JP2006020224A - Communication controller, electronic apparatus, and communication control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arbitrate different transmission standards and transmission rates between electronic apparatuses which perform optical communication with each other. <P>SOLUTION: A communication control device 1 comprises an automatic negotiation circuit 5 which transmits a connection establishment deciding pulse signal for notifying an automatic negotiation function to which the present device corresponds, and a transmission standard/rate deciding pulse signal for notifying a transmission standard and transmission rate to which the present device corresponds. The automatic negotiation circuit 5 repeatedly outputs the connection establishment deciding pulse signal and when the same connection establishment deciding pulse is received from a counter device, the transmission standard/rate deciding pulse signal is transmitted. When a transmission standard/rate deciding pulse signal is received from the counter device, connection is established with the transmission standard and transmission rate which both the present device and the counter device correspond cope with. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control device that is mounted on an electronic device and performs optical communication between the electronic devices, an electronic device including the communication control device, and a communication control method. Specifically, by notifying the transmission standard and transmission rate between devices and establishing a connection with the transmission standard and transmission rate corresponding to both devices, it is possible to perform arbitration between different transmission standards and between different transmission rates. It is a thing.

  Generally, a standard defined by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3 is used as a standard for connecting personal computers and the like to form a network.

  In recent years, IEEE 1394 has been used as a standard for connecting AV (Audiovisual) devices and the like to personal computers and the like.

  In a device that can communicate according to both IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 1394 standards and has a modular jack shared by IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 1394, the connected counterpart device is compatible with IEEE 802.3. Or a technology that can automatically determine whether the device is compatible with IEEE 1394 has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In IEEE 802.3, standards relating to optical transmission are also defined. Similarly, in IEEE 1394, a standard relating to optical transmission (IEEE 1394b) is defined.

JP 2000-151676 A

  Conventionally, in the optical transmission standards using IEEE802.3 (10BASE-FL, 100BASE-FX, 1000BASE-SX, 10GBASE-SR / SW, etc.), it is assumed that the opposite device corresponds to the same transmission speed as the own device. However, it does not have an arbitration function between systems with different transmission rates.

  Further, a technology for discriminating between IEEE 1394b and IEEE 802.3 in the optical transmission standard has not been established.

  For this reason, there is a problem in that a connection is not established depending on the opposite device because a method of constantly flowing data (including idle data) immediately after power-on is detected without detecting whether the opposite device is connected.

  In the method of always flowing data, in the case of optical communication, the light emitting device is in a state of always emitting light. Therefore, considering the safety (eye safety) when the user looks into the connector when not connected, such as when the optical fiber cable is not connected to the own device or when the connector on one side is not connected to the opposite device, There is a need to reduce the output of the light emitting device, and there is a problem that it becomes difficult to secure the amount of light required for communication.

  Furthermore, since the light emitting device is always lit, there are problems such as an increase in power consumption and a shortened life of the light emitting device.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a communication control device that mediates transmission standards and transmission speeds between electronic devices that perform optical communication, and an electronic device that includes the communication control device, and An object is to provide a communication control method.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication control device according to the present invention is mounted on an electronic device, and in a communication control device that performs optical communication between electronic devices, a connection establishment determination that notifies a connection establishment function supported by the device itself. The signal transmission means is connected to the signal transmission means for transmitting the transmission standard / speed judgment signal for transmitting the transmission standard information for identifying the transmission standard corresponding to the device itself and the transmission speed information for identifying the transmission speed. When the establishment decision signal is repeatedly output and the connection establishment decision signal is received from the opposite device, the transmission standard / speed decision signal is transmitted by the signal transmission means, and when the transmission standard / speed decision signal is received from the opposite device, it is opposed to the own device. Both devices are provided with a control means for establishing a connection with a transmission standard and transmission speed corresponding to each device.

  The communication control device according to the present invention repeatedly outputs a connection establishment determination signal until connection is established between electronic devices. When the connection establishment determination signal is received from the opposite apparatus, it is determined that the opposite apparatus has the same connection establishment function as that of the own apparatus, and a transmission standard / speed determination signal is transmitted.

  When a transmission standard / speed determination signal is received from the opposite device, both the own device and the opposite device establish a connection with a transmission standard and transmission speed corresponding to each other and perform communication.

  In addition, the electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device including a communication control device that performs optical communication. The communication control device transmits a connection establishment determination signal that notifies the connection establishment function to which the device itself corresponds, and The signal transmission means for transmitting the transmission standard information for identifying the transmission standard corresponding to the device and the transmission standard / speed judgment signal for notifying the transmission speed information for identifying the transmission speed, and the signal transmission means for repeatedly outputting the connection establishment judgment signal. When the connection establishment determination signal is received from the opposite device, the transmission standard / speed determination signal is transmitted by the signal transmission means, and when the transmission standard / speed determination signal is received from the opposite device, both the own device and the opposite device support transmission. And a control means for establishing a connection at a standard and a transmission rate.

  In the electronic device according to the present invention, the communication control apparatus repeatedly outputs a connection establishment determination signal until a connection is established with another electronic device. When receiving the connection establishment determination signal from the opposite device, the communication control device determines that the opposite device has the same connection establishment function as the own device, and transmits a transmission standard / speed determination signal.

  When a transmission standard / speed determination signal is received from the opposite device, both the own device and the opposite device establish a connection with a transmission standard and transmission speed corresponding to each other and perform communication.

  Furthermore, the communication control method according to the present invention is a communication control method for performing optical communication between electronic devices, and repeatedly transmits a connection establishment determination signal for notifying a connection establishment function to which the own device corresponds, and determines the connection establishment from the opposite device. When a signal is received, it transmits a transmission standard / speed determination signal for notifying the transmission standard information for specifying the transmission standard corresponding to the own device and a transmission speed information for specifying the transmission speed, and sending the transmission standard / speed determination signal from the opposite device. Upon reception, both the own device and the opposite device establish a connection with a transmission standard and transmission speed corresponding to each device.

  In the communication control method according to the present invention, a connection establishment determination signal for notifying the connection establishment function to which the device itself corresponds is repeatedly transmitted. When a connection establishment determination signal is received from the opposite apparatus, a transmission standard / speed determination signal for notifying the transmission standard and transmission speed corresponding to the own apparatus is transmitted. Then, when a transmission standard / speed determination signal is received from the opposite device, a connection is established with a transmission standard and a transmission speed corresponding to both the own device and the opposite device, and communication is performed.

  According to the present invention, when the own device repeatedly transmits a connection establishment determination signal to notify the opposite device of the corresponding connection establishment function, and establishes a connection with the opposite device having the same connection establishment function, Since the transmission standard / speed judgment signal that notifies the corresponding transmission standard and transmission speed is transmitted and the transmission standard and transmission speed are arbitrated, the local device and the opposite device can be selected from multiple types of transmission standards and transmission speeds. Communication can be established by establishing a connection with a transmission standard and a transmission speed corresponding to each other.

  This enables auto-negotiation to arbitrate transmission standards even between different transmission standards such as IEEE 1394b and IEEE 802.3, and further, auto-tuning transmission speeds between systems having different transmission speeds within the same transmission standard. Since negotiation is possible, communication can be performed with the maximum capability of both the own device and the opposite device.

  Since the connection establishment determination signal, which is a pulse signal, is repeatedly transmitted until the connection is established, it is not necessary to always turn on the light emitting device that transmits the optical signal, and the life of the light emitting device can be extended. In addition, power consumption can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the light-emitting device is not constantly lit, safety is improved when the optical cable connecting the devices is not connected, etc., and it is not necessary to reduce the light amount to ensure safety, so communication is possible. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of errors due to the inability to secure the required amount of light.

  Embodiments of a communication control device, an electronic device, and a communication control method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Outline of Communication Control Device and Electronic Device of Present Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a communication system using an electronic device provided with a communication control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The communication control device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an automatic negotiation function for mediating transmission standards and transmission speeds, and is provided in an electronic device 2 such as a digital home appliance such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player or an information home appliance such as a personal computer. Installed.

  The electronic devices 2 are connected by an optical fiber cable 3, and data is transmitted and received between the electronic devices 2 by optical communication. Then, the communication control device 1 uses an auto-negotiation function to check whether there are different transmission standard (protocol) types such as IEEE 1394b and IEEE 802.3, communication speeds according to the IEEE 802.3 standard, full duplex, half duplex, and flow control. Exchange information and establish a connection with the maximum capacity of both parties.

  In addition, the communication control device 1 corresponds to the opposite device from the optical signal received from the opposite device when the opposite device connected by the optical fiber cable 3 is not equipped with the communication control device 1 having the same auto-negotiation function. The transmission standard (10BASE-FL, 100BASE-FX, 1000BASE-SX, 10GBASE-SR / SW, 1394b, etc.) is automatically determined, and the connection is established with the maximum capacity of both.

  Further, the communication control device 1 ensures compatibility with existing systems and interconnectivity by matching the interface with the upper layer, for example, the link layer, to the conventional standard.

<Specific Configuration of Equipment Provided with Communication Control Device of Present Embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the electronic device 2 including the communication control device 1. The communication control device 1 is connected to the optical module 4 provided in the electronic device 2. The optical module 4 includes a light emitting device and a light receiving device (not shown), converts an electrical signal into an optical signal and transmits it, and converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal.

  The communication control device 1 transmits and receives signals via the optical module 4, and as shown in FIG. 1, the transmission standard and the transmission speed of optical communication with the electronic device 2 which is the opposite device connected by the optical fiber cable 3. And an auto-negotiation circuit 5 that performs communication with the maximum capacity supported by both parties.

  As will be described later, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 transmits a connection establishment determination pulse signal that notifies the opposite device that the communication control apparatus 1 has an auto-negotiation function as a connection establishment function, and the communication control apparatus 1 supports Provided with a function (signal transmission means) for transmitting a transmission standard / speed determination pulse signal for notifying the opposite device of the transmission standard and the transmission speed.

  Further, it has a function (control means) for establishing a connection by controlling transmission of signals and determining received signals.

  The communication control device 1 includes an IEEE 1394b PHY (Physical Layer) circuit 6 and an IEEE 802.3 PHY circuit 7 that perform processing of the physical layer determined to be the best in the automatic negotiation circuit 5.

  The IEEE 802.3 PHY circuit 7 is preferably provided with a PHY circuit corresponding to each of standardized 10BASE-FL, 100BASE-FX, 1000BASE-SX, and 10GBASE-SR / SW in order to support different transmission speeds. . In addition, you may provide the PHY circuit according to the transmission rate selectively as needed.

  Further, the communication control apparatus 1 includes an IEEE 1394b LINK circuit 8 and an IEEE 802.3 MAC (Media Access Control) circuit 9 that process the upper link layer corresponding to the PHY circuit selected in the automatic negotiation circuit 5.

  As the communication control device 1, as shown by the circuit block 1a, the auto negotiation circuit 5 and the IEEE 802.3 PHY circuit 7 may be combined into an LSI. Further, as shown in the circuit block 1b, the auto-negotiation circuit 5, the IEEE 802.3 PHY circuit 7, and the IEEE 1394b PHY circuit 6 may be combined to form an LSI.

  In the configuration of the circuit block 1b, the IEEE 1394b PHY circuit 6 and the IEEE 1394b LINK circuit 8 are connected by a PHY-LINK interface 10 standardized as a connection means. Further, the IEEE 802.3 PHY circuit 7 and the IEEE 802.3 MAC circuit 9 are connected by a standardized MII (Media Independent Interface) interface 11 or a GMII (Gigabit Independent Interface) interface.

  In this way, the communication control device 1 is provided with the auto-negotiation circuit 5 and the PHY circuit, so that the interface with the link layer, which is the upper layer, is compatible with the existing standard, Interoperability is ensured. As a result, it is possible to use an existing link layer LSI, and it is possible to cope with a case where a device having a higher transmission speed appears in the future.

  Further, as shown in the circuit block 1c, the communication control device 1 is configured as an LSI by combining the auto-negotiation circuit 5, the IEEE 1394b PHY circuit 6 and the IEEE 802.3 PHY circuit 7, and the IEEE 1394b LINK circuit 8 and the IEEE 802.3 MAC circuit 9. It is good also as a structure connected with the electronic device 2 by CPU interface 13 which mounts on a board | substrate and connects to CPU bus | baths 12, such as PCI.

  The optical module 4 and the automatic negotiation circuit 5 of the communication control device 1 are connected by a transmission line 4a, a reception line 4b, and a signal detection line 4c.

  In addition, since these signal lines correspond to the case where they are connected to the IEEE 802.3 PHY circuit of the opposite device that does not have the auto-negotiation function, a determination circuit (not shown) that recognizes the transmission standard provided in the auto-negotiation circuit 5 in parallel. Also connected to.

  The electronic device 2 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 14, a memory 15, an I / O 16, a compression / decompression circuit 17 and the like in addition to the communication control device 1 described above. The CPU 14, I / O 16 and compression / decompression circuit 17 are connected to the CPU bus 12. As described above, the IEEE 1394b LINK circuit 8 and the IEEE 802.3 MAC circuit 9 are connected to the CPU bus 12 through the CPU interface 13.

  Further, the IEEE 1394b LINK circuit 8 may be configured to be connected to the compression / decompression circuit 17 through a real-time and secure AV data interface 18.

<Details of auto-negotiation circuit functions>
Next, details of the function of the auto-negotiation circuit 5 will be described. The auto-negotiation circuit 5 sends a connection establishment determination pulse signal shown in FIG. 3A to be described later via the optical module 4 to notify the opposite device that the self-device has the auto-negotiation function of this example. It has a function to do.

  Further, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 receives signals received via the optical module 4 from 10BASE-FL, 100BASE-FX, 1000BASE-SX, and 10GBASE-SR / SW signals (for example, transfer rate and idle pattern). Or the existing IEEE 1394b negotiation pulse signal shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, or the connection establishment determination pulse signal of this example.

  The auto-negotiation circuit 5 detects a signal sent from an existing LSI by a parallel detection means (not shown), and if the communication control device 1 of its own device has a processing capability corresponding thereto, it is adapted to each transmission method. Start communication.

  Further, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 transmits a transmission standard / speed determination pulse signal shown in FIG. 3B, which will be described later, when the opposite device supports the auto-negotiation function of this example. A function of establishing a connection by transmitting an IEEE 1394b negotiation pulse signal shown in FIG.

  Here, the operation of determining whether both the own device and the opposite device are compatible with the auto-negotiation function of this example is referred to as face 1, and both the own device and the opposite device are compatible with the auto-negotiation function of this example. In this case, the operation for adjusting the transmission standard and the transmission speed is referred to as “face 2”.

  Next, signals transmitted by the auto negotiation circuit 5 will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of a signal transmitted in the process of connection establishment by the automatic negotiation function of the present embodiment, FIG. 3 (a) is a connection establishment determination pulse signal, and FIG. 3 (b) is a transmission standard / speed determination pulse. Signal.

  The connection establishment determination pulse signal shown in FIG. 3A is a pulse signal having a pulse width of about 666.7 μs in which only the first bit is turned on “1” in the pattern of the pulse train 51. In phase 1 of the operation executed by the auto-negotiation function, a pulse train obtained by repeating the connection establishment determination pulse signal at intervals of about 64 ms is transmitted.

  This connection establishment determination pulse signal conforms to the start tone signal transmitted in the negotiation operation defined by IEEE 1394b, and the opposite device does not support the auto-negotiation function of this example, but the negotiation function of IEEE 1394b. If it corresponds to the above, the negotiation operation of the IEEE1394b is entered by the connection establishment determination pulse signal.

  However, by making the pulse interval longer than the start tone signal of IEEE 1394b, it is possible to extend the life of a light emitting device (not shown) constituting the optical module 4 and to reduce power consumption.

  The auto-negotiation circuit 5 repeatedly transmits a connection establishment determination pulse signal until it detects reception of a signal from the opposite device. Then, when the signal received from the opposite device is a connection establishment determination pulse signal, the automatic negotiation circuit 5 enters the next face (face 2). In the face 2, the transmission standard / speed determination pulse signal shown in FIG. 3B is output from the optical module 4 in order to notify the transmission standard and transmission speed supported by the own device.

  The transmission standard / speed determination pulse signal shown in FIG. 3B is a pulse train 52 in which 17 pulse signals having a pulse width of about 666.7 μs are arranged at intervals of about 2.6667 ms including the first bit. In addition, information on communication functions such as transmission standard information and transmission speed information is specified.

  The pulse train 52 forms a base page and a next page defined by IEEE 802.3 Clause 28. However, the transmission time that can be supported, the transmission speed, and the identification of full duplex and half duplex can be exchanged on the base page so as to shorten the negotiation time.

  FIG. 4 shows the contents of the transmission standard / speed pulse signal, FIG. 4 (a) shows the data format, and FIG. 4 (b) shows the information indicated by the bits. Here, FIG. 4 shows the contents of 16 bits excluding the first bit of the pulse train 52 shown in FIG.

  The 3-bit Selector Field (selector field) S [2: 0] is an area used for transmission standard identification. In this example, “S [2: 0] = 001” indicates that the transmission standard Represents IEEE802.3. The rest are undefined.

  The 9-bit Technology Ability Field (Technology Ability Field) A [9: 0] sets the corresponding bit position to “1” for communication functions such as transmission standards and transmission speeds supported by devices that transmit this bit string. It expresses by doing.

  Note that “A [9: 0] = 000000001” indicates that the transmission standard supports only IEEE 1394b, and in this case, the selector field is ignored.

  The remote fault (RF) is used for notification of a failure. Also, Acknowledge (Ack) immediately sets “1” and transmits it when the opposite Technology Ability Field is recognized in order to reduce the negotiation speed.

  Next Page (NP) sets “1” when there is a next page, but in this example, since the basic function of communication is mounted on the Base Page and exchanged, the implementation of the next page is treated as an option. Note that the negotiations on and after the next page are all in accordance with IEEE 802.3 Clause 28.

  FIG. 5 is an IEEE 1394b negotiation pulse signal. In the case of “A [9: 0] = 000000001” in the technology ability field described in FIG. 4 and when the opposite device supports the existing IEEE 1394b negotiation, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 is shown in FIG. Send a negotiation pulse signal.

  The negotiation pulse signal is a pulse train 53 formed by a combination of six pulses so that the transmission speed in IEEE 1394b can be identified, and is also called a speed tone.

  When the opposing device has the auto-negotiation function of this example and the corresponding transmission standard is IEEE 1394b, or when the opposing device supports the existing IEEE 1394b negotiation, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 is shown in FIG. The negotiation pulse signal shown in FIG. 5 is exchanged with the opposite device, and the transmission speed is adjusted to establish a connection.

<Operation of communication control device>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the auto-negotiation operation of the communication control apparatus according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the communication control method according to the present embodiment will be described as the operation of the communication control apparatus 1.

  Step 1: When the electronic device 2 is powered on, the communication control device 1 enters the phase 1 of the auto-negotiation operation by the auto-negotiation circuit 5 and sends the connection establishment determination pulse signal described in FIG. 4 to output.

  Step 2: The auto-negotiation circuit 5 detects in parallel the signals received from the opposite device, and first determines whether the connection establishment determination pulse signal has been normally received from the opposite device.

  When the signal received from the opposite device is the pulse train 51 in which only the first bit, which is the connection establishment determination pulse signal of the auto negotiation function of this example shown in FIG. Check three times in a row. If they are within the specified range, it is determined as a connection establishment determination pulse signal, and as a response, a pulse train 51 with an Ack pulse having a pulse width of about 666.7 μs is transmitted with an interval of about 2 ms from the first bit.

  When a pulse train with Ack is also sent from the opposite device, the connection establishment determination pulse signal is normally received, and it is determined that the opposite device also has the auto-negotiation function of this example, and the process of step 3 is performed. If the connection establishment determination pulse is not normally received, the process of step 8 is performed in parallel detection.

  Step 3: When the auto-negotiation circuit 5 determines that the opposite device also has the auto-negotiation function, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 shifts to face 2 and transmits a transmission standard / speed determination pulse signal shown in FIG.

  Step 4: By transmitting the transmission standard / speed pulse signal from the own device in Step 3, the transmission standard / speed determination pulse signal is also transmitted from the opposite device, and the auto-negotiation circuit 5・ Receive a speed pulse signal.

  Then, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 uses the technology ability field shown in FIG. 4 of the transmission standard / speed pulse signal transmitted from the own device and the transmission standard / speed pulse signal received from the opposite device, and It is determined whether or not the opposite device supports IEEE 1394b.

  If both the own device and the opposite device support IEEE 1394b, the process of step 5 is performed. If the own device or the opposite device does not support IEEE 1394b, the process of step 11 is performed.

  Step 5: When the self-negotiation circuit 5 supports the IEEE 1394b, the self-negotiation circuit 5 adds the self-device and the counter device to the IEEE 1394b from the technology ability field shown in FIG. 4 of the transmission standard / speed pulse signal. It is determined whether or not IEEE802.3 10GBASE is supported.

  If both the own device and the opposite device support 10GBASE, the process of step 6 is performed. If the own device or the opposite device does not support 10GBASE, the process of step 7 is performed.

  Step 6: When the own device and the opposite device support both IEEE 1394b and 10GBASE, the connection is established with 10GBASE according to the table shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a table showing priorities in the auto-negotiation operation. When the self-negotiation circuit 5 and the opposite device support a plurality of transmission standards and transmission rates, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 follows the priority table shown in FIG. Establish a connection.

  That is, when both the self-device and the opposite device support IEEE 1394b and IEEE 802.3, if IEEE 1394b is automatically given priority, the maximum transmission speed is obtained when IEEE 802.3 10GBASE is supported. The connection is not established. Therefore, by adjusting the transmission standard and transmission speed using the table shown in FIG. 7, communication can be performed with the maximum capability of both the own device and the opposite device.

  Step 7: When the own device and the opposite device support IEEE 1394b, but one of the devices does not support 10GBASE, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 establishes a connection with IEEE 1394b, so the pulse signal shown in FIG. And the IEEE 1394b negotiation operation is performed according to the existing procedure.

  Step 8: If the connection establishment determination pulse signal from the opposite device is not normally received in Step 2, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 performs the processing of Step 9 when receiving the IEEE 1394b negotiation pulse signal from the opposite device, If the IEEE 1394b negotiation pulse signal is not received, the process of step 10 is performed.

  Step 9: When the IEEE 1394b negotiation pulse signal is received from the opposite device, since the opposite device is a device that supports only IEEE 1394b, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 uses the pulse signal shown in FIG. 5 to establish a connection with the IEEE 1394b. And the IEEE 1394b negotiation operation is performed according to the existing procedure.

  Step 10: If it is determined in Step 2 and Step 8 that the opposing device does not support the auto-negotiation and IEEE 1394b of this example, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 receives the idle from the opposing device, and the opposing device receives 10BASE (10M ), 100BASE (100M), or 1000BASE (1G), and if the device has a connection function according to the received idle signal, the connection is established at the corresponding transmission rate.

  Step 11: When the own device and the opposite device have an auto-negotiation function, but the own device or the opposite device does not support the IEEE 1394b, the auto-negotiation circuit 5 determines the technology ability shown in FIG. 4 for the transmission standard / speed pulse signal. From the field, when the transmission rate supported by both the own device and the opposite device is one, the connection is established at the transmission rate. If both support a plurality of transmission rates, the transmission rate is selected according to the priority order according to the priority table of FIG. 7, and the connection is established.

  With the above operation, negotiation between different transmission standards such as IEEE 1394b and IEEE 802.3 is possible, and communication can be performed with the maximum capability of both the own device and the opposite device.

  Conventionally, in the IEEE 802.3 optical transmission standards (10BASE-FL, 100BASE-FX, 1000BASE-SX, 10GBASE-SR / SW, etc.), there is no negotiation function between the respective systems. In the negotiation function, negotiation between each scheme in IEEE802.3 is also possible.

  Furthermore, when the opposite device does not have the auto-negotiation function of this example, the existing IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 1394b optical transmission standards are automatically recognized and can be connected.

  The present invention is mounted on an electronic device that can be connected to a plurality of types of electronic devices as a connection target electronic device, and enables optical communication without being restricted by the connection target electronic device.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the communication system by the electronic device provided with the communication control apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the electronic device provided with the communication control apparatus. FIG. 3A shows an example of a signal transmitted in the process of connection establishment by the automatic negotiation function of the present embodiment, FIG. 3A is a connection establishment determination pulse signal, and FIG. 3B is a transmission standard / speed determination pulse signal. . The contents of the transmission standard / speed pulse signal are shown, FIG. 4A shows the data format, and FIG. 4B shows the information indicated by the bits. This is an IEEE 1394b negotiation pulse signal. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of the automatic negotiation operation | movement of the communication control apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a table which shows the priority in automatic negotiation operation | movement.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication control apparatus, 2 ... Electronic equipment, 3 ... Optical fiber cable, 4 ... Optical module, 5 ... Auto negotiation circuit, 6 ... IEEE1394bPHY circuit, 7 ... IEEE802 .3 PHY circuit, 8 ... IEEE 1394b LINK circuit, 9 ... IEEE 802.3 MAC circuit, 10 ... PHY-LINK interface, 11 ... MII interface, 12 ... CPU bus, 13 ... CPU interface, 14 ... CPU, 15 ... memory, 16 ... I / O, 17 ... compression / decompression circuit, 18 ... AV data interface

Claims (14)

In a communication control device that is mounted on an electronic device and performs optical communication between electronic devices,
Transmission standard / speed determination that transmits a connection establishment determination signal for notifying the connection establishment function supported by the own device, and notifying the transmission standard information for identifying the transmission standard supported by the own device and the transmission rate information for identifying the transmission speed. Signal transmission means for transmitting a signal;
When the signal transmission means repeatedly outputs the connection establishment determination signal and receives a connection establishment determination signal from the opposite apparatus, the signal transmission means transmits the transmission standard / speed determination signal and the opposite apparatus transmits a transmission standard / speed determination. A communication control device comprising: control means for establishing a connection at a transmission standard and a transmission speed corresponding to both the own device and the opposite device when receiving a signal. When the control unit detects reception of a signal other than the connection establishment determination signal from the opposite device, the control unit determines a transmission standard and a transmission speed of the opposite device based on the received signal, and establishes a connection. The communication control device according to claim 1. The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission standard / speed determination signal identifies IEEE 1394b and IEEE 802.3 as transmission standards, and identifies a transmission speed according to IEEE 802.3 as a transmission speed. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit establishes a connection with priority on the transmission rate when the own device and the opposite device correspond to a plurality of transmission standards and a plurality of transmission rates. The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means for connecting to an upper processing layer is provided in accordance with an existing standard. In an electronic device equipped with a communication control device that performs optical communication,
The communication control device includes:
Transmission standard / speed determination that transmits a connection establishment determination signal for notifying the connection establishment function supported by the own device, and notifying the transmission standard information for identifying the transmission standard supported by the own device and the transmission rate information for identifying the transmission speed. Signal transmission means for transmitting a signal;
When the signal transmission means repeatedly outputs the connection establishment determination signal and receives a connection establishment determination signal from the opposite apparatus, the signal transmission means transmits the transmission standard / speed determination signal and the opposite apparatus transmits a transmission standard / speed determination. An electronic apparatus comprising: a control unit that establishes a connection with a transmission standard and a transmission speed corresponding to both the device itself and the opposite device when receiving a signal. When the control unit detects reception of a signal other than the connection establishment determination signal from the opposite device, the control unit determines a transmission standard and a transmission speed of the opposite device based on the received signal, and establishes a connection. The electronic device according to claim 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transmission standard / speed determination signal identifies IEEE 1394b and IEEE 802.3 as transmission standards, and identifies a transmission speed according to IEEE 802.3 as transmission speeds. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit establishes connection giving priority to the transmission rate when the own device and the opposite device correspond to a plurality of transmission standards and a plurality of transmission rates. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the communication control device includes means for connecting to an upper processing layer in accordance with an existing standard. In a communication control method for performing optical communication between electronic devices,
It repeatedly transmits a connection establishment determination signal to notify the connection establishment function supported by its own device,
When the connection establishment determination signal is received from the opposite device, the transmission standard / speed determination signal for notifying the transmission standard information for specifying the transmission standard corresponding to the own device and the transmission speed information for specifying the transmission speed is transmitted,
A communication control method characterized in that, when a transmission standard / speed determination signal is received from an opposite device, a connection is established with a transmission standard and transmission speed that both the own device and the opposite device support. 12. The communication control according to claim 11, wherein when a signal other than the connection establishment determination signal is received from the opposite device, a connection is established by determining a transmission standard and a transmission speed of the opposite device based on the received signal. Method. 12. The communication control method according to claim 11, wherein the transmission standard / speed determination signal identifies IEEE 1394b and IEEE 802.3 as transmission standards, and identifies the transmission speed according to IEEE 802.3 as transmission speeds. The communication control method according to claim 11, wherein, when the own device and the opposite device support a plurality of transmission standards and a plurality of transmission rates, the connection is established with priority on the transmission rates.

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