A communication method for transmitting
Ethernet messages in a distributed real-
time system in which a plurality of network node computers, e.g. four network node computers (111, 112, 113, 114), each comprising at least one communication controller (121, 122, 123, 124), are linked via a communication
system comprising one or more communication channels (109), one or more intelligent star couplers (101, 102) being disposed in each
communication channel. According to the invention, a distinction is made between conventional
Ethernet messages (ET messages) and time-triggered
Ethernet messages (TT messages), the TT messages being transported with an a priori known constant
delay time (Δ) between
transmitter and
receiver, and, when there is a time conflict between ET and TT messages, the transport of the ET message that is in conflict being delayed or aborted in order to be able to transport the TT message with the constant
delay time (Δ). Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding communication
system and a
star coupler for such a communication
system.