CN109839871B

CN109839871B - Control module circuit and method for initializing a controllable unit in an electrical system

Info

Publication number: CN109839871B
Application number: CN201811414922.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·A·艾利奥特; J·A·埃尔德; P·J·汉迪; D·V·韦尔
Original assignee: GE Aviation Systems Ltd
Current assignee: GE Aviation Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-24
Filing date: 2018-11-26
Publication date: 2022-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-26
Also published as: GB2568724B; GB201719552D0; GB2568724A; CN109839871A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method of initializing a set of controllable elements in an electrical system and a corresponding control module circuit. The method comprises the following steps: A) obtaining, by a controllable unit controller module in a sequence of controllable units, a discovery message on an unaddressable data path; B) broadcasting the identification of the functional unit on the addressable data bus through the controllable unit controller module; C) transmitting the discovery message to another controllable unit controller module in the sequence of controllable units over the unaddressable data path; and D) recording the broadcast identification of the controllable unit through the system controller module.

Description

Control module circuit and method for initializing a controllable unit in an electrical system

Technical Field

The disclosed subject matter relates to an electrical system or circuit having a set of controller modules, and a method of initializing a set of controllable units in an electrical system.

Background

The controller module may be included in many circuits and configured to perform a functional operation or task, such as controlling another component or executing a set of instructions. In some cases, a set of controller modules may be included, contained, or arranged in a single circuit, circuit board, node, or the like.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of initializing a set of controllable units in an electrical system. The method comprises the following steps: A) obtaining, by a controllable unit controller module in a sequence of controllable units, a discovery message on an unaddressable data path; B) broadcasting the identification of the functional unit on the addressable data bus through the controllable unit controller module; C) transmitting the discovery message to another controllable unit controller module in the sequence of controllable units over the unaddressable data path; and D) recording the broadcast identification of the controllable unit through the system controller module.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a control module circuit that includes a circuit communication input port and a circuit communication output port. The control module circuit also includes a first controllable element having a first controller module. The first controller module has a first communication input port connected to the circuit communication input port and a first communication output port. The control module circuit also includes a second controllable element having a second controller module. The second controller module has a second communication input port connected to the first communication output port and a second communication output port connected to the circuit communication output port. The first and second controllable units are adapted to broadcast the identification information in response to the discovery message on a broadcast type communication bus different from the first and second communication input and output ports.

Technical solution 1. a method of initializing a set of controllable units in an electrical system, the method comprising:

A) obtaining, by a controllable unit controller module in the sequence of controllable units, a discovery message on an unaddressable data path;

B) broadcasting, by the controllable unit controller module, an identification of a functional unit on an addressable data bus;

C) transmitting the discovery message to another controllable unit controller module in the sequence of controllable units over the unaddressed data path; and

D) recording, by the system controller module, an identification of the broadcast of the controllable unit.

Solution 2. the method of solution 1 wherein the unaddressable data path is a linearly arranged sequence of contacts.

Solution 3. the method of solution 1, further comprising repeating steps a) through D) for each controllable unit in the sequence of controllable units.

Technical solution 4. the method of technical solution 3, further comprising broadcasting information on the addressable communication bus that is further identified based on the recorded identification of the group of controllable elements.

Solution 5. the method of solution 1 wherein the method is repeated after modifying the set of controllable elements.

Solution 6. the method of solution 1 wherein the method is repeated during re-initialization of the set of controllable elements.

Technical solution 7. a method of initializing a set of controllable units in an electrical system, the method comprising:

A) transmitting, by the system controller module, a discovery message to the set of controllable elements on a non-addressable and sequentially arranged data path;

B) obtaining, by a controllable element in the sequence of data paths, the discovery message;

C) broadcasting, by the controllable unit controller module, the identity of the functional unit on an addressable data bus, the addressable data bus being connected to the system controller module and the set of controllable units;

D) transmitting, by the controllable unit, the discovery message to a next functional unit in the sequence of data paths; and

E) recording, by the system controller module, the broadcasted identification of the controllable unit.

Solution 8 the method of solution 7 wherein the unaddressable and sequentially arranged data paths are linearly arranged sequences of contacts between the set of controllable elements.

Claim 9. the method of claim 7, further comprising repeating steps B) through E) for each controllable element of the sequentially arranged set of controllable elements.

Solution 10 the method of solution 9, further comprising broadcasting information on the addressable communication bus that is further identified based on the recorded identification of the set of controllable units.

Solution 11. the method of solution 7 wherein the method is repeated after modifying the set of controllable elements.

The invention according to claim 12 provides a control module circuit comprising:

a circuit communication input port and a circuit communication output port;

a first controllable unit having a first controller module having a first communication input port and a first communication output port, the first communication input port being connected with the circuit communication input port;

a second controllable unit having a second controller module having a second communication input port connected to the first communication output port and a second communication output port connected to the circuit communication output port;

wherein the first and second controllable units are adapted to broadcast identification information in response to discovery messages on a broadcast-type communication bus different from the first and second communication input and output ports.

Claim 13 the control module circuit of claim 12, further comprising a set of controllable elements having a corresponding set of communication input ports and communication output ports, and wherein the sets of controllable elements are arranged sequentially by connecting respective communication output ports of a controllable element to respective communication input ports of adjacent controllable elements.

Claim 14 the control module circuit of claim 13, wherein the communication output port of the last one of the set of sequentially arranged controllable units is connected to the circuit communication output port.

Claim 15 the control module circuit of claim 13, wherein the set of controllable units are arranged sequentially in a daisy chain.

The control module circuit of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first controllable element or the second controllable element comprises a functional element configured to operate a functional task in response to communication from the respective first or second controller module.

Claim 17 the control module circuit of claim 12, wherein the broadcast-type communication bus is connected to the first and second controllable units, and the first and second controllable units are adapted to receive circuit command signals via the broadcast-type communication bus.

Claim 18. the control module circuit of claim 17, wherein the first and second controllable elements are addressable via command signals by the identification information.

Claim 19 the control module circuit of claim 12, wherein the first controllable element further comprises a third communication input port connected to the second communication output port and a third communication output port connected to the circuit communication output port.

Technical solution 20 the control module circuit according to claim 19, wherein the set of communication ports is arranged such that transmittable signals receivable at the circuit communication input port are sequentially received by the first controllable unit, the second controllable unit, and then returned to the first controllable unit, thereby being transmittable to the circuit communication output port.

Drawings

In the drawings:

fig. 1 is an example schematic diagram of a controller module circuit according to aspects described herein.

Fig. 2 is an example schematic diagram of a programming circuit for the controller module circuit of fig. 1, in accordance with aspects described herein.

Fig. 3 is an example schematic diagram of an operating system including the controller module circuitry of fig. 1, in accordance with aspects described herein.

Fig. 4 is an example schematic diagram of another controller module circuit in accordance with aspects described herein.

Fig. 5 is an example flow diagram illustrating a method of associating a permanent identification with a set of controller modules in accordance with aspects described herein.

Fig. 6 is an example flow diagram illustrating a method of initializing a set of controller modules in a circuit according to aspects described herein.

Detailed Description

The aspects of the present disclosure relate to an electrical system or circuit having a set of controller modules. The controller module may be adapted, configured, operated or enabled to perform a technical task or produce a technical effect of executing a set of instructions. Electrical systems or circuits may be used in many applications, including but not limited to mobile applications and non-mobile industrial, commercial, and residential applications. For example, it should be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may be used in any electronic system and have general application where a plurality of smaller circuit blocks are connected by a data network, where the smaller circuit blocks provide useful functionality and may be programmed, initialized, etc., as described herein.

Non-limiting environments applicable to aspects of the present disclosure may include automobiles, ships, home residences, factories, voice recognition, temperature measurement, robotic machine control or operation, or any other system or space that includes a controller module or controllable unit that serves a particular role as determined by its electrical location and must assign an appropriate network address for data communication at that location or site. Further, while aspects of the disclosure are described with respect to a single controller module or controllable unit, the disclosure is equally applicable to environments having a set of controller modules to serve a particular role or function. For example, a single controller module may have zero, one, or more than one controllable unit or a subset of controller modules, and where the subset of controller modules may be used for programming, identification, addressing, etc., as described herein.

While a "set" of various elements will be described, it will be understood that a "set" may include any number of corresponding elements, including only one element. Unless otherwise specified, connection designations (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and engaged) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a series of elements and relative movement between elements. Thus, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. In a non-limiting example, the connection or disconnection can be selectively configured to provide, enable, disable, or similarly operate an electrical connection between the respective elements. In a non-limiting example, the connection or disconnection can be selectively configured to provide, enable, disable, or similarly operate an electrical or communication connection between the respective elements.

As used herein, a "system" or "controller module" may include at least one processor and memory. Non-limiting examples of memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, or one or more different types of portable electronic memory such as compact discs, DVDs, CD-ROMs, etc., or any suitable combination of these types of memory. The processor may be configured to execute any suitable program or executable instructions designed to perform various methods, functionalities, processing tasks, calculations, etc. to achieve or achieve the technical operations or operations described herein. The program may comprise a computer program product which may include a machine-readable medium for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Generally, such computer programs may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, algorithms, etc. that have the technical effect of performing particular tasks or implementing particular abstract data types.

Also as used herein, although a sensor may be described as "sensing" or "measuring" a respective value, sensing or measuring may include determining a value indicative of or related to the respective value, rather than directly sensing or measuring the value itself. The sensed or measured values may additionally be provided to additional components. For example, the value may be provided to a controller module or processor, and the controller module or processor may perform processing on the value to determine a representative value or electrical characteristic representative of the value.

The exemplary drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and dimensions, positions, orders and relative sizes reflected in the drawings of the present invention may vary.

FIG. 1 shows one non-limiting example of an exemplary illustrative control module circuit 30 according to the present disclosure. The control module circuitry 30 may include a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, and a set of controllable elements, shown as a first controllable element 32, a second controllable element 34, and a third controllable element 36. The first controllable unit 32 may comprise a respective first controller module 38 having a processor 39 and a memory 41, and an optional first functional unit 40 communicatively connected to the first controller module 38. Similar to the first controllable element 32, the second controllable element 34 may include a second controller module 42 (e.g., substantially similar to the first controller module 38) communicatively connected to an optional second functional element 44, and the third controllable element 36 may include a third controller module 46 (e.g., substantially similar to the first controller module 38) communicatively connected to an optional third functional element 48.

As used herein, a "functional unit" 40, 44, 48 may include any unit component, module, etc. that may be operable to perform some functional task in response to communication with a

respective controller module

38, 42, 46. Examples of functions or functional tasks performed by

functional units

40, 44, 48 may include, but are not limited to, controlling or actuating another component or system, operating a physical or virtual task, or adjusting or operating other mechanical or electrical devices. It should be appreciated that the

controller modules

38, 42, 46 do not necessarily require the optional

functional units

40, 44, 48. Rather, in some cases, the

controller modules

38, 42, 46 may sense, calculate, measure, or perform other functions and provide the results to another system, controller module, or functional unit.

Non-limiting aspects of the control module circuitry 30 may be included wherein, for example, each respective

controllable unit

32, 34, 36 or

controller module

38, 42, 46 is communicatively coupled to a common communication bus input 54. For example, the first controllable element 32 may comprise a first communication connection 56, the second controllable element 34 may comprise a second communication connection 58, and the third controllable element 36 may comprise a third communication connection 60, each of which is connected to the common communication bus input 54 of the control module circuit 30. In one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the common communication bus may comprise a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or RS-485, although additional communication buses or communication connections are contemplated.

In one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the control module circuitry 30 may receive control instructions transmitted from a controller module (not shown) for controlling the operation of the module circuitry 30. For example, the control instructions received at the common communication bus input 54 may comprise broadcast type instructions that are equally received by the respective

controllable unit

32, 34, 36 or each

respective communication connection

56, 58, 60 of the

controller module

38, 42, 46, and wherein the broadcast may comprise an addressing scheme such that only the desired

controllable unit

32, 34, 36 is expected to operate, respond or execute the required instructions. Non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure may include unidirectional or bidirectional communication in any of the aforementioned or further described communication buses, ports, connectors, and the like. Additional non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure may be included in which the set of

controllable units

32, 34, 36 are substantially identical in design or performance, or differ as desired.

Non-limiting aspects of the control module circuitry 30 may also include a dedicated data input port 62 and a dedicated data output port 68. As used herein, "private" data may include ports adapted or configured to receive supplemental data, non-operational data (e.g., data other than common communication bus input 54), or a combination thereof, for controlling the function or operation of module circuitry 30. For example, the dedicated data may include, but is not limited to, programming data, identification data, initialization data, power-on or "boot" data, and the like. In one non-limiting example, the

dedicated data ports

62, 68 may be configured, adapted or arranged to operate in accordance with a serial bus or universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) port or protocol. Additional or alternative port types or protocols are contemplated.

Additional non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure may be included wherein each respective

controllable unit

32, 34, 36 may include a respective controllable-unit-specific data input port 64 and a controllable-unit-specific data output port 66. In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the respective

controllable units

32, 34, 36 may be arranged, connected, etc. in a serial or linear type arrangement through respective

dedicated data ports

62, 64, 66, 68. For example, the controllable-unit-specific data input port 64 of the first controllable unit 32 may be connected with the specific data input port 62 of the control module circuit 30. The controllable-unit-specific data output port 66 of the first controllable unit 32 is also connectable to the controllable-unit-specific data input port 64 of the second controllable unit 34. The controllable-unit-specific data output port 66 of the second controllable unit 34 is also connectable to the controllable-unit-specific data input port 64 of the next sequential controllable unit. The final or last sequentially controllable element dedicated data output port 66 may also be connected to a dedicated data output port 68 of the control module circuitry 30. In this sense, the set of

controllable units

32, 34, 36 may be linked in a continuous "daisy chain" or arranged in a linear or sequential "daisy chain" arrangement by

dedicated data ports

62, 64, 66, 68.

Although three

controllable units

32, 34, 36 are shown, a non-limiting aspect of the control module circuit 30 may include any number of switchable elements.

Turning now to FIG. 2, an example test or programming circuit 72 for programming the operation of the control module circuit 30 is shown. In one non-limiting aspect, the programming circuit 72 may be applied, or the programming operation of the control module circuit 30 may occur during manufacture or prior to installation of the control module circuit 30 in the intended operating environment. As shown, programming circuitry 72 may include programming module 74, and also include a test or programming controller module 84 having a processor 86 and a memory 87.

The programming controller module 84 may also include a programming communication connection 92 to the communication bus 76 (e.g., CAN bus), as well as a programming module specific data input port 94 and a programming module specific data output port 96. The programming module specific data ports 94, 96 may also be connected to a dedicated data bus 80. As shown, control module circuitry 30 may also be connected to communication bus 76 via common communication bus input 54, and to dedicated data bus 80 via dedicated data input port 62 (e.g., connected to programming module dedicated data output port 96) and dedicated data output port 68 (e.g., connected to programming module dedicated data input port 94).

The programming module 74 may also include a set of test or programming data 90 stored, for example, in the memory 87 of the program controller module 84. As schematically shown, a set of programming data 90 may include, but is not limited to, a test set ID value, a module count value, or a combination thereof.

Non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure may be included in which, for example, the

controller module groups

38, 42, 46 can be enabled to receive new code or data at least through the controllable unit specific data input port 64 and store the code or data in a memory, such as the controller module memory 41. Aspects of the present disclosure may be included wherein the new code or data may include unique addressing information or data, such as the relative or physical location of the respective

controllable elements

32, 34, 36 in the control module circuitry 30. Additionally, aspects of the present disclosure may be included in which unique addressing information or data is programmed, "burned-in," etc. for each respective

controllable unit

32, 34, 36. In this sense, each

controllable unit

32, 34, 36 may receive permanent identification/recognition information associated with the control module circuitry 30 through operation of the programming circuitry 72 or the programming module 74.

During a programming operation, the set of

controller modules

38, 42, 46 will be ready to receive the dedicated data generated at the dedicated data output port 96 of the programming module and provided to the dedicated data input port 62 of the control module circuitry 30 via the dedicated data bus 80. The first controllable element 32 or the first controller module 38 will then receive the dedicated data at the controllable element dedicated data input port from the controller data input port of the control module circuit 30. The private data may include, but is not limited to, identification data, such as numbers, data sequences, and the like. For example, the first controller module 38 may receive dedicated data indicating or identifying a digital "0".

In accordance with a programmed operation, the first controller module 38 may be configured to be operable to increment the identification number "0" to "1" and the first controller module 38 may then permanently store the identification number in memory as identification data, such as a "local ID" value. The first controller module 38 may then be configured to transmit the identification number "1" to the next controllable unit 34 arranged in series through the linear arrangement of

dedicated data ports

64, 66. In the illustrated example, private data including an identification number "1" is transmitted from the private data output port 66 of the first controllable element 32 to the private data input port 64 of the second controllable element 34 or the second controller module 42. Similar to the programmed operation of the first controller module 38, the second controller module 42 may be configured to be operable to increment an identification number "1" to "2" and the second controller module 42 may then permanently store the identification number in memory as identification data, such as a "local ID" value. The second controller module 42 may then be configured to transmit the identification number "2" to the next controllable unit 36 arranged in series through the linear arrangement of

dedicated data ports

64, 66, etc., until each of the group of

controllable units

32, 34, 36 has received and has been programmed with unique identification data. At the end of the series of

controllable units

32, 34, 36, the final controllable unit-specific data output port 66 can transmit an identification number back to programming module-specific data input port 94 of programming module 74 via control module circuit-specific data output port 68 and dedicated data bus 80.

Non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure may be included wherein, for example, the programming module 74 or the programming controller module 84 verifies or verifies that the returned identification number, private data, etc. conforms to the intended programming or identification of the control module circuitry 30. Additionally or alternatively, non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure may be included wherein the programming circuitry 72, programming module 74, etc. may further provide for programming or further configuration of the set of

controllable units

32, 34, 36, for example, via the communication bus 76 or the common communication bus input 54, once the set of

controllable units

32, 34, 36 has been programmed with the identification data or the dedicated data. In this sense, the group of

controllable units

32, 34, 36 can be identified or addressed by means of a further communication connection, due to identification data or dedicated data. In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, aspects of programming circuitry 72, programming module 74, or programming controller module 84 may be included, wherein, for example, programming circuitry 72 may be configured to sense a "timeout" failure of the dedicated data transmission to determine whether control module circuitry 30 (or the controllable elements thereon) is defective. In yet another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the above-described process may be applied to the repaired control module circuitry 30 and overwrite any stored identification data or dedicated data in subsequent programming.

Non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure may include additional information or data included in the identification data or the dedicated data. For example, in one non-limiting example, the identification data or the dedicated data may be further encoded or at least include a subset of the information from programming data 90 (e.g., test set ID, module count, etc.). In this sense, the set of

controllable units

32, 34, 36 may not only be further identified relative to each other within the control module circuit 30, but may also be identified with a unique set of identification data or private data that is unique to each controllable unit manufactured (e.g., unique throughout the world). Any number of addressing schemes may be included to provide each controllable unit with a unique identifier, private data, etc.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic, exemplary view of a set of control module circuits 30 in a "home" arrangement installed in a multi-controller system 101. The multiple controller system 101 may include similar inputs, outputs, buses, etc. as previously described, and therefore, similar components will be identified with similar numerals incremented by 100, it being understood that the description of similar components or numerals applies to the multiple controller system 101 unless otherwise specified.

As shown, the multi-controller system 101 may include a system controller 102 that includes a system controller module 109. System controller module 109 may include a processor 111 and memory 113, a communication connection 192, a programming module specific data input port 194, and a specific data output port 196. Programming module

specific data ports

194, 196 may be connected to a specific data bus 180 and communication connection 192 may be connected to communication bus 176. In a non-limiting aspect, the system controller 102 may further be connected with an external controller module 108 having a processor 105 and a memory 107 or controllable in response to communications from the external controller module 108. In one non-limiting example, the external controller module 108 may control aspects of the overall multi-controller system 101, while the system controller 102 controls aspects of a subset of the control module circuits 30.

Each control module circuit 30 of the multi-controller system 101 may be connected to the communication bus 176 via the common communication bus input 54 and to the dedicated data bus 180 via the dedicated data input port 62 and the dedicated data output port 68, respectively. Non-limiting aspects of the multi-controller system 101 may assume that the set of

controllable units

32, 34, 36 has been pre-programmed with addressable location, identification information or data, or at least a subset of dedicated data, as described with respect to fig. 2.

The aspects of FIG. 3 may be used for reference, further programming, further identification, etc. of a set of control module circuits 30, a set of

controllable units

32, 34, 36, etc. in a multi-controller system 101. Aspects described herein may be used to verify or verify the set of

controllable elements

32, 34, 36 or control module circuitry 30, and to identify or provide addressing, etc. In one non-limiting example, the verification, identification, addressing, etc. may occur during a startup process, a boot process, an initialization process, etc., or after a maintenance operation, such as when the controllable unit or control module circuit is replaced or fixed.

In one non-limiting aspect, each

controllable unit

32, 34, 36 may be configured to wait for a dedicated data message at its respective controllable unit-dedicated data input port 64 during a respective startup procedure, boot procedure, initialization procedure, etc. The system controller 102 or system controller module 109 can then generate and transmit a dedicated data message at the system controller dedicated data output port 196 for transmission to the first controllable unit 32 in daisy-chain order through the dedicated data bus 180 and the dedicated data input port 62, as explained herein. In one non-limiting aspect, the dedicated data message can include a first discovery message. For example, the discovery message may be operable to cause the corresponding control module circuit 30 to send or transmit a control module circuit identifier or identification value (e.g., a "module ID" is shown) onto the communication bus 176, which may then be recorded by the system controller 102. It should be understood that non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure may be included wherein the

controllable units

32, 34, 36 need not be assigned separate tags, addresses, unique identifiers, etc. (for addressing purposes) at this point in the sequence of events, such information being necessary for operational or functional message transmission via the communication bus 176. For example, the initial or discovery message may be sent or transmitted to all

controllable units

32, 34, 36, control module circuitry 30, controller modules, or a combination thereof using a "generic" common pre-designated address or tag. This use of a generic address or tag may not conform to some "normal" communication bus 176 data protocols and may be limited to this initial discovery phase. Other non-limiting aspects of the discovery message may be included.

The first discovery message may be passed through the daisy chain of the set of

controllable elements

32, 34, 36 until the last in the sequence outputs the first discovery message to the dedicated data output port 68 of the control module circuit 30 and then to the dedicated data input port 62 of the next sequential control module circuit 30. The next sequential control module circuit 30 then broadcasts its own control module circuit identifier or identification value onto the communication bus 176 and is then recorded by the system controller 102. This sequence continues until the last control module circuit 30 in the multi-controller system 101 returns either the dedicated data or the first discovery message to the system controller programming module dedicated data input port 194.

Aspects of the present disclosure may be included wherein the order in which each respective control module circuit 30 broadcasts is controllable so that or to ensure that the broadcasts of the control module circuits 30 do not overlap on the communication bus 176.

At this point, the system controller 102 now has a set of logs, lists, tables, or data for the connected control module circuits 30. In a non-limiting example, system controller 102 can determine the order of a connected set of control module circuits 30 and can assign each respective control module circuit 30 one or more additional addressable identifiers. As used herein, an "additional addressable identifier" refers to an addressable identifier that exceeds or excludes the aforementioned identification data included as part of the private data. The system controller 102 or system controller module 109 may then generate or transmit a second dedicated data message, comprising at least one set or series of data bus assignment messages, over the communication bus 176 of the dedicated data bus 180. The second dedicated data message may include one or more additional identification values of the control module circuit 30 based on the order of the control module circuit 30 in the sequence or series of control module circuits 30. For example, the first control module circuit 30 that receives the aforementioned discovery message will first broadcast a control module circuit identifier or identification value onto the communication bus 176, and thus the first broadcast received and recorded by the system controller 102 will be the "most recent" control module circuit. The second broadcast control module circuit 30 will be the next nearest control module circuit 30 and so on.

Thus, the second dedicated data message may be assigned another identification value based on the corresponding sequence of control module circuits 30, e.g., identifying the most recent control module circuit 30 as "10", identifying the second most recent control module circuit as "20", and so on. In this way, the system controller 102 may further assign an identification value, for example, for addressing of command or control instructions at startup or initialization. In one non-limiting aspect, commands or control instructions for operating the respective

controllable elements

32, 34, 36 may be addressed by a control module circuit identification value (e.g., "10") and a controllable element identification value (e.g., "2"; the second controllable element 34 of the first control module circuit 30 in the sequence). For example, further assignments of one or more tags or addresses may be organized, applied, tabulated, or otherwise assigned and recorded for the respective control module circuit groups 30. The assignment may be further communicated to, for example, the external controller module 108.

It should be understood that non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure may include methods, procedures, data structures, etc. (e.g., other than timing of response sequences) for determining physical sequences, may be preferred, and optionally may be used alone or in combination to provide cross-checking, validation, verification, etc. functions. For example, in one non-limiting example, the first discovery message may include a counter data field that is initialized by the system controller module 109 to transmit an identifier (e.g., "zero") and incremented by 1 as it passes through each

respective controller module

38, 42, 46,

controllable unit

32, 34, 36, etc. Thus, by including a copy of the local value of this field received by the

respective controller module

38, 42, 46,

controllable unit

32, 34, 36, etc. in each respective broadcast message recorded by the system controller module 109, the system controller module 109 can determine the physical location in each controller chain. This approach has the advantage of ensuring immunity to the sequence of messages received by the system controller, which may be due to automatic retransmission functions, transmission priority protocols, transmission errors, etc.

In another non-limiting example, the respective boot process, initialization process, etc. may include a failover process. For example, during the initialization process described herein, if one control module circuit 30 in a sequence of control module circuits 30 does not respond, time out, or otherwise reply to a discovery message as expected, etc., subsequent control module circuits 30 in the sequence may still report their respective presence in the broadcast message, as described. In one non-limiting example, the control module circuitry 30 may fail to respond due to a fault, error, or other unexpected operation. In this example, the system controller module 109 may still be operable to record or receive broadcast messages through the operational or

non-functional controller modules

38, 42, 46,

controllable units

32, 34, 36, etc.

In another non-limiting example, a respective startup process, boot process, initialization process, etc. may be operable to override or "skip" control module circuitry 30 that otherwise fails to respond. For example, a group of control module circuits 30 may be configured to be operable to listen for broadcast responses from other control module circuits 30 while waiting to receive their dedicated data. In the event that a control module circuit 30 fails to broadcast a response (e.g., the control module circuit 30 fails in some manner), the downstream control module circuit 30 (with respect to the sequence or chain) may monitor the communication bus 176 (for other broadcast responses from the control module circuit 30) and broadcast its own broadcast message including a timeout indicator when the timeout value is met (while the discovery message is also not received). Out-of-order broadcast messages including timeout indicators may be received, recorded, etc. by system controller module 109, and system controller module 109 may further negotiate a "restart" message over communication bus 176 to restart, redistribute, or otherwise initiate another discovery message to which downstream control module circuitry 30 may respond, and through each

respective controller module

38, 42, 46,

controllable unit

32, 34, 36, etc., as described herein. The system controller module 109 may log or record the control module circuit 30 that timed out or did not respond with an error indicator or the like and may be operable to disable operation of the control module circuit 30 that did not respond. Non-limiting aspects of this example may be included in which the set of control module circuits 30 may change their broadcast timeout values (e.g., by randomization, sequentially organized values, etc.) to ensure that no message collisions occur on the communication bus 176 when the downstream control module circuits 30 restart discovery messages. Another non-limiting aspect of this example may be included in which the set of control module circuits 30 may change their broadcast timeout values to minimize the probability of collisions, for example, in conjunction with collision detection and retry or resend discovery message operations, as described above.

In a non-limiting example, the described operations will allow or enable the multi-controller system 101 to operate generally without a faulty control module circuit 30, and will minimize the number of non-operational control module circuits 30,

controllable units

32, 34, 36, etc., without interrupting the entire multi-controller system 101.

FIG. 4 illustrates another control module circuit 230 according to another aspect of the present disclosure. Control module circuitry 230 is similar to control module circuitry 30; accordingly, unless otherwise noted, like components will be identified with like numerals incremented by 200, with the understanding that the description of like components of the control module circuit 30 applies to the control module circuit 230. One difference is that the set of

controllable units

232, 234, 236 may comprise a plurality of dedicated data input and output ports. For example, each respective

controllable unit

232, 234, 236 may comprise a first dedicated data input port 264 and a second dedicated data input port 267, and a first dedicated data output port 266 and a second dedicated data output port 265.

As shown, the first controllable element 232 in the sequence may have a first dedicated data input port 264 connected to the dedicated data input port 262 of the control module circuitry 230 and configured to receive the dedicated data message or signal described above. The first controllable unit 232 in the sequence may also have a first dedicated data output port 266 which is connected to the dedicated data output port 268 of the control module circuit 230 and which is configured to transmit or transmit the above-mentioned dedicated data message or signal to the next control module circuit or back to the originating control module circuit or module. The first controllable unit 232 in the sequence may also have a second dedicated data output port 265 which is connected to a second dedicated data input port 267 of the next sequentially controllable unit 234 and which is configured to transmit or transmit the aforementioned dedicated data message or signal to the next sequentially controllable unit 234. The second dedicated data output port 265 of the final controllable unit 236 in the sequence may be connected to the second dedicated data input port 267 of the first sequentially controllable unit 232. In this sense, at least a portion of the dedicated data can be received at the first sequentially controllable unit 232 and transferred to the next control module circuit or module, while at least a portion of the dedicated data can be daisy-chained or sequentially transferred within the control module circuit 30 at the same time.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating a method 300 of associating permanent identifications with a set of controller modules as described in relation to fig. 2. At 310, the method 300 begins by receiving an identification data signal, including but not limited to, dedicated data to a communication input of a

control module circuit

30, 230, the

control module circuit

30, 230 having a set of

controller modules

38, 42, 46, 238, 242, 246 arranged in a communication sequence. In one non-limiting example, the communication sequence may be arranged through programming module specific data input port 94 and programming module specific data output port 96 and controllable unit specific

data input ports

264, 267 and controllable unit specific

data output ports

265, 266. The method 300 may also include providing the identification data signal to one of the set of

controller modules

38, 42, 46, 238, 242, 246. Next, at 320, the method 300 permanently identifies/identifies one of the set of

controller modules

38, 42, 46, 238, 242, 246 with the unique identification/unique identification information. Then, at 330, the method 300 may repeat at least the receiving step at 310 and the permanent identification step at 320 for each successive and sequentially controllable unit, functional unit, or controller module in the communication sequence.

Additional non-limiting aspects of the method 300 may include, for example, further incrementing or iterating identifying the data signal before permanently identifying the next one of the set of

controller modules

38, 42, 46, 238, 242, 246. In yet another example, the identification data signal may be used to generate a unique identification. In a further non-limiting aspect, after completing the repetition of step 330, the set of

controller modules

38, 42, 46, 238, 242, 246 is further programmed via a common communications bus, such as communications bus 76, by addressing the set of

controller modules

38, 42, 46, 238, 242, 246 with their respective unique identifications.

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart illustrating a method 400 of initializing a set of controller modules in a multi-controller system as described with respect to fig. 3. At 410, the method 400 begins by the system controller module 109 transmitting a discovery message to the set of

controller modules

38, 42, 46, 238, 242, 246 on a non-addressable and sequentially arranged data path. In one non-limiting example, non-addressable and sequentially arranged data paths may be arranged through system controller specific data input ports 194 and output ports 196 and controllable unit specific

data input ports

264, 267 and

output ports

265, 266. Next, the method 400 includes obtaining, at 420, a discovery message by a first controllable element (e.g., the first

controllable element

32, 232 or the first controller module 38, 238) in the sequence of data paths.

The method 400 may then broadcast 430 the identification of the controllable elements over an addressable data bus, such as the communication bus 176, through the

controller modules

38, 42, 46, 238, 242, 246. At 440, the method 400 may also include transmitting, by the first controllable element (e.g., the first controller module 38, 238), the discovery message to a next controllable element (e.g., the second

controllable element

34, 234 or the second controller module 42, 242) in the sequence of data paths. In one non-limiting example, the discovery message may be modified in a predefined manner (e.g., incrementing a counter), as described above. During the broadcast, at 450, method 400 may include recording, by system controller module 102, a broadcast identification of the controllable unit. The method may then repeat the obtaining at 420, the broadcasting at 430, the transmitting at 440, or the recording at 450 until the sequentially arranged data paths have been completed.

The depicted sequence is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the

methods

300, 400 in any way, it being understood that portions of the methods may be performed in a different logical order, additional or intermediate portions may be included, or the described portions of the methods may be divided into multiple portions, or the described portions of the methods may be omitted, without departing from the described methods.

Many other possible aspects, configurations, etc. are contemplated by this disclosure in addition to those shown in the above-described figures. In addition, the design and placement of the various components may be rearranged such that a plurality of different in-line configurations may be achieved. For example, the control module circuit 30 of FIG. 1 or the control module circuit 230 of FIG. 4 may be equally applicable to the disclosures and methods described herein.

Aspects disclosed herein provide an apparatus and method for programming, identifying, initializing, etc., a control module circuit having a set of functional units. The technical effect is that the above aspects enable programming, identification, initialization, etc. of a control module circuit having a set of functional units. One advantage that may be realized in the above-described aspects is that the above-described aspects provide for the programming or identification of a plurality of control module circuits or functional units having an identification that may further be used for addressable instructions on a broadcast-type communication bus. The control module circuitry described may be programmed or identified sequentially through sequential communication paths without having to separately or independently establish programming identification information through manual programming. In large control module circuits, tens or hundreds of controllable elements may be included on each control module circuit, saving time and effort for other manual activities with minimal manual intervention.

Another advantage of the present disclosure is that at least a portion of the identification information of at least one of the control module circuitry or the controllable unit can be determined during boot-up, initialization, or re-initialization, wherein the system can scan and identify its components. In this sense, the system may be operable to re-identify and reconfigure the association or control pattern appropriately when a component has been repaired, replaced, reconfigured or the like. Also, reconfiguration may be achieved with minimal manual intervention, saving time and effort.

To the extent not described, the different features and structures of the various aspects may be used in combination with each other as desired. Failure to explain this feature in all respects is not meant to be construed as impossible, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are explicitly described. Combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of initializing a set of controllable units in an electrical system, the method comprising:

B) broadcasting, by the controllable unit controller module, an identification of the controllable unit on an addressable data bus;

C) transmitting the discovery message to another controllable unit controller module in the sequence of controllable units over the unaddressed data path;

D) recording, by a system controller module, an identification of the broadcast of the controllable unit;

E) repeating steps a) through D) for each controllable unit in the sequence of controllable units; and

F) broadcasting information on the addressable data bus that is further identified based on the recorded identification of the set of controllable units.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unaddressable data path is a linearly arranged sequence of contacts.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is repeated after modifying the set of controllable elements.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is repeated during re-initialization of the set of controllable elements.

5. A method of initializing a set of controllable units in an electrical system, the method comprising:

B) obtaining, by a controllable element in a sequence of data paths, the discovery message;

C) broadcasting, by a controllable unit controller module, an identification of the controllable unit on an addressable data bus, the addressable data bus being connected to the system controller module and the set of controllable units;

D) transmitting, by the controllable unit, the discovery message to a next controllable unit in the sequence of data paths;

E) recording, by the system controller module, the broadcasted identification of the controllable unit;

F) repeating steps B) through E) for each controllable element of the sequentially arranged set of controllable elements; and

G) broadcasting information on the addressable data bus that is further identified based on the recorded identification of the set of controllable units.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the unaddressable and sequentially arranged data path is a linearly arranged sequence of contacts between the set of controllable elements.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the method is repeated after modifying the set of controllable elements.

8. A control module circuit comprising:

a circuit communication input port and a circuit communication output port;

wherein the first and second controllable units are adapted to broadcast identification information in response to discovery messages on a broadcast-type communication bus different from the first and second communication input and output ports;

wherein the first controllable unit further comprises a third communication input port connected to the second communication output port and a third communication output port connected to the circuit communication output port.

9. The control module circuit of claim 8, further comprising a set of controllable elements, including at least the first and second controllable elements, and having a corresponding set of communication input ports and communication output ports, and wherein the sets of controllable elements are arranged sequentially by connecting the respective communication output ports of a controllable element to the respective communication input ports of an adjacent controllable element.

10. The control module circuit of claim 9, wherein the communication output port of the last one of the set of sequentially arranged controllable units is connected to the circuit communication output port.

11. The control module circuit of claim 9, wherein the set of controllable elements are arranged sequentially in a daisy chain.

12. The control module circuit of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first controllable element or the second controllable element comprises a functional element configured to operate a functional task in response to a communication from the respective first or second controller module.

13. The control module circuit of claim 8, wherein the broadcast-type communication bus is connected to the first and second controllable units, and the first and second controllable units are adapted to receive circuit command signals via the broadcast-type communication bus.

14. The control module circuit of claim 13, wherein the first and second controllable elements are addressable by the identification information via a command signal.

15. A control module circuit according to claim 8, wherein the communication port is arranged such that a transmittable signal receivable at the circuit communication input port is received sequentially by the first controllable unit, the second controllable unit and then returned to the first controllable unit and thereby transmittable to the circuit communication output port.