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Use of a single central transmit and receive mechanism for automatic topology determination of multiple networks

  • US 5,432,789 A
  • Filed: 05/03/1994
  • Issued: 07/11/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for use in a multiple-network system, said multiple-network system containing a plurality of networks, said plurality of networks containing a plurality of ID-transmitting devices, each ID-transmitting device of said plurality of ID-transmitting devices periodically broadcasting identification signals, the apparatus comprising:

  • a plurality of communication lines connecting said apparatus to said plurality of networks, said plurality of communication lines including a first set of communication lines and a second set of communication lines;

    a medium access controller including a transmit unit and a receive unit;

    said transmit unit being coupled to said first set of communication lines, said transmit unit sequentially broadcasting concentrator identification signals over each communication line of said first set of communication lines, said transmit unit broadcasting a concentrator identification signal over each communication line of said first set of communication lines at least once during a predetermined transmit interval;

    said receive unit being coupled to said second set of communication lines, said receive unit sequentially monitoring each communication line of said second set of communication lines for a predetermined monitoring period, said receive unit storing data indicative of the ID-transmitting devices of said plurality of ID-transmitting devices that broadcast the identification signals detected on each given communication line of said second set of communication lines during said predetermine monitoring period for said given communication line.

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