Synchronous network

• US 20020003848A1
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Inventors: Wendorff, Wiland Von
• Granted Patent: US 7,349,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/356
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0641 Change of the master or reference, e.g. take-over or failure of the master
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0655 using timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4035 in which slots of a TDMA packet structure are assigned based on a contention resolution carried out at a master unit TDM/TDMA multiplex systems per se H04J3/1694; hybrid switching systems H04L12/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2007/045 Fill bit or bits, idle words
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/10 Arrangements for initial synchronisation

Abstract

A synchronous network having a multiplicity of nodes which can transmit data to one another in a predefined sequence for a predefined duration is described. The described network is distinguished by the fact that a plurality of nodes, or all the nodes, can output a synchronization signal which defines a reference time for the synchronization of the nodes.

Claims

1. A synchronous network, comprising:

nodes transmitting data to one another in a predefined sequence for a predefined duration, a plurality of said nodes outputting a synchronization signal defining a reference time for a synchronization of said nodes.

2. The network according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal has at least one of a time profile and a duration that the synchronization signal can be identified as the synchronization signal even if other synchronization signals which are output by different ones of said nodes are overlapping on one another.

3. The network according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal is encoded using one of an NRZ code, a XERXES code, and a Manchester code.

4. The network according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal has a duration which is longer than a maximum signal transit time occurring inside the network.

5. The network according to claim 1, wherein a respective node of said nodes which wishes to synchronize with one or more others of said nodes initially observes for a predetermined time to determine whether another one of said nodes is outputting the synchronization signal or other data, and said respective node outputs the synchronization signal if this is not the case.

6. The network according to claim 5, wherein said respective node wishing to synchronize with one or more others of said nodes outputs the synchronization signal during a synchronization phase only if said respective node has detected that no other one of said nodes is outputting the synchronization signal or the other data.

7. The network according to claim 5, wherein said respective node wishing to synchronize with one or more others of said nodes outputs further data which identifies said respective node in a time slot assigned to said respective node after outputting the synchronization signal or receiving the synchronization signal from another one of said nodes.

8. The network according to claim 7, wherein said respective node wishing to synchronize with one or more of said nodes defines a chronological position of time slots assigned to it as a function of the synchronization signal which is output by said respective node or received by said respective node from another one of said nodes.

9. The network according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal is output in a specific time slot of a time slot cycle used.

10. The network according to claim 9, wherein the specific time slot is a global time slot in which all of said nodes are allowed to output specific signals and specific data.

11. The network according to claim 1, wherein all of said nodes output the synchronization signal.

12. The network according to claim 7, wherein said respective node wishing to synchronize with one or more others of said nodes defines a chronological position of time slots assigned to it as a function of the synchronization signal which is output by said respective node or received by said respective node from another one of said nodes and as a function of received data which others of said nodes have output in their assigned time slots, in order to identify itself to others of said nodes.

13. The network according to claim 7, wherein said respective node wishing to synchronize with one or more others of said nodes defines a chronological position of time slots assigned to it as a function of received data which others of said nodes have output in their assigned time slots, in order to identify itself to others of said nodes.