Abstract: A system with a set of modules having synchronized timing. The synchronized timing of the modules enables precise coordination of measurements and stimuli for an arbitrary number of modules. The modules communicate and maintain time synchronization using a communication mechanism that may be adapted to localized positioning of modules and/or widely dispersed positioning of modules with no change to the underlying functionality in the modules.

Abstract: A distributed system with an architecture based on synchronized clocks that provides accurate coordination of control functions. The distributed system includes a set of nodes coupled to a communication link. Each node has a clock which holds a real-world time. The nodes participate in a synchronization protocol on the communication link for synchronizing the real-world time in each clock. The architecture of the distributed system is such that the synchronization of control functionality in the distributed system is based upon the real-world time in the clocks. A variety of examples of applications for this architecture are set forth.

Abstract: A system with a set of modules having synchronized timing. The synchronized timing of the modules enables precise coordination of measurements and stimuli for an arbitrary number of modules. The modules communicate and maintain time synchronization using a communication mechanism that may be adapted to localized positioning of modules and/or widely dispersed positioning of modules with no change to the underlying functionality in the modules.

Abstract: A system in which remote nodes are supplied with electrical power using existing network communication links. A communication device in a system according to the present techniques routes electrical power to a remote node via a set of unused lines of a network communication link used for communication with the remote node. The electrical power distributed to the remote node may be AC or DC power.

Abstract: A four-wire bus is provided with a two-wire power bus and a two-wire signal bus and a plurality of sensors and actuators attached to both two-wire busses. A modification is provided to the standard CAN protocol developed and provided by Robert Bosch GmbH, in which the standard CAN header, of a data packet is modified to incorporate a shortened device identifier priority. By shortening the identifier field of the CAN header three bits are made available for use as a short form protocol data unit which can be used to contain binary information representing both the change of status of an identified device and the current status of the device. The same three-bit PDU can be used to acknowledge receipt of the change of status information.