A data collection system includes a plurality of sensor modules each provided with a sensor unit, and a data collecting device. The data collecting device (200) is provided with: a clock output unit (201) which outputs a clock signal; an enable signal output unit (202) which outputs to a prescribed sensor module (100) an enable signal at intervals equal to or greater than the number of clock signals corresponding to the number of sensor modules (100); a counter (203) which counts the number of clock signals; and a sensor signal input unit (205) into which data output by the sensor modules (100) is input via a bus line, and which records said data in association with the count value. Using the clock signal as a trigger, each sensor module (100) functions as a shift register feeding the enable signal to the subsequent stage sensor module (100), and each sensor module (100) outputs output data from the sensor unit (110) in said sensor module (100) to the sensor signal input unit (205) only when the enable signal has been fed to said sensor module (100).

A data collection system includes sensors which are synchronized with each other and an optical signal distributor, wherein each of the sensors comprises a first delay unit which delays a second electrical signal for a first delay time set such that a sum of the first delay time and a first conversion time is same in all of the sensors, and the optical signal distributor comprises second delay units each of which delays a first electrical signal for a second delay time set such that all of sums of the second delay times and conversion times are same as each other.

A data collection system includes sensors which are synchronized with each other and an optical signal distributor, wherein each of the sensors comprises a first delay unit which delays a second electrical signal for a first delay time set such that a sum of the first delay time and a first conversion time is same in all of the sensors, and the optical signal distributor comprises second delay units each of which delays a first electrical signal for a second delay time set such that all of sums of the second delay times and conversion times are same as each other.

An ID setting device includes: an output circuit configured to output, as serial data, an ID to be set in an ECU, which is an ID setting target; an input circuit to which an ID that is set is input as serial data from the ECU; and a control unit configured to check the ID output by the output circuit and the ID input to the input circuit against each other. The serial data has a duty cycle which is according to setting data on a per bit basis.

A switch interface for a remote device includes circuitry coupled to at least first and second terminals of the switch interface, configured to receive power over a two-wire connection through the at least first and second terminals. The circuitry is configured to send information regarding a parameter sensed by the remote device through the at least first and second terminals over the two-wire connection. The circuitry is operable to provide the power to the remote device and send the information when first and second wires of the two-wire connection are connected to the at least first and second terminals in a first polarity and a second polarity different from the first polarity.

An analog output stage of a field device employed in process automation is provided. The analog output stage regulates an analog output, for example, a loop current flowing in a two wire current loop, based on an input, for example, a process variable such as temperature, pressure, etc., detected by the field device. The analog output stage includes a regulator module and a switching module. The switching module, via a switching pulse width modulated signal, alternately applies to the regulator module, a first analog value associated with the input detected by the field device and a predefined analog output, and a second analog value associated with the analog output. The regulator module includes an integrator and a differential amplifier. The regulator module generates a differential analog output based on the first analog value and the second analog value and regulates the analog output based on the differential analog output.

An ID setting device includes: an output circuit configured to output, as serial data, an ID to be set in an ECU, which is an ID setting target; an input circuit to which an ID that is set is input as serial data from the ECU; and a control unit configured to check the ID output by the output circuit and the ID input to the input circuit against each other. The serial data has a duty cycle which is according to setting data on a per bit basis.

A data collection system includes a plurality of sensor modules each provided with a sensor unit, and a data collecting device. The data collecting device (200) is provided with: a clock output unit (201) which outputs a clock signal; an enable signal output unit (202) which outputs to a prescribed sensor module (100) an enable signal at intervals equal to or greater than the number of clock signals corresponding to the number of sensor modules (100); a counter (203) which counts the number of clock signals; and a sensor signal input unit (205) into which data output by the sensor modules (100) is input via a bus line, and which records said data in association with the count value. Using the clock signal as a trigger, each sensor module (100) functions as a shift register feeding the enable signal to the subsequent stage sensor module (100), and each sensor module (100) outputs output data from the sensor unit (110) in said sensor module (100) to the sensor signal input unit (205) only when the enable signal has been fed to said sensor module (100).