Inventors:
Tien D. Doan - Peoria IL
Durwin D. Nigus - Chillicothe IL
International Classification:
G05B 2302
Abstract:
A system is disclosed that performs a plurality of measurements based on a set of preprogrammed instructions. The system includes a central processing unit (CPU) that has an internal primary and expansion bus. The internal primary bus includes a program memory and the internal expansion bus includes an I/O memory. The set of preprogrammed instructions resides in the program memory and defines a predetermined type of measurement. A standard bus couples the internal primary bus to one or more standard external devices, while a custom bus couples the internal expansion bus to one or more custom external devices. The custom bus includes an analog bus that provides for analog signal transmission to one or more custom external devices. At least one of the custom external devices receives a test signal, conditions the test signal and delivers data representing the conditioned test signal to the I/O memory. The CPU receives the test data from the I/O memory, computes a measurement value based on the preprogrammed set of instructions and responsively produces measurement data having a magnitude representing the computed value.