Independent Channel Architecture
Each channel working with its own controller, its own control input and its own wiring, without communicating with the others. The GS740-3P is built with this architecture; there is no data bus between the channels. A fault occurring on one channel does not affect the others, but it is also not possible for the channels to show common behaviour.
The most concrete benefit of the architecture is fault isolation. When one channel's servo, potentiometer or wiring fails, the other two engines keep running. On a drilling site this means the job does not stop entirely.
Diagnosis also becomes easier. If one of the three channels is not working, the fault is almost certainly in that channel's own chain. You can isolate the fault quickly by swapping a working channel's potentiometer or wiring with the problem channel: if the problem travels with the part, it is in the part; if it stays put, it is on the controller side.
There is a trade-off too. Since the channels do not see each other:
- Automatic speed matching cannot be done.
- There is no cross-channel function such as load sharing.
- Each channel is calibrated separately and cleared separately.
This structure requires you to think of three separate electronic throttle levers rather than a common control.
Context in which this term is used: Electronic speed and throttle control on diesel engines