Patent ID: 6996115
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network comprising a plurality of intercoupled network nodes, characterized in that the network nodes, controlled by a respective bus guardian, send messages during an assigned time slot and receive messages outside this time slot, in that each network node contains a test signal generator which delivers a test signal outside the assigned time slot, and in that each network node contains a test signal detector which, after receiving a test signal from at least another network node outside the time slot, detects that there is a defective circuit portion in the assigned network node and/or in at least another network node, the test signal detector is also provided for directly receiving the test signal of the assigned test signal generator and in that a control unit in a network node receives and evaluates the detection results of the test signal detector and establishes that a circuit portion in the assigned network node is defective when only during the assigned time slot the assigned test signal generator and another network node deliver a test signal and establishes that a circuit portion in at least another network node is defective when during the assigned and the other time slot at least another network node delivers a test signal.