METHOD AND CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF DATA SIGNALS BETWEEN TWO CONTROL DEVICES BELONGNING TO A LOOP SYSTEM

摘要

A method and apparatus for transmitting data signals between two control devices connected to a loop transmission system are disclosed wherein data signals are transmitted in the form of signal blocks. In addition to the data signal, each signal block includes a receiver address having a block start identifier which precedes the data signals, and a sender address with a block end identifier following the data signals. In response to the appearance of the block start identifier and the receiver address, the signal block received by a control device is copied in the control device identified by the receiver address. The copying is undertaken for possible further processing. The signal block is then forwarded to the next control device via the loop, with the block start identifier cancelled. Before forwarding, an acknowledgement signal is attached to the sender address. The acknowledgement signal is recognized by the control device which sent the date signals. Such recognition occurs in response to the appearance of both a block end identifier and the sender address. The sending control device then accepts the returned acknowledgement signal for evaluation thereof.