Signal transmission system having a star coupled repeater

• US 5,210,632 A
• Filed: 05/22/1990
• Issued: 05/11/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Process Computer Engineering, Inc., Hitachi Cable Limited (Proterial Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Process Computer Engineering, Inc., Hitachi Cable Limited (Proterial Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kogawa, Masanori, Hanano, Naomasa, Murakami, Toshiyuki, Satake, Masato, Mizokawa, Sadao, Maruyama, Hisayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Jr., Edward L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NEGASH, KINFE MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US07/526,713
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 455/602, 455/601, 455/607, 455/606, 455/612, 370/4, 370/1, 370/26, 370/97, 370/35, 375/3, 359/174, 359/178, 359/177, 359/118, 359/120-121, 359/135, 359/152, 340/825.05, 340/825.5
• US Class Current: 398/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/2725 Star-type networks without a headend

Abstract

A signal transmission system comprising an apparatus which inhibits the repeating in the opposite direction during reception and transmission of frames and which monitors the number of frames which were outputted in one direction from a repeater and the number of frames which were returned from such direction, whereby a destruction and circulation of the frame are inhibited without reducing response speed of a signal.

Claims

1. A star coupled repeater comprising at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, for repeating a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted frame signal being returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two output terminals, comprising:

monitoring means for obtaining delay information indicative of a delay from a transmission of said frame signal from said one output terminal to a first reception of said frame signal transmitted from said one output terminal at said other input terminal, comprising;

a first frame detector for detecting a second reception of said signal by detecting said trailing edge of said frame signal received at said one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals;

a second frame detector for detecting a third reception of said signal by detecting said trailing edge of said frame signal received at said other input terminal of said at least two input terminals; and

counting means for counting up at a first detection of said second reception of said signal by said first frame detector and for counting down at a second detection of said third reception of said signal by said second frame detector; and

means for controlling a transmission of said signal from said other output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals corresponding to said delay information from said monitoring means,

wherein, said counting means are maintained at a first predetermined value before a predetermined frame signal is received, and after said predetermined frame signal is received and transmitted, said frame signal being received at said other input terminal of at least two signal input terminals is not transmitted from said other output terminal until said counting means becomes said first predetermined value.

2. A star coupled repeater comprising at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, for repeating a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted frame signal being returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, comprising:

monitoring means for obtaining delay information indicative of a delay from a transmission of said frame signal from said one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals to a first reception of said frame signal at said other output terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, comprising;

a first frame detector for detecting a second reception of a signal by detecting a trailing edge of said frame signal received at said one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals;

a second frame detector for detecting a third reception of said signal by detecting said trailing edge of said frame signal received at said other input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals; and

counting means for counting up at a first detection of said second reception of said signal by said first frame detector and for counting down at a second detection of said third reception of said signal by said second frame detector;

means for controlling a transmission of said signal from said other output terminal corresponding to said delay information from said monitoring means; and

means for inhibiting a repetition of said frame signal received at said other input terminal of said at least two input terminals, and wherein, said counting means are maintained at a predetermined value before a predetermined frame signal is received, and after said predetermined frame signal is received and transmitted, and for activating said inhibiting means when said counting means is not at said predetermined value.

3. A star coupled repeater comprising at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, for repeating a predetermined frame signal by receiving said predetermined frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said predetermined frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted predetermined frame signal being returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned predetermined frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, comprising:

means for detecting a delay period from a transmission of said predetermined frame signal to a reception of said predetermined frame signal and generating an output signal; and

means for inhibiting a transmission of a signal from said other output terminal of said at least two signal output signal terminal for said delay period corresponding to said output signal from said detecting means;

means for switching over a data buffer in accordance with a repeating direction.

4. A star coupled repeater comprising:

at least two signal input terminals;

at least two signal output terminals;

data adding means for adding ID data of the star coupled repeater to a frame signal received at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and for transmitting said frame signal; and

means for inhibiting a repetition of said frame signal received at an opposite input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals for a period from a transmission of said frame signal having said ID data to a first reception of said frame signal having said ID data at said opposite input terminal, said inhibiting means being provided in each repeating direction of said star coupled repeater.

5. A star coupled repeater according to claim 4, further comprising:

means for generating a specified frame signal having said ID data of the star coupled repeater;

means for measuring a delay time from a transmission of a frame signal transmitted from said data adding means or from said generating means to a second reception of said frame signal transmitted from said data adding means or from said generating means at said opposite input terminal;

timer means for setting said delay time measured by said measuring means; and

means for inhibiting the repetition of said frame signal received at said opposite input terminal until said delay time set by said timer means elapses from when an inputted frame signal at said one input terminal has been transmitted, said inhibiting means being provided in each repeating direction of said star coupled together.

6. A star coupled repeater according to claim 4, wherein said inhibiting means inhibits the repetition of an inputted frame signal to said opposite input terminal while said frame signal is being inputted to said one input terminal or said inputted frame signal from said one input terminal is being transmitted.

7. A star coupled repeater according to claim 4, wherein said inhibiting means comprises means for activating said inhibiting means in at least one of said repeating directions.

8. A star coupled repeater according to claim 4, further comprising monitoring means for obtaining delay information corresponding to a delay from a transmission of said frame signal from said one output terminal to a reception of said frame signal transmitted from said one output terminal at said opposite input terminal.

9. A signal transmission system comprising:

a local network;

an optical star coupler and a repeater provided between the local network and the optical star coupler, for executing a bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals and wherein said repeater repeats a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least tow signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted frame signal returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, and wherein said repeater further comprises;

monitoring means for obtaining delay information corresponding to a delay from a transmission of said frame signal from said one output terminal to a reception of said frame signal transmitted from said one output terminal at said other input terminal, said monitoring means comprising;

a first frame detector for detecting a first reception of a signal by detecting a trailing edge of said frame signal received at said one input terminal;

a second frame detector for detecting a second reception of said signal by detecting said trailing edge of said frame signal received at said other input terminal; and

counting means for counting up at a first detection of said first reception at said first frame detector and for counting down at a second detection of said second reception at said second frame detector; and

means for controlling a transmission of a signal from said other output terminal indicative of said delay information from said monitoring means,

wherein, said counting means are maintained at a first predetermined value before a predetermined frame signal is received, and once said predetermined frame signal is received and transmitted, said frame signal received at said other input terminal is not transmitted from said other output terminal until said counting means becomes said first predetermined value.

10. A signal transmission system comprising:

a local network;

an optical star coupler; and

a repeater provided between the local network and the optical star coupler for executing bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, said repeater repeating a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted frame signal returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, and wherein said repeater further comprises;

monitoring means for obtaining delay information indicative of a delay from a transmission of said frame signal from said one output terminal to a reception of said frame signal at said other input terminal, said monitoring means comprising;

a first frame detector for detecting a second reception of a signal by detecting a trailing edge of said frame signal received at said one input terminal;

a second frame detector for detecting a third reception of said signal by detecting said trailing edge of said frame signal received at said other input terminal; and

counting means for counting up at a first detection of said second reception at said signal at said first framed detector and for counting down at a second detection of said second reception of said signal at said second frame detector;

means for controlling a transmission of said signal from said other output terminal corresponding to said delay information from said monitoring means; and

means for inhibiting a repetition of said frame signal received at said other input terminal, and

wherein, said counting means are maintained at a predetermined value before a predetermined frame signal is received, and once said predetermined frame signal is received and transmitted, activating said inhibiting means when said counting means is not said predetermined value.

11. A signal transmission system comprising:

a local network;

an optical star coupler; and

a repeater provided between the local network and the optical star coupler, said signal transmission system executing a bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, said repeater repeating a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said two signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted frame signal returned at another input terminal and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, and wherein said repeater further comprises;

means for detecting a delay period from a transmission to a reception of said frame signal and generating an output signal; and

means for inhibiting a transmission of a signal from said other output terminal during said delay period indicative of said output signal from said detecting means.

12. A signal transmission system comprising:

a local network;

an optical star coupler; and

a repeater between the local network and the optical star coupler, said repeater executing a bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises;

at least two signal input terminals;

at least two signal output terminals;

data adding means for adding ID data of the repeater to a frame signal received at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and for transmitting said frame signal; and

means for inhibiting a repetition of said frame signal received at an opposite input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals for a period from a transmission of said frame signal having said ID data to said reception of said transmitted frame signal having said ID data at said opposite input terminal, said inhibiting means being provided in each repeating direction of said repeater.

13. A signal transmission system comprising:

a first local network including a first optical star coupler and a first plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by said first optical star coupler;

a second local network including a second optical star coupler and a second plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by said second optical star coupler; and

a repeater provided between the first optical star coupler and said second optical star coupler for executing a bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, said repeater repeating a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, and wherein said repeater further comprises;

monitoring means for obtaining delay information indicative of a delay from a transmission of said frame signal from said one output terminal to a first reception of said frame signal transmitted from said one output terminal at said other input terminal, said monitoring means, comprising;

a first frame detector for detecting a second reception of a signal by detecting a trailing edge of said frame signal received at said one input terminal;

a second frame detector for detecting a third reception of said signal by detecting said trailing edge of said frame signal received at said other input terminal; and

counting means for counting up at a first detection of said second reception at said signal at said first frame detector and for counting down at a second detection of said third reception at said second frame detector; and

means for controlling a transmission of said signal from said other output terminal indicative of said delay information from said monitoring means, and

wherein, said counting means is maintained at a predetermined value before a predetermined frame signal is received, and once said predetermined frame signal is received and transmitted, said frame signal received at said other input terminal is not transmitted from said another output terminal until said counting means become said predetermined value.

14. A signal transmission system comprising:

a first local network including a first optical star coupler and a first plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by said first optical star coupler;

a second local network including a second optical star coupler and a second plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by said second optical star coupler; and

a repeater provided between the first optical star coupler and said second optical star coupler for executing bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, said repeater repeating a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two output terminals and receiving said transmitted frame signal returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, and wherein said repeater further comprises;

monitoring means for obtaining delay information indicative of a delay from a transmission of said frame signal from said one output terminal to a first reception of said frame signal at said other input terminal, said monitoring means comprising;

a first frame detector for detecting a second reception of a signal by detecting a trailing edge of said frame signal received at said one input terminal;

a second frame detector for detecting a third reception of said signal by detecting said trailing edge of said frame signal received at said other input terminal; and

counting means for counting up at a first detection of said second reception of said signal at said first frame detector and for counting down at a second detection of said second reception of said signal at said second frame detector;

means for controlling a transmission of said signal from said other output terminal indicative of said delay information from said monitoring means; and

means for inhibiting a repetition of said frame signal received at said other input terminal, wherein, said counting means are maintained at a predetermined value before a predetermined frame signal is received, and once said predetermined frame signal is received and transmitted, activating said inhibiting when said first predetermined value is not, said first predetermined value.

15. A signal transmission system comprising:

a first local network including a first optical star coupler and a first plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by said first optical star coupler;

a second local network including a second optical star coupler and a second plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by said second optical star coupler; and

a repeater provided between the first optical star coupler and said second optical star coupler for executing bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, said repeater repeating a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted frame signal returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, and wherein said repeater further comprises;

means for detecting a delay period from a transmission to a first reception of said frame signal and for generating an output signal; and

means for inhibiting a transmission of a signal from said other output terminal for said delay period indicative of said output signal from said detecting means.

16. A signal transmission system comprising:

a first local network including a first optical star coupler and a first plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by said first optical star coupler;

a second local network including a second optical star coupler and a second plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by a second optical star coupler; and

a repeater provided between the first optical star coupler and said second optical star coupler for executing bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises;

at least two signal input terminals;

at least two signal output terminals;

data adding means for adding ID data of the repeater to a frame signal received at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and for transmitting said frame signal; and

means for inhibiting a repetition of said frame signal received at an opposite input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals for a period from a transmission of said frame signal having said ID data to a reception of said transmitted frame signal having said ID data at said opposite input terminal, said inhibiting means being provided in each repeating direction of said repeater.

17. A signal transmission system comprising:

a first local network including an optical star coupler and a first plurality of terminal apparatuses;

a second local network including coaxial buses and a second plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by said coaxial buses; and

a repeater provided between the optical star coupler of said first local network and the coaxial buses of said second local network for executing bidirectional communication,

wherein said register comprises at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, said PG,43 repeater repeating a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted frame signal returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, and wherein said repeater further comprises;

monitoring means for obtaining delay information corresponding to a delay from a transmission of said frame signal transmitted from said one output terminal at said other input terminal to a first reception of said frame signal transmitted from said one output terminal at said other input terminal, comprising;

a first frame detector for detecting a second reception of a signal by detecting a trailing edge of said frame signal received at said one input terminal;

a second frame detector for detecting a third reception of said signal by detecting said trailing edge of said frame signal received at said other input terminal; and

counting means for counting up at a first detection of said second reception at said signal at said first framed detector and for counting down at a second detection of said third reception of said signal at said second frame detector; and

means for controlling a transmission of said signal from said other output terminal corresponding to said delay information from said monitoring means,

wherein, said counting means are maintained at a predetermined value before a predetermined frame signal is received, and once said predetermined frame signal is received and transmitted, said frame signal received at said other input terminal being not transmitted from said another output terminal until said counting means is at said predetermined value.

18. A signal transmission system comprising:

a first local network including an optical star coupler and a first plurality of terminal apparatuses;

a second local network including coaxial buses and a second plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled by said coaxial buses; and

a repeater provided between the optical star coupler of said first local network and the coaxial buses of said second local network for executing a bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals, said repeater repeats a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted frame signal returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, and wherein said repeater further comprises;

monitoring means for obtaining delay information corresponding to a delay from a transmission of said frame signal from said one output terminal to a first reception of said frame signal at said other input terminal, said monitoring means comprising;

a first frame detector for detecting a second reception of a signal by detecting a trailing edge of said frame signal received at said one input terminal

a second frame detector for detecting a third reception of said signal by detecting said trailing edge of said frame signal received at said another input terminal; and

counting means for counting up at a first detection of said second reception at said signal at said first frame detector and for counting down at a second detection of said third reception of said signal at said second frame detector;

means for controlling a transmission of said signal from said other output terminal corresponding to said delay information from said monitoring means; and

means for inhibiting the first repetition of said frame signal received a said other input terminal,

and wherein, said counting means are maintained at a predetermined value before a predetermined frame signal is received, and once said predetermined frame signal is received and transmitted, and wherein when said counting means are not maintained at said predetermined value, said inhibiting means is activated.

19. A signal transmission system comprising:

a first local network including an optical star coupler and a first plurality of terminal apparatuses;

a second local network including coaxial buses and a second plurality of terminal apparatuses coupled to said coaxial buses; and

a repeater provided between the optical star coupler of said first local network and the coaxial buses of said second local network for executing a bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises at least two signal input terminals and at least two signal output terminals and said repeater repeats a frame signal by receiving said frame signal at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals, transmitting said frame signal from one output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, receiving said transmitted frame signal returned at another input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and transmitting said returned frame signal from another output terminal of said at least two signal output terminals, and wherein said repeater further comprises;

means for detecting a delay period from a transmission to a reception of said frame signal and for generating an output signal; and

means for inhibiting a transmission of a signal from said other output terminal for said delay period responsive to said output signal from said detecting means, and

means for switching over a data buffer in accordance with a repeating direction of said repeater.

20. A signal transmission system comprising:

a first local network including an optical star coupler and a first plurality of terminal apparatuses;

a second local network including a second plurality of terminal apparatuses and coaxial buses coupled to said plurality of terminal apparatus; and

a repeater provided between the optical star coupler of said first local network and the coaxial buses of said second local network for executing a bidirectional communication,

wherein said repeater comprises;

at least two signal input terminals;

at least two signal output terminals;

data adding means for adding ID data of the repeater to a frame signal received at one input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals and for transmitting said frame signal; and

means for inhibiting a repetition of said frame signal received at an opposite input terminal of said at least two signal input terminals for a period from a transmission of said frame signal having said ID data to said reception of said transmitted frame signal having said ID data at said opposite input terminal, said inhibiting means being provided in each repeating direction of said repeater.