Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to the behavior of border nodes within a high performance serial bus system is disclosed. A method for determining and communicating the existence of a hybrid bus is disclosed. A method for determining a path to a senior border node is disclosed, as is a method for identifying a senior border node Various methods for properly issuing gap tokens within a beta cloud are disclosed. A method for returning control to the senior border node is disclosed. A method for determining whether a BOSS node may issue a grant is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for achieving adaptive de-emphasis on a data network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a high-speed serialized bus network, and the invention is adapted to correct for inter-symbol interference (ISI) associated with data transmissions between two nodes communicating over the network. In one variant, a first device transmits a plurality of symbols to a second device. If the second device detects that these symbols have unacceptably degraded during transmission, it generates an interrupt during a designated interval that is subsequently transmitted to the first device, and used to either attenuate the signal strength associated with data transmissions to the second device, or undertake one or more remedial measures. In another embodiment, sequential calibration of nodes is achieved by executing a process adapted to identify an optimal de-emphasis level associated with data transmissions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining and communicating the existence of a hybrid bus. The method comprises the acts of determining whether the node has a connection to a Legacy link layer; if the node determines that it has a connection to a Legacy link layer, then transmitting a Self-ID packet without a Speed Code; and if the node determines that it does not have a connection to a Legacy link layer, then transmitting a Self-ID packet without a Speed Code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to the behavior of border nodes within a high performance serial bus system is disclosed. A method for determining and communicating the existence of a hybrid bus is disclosed. A method for determining a path to a senior border node is disclosed, as is a method for identifying a senior border node Various methods for properly issuing gap tokens within a beta cloud are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for harmonizing or unifying at least partly heterogeneous device profiles within electronic devices. In one embodiment, processing or protocol layers within two or more separate device profiles (such as for example the Embedded and External profiles of the UDI specification) are harmonized, thereby permitting the use of a single logical paradigm (for at least one component or process) in place of two or more heterogeneous paradigms under the prior art. In the exemplary context of the aforementioned UDI specification, only a single implementation of the link layer framing logic of a source device, and the frame parsing logic of the sink is needed. Similarly, only one set of compliance tests for this unified paradigm need be developed and implemented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for preventing loops in a full-duplex bus. One method has the acts of: selecting at least two candidates to join said bus; establishing a dominant candidate from one of said at least two candidates; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Another method has the acts of: selecting a plurality candidates to join said bus; establishing at least one dominant candidate; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said at least one dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Alternative embodiments are shown that utilize unique identifiers to facilitate candidate selection and to establish dominance on the bus.

Abstract: A method relating to the behavior of border nodes within a high performance serial bus system is disclosed. A method is disclosed for determining a path to a senior border node comprising the acts of: determining whether a B PHY has received a Self-ID packet without a Speed Code on at least one port; and marking the at least one port on the B PHY that was last to receive a Self-ID packet without a Speed Code as the path to the senior border node and canceling by the B PHY of any other ports within the node that have been marked as the path to the senior border node if the B PHY has received a Self-ID packet without a Speed Code on the at least one port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to the behavior of border nodes within a high performance serial bus system is disclosed. A method is disclosed for determining a path to a senior border during the Self-ID process in a full-duplex communications system having at least one border node comprising the acts of: marking the border node as the senior border; determining whether the border node has received a Self-ID packet that does not contain a Speed Code on a parent beta port of the border node; marking the port on said border node as the path to the senior border node if the border node has received a Self-ID packet that does not contain a Speed Code on a parent beta port of the border node; and canceling the border node's own status as a senior border node.

Abstract: A method for determining and communicating the existence of a hybrid bus is disclosed. The method determines whether a connected node is a border node and forwards isochronous and asynchronous requests if the node is not a border node. If the node is a border node, a Border low request is issued if there are no asynchronous requests to forward. If there are asynchronous requests to forward then these asynchronous requests are forwarded. A Border low request is issued if there are no isochronous requests to forward; otherwise any isochronous requests to be forwarded are forwarded.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing cyclemasters over a distributed bridge is disclosed. The method comprises: a local portal sending a synchronization signal to a peer portal through a bridge fabric upon occurrence of a cycle synchronization event on the local portal; the peer portal sampling its local cycle timer to obtain a sample value when the peer portal receives the synchronization signal; a bridge manager at an upstream portal communicating the sample value to a bridge manager at an alpha portal; the bridge manager at the alpha portal using the sampled time value to compensate for delays through a bridge fabric, calculate the correction to be applied to a cycle timer associated with the alpha portal, and correct the cycle timer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to the behavior of border nodes within a high performance serial bus system is disclosed. A method for determining and communicating the existence of a hybrid bus is disclosed. A method for determining a path to a senior border node is disclosed, as is a method for identifying a senior border node Various methods for properly issuing gap tokens within a beta cloud are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for preventing loops in a full-duplex bus. One method has the acts of: selecting at least two candidates to join said bus; establishing a dominant candidate from one of said at least two candidates; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Another method has the acts of: selecting a plurality candidates to join said bus; establishing at least one dominant candidate; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said at least one dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Alternative embodiments are shown that utilize unique identifiers to facilitate candidate selection and to establish dominance on the bus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating random jitter test patterns by generating a sequence of maximum-size asynchronous packets according to the P1394b standard and transmitting the sequence to the device under test. The present invention provides a method for generating jitter test patterns by disabling the transmitter data scrambler of the second device; clearing the port_error register of the device under test; and sending a test pattern to said device under test. The present invention provides for a method for generating supply noise test patterns comprising: transmitting a test pattern to the DUT comprising a maximum length asynchronous packet containing alternate 0016 and FF16 bytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer readable medium containing instructions for generating random jitter test patterns by generating a sequence of maximum-size asynchronous packets according to the P1394b standard and transmitting the sequence to the device under test. The instructions are executed to generate jitter test patterns by disabling the transmitter data scrambler of the second device; clear the port_error register of the device under test; and send a test pattern to said device under test.

Abstract: A data communications system is disclosed having at least one Legacy cloud coupled to at least one Beta cloud. The system further having at least one BOSS node and at least one border node. A method for ensuring compatibility is disclosed comprising determining when the BOSS node is idle, determining whether the last packet transmitted by any border node was an Alpha format packet if the BOSS node is idle, and unlocking the Legacy cloud if the last packet transmitted by the border node was not an Alpha format packet.

Abstract: A data communications system is disclosed having at least one Legacy cloud coupled to at least one Beta cloud. The system further having at least one BOSS node and at least one border node. A method for ensuring compatibility is disclosed comprising determining when the BOSS node is idle, determining whether the last packet transmitted by any border node was an Alpha format packet if the BOSS node is idle, and unlocking the Legacy cloud if the last packet transmitted by the border node was not an Alpha format packet.

Abstract: A method and device for preventing loops in a high performance serial bus is disclosed. One aspect includes selecting an untested connection by at least one of the plurality of nodes to the bus; establishing dominance of the bus by one of the nodes which selected the untested connection; testing for loops through the connection by the nodes; and joining the untested connection to the bus if no loops are found in the bus.

Abstract: A method for loop breaking includes selecting a first port of a node, transmitting a first packet containing a first identifier from the first port of the node, listening for a second packet containing a second identifier for a period of time on a second port of the node, joining the first port and the node if the second identifier meets a first criteria with respect to the first identifier and quarantining the first port when the second identifier meets a second criteria with respect to the first identifier.

Abstract: An automatic crossover and healing process is disclosed for the P1394b standard. In particular, a crossover process is disclosed which comprises coupling the transmitting logic of a PHY to TPA, and coupling the receive logic of a PHY to TPB.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for preventing loops in a full-duplex bus. One method has the acts of: selecting at least two candidates to join said bus; establishing a dominant candidate from one of said at least two candidates; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Another method has the acts of: selecting a plurality candidates to join said bus; establishing at least one dominant candidate; testing for loops in said bus; and joining said at least one dominant candidate if no loops are found in said bus. Alternative embodiments are shown that utilize unique identifiers to facilitate candidate selection and to establish dominance on the bus.