A smart power system is described. In one or more implementations, the smart power system comprises a microcontroller and a power converter electrically connected to the microcontroller and is configured to convert electrical energy from one form to another. The system also includes a switch element electrically connected to the microcontroller and configured to control distribution of the converted electrical energy to an electrical load. A sense element is electrically connected to the electrical load and to the microcontroller and is configured to monitor the converted electrical energy distributed to the electrical load and to furnish a feedback signal based upon the converted electrical energy. The microcontroller is configured to verify and to monitor the power converter, as well as to control and to monitor distribution of the converted electrical energy to the electrical load based upon the feedback signal.

A smart power system is described. In one or more implementations, the smart power system comprises a microcontroller and a power converter electrically connected to the microcontroller and is configured to convert electrical energy from one form to another. The system also includes a switch element electrically connected to the microcontroller and configured to control distribution of the converted electrical energy to an electrical load. A sense element is electrically connected to the electrical load and to the microcontroller and is configured to monitor the converted electrical energy distributed to the electrical load and to furnish a feedback signal based upon the converted electrical energy. The microcontroller is configured to verify and to monitor the power converter, as well as to control and to monitor distribution of the converted electrical energy to the electrical load based upon the feedback signal.

A modular control device for controlling a device, a process or an application, comprises a plurality of control modules, a module housing base, comprising an electronic motherboard where a plurality of electrical base contact groups is formed, arranged as an array, each electrical base contact group implementing an electrical connection with the electrical module contacts, and an electronic output interface operatively connected to the base. Each control module is provided with releasable coupling means adapted to allow quick fitting and release of each control module on and off the base. The motherboard is configured to bring electrical power to each control module fitted on the base, recognize placement and orientation of each module fitted on the base, and transmit to the electronic output interface electrical control signals generated by the control modules. The electronic output interface converts electrical control signals into electrical output signals compatible with the device, process or application to be controlled.

A modular control device for controlling a device, a process or an application, comprises a plurality of control modules, a module housing base, comprising an electronic motherboard where a plurality of electrical base contact groups is formed, arranged as an array, each electrical base contact group implementing an electrical connection with the electrical module contacts, and an electronic output interface operatively connected to the base. Each control module is provided with releasable coupling means adapted to allow quick fitting and release of each control module on and off the base. The motherboard is configured to bring electrical power to each control module fitted on the base, recognize placement and orientation of each module fitted on the base, and transmit to the electronic output interface electrical control signals generated by the control modules. The electronic output interface converts electrical control signals into electrical output signals compatible with the device, process or application to be controlled.

A smart power system is described. In one or more implementations, the smart power system comprises a microcontroller and a power converter electrically connected to the microcontroller and is configured to convert electrical energy from one form to another. The system also includes a switch element electrically connected to the microcontroller and configured to control distribution of the converted electrical energy to an electrical load. A sense element is electrically connected to the electrical load and to the microcontroller and is configured to monitor the converted electrical energy distributed to the electrical load and to furnish a feedback signal based upon the converted electrical energy. The microcontroller is configured to verify and to monitor the power converter, as well as to control and to monitor distribution of the converted electrical energy to the electrical load based upon the feedback signal.

A smart power system is described. In one or more implementations, the smart power system comprises a microcontroller and a power converter electrically connected to the microcontroller and is configured to convert electrical energy from one form to another. The system also includes a switch element electrically connected to the microcontroller and configured to control distribution of the converted electrical energy to an electrical load. A sense element is electrically connected to the electrical load and to the microcontroller and is configured to monitor the converted electrical energy distributed to the electrical load and to furnish a feedback signal based upon the converted electrical energy. The microcontroller is configured to verify and to monitor the power converter, as well as to control and to monitor distribution of the converted electrical energy to the electrical load based upon the feedback signal.

A collaborative automation platform and associated method include a fault-tolerant control server hosting one or more virtual controllers, and a fault-tolerant input/output server hosting a virtual input/output system. The collaborative automation platform also includes a master autonomous process interface system connected to the virtual input/output system, via a local area input/output network. The collaborative automation platform also includes a plurality of distributed autonomous process interface systems connected to the master autonomous process interface system, wherein each distributed autonomous process interface system is hardwired to a plurality of field instruments. The collaborative automation platform also includes real-time DDS middleware configured for execution with the fault-tolerant control server, the fault-tolerant input/output server, the master autonomous process interface system, and the plurality of distributed autonomous process interface systems.

A collaborative automation platform and associated method include a fault-tolerant control server hosting one or more virtual controllers, and a fault-tolerant input/output server hosting a virtual input/output system. The collaborative automation platform also includes a master autonomous process interface system connected to the virtual input/output system, via a local area input/output network. The collaborative automation platform also includes a plurality of distributed autonomous process interface systems connected to the master autonomous process interface system, wherein each distributed autonomous process interface system is hardwired to a plurality of field instruments. The collaborative automation platform also includes real-time DDS middleware configured for execution with the fault-tolerant control server, the fault-tolerant input/output server, the master autonomous process interface system, and the plurality of distributed autonomous process interface systems.

Disclosed is a positioning system having at least one axis of movement and a serial interface board and method for use therewith. The system includes at least one controller and at least one positioning stage. The at least one positioning stage is in communication with the at least one controller and includes a first positioning stage. The first positioning stage includes a first carriage and a first motor configured to displace the first carriage along a first positioning axis or rotate the first carriage about the first positioning axis. The first positioning stage also includes a first serial interface that is configured to connect to a source of power and receive first-stage sensor signals from one or more stage sensors associated with the first positioning stage. The first serial interface is also configured to communicate at least a portion of the first-stage sensor signals to the at least one controller.

Disclosed is a positioning system having at least one axis of movement and a serial interface board and method for use therewith. The system includes at least one controller and at least one positioning stage. The at least one positioning stage is in communication with the at least one controller and includes a first positioning stage. The first positioning stage includes a first carriage and a first motor configured to displace the first carriage along a first positioning axis or rotate the first carriage about the first positioning axis. The first positioning stage also includes a first serial interface that is configured to connect to a source of power and receive first-stage sensor signals from one or more stage sensors associated with the first positioning stage. The first serial interface is also configured to communicate at least a portion of the first-stage sensor signals to the at least one controller.