The Boeing Company

Li-cor, Inc.

Daniel W Konz

Philip John Ellerbrock

Joseph P Winkelmann

Robert L Grant

Ahmed Bouzid

David L Franzen

William W Biggs

Jon P Anderson

Chris Lesiak

Mark David Rogers

Daniel Nelson Harres

Christian J Noll

Marshall Watts

Robert L Calkins

Joseph P Winkelman

Systems, devices, and methods for accurately imaging chemiluminescence and other luminescence are disclosed. A compact, flat-bed scanner having a light-tight enclosure, one or more detector bars of linear charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imaging chips, and high working numerical aperture (NA) optics scans closely over a sample in one direction and then the opposite direction. Averages or other combinations of intensity readings for each pixel location (x, y) between the two or more passes are averaged together in order to compensate for luminescence that varies over time. On-chip pixel binning and multiple clock frequencies can be used to maximize the signal to noise ratio in a CCD-based scanner.

Chemiluminescence compact imaging scanner

Data message sync patterns for use in a network that utilizes Manchester (Bi-Phase) signal encoding with an embedded sync pattern. The sync pattern of the invention differs from conventional sync patterns for Manchester (Bi-Phase) type signal encoding, allowing greater deviation of the local oscillators in the communication network without increase in the communication network bandwidth.

Data message sync pattern

A data message decoder for high-speed serial bus applications includes a sync pattern decoder that is operated in parallel and simultaneously with a message bit decoder. By operating the sync pattern decoder and the message bit decoder in parallel and simultaneously a true sync pattern following a valid looking sync pattern may be identified and the decoding of the bit message following the valid looking sync pattern may be aborted once the true sync pattern is detected. The data message decoder is robust and tolerant of bus anomalies that are typical when using high frequency signaling on a multipoint serial bus. The robust data message decoder is suitable for, but not limited to, applications in the aerospace industry, such as onboard network systems for advanced commercial and military aircraft.

Robust message decoder for serial bus applications

A system and method is provided for communicating with at least one network device via a network bus comprising a bus controller and a host computer. The bus controller executes a series of instructions, which can be transferred to the bus controller from the host computer. The instructions are executed in a manner independent of the host computer so as to reduce the workload of the host computer. Since the bus controller can execute the series of instructions without further intervention of the host computer, the host computer can perform other operations concurrent with the execution of the series of instructions by the bus controller. In one embodiment, at least one of the instructions has an associated data field that is variable and can be altered by the host computer, such that the host computer can alter the instruction used by the bus controller.

System and method for preloading a bus controller with command schedule

A system for maintaining proper termination and error-free communication in a network bus () including a power bus includes at least one network device (), a network controller () and at least on bus protection element. The network devices () are electrically connected to and adapted to communicate via the network bus (). The network controller (), in turn, is electrically connected to the network bus () and is adapted to direct communications with the network devices () via the network bus (). The network controller () is also adapted to provide power signals to the network devices () via the power bus of the network bus (). The network controller () and/or the bus protection elements can monitor signals on the network bus (). And based upon the network controller () and/or bus protection elements identifying a predefined number of improper signals, the bus protection elements can selectively connect and disconnect respective network devices () to and from the network.

System and method for maintaining proper termination and error-free communication in a network bus

A communications system and method are provided for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is converted into digital signals and transmitted to the controller. Network device interfaces associated with different data channels can coordinate communications with the other interfaces based on either a transition in a command message sent by the bus controller or a synchronous clock signal.

Network device interface for digitally interfacing data channels to a controller via a network

The present invention provides systems, methods, and bus controllers () for monitoring an event of interest via a network bus () and creating an asynchronous event trigger on the network bus indicating that the event occurred. Importantly, the systems, methods, and bus controllers () of the present invention use either one or several network devices () that are connected to the network bus () and monitor the occurrence of an event of interest. These network devices () are configure through commands from the bus controller () to indicate on the network bus () typically by a pulse signal, when the event of interest has occurred. The indication from the network device () that the event has occurred is used by the bus controller () and other network devices () on the network bus () to configure timing for commands or to perform desired actions in synchronization with the occurrence of the event of interest.

Systems, methods, and bus controllers for creating an event trigger on a network bus

The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is converted into digital signals and transmitted to the controller. In some embodiments, network device interfaces associated with different data channels coordinate communications with the other interfaces based on either a transition in a command message sent by the bus controller or a synchronous clock signal.

The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. In one embodiment, the bus controller transmits messages to the network device interface containing a plurality of bits having a value defined by a transition between first and second states in the bits. The network device interface determines timing of the data sequence of the message and uses the determined timing to communicate with the bus controller.

Network device interface for digitally interfacing data channels to a controller a via network

The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is then converted by the network device interface into digital signals and transmitted back to the controller. In one advantageous embodiment, the network device interface is a state machine, such as an ASIC, that operates independent of a processor in communicating with the bus controller and data channels.

A system for establishing peer-to-peer communications via a network bus comprises a bus controller and at least one peer-to-peer grouping including a source device and at least one receiving device, all of which are in electrical communication with the network bus. The bus controller controls communications on the network bus and can transmit onto the network bus an express command, which is associated with the source device of one of the groupings and identifies data on the respective source device. The source device of a respective grouping is capable of receiving a transmitted express command, and the receiving devices of the respective grouping are capable of detecting the transmitted express command. Upon receipt, the source device is capable reading the data identified by the respective express command onto the network bus, and thereafter the receiving devices of the respective grouping are capable of automatically writing data from the network bus.

Systems and methods for establishing peer-to-peer communications between network devices communicating via a common bus

A network system includes a network having a network bus, such as unshielded differential twisted-pair wires, electrically connected to a plurality of remote devices, and a network controller for digitally directing transmissions with the remote devices via the network bus. The network system also includes a plurality of network device interface elements adapted to interconnect the network controller with respective remote devices via the network bus. Each network device interface element is capable of transmitting and receiving messages via the network bus. And to at least partially limit electromagnetic emissions from the respective network device interface element and/or the respective remote device, each network device interface element includes a suppression assembly. Additionally, each network device interface element can include a transceiver and a processing element, with the suppression assembly electrically connected between the transceiver and the network bus.

System and associated suppression assembly for limiting electromagnetic emissions in network devices communicating via a network bus

The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is then converted into digital signals and transmitted back to the controller. In one embodiment, the bus controller sends commands and data a defined bit rate, and the network device interface senses this bit rate and sends data back to the bus controller using the defined bit rate.

Growing community of inventors

Florissant, MO, United States of America

Daniel W Konz