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Method and apparatus for controlling data communication operations within stations of a local-area network

  • US 5,175,732 A
  • Filed: 02/15/1991
  • Issued: 12/29/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A command and status interface unit for use in a communication controller operably associated with data packet buffer memory having a plurality of data packet storage locations, said command and status interface unit comprising:

  • command buffering means havinga plurality of receive command storage locations, into which one or more receive commands can be written by a processor and selectively read out therefrom by a medium access control unit, each said receive command being uniquely associated with one said data packet storage location, anda plurality of transmit command storage locations, into which one or more transmit commands can be written in by said processor and selectively read out therefrom by said medium access control unit, each said transmit command being uniquely associated with one said data packet storage location; and

    status buffering means havinga plurality of receive status storage locations, into which a set of receive status bits can be written by said medium access control unit and selectively read out therefrom by said processor, anda plurality of transmit status storage locations, into which a set of transmit status bits can be written in by said medium access control unit and selectively read out therefrom by said processor.said command buffering means and said status buffering means each being operably associatable with said processor and said medium access control unit so as to allow consecutive transmission and reception of said data packets in a manner independent of the operation of said processor.

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