National Instruments Corporation

David L Potter

Garritt W Foote

James J Truchard

Perry C Steger

Brian Keith Odom

Hugo A Andrade

Joseph E Peck

Mohammed Kamran Shah

System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations which uses small form-factor measurement modules or cartridges with a re-configurable carrier unit, sensors, and a computer system to provide modular, efficient, cost-effective measurement solutions. The measurement module includes measurement circuitry, e.g., signal conditioner and/or signal conversion circuitry, and interface circuitry for communicating with the carrier unit. The module communicates interface information to the carrier unit, which informs the computer system how to program or configure a functional unit on the carrier unit to implement the communicated interface, or sends the information directly to the computer system. The computer system programs the carrier unit with the interface, and the programmed carrier unit and measurement module together function as a DAQ, measurement, and/or control device. The carrier unit may receive multiple cartridges, each having a respective interface protocol, where the carrier unit is configurable to support the respective protocols sequentially and/or in parallel.

Programmable measurement system with modular measurement modules that convey interface information

Measurement system with modular measurement modules that convey interface information

A computer-implemented method for operating a transducer database includes creating an electronic datasheet for a type of sensor on a computer, and registering the electronic datasheet for the type of sensor in a transducer database. Creating an electronic datasheet may include specifying attribute values for the type of sensor in the transducer database via a network connection. Registering may include storing the first electronic datasheet in the database. A sensor may be coupled to a system that obtains the electronic datasheet over a network and configures a device or software program. The sensor may have only analog interface connections.

Transducer specification database

Programmable hardware element with cartridge controllers for controlling modular cartridges that convey interface information

System and method for providing a measurement module (MM) interface for configuring a measurement system. The method includes creating a MM and one or more MM interface programs implementing respective MM interface protocols (MMIP) for the measurement module. An MMIP server is accessed and the MM registered with the MMIP server. The MM interface programs are stored on the MMIP server, where they are each downloadable from the MMIP server and usable to program a functional unit on a carrier unit, enabling the carrier unit to communicate with the MM in accordance with the respective MMIP. A MM is installed in the measurement system and provides ID to a carrier unit of the system. The MMIP server is accessed and, based on the ID, payment information, etc., a MM interface program is downloaded and used to configure the carrier unit to enable communication with the MM in performing a task.

Measurement module interface protocol database and registration system

System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations. A measurement module includes measurement circuitry for performing signal conditioning and/or signal conversion, and interface circuitry which provides an interface for the measurement circuitry. A carrier unit couples to the interface circuitry of the module. A computer system couples to the carrier unit and stores one or more hardware configuration programs. The interface circuitry communicates an interface protocol describing the interface, e.g., to the carrier unit or the computer system. The computer system provides a hardware configuration program in response to the communicated interface protocol, and programs one or more programmable hardware elements on the carrier unit with the hardware configuration program. After being configured, the programmable hardware elements interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol. The measurement module and the programmed carrier unit may perform together as a DAQ device, measurement device, and/or control device.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

David L Potter