Circuit, architecture and method for redundant data communications links
US6108301A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L1/22
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communication unit, coupled to a communication link, may be enabled if a signal is present on the communication link and the unit is active. However, if no signal is present on the communication link, the communication unit generates a token used to activate another communication unit coupled to another communication link. This token may be generated after a delay which allows the communication unit to wait some time for the signal to appear on the communication link before generating the token. Where a communication unit has been activated and enabled, that communication unit may receive signals from the communication link or transmit signals onto the communication link. Selecting a first communication unit from a number of communication units to be activated may be accomplished by coupling one of the communication units to a start-up circuit. The start-up circuit provides a start-up token to activate the first communication unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.