Protocol for multiple node network

• US 5,341,372 A
• Filed: 04/10/1991
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Kirkham, Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jung, Min
• Application Number:
  US07/683,269
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 370/85.13, 370/85.14, 370/16, 370/16.1, 370/94.3, 370/85.12, 370/85.15, 370/85.8, 359/118, 359/120, 359/121, 359/135
• US Class Current: 370/400
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5433 Remote metering
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/403 with centralised control, e.g. polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/04 Interdomain routing, e.g. hierarchical routing

Abstract

The invention is a multiple interconnected network of intelligent message-repeating remote nodes which employs an antibody recognition message termination process performed by all remote nodes and a remote node polling process performed by other nodes which are master units controlling remote nodes in respective zones of the network assigned to respective master nodes. Each remote node repeats only those messages originated in the local zone, to provide isolation among the master nodes.

Claims

1. A communication network comprising:

a plurality of remote nodes, each of said remote nodes comprising node processor means for repeating received messages addressed to others of said nodes;

a plurality of link means for connecting said plural nodes in multiple paths, said nodes being divided among a plurality of zones containing plural nodes; and

some of said remote nodes comprising intersection nodes connected by respective link means to nodes in different ones of said paths;

said communication network further comprising one master node for each one of said zones, said master node being connected by respective link means to at least one of the remote nodes in the corresponding zone, said master node comprising master node processor means comprising;

polling means for transmitting a message authorizing a particular one of the remote nodes to transmit a new message originated by the particular one node; and

wherein the node processor means of each of said remote nodes comprise means for permitting transmission of a new message upon receipt of a message authorizing transmission of a new message.

2. The communication network of claim 1 wherein said master node processor means governing one zone further comprise:

means responsive upon detection of failure of a master node in another zone for broadcasting a changeover message instructing the nodes in the other zone to respond to messages originated in the one zone.

3. The communication network of claim 1 wherein said communication network is co-extensive with an electrical power distribution network, at least some of said remote nodes further comprising power distribution automation apparatus and said master nodes comprising power substation control units.

4. The communication network of claim 3 wherein said distribution automation apparatus comprises at least one of:

sensing means for monitoring a parameter of said electrical power distribution network near the node, and

regulation means for controlling power flow in said power distribution network near said node.

5. The communication network of claim 4 wherein said processor means of each of said master nodes comprises automation processing means for executing a set of stored application program instructions to manage the distribution automation apparatus of the nodes located in the zone of the corresponding master node.

6. The communication network of claim 5 wherein said automation processing means in each of said master nodes executes said instructions to transmit control messages to remote nodes in response to messages received from remote nodes.

7. The communication network of claim 3 further comprising a set of secondary nodes connected to respective ones of said remote nodes by secondary links, wherein said link means connecting said remote nodes comprise fiber optic cables and said secondary links comprise relatively low bandwidth non-fiber optic links.

8. The communication network of claim 7 wherein said power distribution network comprises a high-voltage primary circuit and a plurality of low-voltage secondary circuits receiving power through step-down transformer means from said primary circuit, wherein said secondary nodes are co-located with respective ones of said secondary circuits, said secondary links comprising power line carrier means for coupling between said second nodes and said remote nodes through said primary and secondary circuits.