Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data includes one or more transmitters connected to each of at least one bus data line via open-driver bus data line drivers, and one or more receivers. In a preferred embodiment, the devices are interconnected by a parallel interface using a bus architecture having the bus data and carrier-sense (CRS) lines each driven by open-collector or open-drain drivers in a wired-and configuration. Pullup resistors and a common clock signal are also provided. Each device is provided with an interfacing unit which connects the device to the bus, and detects collisions by comparing data transmitted by the device with data received from the bus. The invention is particularly applicable to implementation as a backplane connecting intercommunicating printed wiring boards having interfaces such as the IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) Media Independent Interface (MII), the interfacing unit serving to emulate the Ethernet PHY.

Abstract: An inverse multiplexing method for transmitting data via multiple data links and a system for implementing same. Efficient utilization of links having disparate data rates is provided by apportioning data units to the links in proportion to their data rates. Rather than perform the apportioning algorithm in real time, the algorithm is executed off-line, and the results recorded as a mapping vector. The mapping vector is used by the transmitter to apportion data units to the links, and by the receiver to re-assemble the data units.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data streams subject to crosstalk, in which an adjustable parameter, preferably data rate, is adjusted using feedback of performance characteristics, preferably signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and line attenuation, maximizing total throughput of the data streams. The invention is particularly applicable to inverse multiplex (IMUX) systems, where total throughput is more important than the throughput of any individual data stream.

Abstract: An inverse multiplexing method for transmitting data via multiple data links by apportioning the symbols to be transmitted among the available communication links in proportion to the individual communication links' symbol transmission rates in a predictable manner, and a system, including a transmitter and a receiver, employing this method. Preferably, a table shared by the transmitter and receiver is used by the transmitter to apportion the symbols to the various communication links and by the receiver to reconstruct the original data. The method allows fine granularity in the division of symbols, which in turn allows for short messages to be transmitted at high speed, and with minimal latency, by using the full capacity of the communication links, with a minimum of overhead.