Patent ID: 8417856

Claim:
A high speed sensor data transfer interface comprising a Smart Transducer Interface Module (STIM) and a Network Capable Application Processor (NCAP) wherein: the STIM comprises a circuit board comprising: a) a bridge circuit configured to convert a resistance change of a sensor output into a voltage, b) an instrumentation amplifier configured to apply a gain to the voltage, c) a first order RC high pass filter having a cut-off frequency and configured such that the cutoff frequency can be varied by changing a value of a resistor and a value of a capacitor in the filter, d) a reference power supply, e) a Bessel filter having a programmable cutoff frequency, f) a high-speed analog to digital converter configured to convert analog input data into digital output data, and g) a microprocessor configured to control a data acquisition process, store information about the transducer and analog circuit, and communicate with other processors in the system; the NCAP is configured to provide an interface between a data exchange network and the STIM; and the NCAP comprises a microprocessor configured to use a precision time protocol and either a Field Programmable Gate Array or a Complex Programmable Logic Device.