Process controller having multi-channel serial communications link

摘要

A process controller (210) includes a central processing unit (CPU) (211) and a multi-channel serial communication interface (220) including a plurality of serial communication engines (2211, 2212, 2213) in parallel to one another coupled to the CPU. The multi-channel serial communication interface provides a plurality of independent serial communication channels between the CPU and a plurality of IO modules. The plurality of independent communication channels enable the CPU to simultaneously receive signals at any time from any combination of the plurality of IO modules.