A functional unit is synchronized with an output system unit on the basis of a trigger signal input from outside with a synchronization period. The input system unit includes: a functional processing unit to perform, on the basis of the trigger signal, a functional process with a control period that is shorter than the synchronization period, and to generate processing results by repeatedly performing the functional process in one synchronization period; and a shared memory to collectively output the processing results of the functional processing unit to outside on the basis of the trigger signal.

A functional unit is synchronized with an output system unit on the basis of a trigger signal input from outside with a synchronization period. The input system unit includes: a functional processing unit to perform, on the basis of the trigger signal, a functional process with a control period that is shorter than the synchronization period, and to generate processing results by repeatedly performing the functional process in one synchronization period; and a shared memory to collectively output the processing results of the functional processing unit to outside on the basis of the trigger signal.

A functional unit is synchronized with an output system unit on the basis of a trigger signal input from outside with a synchronization period. The input system unit includes: a functional processing unit to perform, on the basis of the trigger signal, a functional process with a control period that is shorter than the synchronization period, and to generate processing results by repeatedly performing the functional process in one synchronization period; and a shared memory to collectively output the processing results of the functional processing unit to outside on the basis of the trigger signal.

A method includes determining a scan rate associated with each of a plurality of input/output (I/O) modules. The method also includes transmitting a read request message to at least one expansion controller that controls the plurality of I/O modules, the read request message having an align index field. The method further includes receiving a reply message from the at least one expansion controller for each of the I/O modules for which a value of the align index field of the read request message is an even multiple of the associated scan rate. The method also includes incrementing the value of the align index field. In addition, the method includes repeating the transmitting, receiving, and incrementing until the value of the align index field is greater than a threshold, wherein the threshold is a least common multiple of the scan rates of the plurality of I/O modules.

An embedded system may distribute, e.g. at the point of coupling to a main power grid, information corresponding to one or more operational parameters (e.g. phase angle, frequency, amplitude, etc.) of a power delivery device to other power delivery devices, using a deterministic communication link. Updates of some or all of the information may be transmitted at future or past points in time, for example at defined time intervals. Time synchronization methods, e.g. a locked instantaneous interpolation mechanism may be used to create a coordinated time, shared among all power delivery devices. Various operating parameter mismatches, e.g. a phase mismatch between power delivery devices delivering power to the power grid, may thereby be reduced to less than a specified, negligible value. This creates tight time synchronization between the power delivery devices and allows them to interoperate in a manner that stabilizes rather than destabilizes the power grid.

A functional unit is synchronized with an output system unit on the basis of a trigger signal input from outside with a synchronization period. The input system unit includes: a functional processing unit to perform, on the basis of the trigger signal, a functional process with a control period that is shorter than the synchronization period, and to generate processing results by repeatedly performing the functional process in one synchronization period; and a shared memory to collectively output the processing results of the functional processing unit to outside on the basis of the trigger signal.

A method includes determining a scan rate associated with each of a plurality of input/output (I/O) modules. The method also includes transmitting a read request message to at least one expansion controller that controls the plurality of I/O modules, the read request message having an align index field. The method further includes receiving a reply message from the at least one expansion controller for each of the I/O modules for which a value of the align index field of the read request message is an even multiple of the associated scan rate. The method also includes incrementing the value of the align index field. In addition, the method includes repeating the transmitting, receiving, and incrementing until the value of the align index field is greater than a threshold, wherein the threshold is a least common multiple of the scan rates of the plurality of I/O modules.

An embedded system may distribute, e.g. at the point of coupling to a main power grid, information corresponding to one or more operational parameters (e.g. phase angle, frequency, amplitude, etc.) of a power delivery device to other power delivery devices, using a deterministic communication link. Updates of some or all of the information may be transmitted at future or past points in time, for example at defined time intervals. Time synchronization methods, e.g. a locked instantaneous interpolation mechanism may be used to create a coordinated time, shared among all power delivery devices. Various operating parameter mismatches, e.g. a phase mismatch between power delivery devices delivering power to the power grid, may thereby be reduced to less than a specified, negligible value. This creates tight time synchronization between the power delivery devices and allows them to interoperate in a manner that stabilizes rather than destabilizes the power grid.