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Repeaters for digital data networks

  • US 5,436,617 A
  • Filed: 01/29/1993
  • Issued: 07/25/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A multiport repeater for a local area network (LAN) employing a particular LAN technology and protocol, comprising:

  • (a) a plurality of bidirectional communication ports for linking the repeater to a station or to another repeater;

    (b) regenerators for regenerating incoming data frames including respective address segments, said incoming data frames received on any one of said ports and for outputting said regenerated data frames within a time delay established by the protocol for the repeater;

    (c) switching means enabling said regenerated data frames to be outputted selectively to all or to less than all of said ports; and

    (d) control means with facilities for reading the address segment of each incoming data frame and for operating said switching means to cease outputting said regenerated data frame to those ports that do not correspond to the address segment of said incoming data frame and to return those ports to a condition in which other incoming data frames thereon can be received and regenerated for output while continuing to output said regenerated data frame to at least one of the ports that corresponds to the address segment of said incoming data frame within the time delay established by the protocol.

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