Method for operating an end-user of an isochronous cyclical communication system

A method for operating an end user of an isochronous cyclical communication system comprising:

• receiving a synchronizing data telegram from a connecting user of the communication system by the end user, wherein:
• the synchronizing data telegram is subject to the propagation time of a transmission link between the connecting user and end user, and
• the propagation time comprises the propagation time of the synchronizing data telegram over a transmission link and the latency for triggering an interrupt in a connection of the end user;
• synchronizing a time base of the end user with the aid of the synchronizing data telegram, resulting in synchronizing of the time base with a tolerance corresponding to the propagation time;
• processing a transmission list from the end user within a communication cycle according to the end user's time base;
• and
• transmitting a data telegram by the connecting user in accordance with the transmission list from the end user to the connecting user no earlier than at the start of the communication cycle and no later than by the tolerance before the planned forwarding time of the relevant data telegram, wherein the synchronizing data telegram is received by the end user when the end user's receive buffer is empty, wherein:
• the synchronizing data telegram is sent by the connecting user no earlier than after a maximum emptying time of the receive buffer of the end user after the start of the communication cycle.

An end user of an isochronous cyclical communication system comprising:

• a mechanism for the receiving of a synchronizing data telegram from a connecting user of the communication system by the end user, the synchronizing data telegram being subject to the propagation time of a transmission link between the connecting user and end user, and the propagation time consisting of the propagation time of the synchronizing data telegram over a transmission link and the latency for triggering an interrupt in a connection of the end user;
• a mechanism for synchronizing a time base of the end user with the aid of the synchronizing data telegram, resulting in synchronizing of the time base with a tolerance corresponding to the propagation time;
• a mechanism for the cyclical processing of a transmission list from the end user within of a communication cycle according to the end user's time base, wherein:
• the transmitting of a data telegram is carried out by the connecting user in accordance with the transmission list from the end user to the connecting user no earlier than at the start of the communication cycle and no later than by the tolerance before the planned forwarding time of the relevant data telegram,
• the synchronizing data telegram is received by the end user when the end user's receive buffer is empty, and
• the synchronizing data telegram is sent by the connecting user no earlier than after a maximum emptying time of the receive buffer of the end user after the start of the communication cycle.

A communication system comprising:

• at least one end user, the end user comprising:
• a mechanism for the receiving of a synchronizing data telegram from a connecting user of the communication system by the end user, wherein the synchronizing data telegram being subject to the propagation time of a transmission link between the connecting user and end user, and wherein the propagation time consisting of the propagation time of the synchronizing data telegram over a transmission link and the latency for triggering an interrupt in a connection of the end user;
• a mechanism for synchronizing a time base of the end user with the aid of the synchronizing data telegram, resulting in synchronizing of the time base with a tolerance corresponding to the propagation time;
• a mechanism for the cyclical processing of a transmission list from the end user within of a communication cycle according to the end user's time base, wherein
• the transmitting of a data telegram is carried out by the connecting user in accordance with the transmission list from the end user to the connecting user no earlier than at the start of the communication cycle and no later than by the tolerance before the planned forwarding time of the relevant data telegram, and wherein
• the synchronizing data telegram is received by the end user when the end user's receive buffer is empty;
• and
• at least one connecting user, the connecting user comprising:
• a mechanism for sending a synchronizing data telegram to an end user over a transmission link subject to a propagation time, wherein the propagation time consisting of the propagation time of the synchronizing data telegram over a transmission link and the latency for triggering an interrupt in a connection of the end user, wherein the synchronizing data telegram being sent no earlier than after a pause in transmission after the start of the communication cycle, wherein the pause in transmission corresponding to a maximum emptying time of a receive buffer of the end user, and with the synchronizing data telegram being received by the end user when the end user's receive buffer is empty.

A method for operating an end user of an isochronous cyclical communication system comprising:

• receiving a synchronizing data telegram from a connecting user of the communication system by the end user, wherein:
• the synchronizing data telegram is subject to the propagation time of a transmission link between the connecting user and end user;
• and
• the propagation time comprises the propagation time of the synchronizing data telegram over a transmission link and the latency for triggering an interrupt in a connection of the end user;
• synchronizing a time base of the end user with the aid of the synchronizing data telegram, resulting in synchronizing of the time base with a tolerance corresponding to the propagation time;
• processing a transmission list from the end user within a communication cycle according to the end user's time base;
• and
• transmitting a data telegram by the connecting user in accordance with the transmission list from the end user to the connecting user no earlier than at the start of the communication cycle and no later than by the tolerance before the planned forwarding time of the relevant data telegram, wherein the synchronizing data telegram is received by the end user when the end user's receive buffer is empty, wherein:
• the communication cycle is divided into a first partial cycle for realtime communication and into a second partial cycle for non-realtime communication and wherein the data telegram is transmitted in the partial cycle for realtime communication, and the synchronizing data telegram is sent by the connecting user no earlier than after a maximum emptying time of the receive buffer of the end user after the start of the communication cycle.