Patent ID: 8473659
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: G06F,H04J

Abstract:
1. A method for arbitration, comprising: selecting, for an arbitration interval corresponding to a timeslot, a sending node from a plurality of sending nodes in an arbitration domain, wherein the plurality of sending nodes comprises a plurality of source counters; broadcasting, by the sending node and in response to selecting the sending node, a transmitter arbitration request for the timeslot during the arbitration interval; recording a value of a source counter in the sending node to generate a recorded value of the source counter; receiving, by the plurality of sending nodes, the transmitter arbitration request; incrementing the plurality of source counters in response to receiving the transmitter arbitration request; identifying, by the sending node and after completion of the arbitration interval, the timeslot by comparing the recorded value of the source counter with a clock signal; and sending, during the timeslot, a data item from the sending node to a receiving node via an optical data channel.