Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling or monitoring a wide variety of target hardware, which may use various interfaces and protocols, via non-customized software, without requiring additional software to interface between the non-customized software and the target hardware. An application repository can include a variety of software applications available to end users. An end user may request one or more such applications, and specify target hardware controlled or monitored by the applications. The app repository can then generate a hardware configuration template, corresponding to a configuration of a field-programmable hardware layer on a bridge device of the end user, which routes data between inputs and outputs of the target hardware and a memory on the bridge device. The template and applications can then be provisioned on the bridge device, such that the applications can execute to control and monitor the target hardware via interaction with the memory.

Abstract: A thermocouple simulator system which is capable of generating a voltage equivalent to the EMF output of a thermocouple of a selected type at a specified sensing junction temperature. The system includes a keyboard which allows an operator to specify a sensing junction temperature, voltage, thermocouple type, reference junction temperature, and whether a pair of output terminals of the system perform as thermocouple alloy or copper. Using an operation program, a microprocessor calculates the thermocouple EMF using a stored temperature versus EMF polynomial function of the selected thermocouple type. The microprocessor then causes a voltage simulating the calculated EMF to be applied to the output terminals utilizing a reference voltage source, digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and output amplifier.