Allen-bradley Company, LLC

Wayne C Van Sickle

Ronald Edwin Schultz

Raymond R Husted

Otomar S Schmidt

David R Rohn

Terrence L Dauterman

Donald A Westman

Lester A Jones

Kathleen B Mathews

J Monte Roach

A programmable controller has a rack that electrically connects a number of I/O modules to a processor module. The processor module includes a external device communication interface section and a general purpose processor section electrically coupled together by a set of common buses. Both of these module sections include a microprocessor and memory connected by an internal set of buses which are isolatable from the set of common buses. The isolation capability permits the different sections to perform their operations simultaneously. A shared system memory and an rack interface are coupled to the common buses for the exchange of data with the I/O modules. A unique ladder logic processor also is connected directly to the common buses. The ladder logic processor includes a hardwired Boolean bit logic processor and a custom microcoded processor to execute instructions of a ladder type control program. Program instructions which are too complex for execution by the ladder logic processor are executed by the general purpose processor section.

Processor for a programmable controller

A programmable controller has a rack that houses and electrically connects a number of I/O modules and a processor module. The processor module includes a external communication network interface, a system memory, a processor section which executes a user-defined control program and a I/O interface that handles the exchange of data with the other modules. The I/O interface has circuitry for pre-processing data from defined input modules, thereby relieving the processing section of certain tasks. The shared memory contains information defining the input module from which to obtain data for pre-processing and the bits of that data to be examined for specified logic level transitions. The stored information also designates the frequency at which the data is to be read from the defined input module and how many occurrences of the specified logic level transitions must take place before the I/O interface signals the processor section that the pre-processing is complete.

Programmable controller processor with an intelligent functional module

Programmable controller processor module having multiple program

A programmable controller is adapted to communicate in a token passing logical ring network in a peer-to-peer fashion. The programmable controller is a station on the network and contains an interface which implements the network protocol. The protocol requires that each station maintain an Active Node Table which stores a complete map of the logical ring and the order in which the token is passed. The Active Node Table is automatically updated by monitoring each token pass on the network, where each token pass identifies the source and destination of the token pass. The Active Node Table is used in performing all routine network maintenance functions, including passing the token, adding stations, and dropping stations. The Active Node Table allows the formation of an Active Node Status Word for use by high level processes within the station. The Active Node Table also facilitates the inclusion of data in the token pass message.

Token passing network utilizing active node table

Growing community of inventors

South Euclid, OH, United States of America

Wayne C Van Sickle