Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral adapting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-28
2001-10-23
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral adapting
C710S120000, C709S203000, C717S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308230
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for Governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefore.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to information/software interfaces for embedded microcomputer device controllers. More particularly, the invention relates to interfaces useful in programming, reprogramming and supplying new and/or updated information to embedded microcomputer device controllers.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
The use of embedded microcomputers as device controllers is well known in the art. Similarly, it is well known to provide a communication interface between embedded microcomputer device controllers and selected external elements. For example, the existing ADC MK3 and ADC MK4 six inch naval countermeasure devices each include an embedded microcomputer device controller and an interface for connecting the controller to an external Launch Control Panel or the like.
The capability for, nature of and level of communication provided between an embedded microcomputer device controller and external elements, however, has heretofore been quite limited. More particularly, returning to the naval countermeasure example (which will be adopted throughout this specification for purposes of illustration, but not limitation), the locations from which communication with the countermeasure are possible are limited to the ship or submarine of which the Launch Control Panel forms a part, or to those locations where a suitable launch control panel simulator or appropriate test box is present. Further, the countermeasures are limited to communicating the “go
o-go” status of their various systems and subsystems to the Launch Control Panel, and the Launch Control Panel can communicate only a very limited set of preset data to the countermeasure (e.g., “launch/don't launch” commands, clock time, ship position, etc.).
Still further, most embedded microcomputer device controllers are preprogrammed at the factory, and the software and/or information so preprogrammed is not readily replaceable or modifiable. Instead, in order to reprogram and/or update the memory or operating program of an embedded microcomputer device controller, it is necessary to extract the programmable memory elements from the device. This normally involves either the return of the device to the factory, or its delivery to a highly skilled technician who has access to specialized tools.
Such limited re-programmability is totally unsatisfactory in many applications. It is time-consuming, expensive, inconvenient, and in some cases, potentially dangerous. For example, the inability to easily reprogram or modify memory data and/or software in an embedded microcomputer device controller located within a medical testing apparatus could result in the inability of a physician to obtain accurate medical test result data in a timely manner. Appropriate diagnosis and/or treatment of a patient might thereby be adversely effected or delayed. Similarly, the inability to provide the aforementioned naval countermeasures with the most recent tactical software code, tactical information and/or threat information in a timely manner prior to the prescheduled departure time of the ship or submarine carrying the countermeasure could adversely impact upon the effectiveness of the countermeasure, and hence, the safety of those aboard the ship or submarine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to redesign the core electronics (microcomputer) used as an embedded device controller so as to incorporate a modular architecture that can be upgraded easily with additional processing power and interfaces, and that is in-system re-programmable.
It also is an object of the invention to provide an improved interface for use with an embedded microcomputer device controller which is adapted for connection,to either (1) external elements such as the Launch Control Panel mentioned above, or (2) a personal computer, laptop computer or other host device having a serial interface for re-programming, programming, or otherwise modifying the preprogramming of, and/or information stored in, the embedded microcomputer control device.
Further, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved interface for use with an embedded microcomputer device controller which will automatically determine the nature of an external element or elements connected thereto, and direct the incoming signal therefrom so as to either (1) update the preprogramming of the device or (2) operate the device according to its preprogrammed instructions.
With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter more fully appear, a feature of the invention is the provision of an improved communication interface for an embedded microcomputer device controller. The interface generally comprises serial communications detection logic/electronics for identifying the nature of elements connected to the interface, and multiplex logic/electronics for programming and/or reprogramming the embedded microcomputer in response to input signals received from a host device containing downloadable information and/or software, and which has a serial interface.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention adopts known PC104 technology as a substitute for the customized chip-by-chip architecture design found in older embedded microcomputer device controllers. More specifically, the microcomputer comprises three PC104 boards disposed in electrically interconnected relation with one another. These boards include a power module, a central processing unit and a sensor bus.
A customized PC104 board is also provided. This customized board serves as the communication interface with external elements such as the Launch Control Panel referred to above, and also, alternatively, as the interface with a host device such as a personal computer having a serial interface. To accomplish this, the customized board includes the serial communication detection logic/electronics and the multiplex logic/electronics mentioned above. In addition, this customized board is electrically interconnected with the other PC104 boards forming the microcomputer via connectors, a wiring harness and other hardware which correspond to the elements used to establish external element communication with older, customized, chip-by-chip circuit design architectures.
The serial communication detection logic/electronics determine whether external elements such as a Launch Control Panel, or the serial port from an external host computer or the like, is connected to the external interface connector. If a serial port is detected, the input from the external connector is routed to the PC104 central processor board using the multiplexer logic/electronics. At the central processor board, the signals from the multiplexer logic/electronics are identified as new download software and/or information, and are used to program and/or reprogram the central processor memory and/or to update the various memory fields which may be contained therein.
On the other hand, if external elements such as the Launch Control Panel mentioned above are detected, the external interface connector is routed to a field programmable gate array. This gate array controls the interface in accordance with the information and software then contained in its flash memory, and the device operates without modification.
It also is contemplated that the PC104 central processing unit will handle all required serial communications protocols, and that the PC104 power module will be driven by a DC to DC converter operating on inputs received either from the external element circuitry or the serial input from the external host device's serial output.
The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combination of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and po
Dutton C. Ray
Lopes Joseph B.
Potter Lynn A.
Du Thuan
Gauthier Robert W.
Lall Prithvi C.
Lee Thomas
McGowan Michael J.
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