Abstract: An on-line serial communication interface is established from the transmitter of a two line current loop transmitter to a digital circuit such as a computer or hand-held terminal which receives and processes digital voltage pulses. The interface includes a comparator having a positive terminal connected by a capacitor to one of the current lines, and a negative terminal connected to a source of small positive voltage. The output of the comparator is connected to an input port of the digital device. The transmitter modulates the current on the current loop by a small amount with respect to the analog current communicated by the transmitter. This generates voltage pulses in the capacitor which are compared to the selected voltage and are amplified to form large pulses used for communication with the computer or hand-held terminal.

Abstract: A serial communication interface establishes communication to the microprocessor of a transmitter, from a current loop which is powered by a power supply. The microprocessor outputs an analog signal corresponding to a process variable and also can receive a serial communication voltage pulse signal. The analog signal is applied to a current regulating circuit which draws current from the power supply onto the current loop in an amount which is proportional to the process variable. A comparator in the form of an operational amplifier has an output connected to the microprocessor for applying the serial communication voltage pulse signal to the microprocessor. The comparator has one input which is held at a slight negative voltage and another input which is connected to a line of the current loop connected to the negative terminal of the power supply.

Abstract: An on-line serial communication interface is established from a digital circuit such as a computer or hand held terminal, to a current loop which has lines for connecting a transmitter to a power supply. The interface includes a diode which is connected in series with one of the lines of the current loop. The diode is connected in parallel to the source and drain of a FET. The control gate of the FET is connected to the output of a differential amplifier who receives as one of its inputs, a digital voltage pulse signal from the digital circuit. The other input of the amplifier is held at a selected voltage so that voltage pulses are output from the amplifier when the digital circuit generates its voltage pulses. This turns the FET on and off in synchronism with the voltage pulses, thus cutting the diode in and out of series with the line of the current loop. With the FET in its non-conducting off condition, the diode has a small voltage drop thereacross. This does not effect the current on the current loop.

Abstract: A pressure transmitter assembly comprises a pressure transducer having a pair of inputs each connected to a separate pressure line. A valve is connected in each pressure line. A pressure equalizing line is connected between the pressure lines at a point between the valves and the pressure transducer. The pressure equalization line is provided with an equalization valve. All three valves are connected to a switching circuit which is controlled by a microprocessor. The switching circuit functions to open both of the valves in the pressure lines while closing the equalizing valves so that the pressure transducer is exposed to two separate pressure and generates a signal corresponding to a difference in two separate pressures. To zero the transducer and recalibrate the transmitter, the low pressure line valve is closed while the equalizing valve is opened. This equalizes the pressure between the two pressure lines so that any signal from the transducer corresponds to a zero pressure difference value.

Abstract: A serial communication interface establishes communication between the microprocessor of a transmitter, to a current loop powered by a power supply. The microprocessor outputs an analog signal corresponding to a process variable and also outputs a serial communication voltage pulse signal. The analog signal is applied to a current regulating circuit which draws current from the power supply onto the current loop in an amount proportional to the process variable. A comparator has one input connected to the microprocessor for receiving the serial communication voltage pulse signal and another input for receiving a fixed selected voltage. The output of the comparator is connected to an input of the current regulating circuit in such a way so that a signal from the comparator is summed with the analog signal. The output signal of the comparator is modulated in synchronism with the voltage pulses and represents a fraction of the analog signal so that both signals can be supplied to the current loop simultaneously.

Abstract: A current regulating convertor includes a pulse generator which generates a voltage pulse train having a variable duty cycle. A low pass filter is connected to receive the pulse train and has a cutoff frequency which is well below the frequency of the pulse train. The low pass filter generates a D/C voltage signal which has a voltage level that is proportional to the duty cycle of the pulse train. The D/C signal is used in a circuit that draws a current from a power supply which is proportional to the voltage level of the D/C signal. The power supply is connected to the circuit by a 4-20 mA currrent loop.