Abstract:
Signal equalization is facilitated in a manner that provides for feedback operation with desirable equalization operation. As consistent with one or more embodiments, a sign is assigned to received signals by generating an output that is an absolute value of the received signals, and a comparator processes the output and to generate a signal having a voltage level limited to a predetermined value. A sign of a signal output by an equalizer is detected and used to assign a sign to the output of the comparator. A summation circuit sums the output of the equalizer with the output of the comparator, and provides the sum to the equalizer as an error signal. The equalizer modifies a frequency component of received signals based on the error signal.
Abstract:
Central bus guardians (CBGs) and methods for operating a CBG are described. In one embodiment, a method for operating a CBG includes performing race arbitration among the buses connected to the CBG to select a winner bus for a time slot, and selectively forwarding data received at the CBG from the winner bus to a destination bus in the time slot based on whether the winner bus or the destination bus has a connection to an external network with respect to the application network and whether a communications device connected to the winner bus or the destination bus performs a critical function. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for testing a communications network having a central bus guardian (CBG) to detect a faulty condition associated with the CBG are described. In one embodiment, a method for testing a communications network having a CBG to detect a faulty condition associated with the CBG includes supplying a communications schedule to the CBG, causing test data to be transmitted between different buses that are connected to the CBG according to the communications schedule, and determining the faulty condition associated to with the CBG based on whether or not the test data is received according to the communications schedule. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
A device and method for encoding bits to symbols for a communication system are described. In one embodiment, a method for encoding bits to symbols for a communication system includes receiving a set of N-bit data to be transmitted, where N is an integer, generating side scrambling values using a polynomial, scrambling the set of N-bit data using the side scrambling values to produce scrambled data, mapping the scrambled data to a particular set of M symbols from a plurality of sets of M symbols, where M is an integer and M is smaller than N, and outputting the particular set of M symbols for transmission over a transmission medium. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
Central bus guardians (CBGs) and methods for operating a CBG are described. In one embodiment, a method for operating a CBG includes performing race arbitration among the buses connected to the CBG to select a winner bus for a time slot, and selectively forwarding data received at the CBG from the winner bus to a destination bus in the time slot based on whether the winner bus or the destination bus has a connection to an external network with respect to the application network and whether a communications device connected to the winner bus or the destination bus performs a critical function. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
Data communications are effected in a network having a plurality of different network devices, at least two of the network devices connected to a common wired network link and in which each network device is assigned to communicate during different time slots within a communication cycle. Stored communication protocol data is used to evaluate received configuration data specifying a communication schedule. An output indicative of a non-compliant communication is generated if the evaluation indicates that the communication schedule fails to comply with the protocol data. If the communication schedule complies with the stored communication protocol data, the communication schedule is stored and used to communicate data between the network devices, via a central communication circuit according to time slots specified in the evaluated communication schedule.
Abstract:
Signal equalization is facilitated in a manner that provides for feedback operation with desirable equalization operation. As consistent with one or more embodiments, a sign is assigned to received signals by generating an output that is an absolute value of the received signals, and a comparator processes the output and to generate a signal having a voltage level limited to a predetermined value. A sign of a signal output by an equalizer is detected and used to assign a sign to the output of the comparator. A summation circuit sums the output of the equalizer with the output of the comparator, and provides the sum to the equalizer as an error signal. The equalizer modifies a frequency component of received signals based on the error signal.
Abstract:
Aspects of the present invention are directed to data communications on a wired communication network including a plurality of network branches, each having a common communication link and a plurality of network devices connected to the network branches. Communications received from the network devices during different time slots are assessed as being error-indicative or not error-indicative. Based upon the assessment, communications received during time slots within a cycle not assessed as being error-indicative are forwarded, and communications received during time slots within the cycle assessed as being error-indicative are not forwarded.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for testing a communications network having a central bus guardian (CBG) to detect a faulty condition associated with the CBG are described. In one embodiment, a method for testing a communications network having a CBG to detect a faulty condition associated with the CBG includes supplying a communications schedule to the CBG, causing test data to be transmitted between different buses that are connected to the CBG according to the communications schedule, and determining the faulty condition associated with the CBG based on whether or not the test data is received according to the communications schedule. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
Data communications are effected over one or more network branches to ensure appropriate receipt of data at different devices on the network. In accordance with an example embodiment, time-based communications are effected for a plurality of different network devices, at least two of which are connected to a common wired network link, with each network device being assigned to communicate during different time slots within a communication cycle. Each communication received on the common wired network link is assessed as being error-indicative or not error-indicative. In response to a received communication on the common wired network link being assessed as being error-indicative, the common wired network link is operated to corrupt data received on the branch, such as by driving the branch during a time slot in which the error-indicative communication is received, therein ensuring that other network devices disregard the data received during that time slot.