Repeater interface controller with a partitioning port state machine

Abstract

A repeater interface controller receives a data packet at one of a plurality of port nodes from an associated segment of a local area network. The port nodes determine a priority port node, if more than one port node receives a data packet at substantially the same time, and transmit the data packet from the priority port node to a central node. The central node receives the data packet, repeats the data packet from the priority node, and transmits the repeated data packet to the non-priority port nodes. Each non-priority port node receives the repeated data packet and transmits the repeated data onto its associated segment. Each port node further includes a partitioning port state machine which monitors its associated segment and partitions the segment from the repeater interface controller when the partitioning port state machine detects a collision in a predetermined number of consecutive data packets. The partitioning port state machine detects collisions in each packet from a beginning of the data packet until an end of the data packet.