Abstract: A sensor node for a distributed sensing system, can include a physical memory configured to store configuration settings data, one or more sensor channels configured to interface with one or more physical sensors to receive signals from the one or more physical sensors, and one or more configurable logic modules connected to the physical memory and operative to receive the configuration settings data and to be configured by the configuration settings data into a logic state to control whether and/or how the one or more one or more configurable logic modules receive and/or processes data from the one or more sensor channels. The one or more configurable logic modules can include one or more FPGAs and/or PLDs, for example.

Abstract: A T-junction circuit comprises a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, at least one data bus, a power bus, and power conditioning circuitry. The at least one data bus is communicatively coupled to the first, second, and third connector. The power bus electrically coupled to the first, second, and third connector, the power bus configured to provide power from the first connector. The power conditioning circuitry is electrically coupled between a node of the power bus and the third connector, the node of the power bus located between the first, second, and third connectors, the power conditioning circuitry configured to condition the power provided by the power bus from the first connector before providing it to the third connector.

Abstract: A control module for a distributed sensor system can include a non-application specific configurable module configured to operate as a function of controller configuration settings data, at least a first memory configured to store the controller configuration settings data, at least one external interface module configured to connect with a master host module of the sensor system to receive updated controller configuration settings data, the control module configured to receive and store the updated controller configuration settings in the first memory thereof via the at least one external interface module, and a subnet interface module configured to connect to one or more configurable sensor nodes on a subnetwork, wherein the control module is configured to control and/or configure the one or more sensor nodes as a function of the controller configuration setting data and receive sensor data from the one or more sensor nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing base and a circuit board. The housing base contains a cavity, a boss containing a mounting bore, and a support pad connected to the boss. The circuit board is positioned in the cavity so that an accelerometer carried by the circuit board is disposed directly above the support pad.

Abstract: A control module for a distributed sensor system can include a non-application specific configurable module configured to operate as a function of controller configuration settings data, at least a first memory configured to store the controller configuration settings data, at least one external interface module configured to connect with a master host module of the sensor system to receive updated controller configuration settings data, the control module configured to receive and store the updated controller configuration settings in the first memory thereof via the at least one external interface module, and a subnet interface module configured to connect to one or more configurable sensor nodes on a subnetwork, wherein the control module is configured to control and/or configure the one or more sensor nodes as a function of the controller configuration setting data and receive sensor data from the one or more sensor nodes.

Abstract: A sensor node for a distributed sensing system, can include a physical memory configured to store configuration settings data, one or more sensor channels configured to interface with one or more physical sensors to receive signals from the one or more physical sensors, and one or more configurable logic modules connected to the physical memory and operative to receive the configuration settings data and to be configured by the configuration settings data into a logic state to control whether and/or how the one or more one or more configurable logic modules receive and/or processes data from the one or more sensor channels. The one or more configurable logic modules can include one or more FPGAs and/or PLDs, for example.

Abstract: A network and method for addressing the network includes a host controller, a communication bus connected to the host controller, and a plurality of nodes connected to the communication bus. Each of the plurality of nodes includes a node controller, a communication input, and a communication output. The node controller is configured to receive an address from the host controller, provide an acknowledgement of receipt of the address to the host controller, and connect the communication input to the communication output upon receipt of the address.

Abstract: A network and method of addressing a network includes a host computer, a communication bus connected to the host computer, and a plurality of nodes connected to the communication bus. Each of the plurality of nodes includes a node controller, a timer, a communication input connected to the communication bus and a communication output connected to the communication bus. The node controller is configured to connect the communication input to the communication output upon successful receipt of an address from the host computer or upon the timer reaching a threshold.

Abstract: A power conditioning system includes a power source, at least one node, a host unit and a voltage regulator unit. The host unit includes a host mechanical housing and is configured to communicate with the at least one node. The voltage regulator unit includes a first regulator mechanical housing and a first voltage regulator circuit. The first regulator mechanical housing is mechanically mated with the host mechanical housing. The first voltage regulator circuit is configured to condition the power from the power source and provide first conditioned power to the at least one node.

Abstract: A T-junction circuit comprises a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, at least one data bus, a power bus, and power conditioning circuitry. The at least one data bus is communicatively coupled to the first, second, and third connector. The power bus electrically coupled to the first, second, and third connector, the power bus configured to provide power from the first connector. The power conditioning circuitry is electrically coupled between a node of the power bus and the third connector, the node of the power bus located between the first, second, and third connectors, the power conditioning circuitry configured to condition the power provided by the power bus from the first connector before providing it to the third connector.

Abstract: A smart sensor system can include one or more configurable input and output channels, each configurable channel including one or more switches configured to activate the input and/or output and/or to select a type of input and/or output signal, at least one analog-to-digital converter and at least one digital-to-analog converter operatively connected to the one or more switches for the one or more configurable channels, and at least one controller configured to control the configurable channels.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing base and a circuit board. The housing base contains a cavity, a boss containing a mounting bore, and a support pad connected to the boss. The circuit board is positioned in the cavity so that an accelerometer carried by the circuit board is disposed directly above the support pad.

Abstract: A power conditioning system includes a power source, at least one node, a host unit and a voltage regulator unit. The host unit includes a host mechanical housing and is configured to communicate with the at least one node. The voltage regulator unit includes a first regulator mechanical housing and a first voltage regulator circuit. The first regulator mechanical housing is mechanically mated with the host mechanical housing. The first voltage regulator circuit is configured to condition the power from the power source and provide first conditioned power to the at least one node.

Abstract: A system and method includes a master/slave data bus, a plurality of sensing nodes, and a master node configured to communicate with the plurality of sensing nodes over the master/slave data bus. The master node is configured to command the plurality of sensing nodes into an event monitoring mode over the master/slave data bus. The plurality of sensing nodes are configured to digitize and retain a first amount of data during a listening mode of the event monitoring mode and detect an event based upon the first amount of data. The plurality of sensing nodes are further configured to drive an event trigger on the master/slave data bus upon detection of the event, and digitize and retain a second amount of data following detection of the event trigger on the master/slave data bus.

Abstract: A smart sensor system can include one or more configurable input and output channels, each configurable channel including one or more switches configured to activate the input and/or output and/or to select a type of input and/or output signal, at least one analog-to-digital converter and at least one digital-to-analog converter operatively connected to the one or more switches for the one or more configurable channels, and at least one controller configured to control the configurable channels.

Abstract: A network and method of addressing a network includes a host computer, a communication bus connected to the host computer, and a plurality of nodes connected to the communication bus. Each of the plurality of nodes includes a node controller, a timer, a communication input connected to the communication bus and a communication output connected to the communication bus. The node controller is configured to connect the communication input to the communication output upon successful receipt of an address from the host computer or upon the timer reaching a threshold.

Abstract: A network and method for addressing the network includes a host controller, a communication bus connected to the host controller, and a plurality of nodes connected to the communication bus. Each of the plurality of nodes includes a node controller, a communication input, and a communication output. The node controller is configured to receive an address from the host controller, provide an acknowledgement of receipt of the address to the host controller, and connect the communication input to the communication output upon receipt of the address.