Serial port multiplexing protocol

• US 20040125763A1
• Filed: 12/05/2002
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Galetti, Ralph R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,626,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers

Abstract

An interface system for interfacing to a first receiving device receiving a first plurality of signals and a second receiving device receives a second signal includes a microcontroller coupled to the first receiving device and the second receiving device. The interface has an output. The microcontroller couples a first portion of the first plurality of signals from the first receiving device and receives the second signal after the first portion. The second signal is coupled to the output. Thereafter, the second portion of the first plurality of signals is coupled to the output.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a first receiving device receiving a first plurality of signals;

a second receiving device receiving a second signal; and

an interface having a microcontroller coupled to the first receiving device and the second receiving device, said interface having an output, said microcontroller coupling a first portion of said first plurality of signals from first receiving device to the output and receiving said second signal from said second receiving device, said microcontroller coupling said second signal to the output and thereafter coupling a second portion of the first plurality of signals to the output.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said microcontroller holds said second plurality of signals.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first receiving device comprises a wireless modem.

4. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first receiving device comprises a transceiver.

5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the second receiving device comprises GPS receiver.

6. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a logic level driver coupled to said first receiving device, said microcontroller and said output.

7. A system as recited in claim 6 wherein said level driver adjusts a signal level of signals directed to said output.

8. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said microcontroller reformats said second signal.

9. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first plurality of signal comprises a first format.

10. A system as recited in claim 9 wherein said microcontroller reformats said second signal into said first format.

11. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said output comprises a serial port.

12. A system as recited in claim 11 further comprising a computer coupled to said serial port.

13. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein a base station comprises said computer.

14. A method of operating a communication device comprising:

receiving a first plurality of signals;

coupling a first portion of the first plurality of signals to an output port;

receiving a second signal;

interrupting the first plurality of signals;

coupling said second signal to the output port; and

thereafter, coupling a second portion of the first plurality of signals to the output port.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein coupling a first portion of the first plurality of signals to an output port comprises coupling the first portion of the first plurality of signals to a serial port.

16. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein prior to coupling said second signal to the output port reformatting said second signal.

17. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein reformatting said second signal comprises reformatting said second signal into a format of said first plurality of signals.

18. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein coupling said second signal comprises coupling said second signal through a level driver.

19. A method of operating a communication device comprising:

receiving a first plurality of signals;

coupling a first plurality of signals to an output port;

receiving a second signal;

interrupting coupling the first plurality of signals to the output port upon receiving the second signal;

during interrupting, storing received signals of the first plurality of signals;

coupling said second signal to the output port; and

thereafter, coupling the received signals of the first plurality of signals to the output port.

20. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein coupling the first plurality of signals to an output port comprises coupling the first plurality of signals to a serial port.

21. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein prior to coupling said second signal to the output port reformatting said second signal.

22. A method as recited in claim 21 wherein reformatting said second signal comprises reformatting said second signal into a format of said first plurality of signals.

23. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein coupling said second signal comprises coupling said second signal through a level driver.