Network communications apparatus, system, and method

摘要

In one embodiment, a communication circuit is configured for automated addressing in a network of series connected communication circuits. The communication circuit includes a voltage source and a switch connected in parallel between first and second data ports of the circuit. While operating in an addressing mode, a first voltage is sampled from a first data port while the switch is closed. The switch is opened to provide a voltage potential between the first and second data port and a second voltage is sampled from the second data port. An address of the communication circuit in the network is determined based on a difference of the first and second voltages.

主权项

1. An apparatus operable as a terminal for use in a master-slave network having a master communication circuit and having a plurality of slave communication circuits respectively operable as serially-connected communication circuits, the apparatus comprising:
a switching circuit configured and arranged to operate in a communication mode, in which the switch communicates information carried by data signals between a first data port and a second data port, and operate in an addressing mode, in which the switching circuit receives a first information signal having a voltage level that represents a cascade of slave circuits of the plurality of slave circuits in series between the master communication circuit and the first data port, and sends a second information signal on the second data port, the second information signal being generated by applying a voltage potential between the first and second data ports thereby modifying the voltage level of the first information signal; an address generation circuit configured and arranged to generate an address for the apparatus based on a voltage difference between a voltage level on the first data port in the communication mode and the voltage level of the first information; and a circuit configured and arranged to communicate by using a protocol in which the address identifies the apparatus irrespective of other slave communication circuits in the network in communications with the first data port.