Patent · US Expired

Low power isochronous networking mode

US5440556A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
22References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 1, 1993
Grant dateAug 8, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 1, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L2012/6459
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A data communication system, such as a local area network, is provided with a capability of transmitting isochronous data. 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. The arriving data is de-multiplexed at the hub into separate channels for handling the separate streams by appropriate hardware. When no calls are in progress, a low power mode enables two ends of a network link to reduce power consumption by transmitting a single pulse once every 125 microseconds in lieu of transmitting an entire cycle template. Synchronization while in low power mode allows circuitry at both ends of a network link to remain synchronized to a single reference clock.

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