The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 1989
Filed:
Aug. 09, 1988
Michael W Pflaumer, Berkeley, CA (US);
Sun Microsystems, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
A local area network is disclosed including apparatus and methods for transmitting data between a plurality of data processing resources (agents) coupled to a cable. An agent desiring to send data to a receiving agent transmits a request to send (RTS) data packet which includes a control character requesting to either high or low speed data communication. Utilizing the teachings of the present invention, absent other predefined conditions a transmitting agent capable of high speed communication requests a high speed data exchange with the receiving agent. The RTS data packet itself is transmitted at low speed. Upon receiving the RTS packet, the receiving agent must transmit a clear to send (CTS) packet to the transmitting agent within a predetermined time after the receipt of the RTS packet. The CTS packet also includes a control character which either confirms that the data exchange will take place at high speed, or alternatively, a control character which requires a transmitting agent to use the low speed data rate. The transmitting agent, upon receipt of the CTS packet, generates and transmits a data packet to the receiving agent at either a high speed or low speed, depending upon the value of the control character with the CTS packet. The present invention further includes a status table maintained by each agent for tracking the address and communication capability of other agents coupled to the cable.