Synchronization in a communication network of interconnected rings

A communication network for transporting synchronous data traffic and asynchronous data traffic interspersed therebetween comprising:

• a plurality of token access rings in which synchronous traffic is initiated by an authorized synchronous station connected thereto upon receipt of a free synchronous token frame and in which asynchronous traffic is initiated by an asynchronous station upon receipt of a free asynchronous token frame;
• at least one bridge for interconnecting said rings,
• said bridge including at least one synchronous bandwidth manager means (SBM) for each ring connected thereto,
• a master synchronous bandwidth manager (MSBM) connected to one of said rings,
• said one MSBM periodically generating and transmitting a free synchronous token frame on the ring connected thereto;
• each of said SBM means receiving a free synchronous token frame generated by any other synchronous bandwidth manager means generating and transmitting a unique control signal via separate conductor to all SBM means connected to the same bridge as the receiving SBM means;
• and
• each of said SBM means including said one MSBM means generating and transmitting a free asynchronous token frame upon the completion of a synchronous transmission cycle.

A communication network for transporting synchronous data traffic and asynchronous data traffic interspersed therebetween comprising:

• a plurality of token access rings in which synchronous traffic is initiated by an authorized synchronous station connected thereto upon receipt of a free synchronous token frame and in which asynchronous traffic is initiated by an asynchronous station upon receipt of a free asynchronous token frame;
• at least one bridge for interconnecting said rings,
• said at least one bridge including at least one synchronous bandwidth manager means (SBM) for each ring connected thereto,
• one only of said SBM means being configured as a master synchronous bandwidth manager (MSBM),
• said one MSBM periodically generating and transmitting a free synchronous token frame on the ring connected thereto and a unique control signal over a separate conductor to all SBM means connected to the same bridge as the MSBM means;
• each of said SBM means receiving a said unique control signal generating and transmitting over its connected ring a free synchronous token frame;
• each of said SBM means receiving a free synchronous token frame generated by any other synchronous bandwidth manager means generating and transmitting a said unique control signal via separate conductor to all SBM means connected to the same bridge as the receiving SBM means;
• and
• each of said SBM means including said one MSBM means generating and transmitting a free asynchronous token frame upon the completion of a synchronous transmission cycle.

A communication network for transporting synchronous data traffic and asynchronous data traffic interspersed therebetween comprising:

• a plurality of token access rings in which synchronous traffic is initiated by an authorized synchronous station connected thereto upon receipt of a free synchronous token frame and in which asynchronous traffic is initiated by an asynchronous station upon receipt of a free asynchronous token frame;
• at least one bridge for interconnecting said rings,
• said at least one bridge including at least one synchronous bandwidth manager means (SBM) for each ring connected thereto,
• one only of said SBM means being configured as a master synchronous bandwidth manager (MSBM),
• said one MSBM periodically generating and transmitting a free synchronous token frame on the ring connected thereto, if so connected, and a unique control signal over a separate conductor to all SBM means, if any, connected to the same bridge as the MSBM means;
• each of said SBM means receiving a said unique control signal generating and transmitting over its connected ring a free synchronous token frame;
• each of said SBM means, if any, receiving a free synchronous token frame generated by any other synchronous bandwidth manager means generating and transmitting a said unique control signal via separate conductor to all SBM means, if any, connected to the same bridge as the receiving SBM means;
• and
• each of said SBM means including said one MSBM means generating and transmitting a free asynchronous token frame upon the completion of a synchronous transmission cycle.

In a communication network having a plurality of transmission rings interconnected by a bridge, in which network access on each ring is regulated by a token mechanism, each ring including a synchronous bandwidth manager (SBM) only one of which is designated a master (MSBM), each of said SBM's including said MSBM issues at periodic intervals a free priority token frame for the transmission of synchronous traffic by authorized stations, and each of said rings operates at independently selected bit rates and phase, a method of synchronizing the transmission of synchronous traffic comprising the steps of:

• transmitting periodically from said MSBM a timing control signal to all of the SBM's;
• at each SBM transmitting a free priority token frame on its connected ring in response to said timing control signal;
• and
• at each of said SBM's including said MSBM transmitting a free non-priority token frame upon the completion of a cycle of synchronous operation.

In a communication network having a plurality of transmission rings interconnected by at least one bridge, in which network access on each ring is regulated by a token mechanism, each ring including a synchronous bandwidth manager (SBM) only one of which is designated a master (MSBM), each of said SBM's including said MSBM issues at periodic intervals a free priority token frame for the transmission of synchronous traffic by authorized stations, and each of said rings operates at independently selected bit rates and phase, a method of synchronizing the transmission of synchronous traffic comprising the steps of:

• transmitting periodically from said MSBM a free priority token frame over the ring to which it is connected;
• at each SBM which receives a free priority token frame from another SBM transmitting a timing control signal to all of the SBM's connected to the bridge to which the receiving SBM is connected;
• at each SBM receiving a said timing control signal transmitting a free priority token frame on its connected ring;
• and
• at each of said SBM's including said MSBM transmitting a free non-priority token frame upon the completion of a cycle of synchronous operation.

In a communication network having a plurality of transmission rings interconnected by at least one bridge, in which network access on each ring is regulated by a token mechanism, each ring including a synchronous bandwidth manager (SBM) only one of which is designated a master (MSBM), each of said SBM's including said MSBM issues at periodic intervals a free priority token frame for the transmission of synchronous traffic by authorized stations, and each of said rings operates at independently selected bit rates and phase, a method of synchronizing the transmission of synchronous traffic comprising the steps of:

• transmitting periodically from said MSBM a free priority token frame over the ring to which it is connected and substantially simultaneously therewith a timing control signal to all of the SBM's connected to the bridge to which the MSBM is connected;
• at each SBM which receives a free priority token frame from another SBM including said MSBM transmitting a said timing control signal to all of the SBM's connected to the bridge to which the receiving SBM is connected;
• at each SBM receiving a said timing control signal transmitting a free priority token frame on its connected ring;
• and
• at each of said SBM's including said MSBM transmitting a free non-priority token frame upon the completion of a cycle of synchronous operation.

In a communication network having a plurality of transmission rings interconnected by at least one bridge, in which network access on each ring is regulated by a token mechanism, each ring including a synchronous bandwidth manager (SBM) only one of which is designated a master (MSBM), each of said SBM's including said MSBM issues at periodic intervals a free priority token frame for the transmission of synchronous traffic by authorized stations, and each of said rings operates at independently selected bit rates and phase, a method of synchronizing the transmission of synchronous traffic comprising the steps of:

• transmitting periodically from said MSBM a free priority token frame over the ring to which it is connected and substantially simultaneously therewith a timing control signal to all of the SBM's, if any, connected to the bridge to which the MSBM is connected;
• at each SBM which receives a free priority token frame from another SBM including said MSBM transmitting a said timing control signal to all of the SBM's, if any, connected to the bridge to which the receiving SBM is connected;
• at each SBM receiving a said timing control signal transmitting a free priority token frame on its connected ring;
• and
• at each of said SBM's including said MSBM transmitting a free non-priority token frame upon the completion of a cycle of synchronous operation.