JPH0257750B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention enables multiple computers or their peripheral devices having communication line interfaces such as RS-232C and current loops to communicate with each other in a multiple-to-multiple relationship. This relates to a signal branching and coupling method for connection.

[Conventional technology]

Generally computers, digital controllers,
General-purpose communication line terminals for peripheral devices, etc. are RS-232C,
They are interconnected through a communication path such as a current loop.

Note that these communication methods are detailed in, for example, ``Fundamentals and Practice of Local Network Technology'' (written by Tadashi Ae, published by CQ Publishing), so the explanation will be omitted.

Since it is not possible to connect a signal line bus using such a communication path, it is common to use a signal branching and coupling device to communicate between multiple devices.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional signal branching and coupling system, in which a signal branching and coupling device M5 is provided between the peripheral device T1 and the peripheral devices T2 to TN, and mutual communication is performed via this signal branching and coupling device M5. . The signal branching coupler M5 has an input terminal A6 and an output terminal B6 connected to the peripheral device T1, and the peripheral device T2 or
It has an input terminal A7 to AN connected to TN and an output terminal B7 to BN, and the input terminal A7
A series circuit of OR connection diodes 1D to (N-1)D and a waveform shaping amplifier a1 corresponding to each peripheral device T2 to TN is connected between the input terminal A6 and the output terminal B6. A waveform shaping amplification section a2 is connected between the output terminals B7 and BN.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in the conventional system shown in FIG. 6, communication is possible between the peripheral device T1 and the other peripheral devices T2 to TN;
There was a problem in that the TNs could not communicate directly with each other, and communication had to be performed once via the peripheral device T1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost, simple-configuration signal branching and coupling system that solves the above-mentioned problems.

[An easy way to solve problems]

In the present invention, the circuits connected to each peripheral device are made into plug-in modules so that signals can be exchanged with each other via the motherboard.
To enable signals from any peripheral device to be output to all other peripheral devices, and to enable direct communication between multiple peripheral devices on an equal basis. In addition, by plugging in the circuit that connects peripheral devices, you can connect devices with different signal characteristics, such as RS-232C.
Transmission between devices with an interface and devices with a current loop interface is made possible by using plug-in modules accordingly.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of the signal branching and coupling system according to the present invention. In the figure, T1 to T4 indicate peripheral devices to communicate with each other, and these peripheral devices T1 to T4 are connected to the motherboard A via signal branching and coupling modules M1 to M4, respectively. Furthermore, these modules M1
M4 to M4 are each converted into a plug-in module and inserted into a connector provided on the motherboard A.

The details of the present invention will be explained below.

FIG. 2 shows a signal branching and coupling module M1, which includes an input terminal A0 and an output terminal B0 that are connected to a peripheral device T1, and input terminals A1 to A1 that serve as a signal bus for connecting to a motherboard A. A4 and output terminals B1 to B4 are provided. Between the input terminals A1 to A4 and the output terminal B0, there are open collector buffer gates 1B to 4B and a waveform shaping amplifier section a.
1 series circuit is connected, and a waveform shaping amplifier section a is connected between the input terminal A0 and the output terminals B1 to B4.
2 and an open collector buffer gate 5B provided in common to output terminals B1 to B4.
series circuit is connected. Therefore, input terminal A1
If there is an input to any of the output terminals B1 to A4, an output appears at the output terminal B0, and if there is an input to the input terminal A0, outputs appear to all the output terminals B1 to B4.

Furthermore, module M2 to M4 are also module M.
It has the same configuration as 1.

FIG. 3 shows a motherboard A, which is provided with a connector C1 having pins A11 to A14 and B11 to B41 for connecting input terminals A1 to A4 and output terminals B1 to B4 of module M1. Input terminals A1 to A4 of module M1 are pin A11
to A41, respectively, and the output terminal B1
to B4 are connected to pins B11 to B41, respectively. Similarly, connectors C2 to C4 having pins A12 to A44 and pins B12 to B44 are provided for modules M2 to M4. These pins A11 to A4
4 and pins B11 to B44 are wired so that the output of one peripheral is input to all other peripherals. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, pins B11, A12, A13 and A14 are commonly connected, and pins A21, B22, A23 and A
24 are commonly connected, pins A31, A32, B
33 and A34 are connected in common and pin A4
1, A42, A43 and B44 are commonly connected.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained. When a signal from the peripheral device T1 is applied to the input terminal A0 of the module M1, the waveform is shaped and amplified by the waveform shaping amplification section a2, and level conversion is performed to convert the signal level to a signal level that satisfies the interface conditions of the peripheral device. After being carried out, Batsufua Gate 5B
are outputted to output terminals B1, B2, B3 and B4 via. Therefore pin B1 of motherboard A
1, B21, B31 and B41, but since only pin B11 is connected to other pins, the output is provided to pins A12, A13 and A14, and the input terminals of all other peripherals T2 to T4. Since the signal is supplied to the peripheral device T1
All other peripherals sent from T2 to T
4 can be received. Similarly, signals input to other modules M2 to M4 are sent to input terminal A of module M1 via motherboard A.
1 to A4, all signals transmitted from other modules M2 to M4 can be received by module M1.

This operation is performed in the same way for all other modules M2 to M4, so that all the peripheral devices can communicate directly on an equal basis.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the case where there are four plug-in modules has been explained, but even when there are five or more plug-in modules, the addition of a signal bus and the plug-in module can be done using the same idea. The same can be achieved by adding more pins to the connector of the bus coupling section.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the output terminals of the plug-in modules are provided in correspondence with the number of plug-in modules inserted, but for example, as shown in FIG. B1 only, and by connecting the wires connected to pins B22, B33 and B44 of the motherboard A connector in Figure 3 to pins B12, B13 and B14 of each connector as shown in Figure 5. A similar effect can be obtained. Also, in this case, pin B21 or B in FIG.
24, B31 to B34 and B41 to B
44 is no longer necessary, and the number of pins can be reduced.

Furthermore, although the present invention provides a circuit system for branching and coupling signals of communication lines,
Considering that the output of one plug-in module inserted into the motherboard is input to all the other plug-in modules, this bus can also be used as a bus for mutual monitoring of modules.

This means that, for example, when each module or device is normal, there is no valid output for the signal output to the waveform shaping amplifier section a2 in Figure 2, but when it becomes abnormal, a valid output is output. Possibly module M1 or peripheral device T shown in FIG.
1 is abnormal, the other peripheral devices T2 to T4 can detect the signal and perform a backup operation or an abnormality processing operation.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, a signal from any peripheral device can be outputted to all other peripheral devices using a simple and low-cost signal branching and coupling device.
This has the effect that multiple peripheral devices can all communicate directly on an equal basis. In addition, by making the circuit that connects peripheral devices into a plug-in, the plug-in module can be used to transmit signals between devices with different signal properties, such as devices with an RS-232C interface and devices with a current loop interface. There is also the effect that it becomes possible by using it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a signal branching and coupling system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a module, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a motherboard, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a module according to another embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a motherboard according to another embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional signal branching and coupling system. T1-T4...Peripheral equipment, M1-M4...Module, A...Motherboard, A0-A4...Input terminal, B0-B4...Output terminal, a1-a2...
... Waveform shaping amplifier, 1B to 5B... Buffer gate, C1 to C4... Connector, A11 to A44,
B11-B44...Pin.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Having a first input and output terminal to which a peripheral device is connected and a plurality of second input and output terminals,
When a signal is supplied to the first input terminal, an output appears at at least one of the plurality of output terminals, and
a module section wired such that an output appears at the first output terminal when a signal is input to any one of the input terminals; and a plurality of second input and output terminals of the module section. A motherboard to which a plurality of connectors each having a third input and output terminal are connected, and the input terminal of each one of the plurality of connectors is respectively connected to the output terminal of all other connectors. Signal branching and coupling system with