WO2007089163A1

WO2007089163A1 - Complex function electronic generator having multiple channels electrically isolated and operating synchronously or asynchronously

Info

Publication number: WO2007089163A1
Application number: PCT/RO2006/000021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ion Tomescu; Emilian Dobrea
Original assignee: Ion Tomescu; Emilian Dobrea
Priority date: 2006-02-01
Filing date: 2006-10-30
Publication date: 2007-08-09
Also published as: RO121950B1

Abstract

Complex function multi-channel generator, having programmable waveform, amplitude, polarity, frequency and sampling step, wherein the said generator is controlled by a single user operating a LAPTOP/PALM device (CE) running a dedicated software package which, by using a central unit (MC) equipped with microprocessor, may command an unlimited number of complex function generator modules (MGl... MG32) providing the generation of functions having the same waveform or a different waveform for each channel, which may operate in a synchronous or asynchronous mode depending on the commands sent by the user, displaying in real time the generated waveform and the value of the selected external circuit current, respectively.

Description

Complex function electronic generator having multiple channels electrically isolated and operating synchronously or asynchronously

This invention is related to a complex function electronic generator having more than one independent channels electrically isolated, which generates at the output of each channel an electric signal having the waveform, the frequency, the amplitude and the synchronous or asynchronous operating mode digitally programmable according to the date received from a LAPTOP/PALM running a specialized software package.

Various devices or function generators are known which provide such functions on one or more channels, according to the intended use. As a rule, these devices are designed to operate as standard function generators, having limited possibilities regarding the programmed and generated function types or the output channel numbers or the applications type.

The complex function electronic generator according to the invention can generate any type of function or any type of electric signal having a programmable waveform, a programmable repetition frequency, a positive or negative signal level and an amplitude also programmable, and can comprise a large number of output channels, electrically isolated, operating independently of each other (asynchronous operation) or operating in a synchronized manner with the other channels, depending on the commands received from a user via a LAPTOP/PALM device.

The complex function electronic generator according to the invention comprises a power supply module connected to 90...264 Volts / 50 (60) Hz having a DC output similar to that of a LAPTOP charger, a charger/monitor module for a Li-ion backup battery having a capacity selected for an independent operation in the absence of the energy supply, a central command and control unit, equipped with a microprocessor which is connected at its input through an USB cable to an external LAPTOP/PALM device and which is connected at its output, through a ribbon cable operating as a Local Bus, with a number of complex function generators as individual modules, each complex function generator module having an unique selectable hardware code identifying the channel number, an input connector connected to the same ribbon cable operating as a Local Bus as the central module is, and an output two pins connector corresponding to the generated electrical signal, a software package installed on a LAPTOP/PALM device allowing the selection of each complex function generator module, based on its hardware code, in order to send programming commands for the function, frequency, amplitude, operating mode and to receive information corresponding to the operation of each channel, respectively.

Following is an example of an embodiment of the invention in connection with the Figures 1 to 8, which show:

- Fig. 1 the block diagram of the complex function programmable electronic generator;

- Fig. 2 the electric diagram of the charger/monitor module for the Li-ion backup battery;

- Fig. 3 the electric diagram of the central command and control unit;

- Fig. 4 the electric diagram of the programmable complex function generator module (channel);

- Fig. 5 an example of generable function with the corresponding programmable parameters;

- Fig. 6 the logical diagram of the operating program of each channel's microprocessor;

- Fig. 7 the logical diagram of the operating program of the central command and control unit microprocessor;

- Fig. 8 the command/selection and display interface for the programmable electronic generator, installed on the LAPTOP/PALM device.

Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the complex function programmable electronic generator according to this invention, wherein A1 represents the AC electric supply of 90...264 V / 50 (60) Hz for the power supply B1 , with the stabilized DC output D1 similar to the laptop chargers, which is known perse, a module C1 for charging/monitoring a Li-ion accumulator battery providing DC power supply for the generator modules according to this invention and also limiting the charging current and the maximum charging voltage for the accumulator battery and automatically switching off the accumulator battery when the voltage of said battery reaches the minimum imposed level, a central command an control unit MC equipped with a microprocessor providing data connection at the input D3 with the USB output of an external LAPTOP/PALM device CE and providing at the output D4, of a Local Bus type, the power supply and commands and data exchange respectively, with the complex function generator modules MG1...MG32, connected in parallel to the output D4, each of these modules generating at its output the electric signals S1...S32 comprising the generated complex functions.

Figure 2 shows the electric diagram of the module C1 according to this invention, wherein the presence of the DC voltage supplied by the module B1 is signaled by the LED D1 which is turned on by the current from the circuit formed by the resistor R1 and the diode of the optocoupler OC. The charging circuit for the battery BT1 comprises the sense diode D2, the resistor R2 for measuring the charging/supplying current, the transistor Q1 for controlling the maximum limit of the charging/supplying current, the power transistor Q2 controlling the value of the charging/supplying current, the detection circuit for the charging voltage of the battery BT1 , comprising the Zener diode D4, the potentiometer R5, the LED diode D3, the phototransistor inside OC, the transistor Q3 and the collector circuit thereof, comprising the resistor R3, the diode D7 and the resistor R4. The presence of the phototransistor OC inside the measuring circuit of the charging voltage provides that, when no load is connected or the battery is decoupled at the minimum voltage, no other electric loads are connected to the battery BT1.

The circuit for manual coupling and automatic decoupling of the battery BT1 to and from the output load comprises the manual switch SW1 , which in the OFF state keeps the capacitor C1 discharged, and when switching in ON state provides the power supply to the emitter of the power transistor Q4 and, due to the charging current of the capacitor C1 , commands the activation of the transistor Q5 which at its turn provides the necessary base current to activate the transistor Q4 through the resistor R6, if the voltage at the output of Q4 is high enough to keep open the circuit comprising the Zener diode D6, the LED diode D5, signaling the presence of the power supply for the modules MG1...MG32, and the potentiometer R7. If the voltage of the battery BT1 decreases below the limit selected with R7 and controlled by D6, then the transistor Q5 begins to block, determining the blocking of Q4 and finally the complete blocking of Q4 and Q5.

Figure 3 shows the electric diagram of a central unit MC according to this invention, comprising a microprocessor U1 , possibly of the PIC16C745 type, manufactured by MICROCHIP Company, an input circuit for the USB connection with the LAPTOP/ PALM device, comprising the USB connector JP1, providing the data connections D+, D- between U1 and JP1 , a detection circuit for the presence of the USB connection with the LAPTOP/PALM device, comprising the transistor Q1 , the bias resistors R5, R6, the collector resistor R7, the resistor R4 and the capacitor C4, a forming circuit for the signal CLOCK comprising the quartz crystal Y1 , the capacitors C2, C3 and the resistor R8, the capacitors C5, C6 filtering the supply voltage of the microprocessor U1 , a manually reset circuit for U1 , comprising the resistor R2 and the push-button S, a voltage stabilizing circuit providing at its output the necessary voltage for microprocessor U1 to operate, comprising the dedicated voltage stabilizer circuit U2, of LM7805/TO type, the filtering capacitors C7, C8, C9, C10 and the connector JS1 for coupling the input DC, and current amplifiers connected between the outputs of U1 and the actual output commands, namely STBY, OP, LOCAL, CENTRAL, MODE1 , MODE2, TX, S1 , S2, S3, S4, S5, S6.

The command and control connection between the central unit MC and the generator modules MG1...MG32 runs through a connector JE1 having 26 pins, from which 16 pins are used for commands and control and 10 pins are used in order to provide the power supply for the modules MG1...MG32. The connector JE1 is connected to a 26 wires ribbon cable representing the Central Bus.

Figure 4 shows the electric diagram of a complex function generator module designated as MG1 , the MG1...MG32 modules having an identical hardware configuration, comprising optical insulating circuits for the inputs from MC, referred as U10, U12, U14, U16, U17, U20, U21 and for the output of the module MG1 , referred as U18, a microprocessor U20, for example of the MIC16C926 type, a digital to analog converter (DAC) having a positive and negative output U1 , a digital potentiometer U2, a follower amplifier circuit U3, a final amplifier circuit for the generated positive and negative signal U4, a measuring circuit for the instantaneous value of the current, voltage, active power, reactive power, apparent power, frequency, active, reactive and apparent energy supplied into the external electric circuit, U11 , a DC-DC converter comprising U8, D3, C34, R52, C40, Tr, the rectifier bridges V1 , V2, V3, V4, the voltage stabilizers U9, U10, U11 and the filtering capacitors C30, C31 , C32, C33, C36, C37, C38, which provides at its outputs the +/- 28Vcc, +/-12 Vcc and + 5 Vcc DC voltages, providing the necessary supply voltages for the module M1 operation and providing electrical isolation from MC, MG1...MG32 modules and power supply module C1 , a circuit for automatic reset of the potentiometer when applying the power supply, comprising R8, D1 , D2, C2, and a manual selecting circuit for the code ID of the module MG1, which in the example with 32 channels consists of 5 switches SW1 generating at the inputs RF6, RF7, RGO, RG1 , RG2 of the microprocessor U20 logic inputs of 0 (ZERO voltage) or 1 (+VDD voltage) according to the desired ID code (1..32).

The DAC converter 1)1 , selected using the CS command, receives at the parallel inputs DB0...DB11 the numeric code corresponding to the desired analog output voltage, accepting this code in connection of the state of the WR, LDAC inputs, and generating a signal, with an insignificant delay, to the output Vout, which is directly connected to the A input of the digital potentiometer U2 from where, by digitally positioning the slider W, it is applied through the follower amplifier U3 to the input of the final power amplifier U4, and it appears after being amplified at the output OUT, from where it is applied to the external load through the normally open contacts of the relay REL and through the resistor R10, wherein the resistor R11 is short-circuited by the normally open contact of the relay REL and by the connector JP1. When REL is not coupled, an electric signal is present at the output which comes from the output of the follower amplifier U3 through the serially connected resistors R10 and R11.

When the supply voltage of the module MG1 is switched on, the automatic reset circuit of the potentiometer U2 maintain the slider output connected to the ground, avoiding the transient signals at the input of the final amplifier U4.

In a similar manner, a permanent command for blocking the output signal is provided at the MUTE input of the final amplifier through the resistors R57, R58, this command being inhibited by the microprocessor using the RA command that cancels the MUTE command for the final amplifier. To protect the output circuit when the final amplifier U4 becomes damaged and to disconnect this output the relay REL is used, which is turned on and off with the command RD1 of the microprocessor U20, providing a further command for automatic timed disconnection when the power supply is applied to the module MG1 , comprising the circuit R61 , D6, D7, C35. The relay state is controlled by the microprocessor U20 by monitoring the RG3 input.

When the relay REL is not switched on, the output can generate small amplitude signals employed to determine the transfer function in special selected external circuits.

Figure 5 shows an example of a generable function having programmable parameters T1 , T11 , T2, T22, N1 , N2, A1 (N1), A2(N2) with digital selection of the output signal amplitude.

Figure 6 shows the logical diagram of the operating program for the module MG1 , which is identical for the modules MG2...MG32, on the basis of which the software package of the MG1 's microprocessor is built.

When the modules MG1...MG32 are powered up, their own microprocessor (U20) runs its own RESET procedure, providing conditions to automatically hardware reset the command outputs to the digital potentiometer (U2), the final amplifier (U4) and the output relay whose contacts are maintained in the normally open position.

Depending on the commands it receives from the central unit (MC), the microprocessor of the module MG1...MG32 generates a number of logical variables of its own which, together with the command combination received from the central unit generates various operating modes, such as:

- MG1 Initial programming (Pl): STBY=I and OP=O and CENTRAL=I and Model =0 and Mode2=0 and S6=0 and IDC=SWI and PRO=O; after receiving all the programming data, MG1 switches PRO to 1 and sends the software signal READY to MC;

- Selection of MG1 channel asynchronous start (PA): STBY=O and OP=1 and LOCAL=I and CENTRAL=O and Model =0 and Mode2=0 and IDC=SWI and PRO=I and READY=I and the software command from MC = START and MG1 sends to the MC the software signal RUNNING1 ; - Selection of Signal Level (SNS) and T1 , T11 , T2, T22 for the started MG1 :

STBY=O and OP=1 and LOCAL=I and CENTRAL=O and Model =0 and Mode2=0 and IDC=SWI and PRO=I and the software signal RUNNING1 was generated, followed by the instantaneous value of the output current received from MG 1 ;

- Selection of simultaneous synchronous start (PSS) Mode 1 channel 1:

STBY=O and OP=1 and LOCAL=I and CENTRAL=I and Model =1 and Mode2=0 and S6=1 and PRO=I and the software command START from MC; MG1 executes a single cycle T1 +T11+T2+T22 and the stops waiting a new START software command from MC;

- Selection of sequential synchronous start (PSSQ) channel 1 :

- normal output power (PSSQ1): STBY=O and OP=1 and LOCAL=O and CENTRAL=I and Model =0 and Mode2=1 and IDC=SWI and PRO=I and the software command START from MC; MG1 executes a single cycle T1 +T11 +T2+T22 and the stops waiting a new START software command from MC;

- low output power (PSSQ2): STBY=O and OP=1 and LOCAL=O and CENTRAL=I and Model =1 and Mode2=1 and IDC=SWI and PRO=I and the software command START from MC;

- Selection of stop (OC) channel 1: STBY=O and OP=1 and IDC=SWI and the software command STOP from MC; MG1 outputs RG6=0 and RDI=O and checks the condition RG3=0;

- Selection of general stop (OGC) channels 1...32: OP=O and S6=1 and CENTRAL=I and the software command STOP from MC; MG1 outputs RG6=0 and RDI=O and checks the condition RG3=0.

During the initial programming (Pl), the central unit (MC) sequentially sends to each generator module MG1....MG32 the parameters required in order to generate a function, according to Fig. 6, namely the values of T1 , T11 , T2, T22 time periods, the graph of the function A1(N1) and the graph of the function A2(N2), the N1 and N2 values, wherein N1 and N2 are the number of the generating points and A1(N1) and A2(N2) are the digital values corresponding to the desired signal level generated by the digital-analog converter U1.

Using the values of time periods sent by MC, each of the modules MG1...MG32 calculates the values DT1=T1/N1 , DT2=T2/N2 and T3=T1 +T11 +T2+T22, values that define the generating step value and the repetition frequency of the desired function, respectively, which comprises two signal forms that may be positive and negative, or one positive and one negative and which define the periodic form of the electric signal to be generated.

After receiving the programming data, each of the selected modules MG1...MG32 will send to MC a software signal confirming the data reception, in order for MC to pass to the next module.

After ending of the Pl phase, the MC module will inform the user that it can start to actually generate the functions. Using this information, the user will select the asynchronous start (PA) for each used channel (MG1...MG32) and adjusts the amplitude and time periods T1 , T11 , T2, T22 according to the desired performance, keeping started in an asynchronous mode all the started and set up channels.

From this moment on, the synchronous operating modes PSS or PSSQ may be selected or one or all channels may be stopped for a subsequent use with the same parameters that are already programmed.

Figure 7 shows the logical diagram for operating the central unit MC, which receives from the user, via the LAPTOP/PALM device, the desired operating modes and generates at its output to the modules MG1...MG32 the commands corresponding to the operating mode the user selected.

Figure 8 shows an example of a user interface, running on the LAPTOP/PALM device, with the central unit MC, several operating modes being visible, namely the operating mode selection, followed by the individual programming of the modules MG1...MG32, the displaying of the parameters generated by each of the modules MG1...MG32, the displaying of the programmed waveform and the waveform actually generated by each module MG1...MG32 in the corresponding output circuit and the general displaying of operating mode for each of the channels MG1...MG32.

Claims

1. Complex function electronic generator, characterized in that it comprises a power supply module (B1) providing the necessary current and voltage level to load a backup battery and the necessary current and voltage level to operate the complex function electronic generator, respectively, a charger/monitor module for a Li-ion backup battery (C1) providing automatic control of charging/discharging current and voltage of a rechargeable battery, a central command and control unit (MC) equipped with a microprocessor, connected through an input USB cable with a LAPTOP/PALM device and connected through an output ribbon cable, operating as a Local Bus, with a number big enough of complex function generator modules MG1...MG32, each of which being connected to the same Local Bus ribbon cable as the central unit MC is and generating at its output an electrical signal as a complex function, having a programmable waveform, frequency, amplitude, sampling period and output power and operating according to specialized software programs installed on specific storage media which are specific to the operating systems that run on the LAPTOP/ PALM device, the said programs being transferable to the central unit MC and to the complex function generator modules MG1...MG32 respectively.

2. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 , characterized in that the connection between the central unit MC and the complex function generator modules MG1...MG32 uses a ribbon cable operating as a Local Bus and having enough electric wires to provide both the power supply of the subassemblies of complex function generator and the commands and data transmission/reception between the central unit MC and each generator module MG1...MG32, allowing the function generator to operate modularly in order to achieve a flexible configuration with a selectable number of complex function generator modules of MG1...MG32 type, between 2 or 4 or 8 or 16 or 32 or any other desired combination, without affecting the general operation of the complex function generator.

3. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 , characterized in that the module that monitors the backup battery's charging, and specifically in the monitoring circuit that is connected to the battery terminals, a Zener diode (D4) is serially connected to the phototransistor of an optocoupler (OC1 ) which is maintained open as long as the supply voltage exists at the output of B1 and which is blocked when this voltages disappears, protecting the battery from being discharged when no supply voltage is present, especially after the automatic decoupling of battery when the lower voltage limit set by the Zener diode D6 is reached.

4. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 , 2 and 3, characterized in that it uses for the manual coupling and automatic decoupling, respectively, of the backup battery to the power supply circuits of the Local Bus an electronic switch Q4- Q5, which is manually coupled using the switch S1 having two positions, ON and OFF, the OFF position of which maintains the capacitor C1 short-circuited, which allows the number of coupling/decoupling cycles not to be limited by the charging state of capacitor C1 , and the ON position of which simultaneously provides biasing the Q4 emitter and the Q5 base due to the C1 charging current.

5. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 , characterized in that it uses a central command unit (MC) equipped with a microprocessor (U1) and a specialized software package allowing the central unit to communicate with an external LAPTOP/PALM device, using a USB serial port, receiving from the LAPTOP/ PALM device the waveform to be generated and the selection of asynchronous, synchronous or measuring operation mode and providing at its output commands for individual or centralized selection of function generator modules, together with logical commands for selecting the operating mode of each module, wherein the said commands are transmitted through current amplifiers directly connected to the Local Bus ribbon cable.

6. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 , characterized in that it uses a number of identical complex function generator modules, each of which being connected through a connector to the same Local Bus ribbon cable, that provides power supply together with the logical commands generated by the central unit MC and the circuit for serial communication between each generator module and the central unit, respectively, the said commands being transmitted through optoelectronic integrated circuits (U3...U10) providing galvanic isolation between the central unit and the generator modules and between any pair of generator modules.

7. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 and 6, characterized in that each generator module is equipped with a microprocessor (U11 ), a digital to analog converter (U 12) which is able to generate positive and negative signals in respect to a null potential point, a digital potentiometer (U13) which receives at its input the positive and negative signals generated by a digital to analog converter (U12) and provides at its output a digitally controlled position of its own slider (W), a follower amplifier of the digital potentiometer output signal (U4), a final power amplifier (U15), a relay (K1 ) which is controlled by the microprocessor, its normally open contact providing a low power testing signal which may be used by specialized external circuits, and providing when the contacts are closed an amplified signal for other specific applications, a dedicated circuit (U16) for measuring the voltage, current, frequency, the active, reactive and apparent power, the active, reactive and apparent energy transferred to an external circuit, a switch for selection of generator module hardware address (SW1 ) and a circuit for generating the supply voltages (+/- 28Vcc, +/- 12 Vcc, + 5Vcc) the generator module needs in order to operate.

8. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 , 5, 6 and 7, characterized in that it uses a Local Bus ribbon cable providing both power supply circuits and circuits for digital commands and data transfer between the central unit (MC) and the generator modules MG1...MG32, allowing a linear distribution of the modules which are placed along the entire length of the ribbon cable or a combined distribution similar to a network, where each section of the ribbon cable can support the necessary connection for a defined number of generator modules.

9. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 and 5, characterized in that it uses a set of logic signals generated by a central unit MC, electrically isolated of each other and isolated from the MC and the generator modules, providing individual selection of each generator module or selection of all generator modules, and transmitting to the said modules the desired operating mode, which may be initial programming (Pl), asynchronous operation (PA), selection of amplitudes and sampling periods (SNS), simultaneous synchronous operation (PSS), low power simultaneous synchronous operation (PSSQ1 ), normal power simultaneous synchronous operation (PSSQ2), individual stop for a generator channel (OC), general stop for all generator channels (OGC) together with data transmission or reception between the central unit MC and the generator modules MG1...MG32.

10. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 and 9, characterized in that it allows to generate, using a digital to analog converter (U 12), waveforms having a positive or negative polarity, having the sampling periods (DT1 , DT2) programmable by maintaining the number of samples and varying the total period of the desired waveform (T1 , T2), using the time periods (T11 , T12) required by the data communication between the central unit MC and the generator modules MG1... MG32 and having a amplitude which is programmable by using a digital potentiometer (U13), respectively, these features allowing the generation of complex modulated functions required by the type of application.

11. Complex function electronic generator according to claim 1 and 7, characterized in that it allows the generation of low power or amplified waveforms to be applied to an external circuit, providing in the same time real time measurement of parameters like the applied voltage and frequency, the generated current and the phase shift between the current and voltage, the consumed active, reactive and apparent power, the active, reactive and apparent energy delivered to the external circuit, these parameters being used in order to generate particular operating modes of the generator module together with the selected external circuit, such as constant current, constant power, total delivered and limited active, reactive and apparent energy.