Communication apparatus for real-time embedded control

A method of communicating between electrical components of a real-time embedded control system, comprising:

• identifying data to be communicated;
• and
• dividing the data into one or more frames, each frame including a frame header and a frame data payload portion;
• the frame data payload portion including one or more segments, forming a sequence of segments, each segment including:
• a segment header including segment data indicating a location of the segment in the sequence;
• and
• a segment data payload portion.

A work machine, comprising:

• a frame;
• a power source;
• a real-time embedded control system configured to control one or more functions of the work machine, the real-time embedded control system including:
• a node having a processor and a computer-readable medium, the node being associated with an electrical component of the real-time embedded control system;
• and
• a program stored on the computer readable medium that, when executed by the processor, is operable to:
• identify data to be communicated;
• and
• divide the data into one or more frames, each frame including:
• a frame header including destination address information corresponding to a location within a local network;
• and
• a frame data payload portion including one or more segments forming a sequence of segments;
• each segment including:
• a segment data payload portion;
• and
• a segment header including the destination address information, segment data indicating a location of the segment in the sequence, and priority data indicating a transmission priority level of the segment.