DE3331572C2 - Highly integrated module with a reduced number of connections for signal processing and / or storage - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to highly integrated modules the preamble of claim 1, the z. B. a microprocessor, a memory, input / output modules, represent a sequence control or another functional network. Such building blocks are in usually not used alone, but combined with each other to meet a specific task to become. For example, a microprocessor module forms together with several memory and input / output modules a microcomputer system.

The components of a system communicate with one another via a large number of parallel Lines, often referred to as buses. These lines connect the connections (pins) of the chips with each other. They are physically designed as cables or conductor tracks and require space, generate costs and Quality problems. It is therefore advantageous to reduce the number of connections per module.

DE-AS 2112 637 be cited. In this, the reduction of many individual lines by parallel-serial conversion of the

Individual signals and serial transmission of the same achieved.

The disadvantage of this solution is that the serial transmission of the originally parallel signals takes many times longer. This extension of the transmission increases linearly with the number of signals to be transmitted serially. This greatly reduces the maximum speed possible in such a system with parallel signal transmission.
The object of the present invention is to eliminate this disadvantage.

This object is achieved with a module of the type mentioned at the beginning with the features according to the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous

Further developments are given in the subclaims.

As the following description shows, is generated in accordance with the invention and for transmission total signal used the information at any point in time all or more individual signals are available in a decodable form. This results in systems with such modules further advantages in terms of flexibility, selection and diagnostic options, as shown in more detail in the following exemplary embodiments.

F i g. 1 shows a highly integrated module with several transmitting and receiving devices.

F i g. 2 shows a highly integrated module with only one transmitting and one receiving device.

Fig. 3, 4 and 5 show different versions of signal transmission device and medium adapter.

6 shows an embodiment of a highly integrated Block with unidirectional signal transfer device as well as transmitting and receiving device implemented with modulators.

F i g. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a highly integrated module in which the transmitting and receiving device are implemented by A / D and D / A converters in connection with modulators and demodulators.

F i g. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a highly integrated module with various transmitting and receiving devices for communication with other such modules via various types of transmission media.

F i g. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment with a transmitting and receiving device according to the invention in combination with conventional signal connections.

The module family consists of highly integrated modules from which intelligent systems can be put together. These are used, for example, for data processing, process control and analog signal processing. Each module essentially consists of the following functional groups:
Function network 19
1 or more transmitting devices 5 1 or more receiving devices 10 with address registers 17

1 or more signal transfer devices 2. The function groups serve the following purposes: The functional network 19 is dependent on the module type and provides z. B. a microprocessor, a ROM memory, a RAM memory, an input / output module or combinations of such modules In principle, all highly integrated, independent system components that are known today can be used here or to be developed in the future. The functions of these blocks can not only. as usual today, by electrical signals, but by z. B. light, air or hydraulic pressure, sound, heat, or chemical Reactions can be realized, with each of these possibilities having substantial advantages in a specific direction brings.

The receiving device 10 has an input which is connected to the signal transfer device 2. Via this input it receives a signal in which 2 to /) individual signals are contained in parallel and can be decoded are. The receiving device (10) decodes the parallel input signals from the input signal. These can be divided into typical groups such as B. divide data signals, aclass signals, control signals and analog signals.

The receiving device first compares the decoded address signals with the content of the activated address register 17. The number and effect of the internal outputs depends on the functional network 19. Another possibility is that the decoded input signals are basically switched through to the internal outputs of the receiving device 10 in the direction of the functional network. In this case, however, the function network 19 has an activating input “FN active (FNa)”. via which the functional network 19 is activated or deactivated. The input is connected to an output of the receiving device. This output of the receiving device is only active when the address register 17 and the decoded address signals are identical.

The address register block 16 consists of 1 or more individual address registers.

If there is only 1 address register 17, this is permanently programmed and contains the address under which the Function network can be activated. This single address register is permanently programmed usually in a programming device. The address programmed in this way is always valid if the Voltage is applied to the device or module or a reset pulse has occurred. This address is called Designates the basic address of the block.

If there are further address registers 17 in the address register block 16, these are available via the receiving device 10 and the functional network 19 can be loaded and activated by means of special control words.

This makes it possible to simplify the structure of such a system without any hardware changes Way to change fundamentally during operation.

So it is B. possible, several memory modules for the purpose of fast information transfer temporarily to operate in parallel and then to address them individually again.

The activation or deactivation of a specific address register can also be done by the block itself based on the results of internal diagnostic or other routines.

The diagnostic routines are always started or continued when the function network of the block has ended a function. From then on, the Dignoseroutine runs until the functional network for the next function is started.

At this point the diagnostic routine is stopped and continued again after the function has ended to become.

In this way, the diagnostic routine comes with zero, one or more interruptions End. If no error was found, the diagnostic routine is started again. Finds the diagnostic routine one or more errors, one or more address registers are in the address register block of the module changed in such a way that a meaningful reaction (e.g. switching off, switching, displaying) takes place in the system. Another embodiment of the module contains an alarm circuit 21, which when an error is detected sends a signal through the diagnostic routine, which is from a central module of the system in the sense of an interrupt is handled. This emission of an error signal can take the place of or in addition to the

change one or more address registers as described.

This allows z. B. faulty modules are automatically switched off and replaced.

The transmitting device 5 forms an output signal from 2 to η output signals of the functional network 19. This signal contains, in a decodable form, all information from the 2 to η output signals of the functional network. The output signal is passed on to the signal transfer device 2.

The signal transfer device is used to connect and adapt the transmitting and receiving devices to the transmission medium 22. It is therefore switchably connected to the transmitting and receiving device (Fig. 3, 4 or 5). Transmitting and receiving equipment in the signal transfer device 2 jointly via a bidirectional medium adapter 3 or separately coupled to the transmission system via 2 unidirectional medium adapters 3 (FIGS. 3 and 5).

However, there can also be one signal transfer device for each transmitting and each receiving device in other designs 2 be provided (Fig. 1). These signal transfer devices (2) then exist essentially only from a unidirectional medium adapter (Figs. 1 and 2).

According to the scheme just described, all highly integrated modules are constructed in accordance with this invention. The only exceptions are so-called input / output modules, which, depending on their task still have additional facilities.

Two types of input / output modules can be used differentiate:

- Type 1 is used to create the same or different systems consisting of building blocks according to this invention to connect with each other (Fig. 8).

- Type 2 corresponds to the classic input / output module. It is used to create a system made up of building blocks to be connected according to this invention to the interface circuits of input / output devices (Fig. 9).

With type 1, the functional network has a second set of inputs / outputs. This second set of inputs / outputs is connected to a second set of transmitting 5a and receiving devices 10a. These are in turn connected to a second set of signal transfer devices 2a , which are used to connect the second system. See Fig. 8th.

Type 2 of the input / output modules has at the function neiz'Ä'crK R-iüsgatigssciiaitüngcn, uic uucf exits 24 are routed to classic connecting circuitry such as plugs, cables, circuit boards, etc. on the module, (See Fig. 9.) From there, the signals are transmitted to the interface circuits of the to be controlled or devices to be monitored.

Embodiment 1 (Fig. 6)

The highly integrated building blocks according to this invention can, for. B. look like this:

Signal transfer device 2; consists of a switching device 4, which is implemented by semiconductors, and a medium adapter 3, which in this embodiment is an impedance adapter made up of capacitors and resistors or contains an additional amplifier for impedance matching

This signal transfer device is selected in the

Example unidirectional. A unidirectional facility does not need to contain any switching devices and consists essentially of medium adapters 3.

One of the signal transfer devices 2 consists a connection to the receiving device 10 and from the other signal transfer device 2 to the servo device 5.

The transmission device 5 is composed of individual modulators 7 with amplitude or frequency modulation.

Carrier frequencies from a multi-frequency oscillator 9 are used for modulation. The modulated signals are passed to the mixer 8 and combined to form an overall output signal (GAS) .

The receiving device 10 contains a filter bank 11 which divides the frequency spectrum of the overall input signal (CES) into one / one signals with only one carrier frequency.

This filter bank 11 consists of passive or active band filters 12.

After this filter bank 11 come modulators 13 with downstream pulse shapers 14, which the input signals for the functional network 19.

Some of these input signals contain the address of a specific block (selection address). These are compared in the receiving device 10 with the addresses stored in the address registers 17. After a positive comparison of the address signal with address registers 17 by comparator 18, the information is transferred to function network 19. If the address does not match, the information is not accepted and the diagnostic routine continues in the functional network Va.

In this example it is shown that the receiving device of the block has up to 8 loadable address registers in addition to the register for the base address. For this reason, this address register block 16 has three lines for selecting the individual Address register and a line for triggering the loading process supplied.

These lines are controlled by the function network 19 when the function is carried out "Load address register".

All blocks that grout via loadable address register 17, necessarily have a Adreßladeschaltung 24 in the functional network 19, which is able to function "address register no. To recognize χ load" and execute.

Not all modules need this address loading circuit 24 and thus possess this ability.

Fill these building blocks as information inäiiuiiMräger light energy must use the medium adapter 3 from Funküonselemente such as photo transistors, photo diodes, miniature lasers and crystal parts. Such elements can be used with their sensitivity lies in a narrow spectral band.

Then these elements take over the function of the filter bank and / or the modulators at the same time or demodulators.

This converts the information carrier energy into electrical signals and, as described above, further edited

But there is also the other way of processing light energy in the form of light in the building block and to spend.

When the modules communicate in other media with other information carrier energy, corresponding Provide transmitting and receiving elements, for. B.

Piezo elements, pressure sensors, ultrasonic generators, ultrasonic receivers, pneumatic logic cells, chemical sensitive sensors.

Also the processing of the signals within the block can with another information carrier system, e.g. B. with a pneumatic system.

Embodiment 2

F i g. 7 shows a highly integrated module according to FIG of the invention with the function of a microprocessor. The block consists of the same function groups like that described in Example 1, but has a few other design variants.

This module has only one signal transfer point 1, since the total output signal (GAS) and total input signal (CES) are combined in the signal transfer device 2 '.

This can be done, for example, by an arrangement according to FIG. 3 take place.

The internal control lines (IS) for enabling or disabling the functions shown in FIG. 3 amplifiers are shown in FIG. 7 omitted overall representation of the module. Of course, there are further internal connections (IS) between the individual function groups of the module, which are available as required. Since they do not contribute anything essential to the understanding of the invention, they are omitted for the sake of clarity.

The overall signal (GS) is either given to the outside directly via the signal transfer point 1, provided it is already suitable for the transmission medium, or it is physically adapted to the transmission medium beforehand using a medium adapter. For example, a conversion from an electrical to an optical overall signal takes place in the medium adapter.

The GS is connected to the overall signals of all other components through the transmission medium and contains the GAS and GES of all other components of the system.

The GAS of a module contains the entire information of all those outputs of the functional network (FNW) 19 that is required for communication with the other modules of the system

In the case of this example, a microprocessor module, these outputs are usually divided into data address and control lines. Your number judges depending on the type and number of functions of the microprocessor (functional network).

In today's microprocessors, all of these lines are routed to the outside via individual junctions. The object of this invention is to combine all the signals of these lines within the module into a total output signal and to give them to the outside via a point here denoted by signal transfer point 1. In the example shown, this is achieved in that the output signals of the functional network 19 are fed to the inputs of one or more D / A converters 6. The number of D / A converters results from the number of outputs of the FNW19 to be processed and the number of inputs per D / A converter6.

example

8 channel outputs, 16 address outputs and H control lines results in 38 outputs to be processed. If D / A converters with 8 inputs are used, then 5 such a D / A converter is required.

One problem with the D / A converter is the accuracy of the analog function generated. This leads to, that when converting back into the digital output signals the least significant bit or even several low-order bits cannot be reliably reproduced from the analog signal. Should this uncertainty arise can not be avoided in the highly integrated modules according to this invention, there is a remedy

to the fact that a larger than the calculated number of D / A converters is used. Then it is possible to approach the lower-order inputs of the D / A converter when converting the output signals waive. When converting back via A / D converter

! 5 15 is then also based on the evaluation of this uncertain low-order bits are omitted.

The analog signals AS] to AS _n at the outputs of the D / A converter each represent the information of a group of parallel output signals of the FNW 19. The number of output signals per group is equal to or less than the number of inputs of the D / A converter .

The various analog signals AS \ to AS _{n of} the D / A converter 6 must now be combined to form an overall output signal.

In the example shown, this is done in that the signals AS \ to AS _{n are used} to modulate various carrier frequencies TF \ to 7T _n by suitable modulators 7. The carrier frequencies are generated by a multi-frequency oscillator 9 provided in the module.

The modulators deliver the modulated carrier frequency signals MS \ to MS _n at the output. These are fed to a mixer 8, which generates an overall output signal (GAS). This is fed to the signal transfer device 2. From there it then reaches the outside via the signal transfer point 1 and via the transmission medium to the other modules.

On the other hand, the signal transfer point 1 receives the GAS from other components of the system and forwards them to its own receiving device 10 as an overall input signal GES.
The task of the receiving device is to decode the individual parallel input signals for the functional network from the GES. Some of these input signals have the meaning of an address. This address is stored by the receiving device with an address in the address register (AR) 17 of the module.

th address compared. If both addresses match, the Comparator IS sends a signal! "FN aktiv" (FNa) to the FNW. This signal causes the FNW to process the signals on the parallel inputs.

The parallel input signals from the GES are decoded in that the GES is first fed to a filter bank 11. This can consist of a number of analog as well as digital filters. The filter bank supplies the modulated carrier frequencies MS \ to MS _n,. These are fed to demodulators 13, which generate the analog signals AS: to AS _{m therefrom.} The parallel input signals for the FNW 19 are finally generated from the analog signals AS ₁ to AS _n via the A / D converter 15. All outputs of the A / D converter 15 can be used, or, if necessary for reasons of accuracy, the low-order outputs of each A / D converter can be dispensed with.

In addition 7 sheets of drawings

Claims (13)

Patent claims: 1. Highly integrated module with a functional network for signal processing and / or storage, with at least one transmission device that combines two or more internal output signals generated in parallel by the functional network into one or a reduced number of total output signals compared to the number of internal output signals, and with at least one receiving device which decodes internal input signals from one or more overall input signals and supplies them in parallel to the functional network, characterized in that each overall output signal (GAS) is generated from the internal, parallel output signals of the functional network (19) in such a way that it generates the respective internal Contains output signals simultaneously in amplitude and / or frequency weighted units. 2. Highly integrated module according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a receiving device contains which from the total input signals that the individual internal input signals in contain amplitude- and / or frequency-weighted units, the individual parallel input signals decoded and fed to the functional network in parallel. 3. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the output signals of the functional network (19) are in digital form and the receiving device (10) receives the decoded input signals provides the functional network (19) in digital form. 4. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting device for generating of the overall output signals, which the internal, parallel pending individual output signals of the Function network contained in amplitude-weighted units, from a digital-to-analog converter consists. 5. Module according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that the receiving device for decoding of the total input signals, which amplitude-weighted the individual parallel input signals Units included, consists of an analog-to-digital converter. 6. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting device for generating of the overall output signals, which the internal, parallel pending individual output signals of the Function network contained in frequency-weighted units, from modulators, frequency mixers and transmitter exists. 7. Module according to claim 2 or 6, characterized in that the receiving device for decoding of the total input signals, which frequency-weighted the individual parallel input signals Contain units consisting of receivers, filters and demodulators. 8. Module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has internal address register (17), in which one or more selection addresses can be stored, and a comparator (18), which the address contained in the input signals with the selection address or addresses compares and in the event of equality the functional network factory activated. 9. Module according to claim, characterized in that at least one of the selection addresses of the address register (17) can be changed during operation 10. Module according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it has a self-diagnostic device (20), which after completion of a self-contained function by the Function network (19) can be activated. 11. Module according to claim 9, characterized in that the selection addresses from the module can even be changed based on internal diagnostic routines. 12. Building block according to claim 10, characterized in that that the self-diagnosis process at Starl a new function through the Funklionsnetzwcrk (19) is interrupted if the diagnostic process has not yet been completed, and after completion the function of the diagnostic process is continued. 13. Module according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the module signal transfer devices (2), which transform the generated overall output signals for transmission on coaxial cables or other electrical cables Conductors, and / or on the input side the received on coax cables or other electrical conductors Convert total input signals for further processing in the block.