The Boeing Company

Joseph P Winkelmann

Philip John Ellerbrock

Daniel W Konz

Robert L Grant

Robert Neal Zettwoch

An apparatus is provided that includes a non-volatile (device storage) memory configured to store data in a plurality of locations. The apparatus also includes a device interface coupled to the non-volatile memory and including a volatile (device storage) shadow memory configured to store an image of the plurality of locations of the non-volatile memory in a corresponding plurality of locations of the volatile shadow memory. The device interface is configured to receive a command across a network bus from a bus controller, and in response thereto, the device interface is configured to write data from the network bus to a location in the non-volatile memory. This write includes the device interface being configured to write the data to the corresponding location in the volatile shadow memory, and thereafter write the data from the corresponding location in the volatile shadow memory to the location in the non-volatile memory.

Write caching using volatile shadow memory

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 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.

A system and method are provided for initiating peer-to-peer communications via a network bus. The system includes a bus controller in electrical communication with the network bus for controlling communications on the network bus, such as by transmitting commands onto the network bus. The system also includes at least one network device in electrical communication with the network bus, where the network devices collectively comprise at least first and second data channels. The first data channel is configured for Surrogate operation and includes an initiator command and a surrogate command. When the bus controller transmits a command onto the network bus that matches the initiator command of at least the first data channel, at least the second data channel is capable of executing the initiator command and at least the first data channel is capable of executing the respective surrogate command.

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

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

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.

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 uses a specialized protocol for communicating across the network bus that uses a low-level instruction set and has low overhead for data communication.

Growing community of inventors

St. Peters, MO, United States of America

Joseph P Winkelmann