Woodhead Industries, Inc.

Nicolas D L Jones

Joseph F Murphy

Harry L Dexter

Robert Graham

Steven R Montgomery

An apparatus is disclosed for measuring, calculating, recording and monitoring significant system parameters for a local communication network of the type used in industrial automation applications. The apparatus is disclosed in the context of a network employing the DeviceNet protocol.

Network diagnostic apparatus

A device for monitoring power conditions in the power leads of a communication network or power distribution bus includes a microprocessor which measures the voltage on the power leads and computers a filtered bus voltage, Vbus, and a time-averaged bus voltage, Vave. From these, the microprocessor determines whether overvoltage, undervoltage or ripple conditions exist to actuate associated visual indicator intermittently (LEDs ), or surge, brownout or transient conditions to actuate the associated indicators (LEDs ) constantly for their associated slot times in a display cycle. The device may be in the form of a compatible terminator or a Tee for the network or power bus.

Power monitor with indicators

A universal communication system (UCS) consists of a number of communication modules that connect automation devices including controllers, sensors, actuators and input/output components to various communication networks. Each module transfers data between an automation device and the network using network-specific services and protocols. All modules present the same physical, electrical and logical interface to the automation device. Configuration data that customizes the presentation of the device and its data to the network is stored in non-volatile memory in the communication module. In this way, a single device design can support multiple network types by using appropriately configured modules.

Universal communication system

A portable test meter is disclosed for measuring, calculating, recording and monitoring significant system parameters for a local communication network of the type used in industrial automation applications. The meter is disclosed in the context of a network employing the DeviceNet protocol. For each network parameter of interest, a rotary switch selects a desired one for display. An auto search mode selectable by the operator, increments through selected network parameters and compares measured or calculated values against stored data representing acceptable, marginal, or unacceptable conditions, and an associated visual indicia is displayed for each unacceptable or margin condition detected.

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Kitchener, Canada

Nicolas D L Jones