Data link extension for data communication networks
US4651316A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 11, 1983 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/44
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a data communication network (100) wherein using units (104-111) contend for access to the network communication bus (160), data links (101-103) interface using units located remotely from the bus to the bus for communication such that the distances between the using units and the bus are rendered functionally transparent from the viewpoint of the bus. A data link (102) includes a network interface circuit (117) connected to and located near the using unit (108) for buffering communications passing between the using unit and the bus, a data transfer controller circuit (151) connected to and located near the bus for communicating on the bus on behalf of the using unit according to the communication protocol of the bus, a local fiber optic extension circuit (141) connected to and located near the data transfer controller circuit for emulating thereto the network interface circuit, a remote fiber optic extension circuit (125) connected to and located near the network interface circuit for emulating thereto the data transfer controller circuit, and an optical fiber link (131) connecting the fiber optic extension circuits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.