Variable time division multiplex transmission system

Abstract

A time division multiplex transmission system transmits information on multiple channels by using a transmission path with variable time division multiplexing. The variable time division multiplex transmission system of this invention is equipped with multiple channel devices 30 and a single transmission path 5 connected to these multiple channel devices. The multiple channel devices 30 transmit or receive data over the transmission path. Additionally, the system is equipped with a circuit that determines consecutive time slots for using the transmission path, and each of the channel devices transmits or receives data using consecutive time slots. Data can be transmitted in two or more different transmission bands, and the different transmission bands are realized by making the number of time slots used for a communication frame different.

1 . Time division multiplex transmission method for transmitting data in multiple channels using time division multiplexing of the transmission path; 
 wherein the data transmission is performed in at least two or more different transmission bands.    
     
     
         2 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 1 , wherein the data transmission in said two or more different transmission bands includes allocating said transmission paths at different allocation rates for said multiple channels.  
     
     
         3 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 2 , wherein said allocation rates are rates relating to the time duration of allocation.  
     
     
         4 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 2 , wherein said allocation rates are rates relating to frequency of allocation,  
     
     
         5 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 2 , wherein said data transmission is accomplished using consecutive time slots.  
     
     
         6 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 5 , wherein said different transmission bands are realized by making the number of time slots used in a prescribed time frame different.  
     
     
         7 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 6 , wherein the number of time slots used for each of the channels is variable.  
     
     
         8 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 7 , wherein the number of the time slots used is predetermined.  
     
     
         9 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 7 , wherein the number of time slots used is 0 or a whole number that is 1 or greater.  
     
     
         10 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 5 , wherein said different transmission bands are realized with time slots of different lengths used in a prescribed time frame.  
     
     
         11 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 6 , wherein, 
 each of the multiple channels transmits a time slot allocation token between the multiple channels in order to identify which of the consecutive multiple time slots in the prescribed time frame is allocated to each of the channels,    when the specified channel that has received said time slot allocation token uses the time slot,    use of the time slot is started when said time slot allocation token is received,    the time slots are used only for the number of time slots used,    use of the time slots is completed when use of the time slots in the number of time slots used is finished,    and in order to allocate the time slot that follows the time slot that was used last, from among the time slots in the number of time slots used, to the next channel, from among the multiple channels, the time slot allocation token is passed to the next channel.    
     
     
         12 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 11 , wherein the multiple channels have a daisy chain connection line that connects them to each other in a daisy chain, and the time slot allocation token is transferred by the daisy chain connection line.  
     
     
         13 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 1 , wherein the multiple channels are composed of multiple groups of channels.  
     
     
         14 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 13 , wherein the channel is formed with a channel device.  
     
     
         15 . Time division multiplex transmission method as in  claim 14 , wherein an identifier for the device is formed for the channel device of each group by connecting each of the channel devices of said multiple groups with multiple said daisy chains, 
 a channel device group identifier is formed for the channel devices of said multiple groups that are each connected by said multiple daisy chains, and    each of the channel devices of said multiple groups is identified by a combination of the channel device group identifier and the channel device identifier.    
     
     
         16 . Time division multiplex transmission system that uses a time division multiplex transmission method for transmitting or receiving data on multiple channels using a single transmission path that is time division multiplexed, comprising: 
 multiple channel devices,    the single transmission path being connected to the multiple channel devices, and    a circuit for determining the consecutive time slots for using the single transmission path, and for determining the time slot wherein each of the multiple channel devices will transmit or receive channel data using the consecutive time slots.    
     
     
         17 . Time division multiplex transmission system described in  claim 16 , wherein the channel data is transmitted by at least two or more different transmission bands.  
     
     
         18 . Time division multiplex transmission system as in  claim 21 , wherein the different transmission bands are realized by making the number of time slots used in a prescribed time frame different.  
     
     
         19 . Time division multiplex transmission system as in  claim 22 , wherein the number of the time slots used for each of the channel devices is variable.  
     
     
         20 . Time division multiplex transmission system as in  claim 23 , wherein the number of the time slots used is predetermined.  
     
     
         21 . Time division multiplex transmission system as in  claim 23 , wherein the number of the time slots used is 0 or a whole number that is 1 or greater.  
     
     
         22 . Time division multiplex transmission system as in  claim 16 , wherein the system includes a daisy chain connection line that connects the multiple channel devices, and this transfers the time slot allocation token, which identifies which of the consecutive multiple time slots in the prescribed time frame is allocated to each of the channel devices, between the multiple channel data sources.  
     
     
         23 . Time division multiplex transmission system as in  claim 22 , wherein each of the multiple channel devices includes: a memory circuit that stores the number of the time slots that are used by said channel devices for identifying which of the consecutive multiple time slots in the prescribed time frame is allocated to each of said channel devices, 
 a circuit to permit use of the time slots for only the number of time slots used when the time slot allocation token is received from the upstream side of the daisy chain line,    and a circuit to send the time slot allocation token to the downstream side of the daisy chain line in order to allocate the time slot that follows the time slot used last, from among said time slots of said number of time slots used, to the next channel device among the channel devices.