Data transmission between connected modules wherein each module separately and directly communication with each other modules

• US 6,651,112 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik Gmbh
• Original Assignee: Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik Gmbh
• Inventors: Reichel, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEYTON, TAMMARA R
• Application Number:
  US09/579,452
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 710/20, 710/7, 710/25, 710/106, 710/117, 370/347, 370/242
• US Class Current: 710/20
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1459 Circuit configuration, e.g. routing signals

Abstract

A modular electronic device has a cabinet frame, a plurality of push-in modules with module frames retained in the cabinet frame side-by-side, and printed circuit boards mounted in the module frames, and electronic components carried by said printed circuit boards. Each of these modules has autonomous data transmitting connections for communicating directly with each of the other ones of the modules.

Claims

1. A modular electronic device comprising a cabinet frame, a plurality of push-in modules with module frames retained in said cabinet frame side-by-side, printed circuit boards mounted in said module frames, and electronic components carried by said printed circuit boards, and communication means for establishing communication between each of said modules and at least another one of said modules, said communication means comprising autonomous data transmitting and receiving means in each of said modules and, separate connecting means associated with each of said modules for directly connecting the respective module with other modules, each of said separate connecting means being connected to said data transmitting means of one of said modules and to said data receiving means of another one of said modules.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, said data transmitting means of each of said modules comprise a data transmitting controller.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said data transmitting means of each of said modules include receiver device.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said data transmitting means of each of said modules include a transmitter device.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data transmitting means are provided with a time-controlled communication protocol for transmitting data.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, and further including a data memory connected with said data transmitting means.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising interface means provided at said modules for establishing communication with other ones of said modules.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cabinet frame is an integral part of an aircraft.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each module further comprises distributor means for simultaneously transmitting data from said module to a plurality of other modules.

10. A method of communication between modules of a modular electronic device comprising a cabinet frame, a plurality of push-in modules with module frames retained in said cabinet frame, and printed circuit boards mounted in said module frames, and electronic components carried by said printed circuit boards, wherein each of said modules is separately and directly interconnected for data exchange with at least another one of said modules for direct communication between such modules.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein data to be transmitted are transmitted in accordance with a time-controlled communication protocol.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said data to be transmitted are transmitted by means of a data transmission controller.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said data to be transmitted are stored in memories for transmission and after reception, respectively.

14. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein data to be transmitted from one module are, simultaneously, transmitted to a plurality of modules.