A method for operating a network arrangement having a plurality of network systems is disclosed. Data belonging to a first class is synchronously transmitted in a specified time slot identical for all network systems. A network system, which owing to a synchronization error during the specified time slot, receives data belonging to other classes from a plurality of senders, then only sends data belonging to the first class, but now in standard messages belonging to class 2. Non-vital data belonging to the other classes is no longer transmitted in this operating state. Improved failure safety and in particular a fail-operational mode is provided by the behavior of the network systems in the event of synchronization errors. A network system which implements the method and a network arrangement having a plurality of corresponding network systems is also proposed.

A method for operating a network arrangement having a plurality of network systems is disclosed. Data belonging to a first class is synchronously transmitted in a specified time slot identical for all network systems. A network system, which owing to a synchronization error during the specified time slot, receives data belonging to other classes from a plurality of senders, then only sends data belonging to the first class, but now in standard messages belonging to class 2. Non-vital data belonging to the other classes is no longer transmitted in this operating state. Improved failure safety and in particular a fail-operational mode is provided by the behavior of the network systems in the event of synchronization errors. A network system which implements the method and a network arrangement having a plurality of corresponding network systems is also proposed.

An integrated circuit is described. The integrated circuit comprises a first portion having programmable resources; a second portion having hardened circuits including an analog-to-digital converter circuit configured to receive an input signal and generate an output signal; and a monitor circuit configured to receive an output signal generated by the analog-to-digital converter circuit; wherein the monitor circuit is configurable to control a calibration of the analog-to-digital converter circuit based upon signal characteristics of the output signal generated by the analog-to-digital converter circuit. A method of receiving data in an integrated circuit is also described.

An integrated circuit is described. The integrated circuit comprises a first portion having programmable resources; a second portion having hardened circuits including an analog-to-digital converter circuit configured to receive an input signal and generate an output signal; and a monitor circuit configured to receive an output signal generated by the analog-to-digital converter circuit; wherein the monitor circuit is configurable to control a calibration of the analog-to-digital converter circuit based upon signal characteristics of the output signal generated by the analog-to-digital converter circuit. A method of receiving data in an integrated circuit is also described.

A network-synchronization device may include a match filter. The match filter may be configured to generate events for synchronizing operation of elements of a network at least partially responsive to timing frames generated at a network switch. The events for synchronizing operation of the elements may include a first event generated at least partially responsive to first information associated with a first element and a second event generated at least partially responsive to second information associated with a second element. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

A network-synchronization device may include a match filter. The match filter may be configured to generate events for synchronizing operation of elements of a network at least partially responsive to timing frames generated at a network switch. The events for synchronizing operation of the elements may include a first event generated at least partially responsive to first information associated with a first element and a second event generated at least partially responsive to second information associated with a second element. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

A method of transmitting data between network devices over a non-deterministic network with a multiple channel access method, wherein it is not possible to determine, whether a network device can access the non-deterministic network, wherein the non-deterministic network comprises a plurality of network devices. The method includes the steps of: synchronising clocks of individual network devices of the plurality of network devices with each other, dividing time available for transmitting the data into timeslots, designating respective pairs of consecutive timeslots to the individual network devices of the plurality of network devices, wherein an individual network device transfers data only during the respective pairs of timeslots designated to it and evaluating, whether a network device of the plurality of network devices shall retransmit data, which it has already transmitted during a first timeslot of a pair timeslot, within the second timeslot of the pair of timeslots.

A method of transmitting data between network devices over a non-deterministic network with a multiple channel access method, wherein it is not possible to determine, whether a network device can access the non-deterministic network, wherein the non-deterministic network comprises a plurality of network devices. The method includes the steps of: synchronising clocks of individual network devices of the plurality of network devices with each other, dividing time available for transmitting the data into timeslots, designating respective pairs of consecutive timeslots to the individual network devices of the plurality of network devices, wherein an individual network device transfers data only during the respective pairs of timeslots designated to it and evaluating, whether a network device of the plurality of network devices shall retransmit data, which it has already transmitted during a first timeslot of a pair timeslot, within the second timeslot of the pair of timeslots.

Technologies for scalable packet reception and transmission include a network device. The network device is to establish a ring that is defined as a circular buffer and includes a plurality of slots to store entries representative of packets. The network device is also to generate and assign receive descriptors to the slots in the ring. Each receive descriptor includes a pointer to a corresponding memory buffer to store packet data. The network device is further to determine whether the NIC has received one or more packets and copy, with direct memory access (DMA) and in response to a determination that the NIC has received one or more packets, packet data of the received one or more packets from the NIC to the memory buffers associated with the receive descriptors assigned to the slots in the ring.

Technologies for scalable packet reception and transmission include a network device. The network device is to establish a ring that is defined as a circular buffer and includes a plurality of slots to store entries representative of packets. The network device is also to generate and assign receive descriptors to the slots in the ring. Each receive descriptor includes a pointer to a corresponding memory buffer to store packet data. The network device is further to determine whether the NIC has received one or more packets and copy, with direct memory access (DMA) and in response to a determination that the NIC has received one or more packets, packet data of the received one or more packets from the NIC to the memory buffers associated with the receive descriptors assigned to the slots in the ring.