Patent · US Expired

Survivable local area network

US4575842A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
7References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 14, 1984
Grant dateMar 11, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 14, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D30/50
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Enhanced availability and survivability of communications between geographically remote locations with a minimum of redundancy of transmission facilities and media is provided by a survivable bus network capable of providing continued interprocessor or other communications in the event of multiple bus outages. It consists of multiple busses, bus isolation device (BIDs) and two types of network interface processors (NIPs). The BIDs electrically isolate bus segments on either side of a connection so that if a fault occurs only the segment containing the fault will be affected. The first type of NIP connects to one bus and performs the usual function of providing an electrical and software interface between the network and one or more subscriber processors. The second type is a bridge which performs these same functions but connects to two busses and has the capability to transfer traffic as it appears on either bus to the other. The network provides increased survivability in the event of failed segments but does not entail the expense of a fully redundant system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.