Patent ID: 6094416
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
A control network, comprising:a first data bus;a first master node connected to the first data bus;a first plurality of slave nodes, said first plurality of slave nodes connected to the first data bus in a loop configuration;a second data bus;a second plurality of slave nodes, said second plurality of slave nodes connected to the second data bus in a loop configuration;wherein a first one of said first plurality of slave nodes is connected to the second data bus, said first one of said first plurality of slave nodes operating as a master node with respect to the second data bus;a third data bus; anda third plurality of slave nodes, said third plurality of slave nodes connected to the third data bus in a loop configuration;wherein a first one of said second plurality of slave nodes is connected to the third data bus, said first one of said second plurality of slave nodes operating as a master node with respect to the third data bus; andwherein any of said first plurality of slave nodes is capable of operating as a master node with respect to said first data bus, any of said second plurality of slave nodes is capable of operating as a master node with respect to said second data bus, and any of said third plurality of slave nodes is capable of operating as a master node with respect to said third data bus.