Abstract: The invention refers to a method for monitoring a communication media access schedule of a communication controller (5) of a communication system (1) by means of a bus guardian (6). The communication system (1) comprises a communication media (2) and nodes (3) connected to the communication media (2). Each node (3) comprises a communication controller (5) and a bus guardian (6) assigned to the communication controller (5). Messages are transmitted among the nodes (3) across the communication media (2) based on a cyclic time triggered communication media access scheme.

Abstract: A method and a bit stream decoding unit for bit stream decoding has a bit stream comprising a number of consecutive samples. In order to provide for rapid and, in particular, reliable decoding of the bit stream, a detection window comprising a number of samples is defined and the detection window is positioned at certain positions on the bit stream in order to comprise certain samples with respective sample values. A majority voting is applied to the sample values in the detection window and, in dependence on the result of the majority voting, the bit stream is decoded and respective bit values are generated.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus receives a communication signal that contains temporally successive bits. A programmable processor circuit executes a plurality of series of programmed instructions for operations such as parity checking, each at a time of reception of a respective one of the bits. The processor circuit suspends operation each time after executing a respective one of the series of instructions. A synchronization circuit triggers execution of respective ones of the series, each time at the time of reception of the respective one of the bits, and, except for a last one of the series, prior to reception of one or more later bits that contribute to the data word.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus receives a message containing a sync break interval with a unique bit pattern and a sync field interval identified by the sync break interval. A timing property of the sync field interval specifies the length of bit periods of the message. A clock source circuit supplies a sampling clock signal to define time points for sampling bits from the message. The clock source circuit adapts a frequency of the sampling clock signal to the timing property of the sync field interval.

Abstract: The invention refers to one of a number of nodes of a communication system. The nodes are connected to a communication media for transmitting data among the nodes. Said one node comprises a communication controller, across which the node is connected to the communication media, and a bus guardian for controlling access of the communication controller to the communication media. In order to provide a cheap but nevertheless reliable way for monitoring the synchronized clock signal of a node of a communication system and in particular for detecting deviations of the synchronized clock signal it is suggested that a synchronized clock signal from the communication controller is made available to the bus guardian, and that the bus guardian comprises means for monitoring the synchronized clock signal using a bus guardian internal clock signal, which is generated by means of an electronic circuit and which is less accurate than the synchronized clock signal to be monitored.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the monitoring and management of data traffic in a communication system with several communication nodes which communicate via interfaces monitored by a bus monitor, comprising the following steps:a) provision of a predefined communication time schedule for all communication nodes,b) initialization of the bus monitor,c) synchronization of the communication time schedule of the bus monitor with the predefined communication time schedule executed by the communication nodes in a distributed arrangement, the synchronization taking place on the basis of activities observed at the interfaces,d) monitoring of the activities of the communication nodes by the bus monitor,e) comparison of the activities with the predefined communication time schedule, andf) deactivation of the interface for any communication node for which an activity not compatible with the predefined communication time schedule has been detected. A circuit arrangement and its use are also described.

Abstract: The communication bus system comprises a plurality of node circuits (10a-d) and a relay circuit (12, 14, 16) coupling the node circuits (10a-d). The relay circuit (12, 14, 16) has a transceiver circuit (124, 164) for relaying messages (21) between the node circuits (10a-d) in a normal mode. The transceiver circuit (124, 164) is powered down in a sleep mode. A detector circuit (120, 160) detects an incoming message (41) when the relay circuit (12, 14, 16) is in a sleep mode. A mode control circuit (122, 162) powers up the transceiver (124, 164) in response to detection of an incoming message (21). Steps are taken that ensure, in the normal mode, that messages (21) will not be relayed in unreadable form. The mode control circuit (122, 162) is arranged to cause the transceiver (124, 164) to relay a remainder (25) of the incoming message (21) after power up.

Abstract: A method and a bit stream decoding unit for bit stream decoding has a bit stream comprising a number of consecutive samples. In order to provide for rapid and, in particular, reliable decoding of the bit stream, a detection window comprising a number of samples is defined and the detection window is positioned at certain positions on the bit stream in order to comprise certain samples with respective sample values. A majority voting is applied to the sample values in the detection window and, in dependence on the result of the majority voting, the bit stream is decoded and respective bit values are generated.

Abstract: Method for transmitting data within a communication system, the communication system comprising a communication media and a number of nodes connected to the communication media, the data being transmitted across the communication media within a communication cycle comprising a number of time slots assigned to one or more nodes of the communication system. In order to provide a possibility for a data transmission within communication cycles, which can satisfy the demands in communication systems for safety critical applications, too, it is suggested, that the communication cycle is initiated by an external event. The external event can be caused by manually setting a bit by a host, by a configurable timer in a controller host interface (CHI) or by an external trigger.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for monitoring a communication media access schedule of a communication controller (5) of a communication system (1) by means of a bus guardian (6). The communication system (1) comprises a communication media (2) and nodes (3) connected to the communication media (2). Each node (3) comprises a communication controller (5) and a bus guardian (6) assigned to the communication controller (5). Messages are transmitted among the nodes (3) across the communication media (2) based on a cyclic time triggered communication media access scheme.