Abstract: A control system for road building machines, particularly pavers, that automatically transitions the machine between operational states using closed-loop feedback control to achieve consistent paving joints. The system comprises a speed input mechanism for setting target speeds, a launch control input for initiating transitions, a controller executing closed-loop feedback control algorithms, and sensors monitoring machine speed, position, velocity, acceleration, and electrical current. The controller automatically generates controlled acceleration profiles using real-time sensor feedback to transition the machine from a first operational state to a second operational state, where each state may be either stationary or moving at a specified speed. This enables consistent transitions when starting from rest, accelerating to higher speeds, decelerating to lower speeds, or stopping, thereby eliminating variability in joint formation caused by manual operation.

Abstract: A stack switch for performing pass-through forwarding operations, assigning stack switch identifiers to a plurality of stack switches, temporarily disabling supervision messages exchanged by stack switches, and electing a primary master stack switch is disclosed. In the pass-through mode, the stack switch automatically forwards packets between stack ports independent of their destination address to maintain connectivity between adjacent stack switches while conventional bridging and routing operations are disabled. The sequential identifiers are also preferably assigned in accordance with the sequential position of the various stack switches to better reflect the topology of those switches. The switch is also preferably adapted to temporarily disable the transmission of supervision messages between stack switches to prevent re-assignment of network management functions when switch resources are low.

Abstract: A stack switch for performing pass-through forwarding operations, assigning stack switch identifiers to a plurality of stack switches, temporarily disabling supervision messages exchanged by stack switches, and electing a primary master stack switch is disclosed. In the pass-through mode, the stack switch automatically forwards packets between stack ports independent of their destination address to maintain connectivity between adjacent stack switches while conventional bridging and routing operations are disabled. The sequential identifiers are also preferably assigned in accordance with the sequential position of the various stack switches to better reflect the topology of those switches. The switch is also preferably adapted to temporarily disable the transmission of supervision messages between stack switches to prevent re-assignment of network management functions when switch resources are low.