LSI FOR FA NETWORK, AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE

摘要

Disclosed is an LSI for FA networks that is installed in a communication device capable of performing communication processes with a plurality of protocols in the network layer or higher, said LSI comprising: a data-link-layer processing means that performs processes in the data link layer with respect to control data that is communicated to/from a network; and a protocol processing means that performs processes in the network layer or higher with respect to said control data. Said data-link-layer processing means includes: a first data-link-layer processing unit that performs a first data-link-layer process in the data link layer, said first data-link-layer process being dedicatedly prescribed so as to support protocols requiring high-speed processing; a second data-link-layer processing unit that performs a second data-link-layer process in the data link layer, said second data-link-layer process being a standard process for protocols other than said protocols requiring high-speed processing; and a data-link-layer process selection unit that selects, for control data to be transmitted/received, either said first data-link-layer processing unit or said second data-link-layer processing unit in accordance with a predetermined criterion. Said data-link-layer processing means is constituted by hardware.