Patent ID: 7010621

Claim:
A network system comprising: a network comprising: a network bus electrically connected to at least one network device; and a network controller for directing communications with the at least one remote device via said network bus, wherein said network controller is capable of selectively operating in one of a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode, wherein said network controller is capable of transmitting messages and clock signals via said network bus in the synchronous mode, and wherein said network controller is capable of transmitting messages at a predetermined bit rate without any accompanying clock signals via said network bus in the asynchronous mode; and at least one network device interface element electrically connected between said network bus and respective remote devices, wherein said at least one network device interface element is capable of transmitting and receiving messages via said network controller, each network device interface comprising: a local oscillator capable of issuing clock signals having at least one frequency for controlling a rate at which said network device interface element transmits and receives messages; and a spread-spectrum clock for receiving the clock signals issued by said local oscillator and for spreading energy of the clock signals over a plurality of frequencies wider than the at least one frequency of the local oscillator so as to at least partially limit electromagnetic emissions from said local oscillator.