초록 ▼

A “reversible master/slave”handshaking protocol is disclosed for addressing the problem of interfacing a multiplexing analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, having a first operating rate, to a microprocessor, having a second operating rate. In the specific embodiment of a generator control unit (GCU) fo

A “reversible master/slave”handshaking protocol is disclosed for addressing the problem of interfacing a multiplexing analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, having a first operating rate, to a microprocessor, having a second operating rate. In the specific embodiment of a generator control unit (GCU) for an electrical power generating system, an analog multiplexer (124), an A/D converter (126), and a dual-port RAM (130) are controlled by an A/D controller (134) to provide data words to a voltage regulator processor (92). If a fast A/D converter is used, then the A/D controlling system will multiplex and convert samples from all of the analog input signals, load the RAM, and wait for the processor to read the RAM. If the A/D conversion rate is slow, the A/D controller will continuously sample all the multiplexed channels, while the processor waits for the appropriate channel information to be loaded into the RAM. In this manner, data acquisition can be perform utilizing A/D converters having various conversion rates, multiplexers having additional channels, or microprocessors having numerous feedback control loops.

대표청구항 ▼

A generator control unit for an electrical power generating system including a generator having a power output signal which is controllable by a generator control signal, said generator control unit comprising: a plurality of input means for monitoring various parameters of said generator power outp

A generator control unit for an electrical power generating system including a generator having a power output signal which is controllable by a generator control signal, said generator control unit comprising: a plurality of input means for monitoring various parameters of said generator power output signal, and for providing a corresponding plurality of analog input signals; means for multiplexing said plurality of analog input signals as a multiplexed analog signal; means for converting said multiplexed analog signal into a plurality of data words, said converting means having a first operating rate; buffer means for storing said plurality of data words; processor means for providing a digital control signal in response to said plurality of stored data words, said processor means including: internal memory means for storing multiple sets of instructions corresponding to multiple feedback control loops, said multiple feedback control loops corresponding to said various parameters of said generator power output signal; logic means, having a second operating rate, for executing each of said multiple sets of instructions utilizing information provided by at least one of said plurality of stored data words; and interface means for controlling said multiplexing means, said converting means, said buffer means, and said logic means in response to said first and second operating rates, such that said logic means and said converting means exhibit a reversible master/slave relationship as determined by their respective operating rates; and said generator control unit further comprising: output means for conditioning said digital control signal, thereby providing said generator control signal.