Abstract: The linear transducer input module is one of several modules mounted in a rack to form a programmable controller. The module's function is to provide position data from an externally located ultrasonic magnetostrictive linear transducer which is connected to some moving part of a machine to the programmable controller's processor module. The ultrasonic magnetostrictive linear transducer digital decoding circuitry (receiving circuitry) is located in the input module on the programmable controller input/output rack. A synchronizing circuit is provided in the module to synchronize the programmable controller's input fetch signals which input module circuitry. A user operable digital offset device is provided in the module for enabling an offset to be added to the ultrasonic magnetostrictive linear transducer position data by a user-selectable amount while accommodating different transducer lengths.

Abstract: The method and device are used to control outputs to a plurality of output devices relative to inputs and for synchronizing the updating of selected outputs with the occurrence of an external event. An interrupt signal is derived from an external event at one or more input devices and supplied to a micro-computer. A user ladder program is provided in the device for controlling the outputs and one or more interrupt zones are provided in the ladder program and are immediately responsive to the interrupt signal for instantaneously updating selected outputs. Each interrupt zone includes enabling means, an opening boundary, addresses of inputs to be fetched, a body of instructions and a closing boundary.

Abstract: The programmable control device is arranged to accept numerical data information from a transducer associated with a particular machine. Selected outputs are stored in addressable tables, including an I/O address table, relative to outputs which are of special interest in a program and which are to be supplied to output devices. The programmable control device, utilizing a micro-computer, responds at high speed to the numerical data and status information from the input devices, selects or calculates the appropriate output, generates visual displays, and periodically couples the addressable tables to the output devices.The control device only requires a scan time of approximately 100 to 500 microseconds and acheives the high speed by processing input data, storing selected output data in addressable tables, and periodically coupling the addressable tables to the output devices.