Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A data communications network has a transmission data channel wherein a plurality of network nodes are connected thereto according to a loop topology. Each node has a transceiver, a control switch for operating the node in either a pass through state, wherein received data from an upstream side of the channel is transmitted to the downstream side of the channel, or in a source transmit state wherein the node transmits its own message data to the downstream side of the channel while monitoring the upstream side. In the source transmit state, the node matches the received data with its transmitted data and truncates its transmission upon recognition of an error in the received message. In this manner, there is no requirement that the destination node acknowledge receipt of the data since the data received by the transmitting node is the most corrupted form of the data. The node further has a bus contention protocol wherein the node 'backs off' from transmitting on the channel for a specific time-out duration. The time-out duration is varied depending upon the priority of the received message vis-a-vis the priority of the message being transmitted by the node. A node associated with a message having a higher priority 'backs off' for a shorter time duration period. The time duration is determined by and at the node and can be programmed into a programmable, retriggerable, one-shot timing element.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim