Apparatus and method for accessing memory in a TDM network

A method for transmitting data over a time division multiplexed network among clients of the network, the network having a system clock signal with a clock rate and period that define a start and duration of a bus cycle of the network, the bus cycle having a number of time slots for transmitting data over the network, the method comprising steps of:

• detecting the start of the bus cycle;
• generating a first clock signal, asynchronous with the system clock signal, having a period corresponding to a duration of each of the time slots of the network, the period of the first clock signal multiplied by the number of time slots of the bus cycle being less than the duration of the bus cycle;
• and
• transmitting data over the network during one of the time slots.

A TDM network system for transferring data among clients of the network during time slots of a bus cycle, the TDM network system comprising:

• a plurality of network interface circuits each having at least a first interface;
• a TDM bus coupled to the first interface of each of the plurality of interface circuits;
• a plurality of peripheral interfaces for coupling to external peripherals, each of the plurality of interfaces being coupled to one of the plurality of network interface circuits;
• and
• wherein the bus cycle is defined by a period of a system clock signal having a system clock rate, and wherein at least a first one of the plurality of network interface circuits includes a first clock circuit that generates a first clock signal having a period that defines a duration of each time slot, the first clock signal being asynchronous with the system clock signal.