Waveform processing apparatus with versatile data bus

A method of operating a transmitting node device connected to a bus for transferring data during each of a plurality of time frames on a time divisional basis within one sampling period, the bus comprising a plurality of data signal lines and one frame signal line, said bus operatively coupled to at least one receiving node and to a plurality of other transmitting nodes of the same structure as the transmitting node device, wherein each of the transmitting nodes is assigned a unique frame number such that the frame numbers collectively compose a consecutive order, wherein each of the transmitting nodes transmit one frame to the bus during different timing in a sequential manner and in accordance with the respective frames assigned, wherein only one transmitting node transmits a frame during a given period of time, and wherein said receiving node is designated one of said plurality of frame numbers and selectively acquires, in accordance with the designated frame number, data in a frame transmitted by a transmitting node during the frame that corresponds to the designated frame number, the method of operating the transmitting node device comprising the steps of:

• counting a number of the frames on the basis of a frame signal transferred by the frame signal line within the sampling period;
• storing the unique frame number, assigned to the transmitting node device, designating a transmission frame by which the transmitting node device should transmit data;
• storing the data to be transmitted via the bus during the transmission frame;
• outputting a coincidence signal when detecting that the counted number of the frames coincides with the stored frame number;
• forming a frame signal corresponding to the transmission frame;
• transmitting the formed frame signal to the frame signal line of the bus in response to the coincidence signal;
• and
• concurrently transmitting the stored data to the data signal lines by the transmission frame.

A receiving node device operatively coupled to a bus, the bus comprising a plurality of data signal lines and one frame signal line for transferring data by a plurality of time frames on a time divisional basis within one sampling period, said bus operatively coupled to a plurality of transmitting nodes, wherein each of the transmitting nodes is assigned a unique frame number such that the frame numbers collectively compose a consecutive order, wherein each of the transmitting nodes transmit one frame to the bus during different timing in a sequential manner and in accordance with the respective frames assigned, wherein only one transmitting node transmits a frame during a given period of time, and wherein said receiving node device is designated one of said plurality of frame numbers and selectively acquires, in accordance with the designated frame number, data in a frame transmitted by a transmitting node during the frame that corresponds to the designated frame number, the receiving node device comprising:

• a frame counter that counts frame numbers on the basis of a frame signal transferred from the frame signal line within the sampling period;
• a first register that stores the designated frame number indicating a reception frame by which the receiving node device should receive data;
• a second register that is prepared for storing data;
• a comparator that outputs a coincidence signal when detecting that the frame number counted by the frame counter coincides with the designated frame number stored in the first register;
• and
• a receiving section that selectively acquires the data carried by the reception frame through the data signal lines into the second register in response to the coincidence signal.

A method of operating a receiving node device operatively coupled to a bus, said bus comprising a plurality of data signal lines and one frame signal line for transferring data by a plurality of time frames on a time divisional basis within one sampling period, said bus operatively coupled to a plurality of transmitting nodes, wherein each of the transmitting nodes is assigned a unique frame number such that the frame numbers collectively compose a consecutive order, wherein each of the transmitting nodes transmit one frame to the bus during different timing in a sequential manner and in accordance with the respective frames assigned, wherein only one transmitting node transmits a frame during a given period of time, and wherein said receiving node device is designated one of said plurality of frame numbers and selectively acquires, in accordance with the designated frame number, data in a frame transmitted by a transmitting node during the frame that corresponds to the designated frame number, said method comprising the steps of:

• counting frame numbers on the basis of a frame signal transferred from the frame signal line within the sampling period;
• storing the designated frame number indicating a reception frame by which the receiving node device should receive data;
• preparing a register for storing data;
• outputting a coincidence signal when detecting that the counted frame number coincides with the designated frame number stored by said storing step;
• and
• selectively acquiring data carried by the reception frame through the data signal lines into the register in response to the coincidence signal.