A2b cable length detection

A network node device, comprising:

• a transceiver to transmit and receive signals via a two-wire communication bus, the transceiver including a transmitter and a receiver;
• and
• a host processor operatively coupled to the transceiver and configured to:
• set a variable delay setting to a first specified delay value;
• set a detection window according to the variable delay setting to detect a discovery response from a downstream node device;
• detect the discovery response from the downstream node device during a detection window set according to the first specified delay value;
• change the variable delay setting until a subsequent response from the downstream node is undetected at a second specified delay value of the variable delay setting;
• and
• set a communication delay value for communication with the downstream node using the first and second specified delay values.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium, including instructions that when executed by a host processor of a network node device, cause the network node device to perform acts comprising:

• establishing a first specified delay value of a variable delay setting;
• discovering a downstream node on the communication bus using a variable delay setting including the delay setting established at the first specified delay value;
• after discovering the downstream node, recurrently changing the variable delay setting until the downstream node drops off the communication bus at a second specified delay value of the variable delay setting;
• and
• setting a communication delay value for communication between the network node device and the downstream node using the first and second specified delay values.