Abstract: In one embodiment, a node comprises an interface to communicatively couple the node to a first channel. The first channel communicatively couples the node to a first neighbor node and a first neighbor's neighbor node in a first direction. When the node is operating in an unsynchronized mode: the node relays, along the first channel, for a relay period, data received from the first neighbor node that was sourced from that first neighbor node and, after relaying the data received from the first neighbor node that was sourced from that first neighbor node and for a block period, the node blocks data received from the first neighbor while the node relays, along the first channel, data received from the first neighbor's neighbor node.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a message in a time division multiple access network is provided. The method includes receiving a message from an active relaying component, inspecting a value in the message inserted by the active relaying component, and comparing the value with an expected value based on a transmission schedule.

Abstract: A method for arbitrating access to a time slot in a time division multiple access network in an asynchronous hub with a bus guardian is provided. The method including receiving signals from competing nodes claiming access to the same time slot at the bus guardian of the asynchronous hub, selecting one of the nodes based on a priority scheme, and relaying a message from the selected node and blocking the message from the non-selected node.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a node comprises an interface to communicatively couple the node to a channel. The channel communicatively couples the node to a first neighbor node and a first neighbor's neighbor node in a first direction. When the node relays relayed data along the channel, the node compares data received from the first neighbor node with data received from the first neighbor's neighbor node. The relayed data comprises: at least one of: the data received from the first neighbor node and the data received from the first neighbor's neighbor node; and information indicative of the results of the comparison.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a node comprises a first network interface and a second network interface. The node further comprises a first bus guardian that asserts a first bus guardian signal when the second network interface is allowed to transmit and a second bus guardian that asserts a second bus guardian signal when the first network interface is allowed to transmit. The first network interface is not allowed to transmit unless the second bus guardian asserts the second bus guardian signal. The second network interface is not allowed to transmit unless the first bus guardian asserts the first bus guardian signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network comprises a plurality of linear bus nodes and a plurality of ring interface units. Each of the linear bus nodes is communicatively coupled to each of a plurality of rings using at least one of the plurality of ring interface units. In another embodiment, a network comprises a ring and a plurality of nodes. Each of the plurality of nodes is adapted to communicate data over a linear bus. The network further comprises a plurality of ring interface units. Each of the ring interface units communicatively couples a respective node to the ring.

Abstract: A parasitic time synchronization network is provided including a plurality of nodes, one or more hubs, each hub having communication links with the plurality of nodes and one or more guardians. Each node is adapted to transmit and receive data and communicate with every other node through the one or more hubs. The communication links between any one hub and the plurality of nodes defines a communication channel. Each guardian is associated with one communication channel. Each node is assigned a time slot in which it is permitted to transmit data through an associated hub of the one or more hubs. A guardian of an associated channel blocks propagation of data transmissions between the plurality of nodes through the associated hub allows only data transmissions from one of the plurality of nodes, wherein the guardian periodically receives a cluster of beacons generated by a plurality of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A multi-channel TDMA network having priority based is provided. A network includes a plurality of channels, and a plurality of nodes adapted to transmit and received data. Through each channel, every node is coupled to communicate data with every other node. Within each channel, each node is assigned a unique priority rank. Only the node with the highest priority rank is permitted to transmit data during a time slot. For each channel of the multi-channel network, the plurality of nodes are ranked in a different priority direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a node comprises an interface to communicatively couple the node to a channel. The channel communicatively couples the node to a first neighbor node and first neighbor's neighbor node in a first direction. When the first neighbor node is scheduled to transmit and the node receives data from the first neighbor node via the channel, the node forwards the data to the first neighbor's neighbor, receives other data from the first neighbor's neighbor, compares the data to the other data, and relays the data along the channel with information indicative of the comparison.