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.