Development of a Reconfigurable, Application-Specific LAN with Enhanced Scope

The International Standard Organization (ISO), in an effort to encourage "Open" networks, developed the Open Systen Interconnect(OSI) reference model. The OSI model describes the functions of each layer in broad terms, not specific implementation. Standard available LAN specifications describe the type of cable, speed, frame format, media access methods etc. as general industrial standards but in many of the real time applications, there may be specific communication requirements which may not be satisfied by using off-the-shelf LAN subsystem. Attempt has been made to identify the speciality of the Application-specific networks in this paper. General design methodologies of the application specification Network are discussed particularly in view of distributed real time systems. A set of hardware/software modules have been developed for this purpose. These design methodologies have been tested and varified while implementing a specific real-time application at SHAR centre, Sriharikota for their communication requirement.