Patent ID: 6320871
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A communication network in which a plurality of stations are connected by a loop-shaped transmission path, any one of the plurality of stations functioning as a master station, and capable of performing asynchronous data communication to requiring real time transfer and isochronous data communication requiring the real time transfer, wherein:the plurality of said stations are, as required, assigned identifiers which are used in the isochronous data communication and allowed to be overlapped with each other;said master station sends out to said transmission path a token packet for isochronous data communication in which a station to be a source of transmission of isochronous data and a plurality of stations to be recipients of the isochronous data are designated using said identifiers;said token packet for isochronous data communication is received by each of said stations through being transmitted on said transmission path without being changed by each of the stations;wherein each of said stations:analyzes the identifiers in the token packet for isochronous data communication received through said transmission path;sends out, when being designated as the source of transmission of the isochronous data, an isochronous data packet held therein to said transmission path; andreceives, when being designated as the recipient of the isochronous data, the isochronous data packet sent out to said transmission path; andwherein said isochronous data packet does not include any identifier assigned to the stations to be the source and the recipients thereof.