Abstract: A method for recording a sequence of events is provided. The method includes operating a sequence of events recorder in a normal mode, wherein data stored is related to the sequence of events in a history buffer. The method also includes initiating a snap-shot mode of the events recorder after a triggering event occurs in the sequence of events. The snap-shot mode operates by freezing data related to a moment in the sequence of events that occurred prior to the triggering event, storing data related to the sequence of events at the time of the triggering event in the snap-shot buffer, and continuing to record the data related to the sequence of events to a snap-shot buffer until a predetermined event.

Abstract: A method for archiving networked data includes repeatedly transmitting an interrupt message to at least one controller, wherein each transmission of the interrupt message includes a data collection command, and wherein a portion of the transmissions of the interrupt message includes the data collection command and a time synchronization command. The method also includes receiving event data from the at least one controller in response to the data collection command, and storing the event data in a memory.

Abstract: A method for exchanging data using a controller includes selectively setting an exchange mode to one of a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode, and determining whether to execute an input data exchange or an output data exchange. The input data exchange is based at least in part on an input reference that identifies an input/output (I/O) module from which the input data is retrieved, and the output data exchange is based at least in part on an output reference that identifies the I/O module to store the output data.

Abstract: A method for archiving networked data includes repeatedly transmitting an interrupt message to at least one controller, wherein each transmission of the interrupt message includes a data collection command, and wherein a portion of the transmissions of the interrupt message includes the data collection command and a time synchronization command. The method also includes receiving event data from the at least one controller in response to the data collection command, and storing the event data in a memory.

Abstract: A method for recording a sequence of events is provided. The method includes operating a sequence of events recorder in a normal mode, wherein data stored is related to the sequence of events in a history buffer. The method also includes initiating a snap-shot mode of the events recorder after a triggering event occurs in the sequence of events. The snap-shot mode operates by freezing data related to a moment in the sequence of events that occurred prior to the triggering event, storing data related to the sequence of events at the time of the triggering event in the snap-shot buffer, and continuing to record the data related to the sequence of events to a snap-shot buffer until a predetermined event.

Abstract: A method for verifying the reliability and robustness of sequence of event recorders includes transmitting a number of precise signals to a software based sequence of event recorder, detecting and recording a number of voltage changes and comparing the number of precise signals against the number of voltage changes.