Expandable ethernet network repeater unit
First Claim
1. An expandable repeater integrator for coordinating a plurality of repeater units, each repeater unit being configured for connection to at least one data terminal and having a repeater unit input/output (I/O), the repeater unit I/O configured to transmit and receive data, timing, and status information, the integrator comprising:
- a. a plurality of repeater unit/integrator interfaces, each interface connected to one of the plurality of repeater unit I/Os and configured to exchange data, timing, and status information with the repeater unit I/O;
b. a network status monitor configured to receive status information from each repeater unit/integrator interface, to generate a global network status signal, and to transmit the global network status information to each repeater unit/integrator interface; and
c. a data handler configured to receive from one of the plurality of interfaces data and timing information, and to transmit to the other of the plurality of repeater unit/integrator interfaces the received data and timing information;
wherein the plurality of repeater units operate as a single repeater.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An expandable repeater includes N repeater units connected to an integrator device in a star topology. Each of the N repeater units has an input/output ("I/O") port for exchanging clock, data, and status signals. The status signals indicate the data repetition status of the repeater unit to the integrator. The integrator has N I/O interfaces (where N is the number of repeater units to be combined by the integrator), each of which couples to a corresponding I/O port of a repeater unit. The integrator selectively executes the data and clock repetition, and provides a global network status signal in response to the status signals received from all of the repeater units connected to the integrator.
15 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An expandable repeater integrator for coordinating a plurality of repeater units, each repeater unit being configured for connection to at least one data terminal and having a repeater unit input/output (I/O), the repeater unit I/O configured to transmit and receive data, timing, and status information, the integrator comprising:
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a. a plurality of repeater unit/integrator interfaces, each interface connected to one of the plurality of repeater unit I/Os and configured to exchange data, timing, and status information with the repeater unit I/O; b. a network status monitor configured to receive status information from each repeater unit/integrator interface, to generate a global network status signal, and to transmit the global network status information to each repeater unit/integrator interface; and c. a data handler configured to receive from one of the plurality of interfaces data and timing information, and to transmit to the other of the plurality of repeater unit/integrator interfaces the received data and timing information; wherein the plurality of repeater units operate as a single repeater. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for coordinating a plurality of repeater units to operate as a single repeater unit, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. receiving a repeater unit status signal from each of the plurality of repeater units; b. in response to the repeater unit status signal, generating a broadcast network carrier signal; c. transmitting the broadcast network carrier signal to the plurality of repeater units; d. receiving a first transmission from one of the plurality of repeater units; e. repeating the first transmission to other of the plurality of repeater units; f. detecting a collision if a second transmission is received during one of receipt of the first transmission and repeat of the first transmission; and g. discarding the first and second transmissions when a collision is detected. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification