High performance, high bandwidth, and adaptive local area network communications

• US 6,618,385 B1
• Filed: 09/23/1998
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cirrus Logic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cirrus Logic Incorporated
• Inventors: Cousins, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Dang
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phan, Tri H.
• Application Number:
  US09/159,703
• Time in Patent Office: 1,812 Days
• Field of Search: 370/420, 370/463.5, 370/401, 370/457, 370/463, 370/465, 375/200, 375/130, 375/463, 713/152, 713/160, 713/161, 709/227, 709/229, 709/220, 709/221, 709/222, 340/310.01
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/15 in relation to multipoint traffic arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/724 at intermediate nodes, e.g. resource reservation protocol [RSVP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/801 Real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/822 Collecting or measuring resource availability data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/351 for local area network [LAN], e.g. Ethernet switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and system to provide an open, easy-to-use, robust, and reliable Local Area Network (LAN) system that is capable of handling high data throughput and high bandwidth communication applications and at the same time, is adaptive to changing conditions is provided. Prior to the actual data transfer, a network initialization process is carried out to determine the maximum available data transfer throughput, optimized bandwidth, optimized transfer conditions, and electrical characteristics between two devices on the LAN. These parameters are then utilized to determine the maximum allowable data transfer rate and the optimum data transfer conditions between the two devices.

Claims

1. A Local Area Network (LAN) interface adapter apparatus comprising:

an interface circuit coupled between a first data terminal device and a LAN, comprising;

means for performing a network initialization process with a second data terminal device having a substantially similar interface adapter apparatus coupled to the LAN prior to a data transfer between the first and second data terminal devices, the means for performing a network initialization process comprising;

first means for determining information related to available data throughput, optimized bandwidth, optimized transfer conditions, and electrical characteristics of a connection between the devices;

second means for performing a frequency spread search, a signal quality analysis, an attenuation measurement, an echo canceling study, and an optimal filtering analysis;

third means for Generating transmission parameters in response to the first and second means; and

means for encrypting data for transmission and decoding encrypted data received;

a transmit circuit coupled to the interface circuit, comprising means for transmitting data having the transmission parameters generated by the third means; and

a receive circuit coupled to the interface circuit, comprising means for receiving data having the transmission parameters generated by the third means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for performing a network initialization process further comprises means for determining a session key for decoding encrypted data.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for performing a network initialization process further comprises means for determining which one of the first or second data terminal devices is designated a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and which is designated a Data Communication Equipment (DCE).

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the transmit circuit further comprises means for making forward adjustments and compensations on a data signal in response to electrical characteristics of the connection between the first and second data terminal devices.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the transmit circuit further comprises means for formatting transmitting data in data frames such that each data frame is made up of multiple data packets.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the LAN is compatible with 10baseT and 100baseT LANs.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the interface circuit further comprises means for commencing the network initialization process response to a system power-up phase.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the interface circuit further comprises means for commencing the network initialization process in response to idle periods and for storing the determined information in a database for use in subsequent analyses.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the interface circuit further comprises means for directing the transmit circuit transmit data pursuant to a predetermined modulation communication technique.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the predetermined modulation communication technique is spread spectrum.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein second means further determines a range of spread spectrum frequencies.

12. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first means further comprises means for determining an allowable signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, an allowable cross-talk level, an allowable echo level, and an allowable attenuation level.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first means further comprises means for determining capacitance, inductance, and resistance of a wire connecting the first and second data terminal devices.

14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the interface circuit is coupled to the LAN with twisted pair wires.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the interface circuit is coupled to the LAN with category-3 twisted pair wires.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for performing a network initialization process performs a network initialization process for each twisted pair wire in a device connection.

17. A LAN system comprising:

a hub having a plurality of ports, the hub buffering data received and managing data flows between the plurality of ports; and

a plurality of data terminal devices coupled to the plurality of the ports of the hub by a connecting medium, the plurality of devices transferring data to each other;

wherein the hub and each of the plurality of data terminal devices include a network interface apparatus comprising;

means for performing a network initialization process with a second data terminal device having a substantially similar interface adapter apparatus coupled to the LAN prior to a data transfer between the first and second data terminal devices, the means for performing a network initialization process comprising;

first means for determining information related to available data throughput, optimized bandwidth, optimized transfer conditions and electrical characteristics of a connection between the devices;

second means for performing a frequency spread search, a signal quality analysis, an attenuation measurement, an echo canceling study, and an optimal filtering analysis;

third means for generating transmission parameters in response to the first and second means; and

means for encrypting data for transmission and decoding encrypted data received;

a transmit circuit coupled to the interface circuit, comprising means for transmitting data having the transmission parameters generated by the third means; and

a receive circuit coupled to the interface circuit, comprising means for receiving data having the transmission parameters generated by the third means.

18. The LAN system of claim 17, wherein the means for performing a network initialization process further comprises means for determining a session key for decoding encrypted data.

19. The LAN system of claim 18, wherein the means for performing a network initialization process further comprises means for determining which one of the first or second data terminal devices is designated a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and which is designated a Data Communication Equipment (DCE).

20. The LAN system of claim 18, wherein the transmit circuit further comprises means for making forward adjustments and compensations on a data signal in response to electrical characteristics of the connection between the first and second data terminal devices.

21. The LAN system of claim 20, wherein the transmit circuit further comprises means for formatting transmitting in data frames such that each data frame is made up of multiple data packets.

22. The LAN system of claim 21, wherein the LAN is compatible with 10baseT and 100baseT LANs.

23. The LAN system of claim 21, wherein the interface circuit further comprises means for commencing the network initialization process in response to a system power-up phase.

24. The LAN system of claim 23, wherein the interface circuit further comprises means for commencing the network initialization process in response to idle periods and for storing the determined information in a database for use in subsequent analyses.

25. The LAN system of claim 24, wherein the interface circuit further comprises means for directing the transmit circuit transmit data pursuant to a predetermined modulation communication technique.

26. The LAN system of claim 25, wherein the predetermined modulation communication technique is spread spectrum.

27. The LAN system of claim 26, wherein second means further determines a range of spread spectrum frequencies.

28. The LAN system of claim 20, wherein the first means further comprises means for determining an allowable signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, an allowable cross-talk level, an allowable echo level, and an allowable attenuation level.

29. The LAN system of claim 28, wherein the first means further comprises means for determining capacitance, inductance, and resistance of a wire connecting the first and second data terminal devices.

30. The LAN system of claim 22, wherein the interface circuit is coupled to the LAN with twisted pair wires.

31. The LAN system of claim 30, wherein the interface circuit is coupled to the LAN with category-3 twisted pair wires.

32. The LAN system of claim 31, wherein the means for performing a network initialization process performs a network initialization process for each twisted pair wire in a device connection.

33. A computer system adapted for use as a data terminal device, the computer system comprising:

a bus;

a central processor connected to the bus;

memory connected to the bus;

a LAN interface adapter apparatus comprising;

an interface circuit coupled between first data terminal device and a LAN, comprising;

means for performing a network initialization process with second data terminal device having a substantially similar interface adapter apparatus coupled to the LAN prior to a data transfer between the first and second data terminal devices, the means for performing a network initialization process comprising;

first means for determining information related to available data throughput, optimized bandwidth, optimized transfer conditions, and electrical characteristics of a connection between the devices;

second means for performing a frequency spread search, a signal quality analysis, an attenuation measurement, an echo canceling study, and an optimal filtering analysis;

third means for generating transmission parameters in response to the first and second means; and

means for encrypting data for transmission and decoding encrypted data received;

a transmit circuit coupled to the interface circuit, comprising means for transmitting data having the transmission parameters generated by the third means; and

a receive circuit coupled to the interface circuit, comprising means for receiving data having the transmission parameters generated by the third means.

34. A method operating a LAN that is capable of handling high data throughput and high bandwidth communication applications and is adaptive to changing conditions, the method comprising the steps of:

performing a network initialization process between two data terminal devices having substantially similar interface adapter apparatuses coupled to a LAN prior to a data transfer between the two data terminal devices, wherein the network initialization process comprises;

determining information related to available data throughput, optimized bandwidth, optimized transfer conditions, and electrical characteristics of a connection between the two data terminal devices; and

performing a frequency spread search, a signal quality analysis, an attenuation measurement, an echo canceling study, and an optimal filtering analysis;

encrypting data for transmission;

decoding encrypted data received; and

transferring data between the two data terminal devices utilizing the information determined from the network, initialization process.

35. A local area network (LAN) interface adapter comprising:

a transmit circuit coupled to transmit data to a LAN;

a receive circuit coupled to receive data from the LAN;

an interface circuit coupled between a first data terminal device and the LAN, comprising;

a data terminal equipment (DTE) interface coupled to a first data terminal device, the transmit circuit and the receive circuit;

a network interface coupled to the LAN, the transmit circuit and the receive circuit;

whereby;

in a receive mode, the network interface receives data from the LAN, transmits the data to the receive circuit to be processed, and the receive circuit transmits the processed data to the DTE interface to be transmitted to the DTE; and

in a transmit mode, the DTE interface receives data from the DTE, transmits the data to the transmit circuit to be processed, and the transmit circuit transmits the processed data to the network interface to be transmitted to the LAN; and

an interface controller coupled to the DTE interface and the network interface, comprising a processor programmed to;

determine information related to available data throughput, optimized bandwidth, optimized transfer conditions, and electrical characteristics of a connection between the first data terminal device and a second data terminal device coupled to the LAN;

perform a frequency spread search, a signal quality analysis, an attenuation measurement, an echo canceling study, and an optimal filtering analysis;

generate transmission parameters in response to the determining and performing operations; and

transmit the data transmission parameters to the DTE interface and the network interface, whereby, in response to the data transmission parameters;

the DTE interface provides compensations and adjustments to the data signal received from the DTE; and

the network interface provides compensations and adjustments to the data signal received from the LAN.

36. The interface adapter of claim 35, the processor further programmed to:

initiate a negotiation session with the second data terminal device; and

exchange information with the second data terminal device, including at least one exchanged information selected from the group comprising;

the number of twisted pair wires which connect the first and second data terminal devices;

the device designated to act as the data terminal equipment (DTE) device;

the device designated to act as the data communications equipment (DCE) device;

the electrical characteristics profile of each twisted pair wires which connect the first and second data terminal devices;

the identification of the twisted pair wires at the designated DTE;

the identification of the twisted pair wires at the designated DCE;

the protocol-related capabilities of the device designated as the DTE;

the protocol-related capabilities of the device designated as the DCE;

the expected data transmission signal-to-noise ratio;

the expected data transmission error rate;

the power and termination impedance resulting in a maximum signal-to-noise ratio;

the distance between the first and second data terminal devices; and

the buffering and flow control technology used between the first and second data terminal devices.

37. A local area network (LAN) interface adapter comprising:

a transmit circuit coupled to transmit data to a LAN;

a receive circuit coupled to receive data from the LAN;

an interface circuit coupled between a first data terminal device and the LAN, comprising;

a data terminal equipment, (DTE) interface coupled to a first data terminal device, the transmit circuit and the receive circuit;

a network interface coupled to the LAN;

an interface controller coupled to the DTE interface and the network interface, comprising;

a processor;

a serial engine, responsive to control signals from the processor, coupled to the network interface;

frame check logic, responsive to control signals from the processor, coupled to the serial engine;

a encryption engine, responsive to control signals from the processor, coupled to the frame check logic;

a compression/decompression engine, responsive to control signals from the processor, coupled to the frame check logic and the encryption engine; and

a buffer memory, responsive to control signals from the processor, coupled to the DTE interface and the compression/decompression engine.

38. The local area network interface adapter of claim 37, the transmit circuit comprising:

a modulator, responsive to control signals from the processor, coupled to receive signals from the DTE interface;

a carrier generator, responsive to control signals from the processor, coupled to the modulator;

a D/A converter coupled to receive modulated signals from the modulator;

an equalizer coupled to receive converted signals from the D/A converter;

a gain control coupled to receive equalized signals from the equalizer; and

a programmable termination circuit coupled to transmit an impedance matched signal to the network interface.

39. The local area network interface adapter of claim 37, the receive circuit comprising:

an adaptive equalizer coupled to receive data from the network interface;

a carrier detector, responsive to control signals from the processor, coupled to receive equalized signals from the adaptive equalizer; and

a demodulator, responsive to control signals from the processor, coupled demodulate signals from the carrier detector and transmit the demodulated signals to the DTE interface.