초록 ▼

A local area network is disclosed including apparatus and methods for transferring data between a plurality of data processing resources (“agents”) coupled to a cable. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of agents are coupled to a common cable for data transmission and reception. An agent newly

A local area network is disclosed including apparatus and methods for transferring data between a plurality of data processing resources (“agents”) coupled to a cable. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of agents are coupled to a common cable for data transmission and reception. An agent newly coupled to the cable dynamically assigns itself a unique address on the cable to which other agents may send data. Once an agent has been assigned a final address, it may then transmit to, and receive data from, other agents on the cable. An agent desiring to send data to a receiving agent follows a three step handshake, wherein the sending agent transmits an “RTS”signal and within a predetermined time must receive a “CTS”signal from the receiving agent. The sending agent then transmits a data frame within a predetermined time after the CTS signal is received. The failure to detect a return CTS signal within the predetermined time denotes a collision condition. Re-transmission is attempted using a linear back off method which is adjusted based on previous cable traffic history.

대표청구항 ▼

A communication medium for transferring data between a plurality of data processing devices (“agents”) including a sending agent and a receiving agent, comprising: sensing means coupled to said sending agent for therein if said medium is currently carrying data of another agent and is thereby in use

A communication medium for transferring data between a plurality of data processing devices (“agents”) including a sending agent and a receiving agent, comprising: sensing means coupled to said sending agent for therein if said medium is currently carrying data of another agent and is thereby in use; timing means coupled to said sending agent for timing a first predetermined waiting period once said medium is idle and available for use; first random number generating means coupled to said sending agent for generating a random number within a predefined range corresponding to a second waiting period prior to transmittng data on said communication medium to said receiving agent; first signal generation means coupled to said sending agent for generating a first signal and transmitting said signal to said receiving agent; signal receiving means coupled to said sending agent for receiving a signal transmitted from said receiving agent to said sending agent within a second predetermined time (IFG) after said sending agent has transmitted said first signal; data transmission means coupled to said sending agent for transmitting data to said receiving agent within said IFG time after receiving said signal from said receiving agent; whereby data is transferred between said sending and receiving agents coupled to said communication medium.