measurement device may include processing circuitry to process one or more readings from the RTD. If a 3-wire configuration is detected, the detection circuitry may automatically configure the processing circuitry to operate in a 3-wire configuration mode. If a 4-wire configuration is detected, the detection circuitry may automatically configure the processing circuitry to operate in a 4-wire configuration mode.

RTD measurement unit including detection mechanism for automatic selection of 3-wire or 4-wire RTD measurement mode

The coupling apparatus couples two cards of a first size to fit in to a chassis having slots of second size. The coupling apparatus can connect two 3U cards together by clamping the first card and the second card between a first plate and a second plate to effectively form a combined card of a second size. Thus two 3U cards can be connected together and inserted into a 6U slot in a 6U chassis.

Adapter which is adapted to receive cards designed for a different form factor

A signal conditioning system which includes a low voltage analog bus and a high voltage analog bus. The signal conditioning system comprises a chassis having a plurality of slots, wherein each of the slots is adapted to receive a module. The chassis includes a low voltage analog bus and adapted for transmitting low voltage electrical signals. The chassis also includes a high voltage analog bus and adapted for transmitting high voltage electrical signals. Modules may be placed in slots of the chassis, wherein each module may connect through a connector to one or both of the low voltage analog bus and the high voltage analog bus. The high voltage analog bus allows for the conditioning (including switching) of high voltage electrical signals. In an alternate embodiment, the signal conditioning system may comprise a chassis which only includes a low voltage analog bus, i.e., the chassis does not include a built-in high voltage analog bus. For example the signal conditioning system may be an existing SCXI chassis which does not include a high voltage analog bus. In this embodiment, the system may include one or more rear connectors which are adapted to connect to one or more of the modules comprised in the chassis. The one or more rear connectors collectively form a high voltage analog bus for transmitting high voltage electrical signals between the one or more modules.

Signal conditioning system including low voltage and high voltage analog buses

A relay multiplexing system which provides improved safety from hazardous voltage conditions. The relay multiplexing system comprises a relay multiplexer module and a terminal block which connects to the relay multiplexer module. The relay multiplexer module and corresponding terminal block incorporate a design according to the present invention whereby power can only be provided to the respective relays when the corresponding terminal block is connected to the respective relay multiplexer module. The terminal block is required to form an electrical path between the power supply in the relay multiplexer module and the relays. Thus, when the terminal block is removed from the corresponding relay multiplexer module, power is unable to be provided to the relays, thereby ensuring safety from hazardous voltages which could otherwise appear on exposed pins of the connector.

Relay multiplexer system and method for prevention of shock hazard

An AC attenuator system including a compensation circuit for providing a selectable trimming impedance for the AC attenuator. The compensation circuit comprises a plurality of capacitors preferably coupled in parallel with a portion of the attenuator, wherein the capacitors have binary weighted values. The compensation circuit also includes a plurality of switches, wherein each switch is coupled to an input of each of the plurality of capacitors and is further coupled to the AC attenuator circuit. The switches are preferably microelectronic machined system (MEMS) switches. The compensation circuit further includes a memory element coupled to the plurality of switches. The memory element stores a value, preferably a digital or binary value, which is operable to open/close selected switches. The value stored in the memory element is provided to the switches during power on, thereby opening/closing selected switches and configuring a capacitance value among the plurality of capacitors for compensation of the AC attenuator system. The compensation circuit thus produces a selectable trimmer impedance for the AC attenuator.

Automatic compensation of an AC attenuator using a digital to capacitance converter

An electrical power supply is described which includes a floating current source. The floating current source includes a current source providing a selected amount of electrical current to a first terminal, and a current sink receiving the selected amount of electrical current from a second terminal. The current source is adapted for coupling to a first electrical voltage level which is positive with respect to a reference potential. The current sink is adapted for coupling to a second electrical voltage level which is negative with respect to the reference potential. The selected amount of current may be proportional to a reference current flowing through both the current source and the current sink. The current source and sink may each include a pair of transistors coupled together such that a flow of electrical current through one of the pair of transistors produces a proportional flow of electrical current through the other transistor. The electrical power supply may also include two line-powered voltage sources producing the first and second electrical voltage levels. During operation, the first and second electrical voltage levels may be adjusted by varying the first and second voltage sources, and a desired electrical voltage may be developed between the first and second terminals. The power supply is thus capable of supplying a bias voltage and current to an amplified transducer (e.g., an amplified piezoelectric transducer).

Electrical power supply with floating current source suitable for providing bias voltage and current to an amplified transducer

An isolation system for allowing a single measurement circuit to measure both low and high voltage signals from separate low and high voltage buses, respectively, while maintaining substantial isolation protection for humans or animals potentially exposed to the low voltage bus. A central relay coupled to the measurement circuit selects between the low and high voltage buses and thus provide one level of isolation. Two mutually exclusive relays on either side of the central relay provide another level of isolation. Since the central and the two mutually exclusive relay are all rated at the basic insulation level, the low and high voltage buses are separated by at least two relay levels thereby meeting the double insulation or high voltage testing standard during normal operation. For additional protection, should one or more of the relays fail, dual spark gaps limit the maximum voltage to an intermediate voltage level. Clamp circuits further limit the voltage appearing on the low voltage bus to below the hazardous voltage level. The spark gaps protect the maximum voltage appearing across the clamp circuits and the clamp circuits further limit the maximum voltage across the low voltage bus. Furthermore, in-series fuses isolate the high voltage from the low voltage bus if the high voltage hazardous condition exists for a significant period of time. Thus, at least three levels of protection are provided.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Alvin G Becker