Interface link layer device to build a distributed network

Abstract

An interface link layer device ( 1 ) of an interface which allows the interconnection of different networks to build a distributed network according to the present invention routes complete data packets directly to another interface link layer device ( 1 ) that serves the destination via uplink means ( 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 ) to accept a data packet from a first data bus ( 2 ) that has a predetermined destination on a second data bus and to transmit it via said transmission path ( 3 ) to said other interface link layer device ( 1 ), and downlink means ( 20, 21 ) to output data packets received via said transmission path ( 3 ) from one other interface link layer device ( 1 ) to a predetermined destination on the first data bus ( 2 ). Furtheron, the interface link layer device according to the present invention introduces the concept that not all packets have to be transmitted via the interface on basis of an appropriate acknowledge code and response packet generation of an acknowledge/response means ( 18, 19 ) included in the interface link layer device. The present invention is in particular applicable to build up a disrtibuted network on basis of several IEEE 1394 networks that are interconnected via an interface consisting of a coaxial cable.

1 . A portal for communicating data in-between a first node and a second node, the portal being connected to the first node via a first serial data bus and connected to a second portal through a transmission path the second portal being connected to the second node via a second serial data bus, the portal comprising: 
 means for assigning a channel number and a bandwidth for a stream communication between said first and second nodes;    means for receiving isochronous packets of said stream communication from said first node;    means for deciding whether a channel number of said received isochronous packets corresponds to said channel number which is assigned to the stream communication between said first and second nodes;    means for forwarding said isochronous packets by using said channel number and bandwidth so that if said channel number of said received isochronous packet corresponds to said channel number assigned to said stream communication between said first and second nodes, said received isochronous packet is forwarded to said second portal.    
   
   
       2 . Portal according to  claim 1 , comprising a register which indicates the bandwidth available within said transmission path, such that said means for assigning a channel number and a bandwidth can check whether there is enough bandwidth for said stream.  
   
   
       3 . A stream routing device for routing isochronous packets of a data stream in-between at least two nodes which are provided in two serial data bus networks, the stream routing device comprising: 
 means for receiving said isochronous packets of the stream from one of said nodes via a serial data bus;    means for deciding whether a channel number of the received isochronous packets corresponds to a channel number which is assigned to said data stream;    means for forwarding only isochronous packets having a channel number corresponding to said channel number which is assigned to said data stream.    
   
   
       4 . A portal for routing isochronous packets of a data stream in-between two IEEE1394 serial bus networks, the portal comprising: 
 means for monitoring all incoming isochronous packets and filtering isochronous packets to be forwarded to a destination IEEE1394 serial bus network from all incoming isochronous packets:    means for forwarding the filtered isochronous packets to said destination IEEE 1394 serial bus network with pre-assigned channel number and bandwidth for said data stream in-between said two IEEE 1394 serial bus networks and for discarding unfiltered isochronous packets without forwarding.    
   
   
       5 . A portal for communicating data in-between a first node and a second node, the portal being connected to the first node via a first serial data bus and connected to a second portal through a transmission path, the second portal being connected to the second node via a second serial data bus, the portal comprising: 
 means for receiving isochronous packets transmitted within a data stream between said first and second node said data stream having a channel number;    means for assigning a new channel number to said data stream if said channel number is already used within said first or second serial data bus; and    means for forwarding said isochronous data packets to said first or second serial data bus.    
   
   
       6 . A portal for communicating data in-between a first node and a second node, the portal being connected to the first node via a first serial data bus and connected to a second portal through a transmission path, the second portal being connected to the second node via a second serial data bus, the portal comprising: 
 an isochronous resource manager adapted to assign a channel number and a bandwidth for a stream communication between said first and second nodes;    an uplink section adapted to accept isochronous packets of the stream from said first node;    a controller adapted to decide whether a channel number of said received isochronous packets corresponds to said channel number which is assigned to the stream communication between said first and second nodes, said controller further being adapted to forward said isochronous packets by using said channel number and bandwidth so that if said channel number of said received isochronous packet corresponds to said channel number assigned to said stream communication between said first and second nodes, said received isochronous packet is forwarded to said second portal.    
   
   
       7 . Portal according to  claim 6 , comprising a register which indicates the bandwidth available for said transmission path, wherein said isochronous resource manager is further adapted to assign said bandwidth depending on the bandwidth indicated In said register.  
   
   
       8 . A stream routing device adapted to route isochronous packets of a data stream in-between at least two nodes which are provided in two serial data bus networks. the stream routing device comprising: 
 a controller adapted to receive said isochronous packets of the stream from one of said nodes via a serial data bus, said controller further being adapted to decide whether a channel number of the received isochronous packets corresponds to a channel number which is assigned to said data stream and to forward only isochronous packets having a channel number corresponding to said channel number which is assigned to said data stream.    
   
   
       9 . A portal for routing isochronous packets of a data stream in-between two IEEE1394 serial bus networks, the portal comprising: 
 a controller adapted to monitor all incoming isochronous packets and to filter isochronous packets to be forwarded to a destination IEEE1S94 serial bus network from all incoming isochronous packets, and to forward the filtered isochronous packets to said destination IEEE1394 serial bus network with pre-assigned channel number and bandwidth for said data stream in-between said two IEEE 1394 serial bus networks and to discard unfiltered isochronous packets without forwarding.    
   
   
       10 . A portal for communicating data in-between a first node and a second node, the portal being connected to the first node via a first serial data bus and connected to a second portal through a transmission path, the second portal being connected to the second node via a second serial data bus, the portal comprising: 
 a controller adapted to receive isochronous packets transmitted within a data. stream between said first and second node, said data stream having a channel number;    a channel number assignment unit adapted to assign a new channel number to said data stream if said channel number is already used within said first or second serial data bus; and    a downlink section adapted to output said isochronous packets received via said transmission path from said second portal to said first or second node.    
   
   
       11 . Portal according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 an uplink section adapted to output said isochronous packets received via said first or second node to said transmission path.    
   
   
       12 . A stream routing device adapted to route isochronous packets of a data stream in-between at least two nodes which art provided in two serial data bus networks, the stream routing device comprising: 
 a controller adapted to receive said isochronous packets of the stream from one of said nodes via a serial data bus, said controller further being adapted to decide whether a channel number of the received isochronous packets corresponds to a channel number which is assigned to said data stream and to forward only isochronous packets having a channel number corresponding to said channel number which is assigned to said data stream; and    a channel number assignment unit adapted to assign a new channel number to said data stream if said channel number is already used within at least one of said two serial data bus networks.    
   
   
       13 . A portal for communicating data in-between a first node and a second node, the portal being connected to the first node via a first serial data bus and connected to a second portal through a transmission path, the second portal being connected to the second node via a second serial data bus, the portal comprising: 
 a controller adapted to receive isochronous packets transmitted within a data stream between said first and second node, said data stream having a channel number, said controller further being adapted to decide whether a channel number of the received isochronous packets corresponds to a channel number which is assigned to said data stream and to forward only isochronous packets having a channel number corresponding to said channel number which is assigned to said data stream;    a channel number assignment unit adapted to assign a new channel number to said data stream if said channel number is already used within said first or second serial data bus; and    a downlink section adapted to output said isochronous packets received via said transmission path from said second portal to said first or second node.