Network device interface for digitally interfacing data channels to a controller via a network

A network device interface adapted to interconnect an associated data channel with a processor of a bus controller via a common serial, multiplexed, digital bus, the interface comprising:

• a receiver for receiving messages from the bus controller via the common digital bus, wherein the messages are issued from the bus controller in a serial manner;
• a device interface for providing commands to the associated data channel in response to messages received by said receiver and for receiving data from the associated data channel;
• and
• a transmitter for transmitting messages to the bus controller via the common digital bus, wherein said network device interface is a state machine and does not comprise a general processor,
• wherein said network device interface is one of a plurality of network device interfaces connected to the common digital bus in parallel to perform predefined functions as parallel processes to thereby support high speed communication over said common digital bus.

A serial, multiplexed communications system comprising:

• a bus controller comprising a processor for issuing a plurality of commands, wherein the messages are issued from the bus controller in a serial manner;
• at least one data channel for performing predefined functions in response to the commands;
• a common digital bus interconnecting said bus controller and said data channel for supporting communication therebetween;
• and
• a network device interface connected to said data channel for interconnecting said respective data channel with said common digital bus and communicating information from said bus controller to said data channel, wherein said network device interface comprises a state machine and does not comprise a general processor,
• wherein said network device interface is one of a plurality of network device interfaces connected to the common digital bus in parallel to perform predefined functions as parallel processes to thereby support high speed communication over said common digital bus.