METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZATION OF TWO OR MORE TIME-MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

摘要

PURPOSE: To provide a method and a device which synchronize two or more individual communication networks to form a composite network consisting of individual communication networks B1 to B6 of time multiplexing. CONSTITUTION: In an individual communication network, a time frame is periodically transmitted through nodal points N1 to N5. The time frame includes a time slot for data transmission. One nodal point in the composite network is assigned as a higher-order master nodal point N1 which determines the transmission speed of the individual communication network. A fixed idle pattern is added to each time frame sent from the higher-order nodal point and is followed by a fixed trigger pattern which indicates the start of the next time frame. In the individual network, one nodal point is assigned as a master nodal point which synchronizes this network. When receiving a trigger ring pattern, master nodal points N2 to N5 start the transmission of a new time frame.