An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or
more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped
charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between
the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors
can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded
signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between
the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication
system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming
signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way
communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization
of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over
whether the effectors function. As a result, the individual effectors possess decision-making
ability and, for purposes of this invention, may be referred to as "intelligent"
effectors. To participate in the decision-making process, effectors of this invention
may be equipped with sensors or other diagnostic circuitry whose condition is checked
for satisfactory output before functioning is permitted to occur.
