Data communication network with transfer port, cascade port and/or frame synchronizing signal - Patent US5566169(A)

Filed: Nov 01, 1993

Published: Oct 15, 1996

Abstract

A data communication system, such as a local area network, is provided with a capability of transmitting isochronous data. Preferably the system conveys both isochronous data and non-isochronous data by time-multiplexing the data into a recurring frame structure on a four-bit nibble basis. An efficient encoding scheme permits transmission of both isochronous and non-isochronous data over existing media, such as twisted pair, without degrading bandwidth previously achieved for non-isochronous data over the same media, such as using an ethernet system. Bandwidth available for a particular isochronous source/sink is selectable and sustainable with a predefined granularity. The arriving data is de-multiplexed at the hub into separate channels for handling the separate streams by appropriate hardware. Preferably, the present invention can be implemented in a fashion that is transparent to already-installed media access controllers. Preferably, some components of the system can detect the frame-transmission capability of other components and, if such capability is lacking, can fall back to a mode compliant with existing capabilities.

Applicants

NAT SEMICONDUCTOR CORP

Inventors

WORSLEY DEBRA J
THAIK RICHARD
RANGAN GEETHA N K
EDEM BRIAN C

Application Number

147359

Priority Claims

US96991692

Family Members

EP0596651(A1) - Datennetz mit isochroner ÃœbertragungsfÃ¤higkeit.

JP6284130(A) - DATA COMMUNICATION NETWORK PROVIDED WITH ISOCHRONOUS CAPABILITY

US5566169(A) - Data communication network with transfer port, cascade port and/or frame synchronizing signal

US5594734(A) - Asynchronous processor access to a switch table in a network with isochronous capability

Classification Codes

H04L12/44, H04L12/64, F02B75/02