System for address initialization of generic nodes in a distributed command and control system and method therefor

摘要

A method and apparatus for assigning unique addresses to each generic "node" in a distributed control system that contains a main controller (52) coupled to a plurality of generic nodes (54) via a distributed communication bus (55). The main controller (52) provides currents and/or voltages to the communication bus (55) via a supply (58). In one embodiment, each node (54) processes the current and voltages to store reference voltages and distance voltages proportional to its distance along the communication bus (55). In another embodiment, each node (54) signals to the main controller (52) when the distance voltage reaches a certain value relative to the reference voltage. The main controller (52) processes the arrival times of these signals to determine a relative distance to each node (54). This distance information is used to assign a unique address to each generic node (54) for identification during normal mode of operation.