Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is a local area network for a vehicle which comprises a plurality of terminal stations each having an input/output port for various signals, a main-loop formed by series connection of the terminal stations and transmission lines, a sub-loop arranged in parallel to the main-loop and formed by series connection of the terminal stations and transmission lines, and controllers. One of the terminal stations receives a large amount of information such as an audio signal from an audio transmitter and one of the other terminal stations supplies a large amount of information such as an audio signal to an audio receiver. When the main-loop is in a normal operation state, the main-loop operates as a token-passing system and the sub-loop acts as a direct transmission route from one of the terminal stations to another terminal station, and when the main-loop is in an abnormal operation state, the main-loop is coupled with the sub-loop and the transmitting of information such as an audio signal is stopped, and simultaneously, the sub-loop is switched to the token-passing system. Thus, the double loops, i.e., the main-loop and the sub-loop, are effectively utilized. In addition, any decrease in the reliability of various signals transmission when a failure of the main-loop occurs, can be prevented.

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First Claim