Approach to improving network capable application processor based on IEEE 1451 standard

The IEEE 1451 standard supports the structure of distributed data acquisition systems and networks. The key components for such a distributed network are the Network Capable Application Processor (NCAP), Smart Transducer Interface Module (STIM), and the communication interface between them. This paper proposes an approach to improve the NCAP by introducing the functions of on-line dynamic reprogramming of the NCAP and software-programmable interface to support the most widely used communication interfaces between the NCAP and STIM via the network. Experimental research results of the proposed approach applying software-programmable interfaces, application examples of the proposed NCAP, and benefits of the applications are presented in the paper.