Asynchronous interface message transmission using source and receive devices
First Claim
1. A process of transferring message frames of at least a first type and a second type in a linear interface of the type in which at least one receiver is connected to a source in a linear configuration, in which the source has an output port connected to an input port of a first receiver, in which any other receivers each has an input port connected to an output port of a preceeding receiver in the configuration so that message frames pass from the source along the linear interface to a last receiver, said process comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a message frame from the source to the first receiver;
each receiver other than the last one passing the message frame on to its succeeding receiver in the linear configuration;
when the first receiver is ready to accept another message frame, transmitting a Ready signal in the direction from the first receiver toward the last receiver;
at each receiver other than the first and last ones, when that receiver is ready to accept another message frame and has also received a Ready signal from the preceding receiver in the linear configuration, transmitting a Ready signal to its succeeding receiver in the linear configuration; and
controlling the source to transmit a succeeding message frame only if the last receiver has received a Ready signal and is ready itself to receive another message frame, thereby transmitting said succeeding message frame only when all receivers are ready to accept another message frame.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An asynchronous interface enables the transfer of information between a set of devices operating in a loop and having a wide range of operating speeds. Each device can enter a Controller active state in which it sources command frames to control the loop operation. Each device can also enter a Talker active state in which it sources Data frames on a Listener active state in which it received Data frames. The transfer of frames is coordinated by a set of handshakes which enable the frames to be transferred in an asynchronous manner.
72 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A process of transferring message frames of at least a first type and a second type in a linear interface of the type in which at least one receiver is connected to a source in a linear configuration, in which the source has an output port connected to an input port of a first receiver, in which any other receivers each has an input port connected to an output port of a preceeding receiver in the configuration so that message frames pass from the source along the linear interface to a last receiver, said process comprising the steps of:
-
transmitting a message frame from the source to the first receiver; each receiver other than the last one passing the message frame on to its succeeding receiver in the linear configuration; when the first receiver is ready to accept another message frame, transmitting a Ready signal in the direction from the first receiver toward the last receiver; at each receiver other than the first and last ones, when that receiver is ready to accept another message frame and has also received a Ready signal from the preceding receiver in the linear configuration, transmitting a Ready signal to its succeeding receiver in the linear configuration; and controlling the source to transmit a succeeding message frame only if the last receiver has received a Ready signal and is ready itself to receive another message frame, thereby transmitting said succeeding message frame only when all receivers are ready to accept another message frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A process of transferring message frames of at least a first type and a second type in a loop interface of the type in which a plurality of receivers are connected to a source in a loop configuration, in which the source and all of the receivers each have an input port connected to an output port of a preceding device in the loop so that message frames transmitted by the source are passed around the loop to the source, said process comprising the steps of:
-
transmitting a message frame from the source; each receiver passing the message frame on to its succeeding device in the loop; transmitting from the source a Ready signal; at each receiver, when that receiver is ready to accept another message frame and has also received a Ready signal from the preceding receiver in the linear configuration, transmitting a Ready signal to its succeeding device in the linear configuration; and controlling the source to transmit a succeeding message frame only after it receives the Ready signal, thereby transmitting succeeding message frames only when all of the receivers on the loop are ready to receive another message frame. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
Specification