초록 ▼

The present invention includes a process control instrument having an improved data bus protocol for facilitating communications between master and slave nodes. The process control instrument includes a microprocessor operating in accordance with the SPI data bus protocol, first and second periphera

The present invention includes a process control instrument having an improved data bus protocol for facilitating communications between master and slave nodes. The process control instrument includes a microprocessor operating in accordance with the SPI data bus protocol, first and second peripheral devices, and a data bus coupled to the microprocessor and the first and second peripheral devices. The improved data bus protocol used in the process control instruments of the present invention provides numerous advantages such as reduced printed circuit board space requirements and greater interchangeability of peripheral and master node components.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A process control instrument comprising:a microprocessor operating in accordance with the SPI data bus protocol;a first peripheral device;a second peripheral device; anda data bus coupled to the microprocessor, to the first peripheral device, and to the second peripheral

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A process control instrument comprising:a microprocessor operating in accordance with the SPI data bus protocol;a first peripheral device;a second peripheral device; anda data bus coupled to the microprocessor, to the first peripheral device, and to the second peripheral device, wherein the data bus includes a single chip select line coupled to chip select connections on each of the microprocessor, the first peripheral device and the second peripheral device, and wherein the data bus further includes a bi-directional master-in-slave-out (MISO) line coupled to the microprocessor, the first peripheral device and the second peripheral device.