Abstract: Access to a bus is granted to one of a number of requesting communication circuits that each submitted a bus control request during a request period of an arbitration period in response to the entries in a priority table. If a requesting communication circuit has an identity and priority that match the identity and priority of a communication circuit stored in a row of the priority table that corresponds with the arbitration period, access to the bus is granted to the requesting communication circuit.

Abstract: Communications equipment includes a demultiplexer that controllably delivers portions of the data to buffers in a particular order, a logic circuit that selectively controls the transmission of the data from the buffers such that a transmission order of the data portions is preserved, and transmission circuits, each in communication with at least one of the buffers. A method of transmitting data is further disclosed.

Abstract: Access to a bus is granted to one of a number of requesting communication circuits that each submitted a bus control request during a request period of an arbitration period in response to the entries in a priority table. If a requesting communication circuit has an identity and priority that match the identity and priority of a communication circuit stored in a row of the priority table that corresponds with the arbitration period, access to the bus is granted to the requesting communication circuit.

Abstract: Access to a bus is granted to one of a number of requesting communication circuits that each submitted a bus control request during a request period of an arbitration period in response to grant information which can be stored in a primary and a backup priority table. If a requesting communication circuit has an identity and priority that match the identity and priority of a communication circuit stored in a row of the primary or backup priority table that corresponds with the arbitration period, and the identities stored in the tables match only one requesting communication circuit, access to the bus is granted to the requesting communication circuit.

Abstract: A network interface for home networking implemented upon an existing 4-wire (two-pair) phone line system is disclosed. The interface comprises two transmitters, two line isolators and a receiver. The two transmitters transmit data simultaneously to both of the pairs of wires in the phone line system so that all devices coupled to the phone line system, regardless which pair of wires being coupled onto, can receive the data. Because all the pairs carry the data, there is therefore needed one on receiver in the interface to receive the data transmitting over the phone line system. The disclosed interface provides a solution to the home networking which no longer requires the knowledge of the underlying wiring structure in the phone line system.

Abstract: A network interface for home networking implemented upon an existing 4-wire (two-pair) phone line system is disclosed. The interface comprises two transmitters, two line isolators and a receiver. The two transmitters transmit data simultaneously to both of the pairs of wires in the phone line system so that all devices coupled to the phone line system, regardless which pair of wires being coupled onto, can receive the data. Because all the pairs carry the data, there is therefore needed one on receiver in the interface to receive the data transmitting over the phone line system. The disclosed interface provides a solution to the home networking which no longer requires the knowledge of the underlying wiring structure in the phone line system.

Abstract: An improved phone plug comprises a housing having a rear-receiving end and a plugging end, a number of inductors and conductors. The plug-receiving socket is formed in the rear-receiving end and adapted to receive a modular phone plug; the plugging end being so formed that the plugging end can be plugged into a regular phone jack coupled to the phone line system including the data network. The conductors are mounted in the housing and have first ends and second ends; the first ends projecting into the plug-receiving socket for engaging a contact of the modular phone plug when the modular phone plug is inserted into the plug-receiving socket; the second ends coupled respectively to the plugging end through the inductors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a removable telephone line surge protection circuit (104) for use by an electronic deuce such as a modem (102). The line protection circuit (104) protects the modem (102) against telephone line surges such as those caused by lightning strikes. In one embodiment of the invention, the line protection circuit (104) interfaces with test circuitry which is preferably located within the modem (102) in order to allow the modem (102) to determine if the line protection circuit (104) is still operational while the line surge protection circuit (104) is connected to the modem (102). The present invention also provides for a removable surge protection circuit that is a testable module when connected to an electronic device having automatic module test capability as presented in one aspect of the invention. The surge protection circuit also provides for status indication of its operability in order to allow device users to make a quick determination of whether or not the module is damaged.

Abstract: The use of a redundant memory subsystem, memory flow control, and a method of copying (srubbing) data from the location of one memory subsystem to the corresponding location in the other memory subsystem provides correction of soft errors in a parity protected memory system without degrading the performance of the memory system except when an error occurs. A copy of the correct data is also provided to the memory system when a location in either of the memory subsystems experiences a hard error.