SLIMbus

Abstract: A hub-resident data switching apparatus for a multinode teleconferencing network enables plural node sites, operating at differing clock rates, to communicate with each other asynchronously and simultaneously. The switching apparatus includes an internal TDM bus to which plural node interface units, an audio combiner unit and a timing and control unit are coupled. Each node interface unit is associated with a respective node and is operative to receive and forward communication signals with respect to its node at the clock rate of the service used by that node. The hub's TDM bus includes a video/PC file bus and an audio/command bus and operates at a clock rate that is a multiple of the number of nodes in the network times the highest clock frequency of any node in the network divided by the bit width of the TDM bus. Each unit interfaces with the TDM bus by way of a pipeline bus interface unit. The audio combiner unit outputs digitized `combined audio` signal packets onto the audio bus for transmission to its associated node. The output section of the audio combiner unit includes an audio packet input buffer whose contents are processed in dependence upon the occupancy status of each audio packet input buffer in the combiner. As long as there is sufficient audio data stored in one or more buffers to ensure effectively continuous audio processing, audio data is processed and forwarded for transmission. If the audio packet input buffers have very little or no audio data, then processing is delayed.

Abstract: A multiple interface input/output port (11) allows communications between an interface bus (14) of a peripheral device (10) and any one of a plurality of different types of interface buses (18) that may be provided in a host computer (16) An interface bus detection circuit (22) detects which type of interface bus (18) the peripheral device (10) is connected to on the host computer (16), and communications are then routed through an appropriate interface adapter (26) that enables communication between the interface buses (18) of the peripheral device (10) and host computer (16) The interface bus detection circuit (22) compares signal levels on selected ones of the lines (45) of the interface bus (14) of the host computer (16) to a reference potential to determine which of the selected lines (45) are grounded The circuit then identifies the type of the interface bus (18, 14) to which it is connected based on the determination of which of the selected lines (45) of the interface bus (14) are grounded

Abstract: A time-division multiplexed, data communications system allowing multiple user devices, including super computer buses configured in a local network, and other existing network hierarchies to exchange digital data over extended distances at speeds heretofore unattainable. The system includes a plurality of intelligent nodes, termed "DATApipe™ adapters", which are coupled to a fiber optic bus. The DATApipe adapters function as interface devices between the fiber optic bus and the I/O processors which are used to couple the user devices and networks to the DATApipe adapters.

Abstract: A multiple interface input/output port allows communication between an interface bus of a peripheral device and any one of a plurality of different types of interface buses that may be provided in a host computer. An interface bus detection circuit detects which type of interface bus the peripheral device is connected to on the host computer, and communications are then routed through an appropriate interface adapter that enables communication between the interface buses of the peripheral device and host computer. The interface bus detection circuit compares signal levels on selected ones of the lines of the interface bus of the host computer to a reference potential to determine which of the selected lines are grounded. The circuit then identifies the type of interface bus to which it is connected based on the determination of which of the selected lines of the interface bus are grounded.