Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Limited

Brian Halsall

Andrew David York

Gregory Ian Chance

David Andrew York

An interface module is provided for connecting a device to a controller within a controller network. The controller is adapted to supply and/or receive data according to a network protocol, and the device is adapted to supply and/or receive data according to a device protocol. The interface module comprises: a network connector supporting a plurality of network channels for connecting the interface module to the controller via the controller network; a device connector supporting a plurality of device channels for connecting the interface module to the device; a conversion unit arranged to receive the plurality of network channels from the network connector, and adapted to convert data between the network protocol and the device protocol, the conversion unit having one or more signal terminals for supplying and/or receiving signals to or from the device; and a configuration unit between the conversion unit and the device connector, adapted to configure the interface module to the device by routing selected device channels to selected signal terminals of the conversion unit. The configuration unit is separable from and removably coupled to the conversion unit such that the interface module may be configured for use with a different device by replacement of the configuration unit. Also provided is a controller network comprising one or more devices and a controller for control of the devices, each of the devices being connected to the controller via an interface module.

Interface module and controller network

A method of controlling a controller network is provided, the controller network comprising a plurality of devices, a controller for outputting control data to the devices, and a plurality of interface modules, each interface module being arranged to connect a respective device to the controller via the network. The method comprises: outputting, from the controller, a control message addressed to a first device, the control message corresponding to an action to be performed by the first device; receiving, at a first interface module connecting the first device to the network, the control message; storing the control message in a memory of the first interface module; broadcasting, from the controller, a trigger message addressed to at least the first device; receiving, at the first interface module, the trigger message; and passing, in response to the trigger message, the control message to the first device such that the action corresponding to the control message is performed. A corresponding controller network is also provided.

Controller network and method of controlling a controller network

A signal generating system comprises a signal generator () for generating an electrical signal at a predetermined frequency; an impedance matching circuit (), the electrical signal being supplied from the signal generator () via the impedance matching circuit () to a reactive load () in use; and an impedance matching control system () for detecting the electrical signal between the signal generator and the reactive load and for adjusting the impedance matching circuit () to achieve a predetermined condition. The impedance matching circuit control system () comprises a heterodyne circuit, and the system further comprises a heterodyne frequency generator () coupled to the signal generator () to generate a second, heterodyne frequency from the predetermined frequency from the signal generator. This second, heterodyne frequency is mixed with the detected signal to generate sum and difference signals. A filter () passes the difference signal and a processor (Magnitude control; Phase control;) responsive to the difference signal is used to adjust the impedance matching circuit () to achieve the predetermined condition.

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Bristol, United Kingdom

Brian Halsall