Contention free local area network
First Claim
1. A method of transmitting a message in a communication network having a plurality of communication nodes, the communication network including a multi-drop data bus interconnecting said plurality of communication nodes for allowing messages to be transmitted among said plurality of communication nodes, and a control bus comprising inbound and outbound token passing links coupled to each of said plurality of communication nodes in a daisy-chain arrangement which allows for a transmit-enable token to be passed along said plurality of communication nodes, the method of transmitting a message by a select one of said plurality of communication nodes comprising the steps of:
- determining if the transmit-enable token has been received at the inbound token link that is coupled to said select one communication node which is requesting to transmit the message;
transmitting the message via said multi-drop data bus to each of said plurality of communication nodes, once the transmit-enable token has been received; and
sending the transmit-enable token to the next communication node in the control bus daisy-chain arrangement via the outbound token passing link that is coupled to the communication node which has transmitted the message once the message is transmitted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A contention free local area network includes a token passing control bus (102) and a data bus (104) coupled to a plurality of communication nodes ( 108, 112, 114, 116, 118, and 120). The control bus (102) allows for a transmit-enable token to be daisy-chained along the plurality of communication nodes. When one of the communication nodes wants to transmit a message, the node upon receiving the transmit-enable token holds the token until it transmits its message along a data bus (104) to the other communication nodes. Once the message is transmitted, the particular communication node releases the transmit-enable token, allowing the token to continue to be rotated among the plurality of communication nodes (108, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120).
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting a message in a communication network having a plurality of communication nodes, the communication network including a multi-drop data bus interconnecting said plurality of communication nodes for allowing messages to be transmitted among said plurality of communication nodes, and a control bus comprising inbound and outbound token passing links coupled to each of said plurality of communication nodes in a daisy-chain arrangement which allows for a transmit-enable token to be passed along said plurality of communication nodes, the method of transmitting a message by a select one of said plurality of communication nodes comprising the steps of:
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determining if the transmit-enable token has been received at the inbound token link that is coupled to said select one communication node which is requesting to transmit the message; transmitting the message via said multi-drop data bus to each of said plurality of communication nodes, once the transmit-enable token has been received; and sending the transmit-enable token to the next communication node in the control bus daisy-chain arrangement via the outbound token passing link that is coupled to the communication node which has transmitted the message once the message is transmitted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of transmitting a message in a communication network having a plurality of communication nodes, the communication network including a multi-drop data bus interconnecting said plurality of communication nodes for allowing messages to be transmitted among said plurality of radio frequency repeaters, and a control bus comprising inbound and outbound token passing links coupled to each of said plurality of communication nodes in a daisy-chain arrangement which allows for a transmit-enable token to be passed along said plurality of communication nodes, the method of transmitting a message comprising the steps of:
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enabling a request-to-send signal at a select one of said plurality of communication nodes which is requesting to transmit a message; determining if the transmit-enable token has been received via the inbound token passing link which is coupled to the said select one communication node; transmitting the message via the multi-drop data bus to each of said plurality of communication nodes, if the transmit enable token has been received; disabling the request-to-send signal upon having completed transmission of the message; and sending the transmit-enable token via the outbound token passing link which is coupled to the said select one communication node. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A communication system, comprising:
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a plurality of radio frequency repeaters for relaying radio frequency information signals; a multi-drop data bus interconnecting said plurality of radio frequency repeaters for allowing messages to be transmitted among said plurality of radio frequency repeaters; and a control bus coupled in a daisy-chain arrangement to said plurality of radio frequency repeaters for allowing a token to be passed among said plurality of radio frequency repeaters, said plurality of radio frequency repeaters each including a control means responsive to the reception of the token for allowing a radio frequency repeater from among said plurality of radio frequency repeaters which has received the token and is requesting to transmit a message via said multi-drop data bus. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification