Abstract: System and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a network protocol handler circuitry configured to communicate by using a network protocol, and a signal interface and timing circuitry communicatively coupled to the network protocol handler circuitry. The system further includes a diagnostic circuitry configured to provide network condition information, and a communications interface communicatively coupled to the signal interface and timing circuitry. The communications interface includes a first line receiver circuitry communicatively coupled to a network connector and configured to receive a first voltage and a first current associated with the network protocol. The communications interface further includes a push-pull driver circuitry configured to produce a second voltage and a second current transmitted through the network connector.

Abstract: Configurable analog input circuits are provided. An analog input circuit may include a plurality of configurable input channels, at least one analog-to-digital converter, and at least one processor. Each input channel may include a plurality of switches utilized to select a type of input signal received via the input channel and a set of input terminals selectively utilized to correspond with the selected type of input signal. The at least one analog-to-digital converter may be configured to convert, for each of the plurality of input channels, the selected type of input signal into a digital output. The at least one processor may be configured to control operation of the plurality of switches associated with each of the plurality of configurable input channels.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for determining electrical ground faults. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided determining ground leakage electrical faults. The method includes providing a voltage source having a positive lead in communication with a first contact conductor and a negative lead in communication with a second field conductor, wherein the first contact conductor is connected to a ground through a first resistor Rp, and wherein the second field conductor is connected to the ground through a second resistor Rn; monitoring a first voltage potential associated with the first contact conductor; and determining a condition associated with the first contact conductor, based at least in part on the monitored first voltage potential.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods for providing determining electrical faults. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provide for determining electrical faults. One method can include providing switch circuitry including at least one first switch detector resistor in parallel communication with at least one switch; providing terminal board circuitry including at least one terminal board resistor in parallel communication with the switch circuitry and in communication with a power source; receiving a power source reference; comparing a field voltage value to a generated reference voltage value, generating a comparison value output based at least in part on the comparison of the field voltage value and the generated reference voltage; and determining one of a plurality of field conditions based at least in part on the comparison value output.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, methods, and devices for controlling a machine. In one embodiment, the invention provides a system for a machine, the system comprising: a device including: a module adapted to perform a support function associated with a machine; and a power cable for connecting the module to an electrical supply, the power cable including an identifier operable to be read by the device; and a host computer operable to: receive from the device a request for a network identifier for the device, the request including information from the identifier; and obtain the network identifier using the information from the identifier.

Abstract: A channel interface component including redundancy within a control system with highway addressable remote transfer (HART) channels is provided. In one embodiment, a circuit includes: at least two highway addressable remote transfer (HART) channels, each HART channel including an input terminal and an output terminal configured to connect with a HART device via a current loop; an channel interface component coupled to each HART channel that is configured to support HART protocol signals for communications with the HART device, wherein the channel interface component includes a suicide relay switch for connecting or disconnecting each HART channel from the HART device; and a programmable logic device coupled to the channel interface component that is configured to perform modulation and demodulation of HART protocol signals for communications with the HART device.

Abstract: An interface circuit board apparatus can include a shared circuit board base, a transceiver section disposed on the circuit board base, and having circuit transceiver sites configured to receive a plurality of transceiver component types, a termination section disposed on the circuit board base, and having circuit termination sites configured to receive a plurality of termination component types, and a connection section operatively coupled to the transceiver and termination sections, wherein the transceiver section, the termination section and the connection section are configurable to support a plurality of interface types based on the plurality of transceiver component types and the plurality of termination component types.

Abstract: An isolated highway addressable remote transfer (HART) interface with programmable data flow is provided. The isolated HART interface includes a HART channel having at least one pair of terminals configured to connect with a HART device via a current loop. The HART channel is programmable to have each pair of terminals assigned as a current loop input or a current loop output.

Abstract: Configurable analog input circuits are provided. An analog input circuit may include a plurality of configurable input channels, at least one analog-to-digital converter, and at least one processor. Each input channel may include a plurality of switches utilized to select a type of input signal received via the input channel and a set of input terminals selectively utilized to correspond with the selected type of input signal. The at least one analog-to-digital converter may be configured to convert, for each of the plurality of input channels, the selected type of input signal into a digital output. The at least one processor may be configured to control operation of the plurality of switches associated with each of the plurality of configurable input channels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to a configurable analog input channel with galvanic isolation. In one embodiment, the invention provides a configurable input channel for selectively receiving one of a plurality of different analog sensor inputs. The input channel includes an interface for implementing switch settings for a selected type of input signal; a set of input terminals, wherein at least two of the set of input terminals are selectively utilized to correspond with the selected type of input signal; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the input signal into a digital output, wherein an operation of the analog-to-digital converter is determined based on the switch settings; and an isolation barrier for isolating the configurable input channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing time synchronization in a local network are provided. A time source may be configured to determine a current time and a designated time at which a reference signal will be output, and to output the reference signal when the designated time is reached. A network host communicatively coupled to the time source may be configured to (i) identify the designated time and (ii) communicate the identified designated time to one or more network devices via a local network. The one or more network devices may be respectively configured to (i) initiate an internal clock, (ii) receive the designated time from the network host, (iii) receive the reference signal output be the time source subsequent to receiving the designated time, and (iv) set a value of the internal clock to the designated time upon receipt of the reference signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to a configurable analog input channel with galvanic isolation. In one embodiment, the invention provides a configurable input channel for selectively receiving one of a plurality of different analog sensor inputs. The input channel includes an interface for implementing switch settings for a selected type of input signal; a set of input terminals, wherein at least two of the set of input terminals are selectively utilized to correspond with the selected type of input signal; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the input signal into a digital output, wherein an operation of the analog-to-digital converter is determined based on the switch settings; and an isolation barrier for isolating the configurable input channel.

Abstract: An isolated highway addressable remote transfer (HART) interface with programmable data flow is provided. The isolated HART interface includes a HART channel having at least one pair of terminals configured to connect with a HART device via a current loop. The HART channel is programmable to have each pair of terminals assigned as a current loop input or a current loop output.

Abstract: A candle shade includes a sleeve adapted to receive a top end of a candle and a shade element coupled to the sleeve and surrounding the candle adjacent the top end. The sleeve has at least one spacing element on its interior surface to space the sleeve from the candle and reduce contact area therebetween. A stop is also provided on the sleeve to inhibit the sleeve from travelling down the candle beyond the top end.

Abstract: A candle shade includes a sleeve adapted to receive a top end of a candle and a shade element coupled to the sleeve and surrounding the candle adjacent the top end. The sleeve has at least one spacing element on its interior surface to space the sleeve from the candle and reduce contact area therebetween. A stop is also provided on the sleeve to inhibit the sleeve from travelling down the candle beyond the top end.