Abstract: A power supply and method of operating the same. The method includes the steps of: operating first and second switches to an “On” position; operating said first switch to a “Off” position, causing a flow of a first free-wheeling current through a first free-wheeling current path; measuring a value of said free-wheeling current; controlling the switching of said second switch responsive to said value of said free-wheeling current; and regulating power from said power supply unit. The power supply includes: an inductive converter; a first free-wheeling current path comprising: a first switch connected in series with said inductive converter and a first means for measuring a first free-wheeling current flowing through said first free-wheeling current path; and a second free-wheeling current path comprising: a second switch connected in series with said inductive converter and a second means for measuring a second free-wheeling current flowing through said second free-wheeling current path.

Abstract: The invention concerns a data transmission technique for real-time applications and non real-time applications in a communication network comprising several nodes connected by communication channels. The invention is characterized in that the data are cyclically and deterministically transmitted, the data for the real-time applications being processed in priority, such that, during one transmission cycle, all the data for the real-time applications are first sent, then, in the time interval remaining prior to the next transmission cycle, the data for non real-time applications are sent.

Abstract: When data are sent in the form of Ethernet messages on an Ethernet transmission link using an interface to link a node to the Ethernet transmission link, the data to be sent are converted using a conversion unit in line with a transmission standard of the Ethernet protocol in order to provide Ethernet messages, and a transmission unit is used for ongoing transmission of the provided Ethernet messages, with Ethernet messages being output onto the Ethernet transmission link continuously.

Abstract: A network coupler is provided between a network, on which Ethernet messages can be transmitted, and a plurality of subscribers, the network being linked to an external interface of the network coupler and the plurality of subscribers being linked in series to a ring-type transmission path via an internal interface of the network coupler. For interchanging data, an Ethernet message received via the external interface of the network coupler is forwarded to the internal Ethernet interface of the network coupler and is output onto the ring-type transmission path, each subscriber connected to the internal interface interchanging the useful data intended for the respective subscriber with the Ethernet message circulating on the ring-type transmission path.

Abstract: The invention concerns a data transmission technique for real-time applications and non real-time applications in a communication network comprising several nodes connected by communication channels. The invention is characterized in that the data are cyclically and deterministically transmitted, the data for the real-time applications being processed in priority, such that, during one transmission cycle, all the data for the real-time applications are first sent, then, in the time interval remaining prior to the next transmission cycle, the data for non real-time applications are sent.