| 摘要 |
<p>A plurality of nodes in a network (100) are connected in a tree arrangement. A master control node (110) is at the root of the tree. Each connection (121-128) between a parent node and a child node (114-118) in the tree consists of only one pair of wires, over which data bits are transmitted serially. To avoid contention, communications are always initiated by the parent node. The child node detects the end of message when no more data is received for a set timeout period. The child node then has a specified time interval for response to the communication, during which interval it has control of the line. After the end of the interval, control reverts to the parent. If a message has been received from the child within that time, normal status is resumed; otherwise, the parent retries the message or takes other error recovery actions. In the preferred embodiment, the network is used to monitor power conditions at a plurality of nodes in a computer system. <IMAGE></p> |
