In order to reach the full capacity of a TP1 network, areas can be connected together via a TP1 backbone line. The TP1 backbone line is limited to one TP1 segment, which shall NOT be extended by means of TP1/TP1 couplers. In order to connect a TP1 area to the TP1 backbone line, a TP1/TP1 coupler is to be used, which in this context is called a 'Backbone Coupler'. The TP1 area main line is to be connected to the secondary side of this TP1/TP1 coupler.
Network capacity: [capacity backbone line] + [capacity area main line] x 15 + [capacity line] x 15 x 15
- the capacity taken by the 15 TP1/TP1 couplers from the backbone line (primary side) is 15 x 1 = 15 devices
- per TP1 area:
- the capacity taken by the TP1/TP1 coupler for the connection with the backbone line (secondary side) is 1 device
- the capacity taken by the 15 TP1/TP1 couplers from the main line (primary side) is 15 x 1 = 15 devices
- per TP1 area and per TP1 line:
- the capacity taken by the TP1/TP1 coupler for the connection with the main line (secondary side) is 1 device
- the capacity taken by the 3 TP1/TP1 coupler from the line (primary side + secondary side) is 3 x 2 = 6 devices
This brings the total capacity of a TP1 network to: [ 64 - 15 ] + [ 64 - 1 - 15 ] x 15 + [ (4 x 64) - 1 - 6 ] x 15 x 15 = 56794 devices.
Area 0
In order to be complete, it needs to be stated that the backbone line is also the main line of area 0. This means that in total maximum 30 TP1/TP1 couplers can be connected to the backbone line.
This brings the total capacity of a TP1 network to: [ 64 - 30 ] + [ 64 - 1 - 15 ] x 15 + [ (4 x 64) - 1 - 6 ] x 15 x 16 = 60514 devices.
Check
This calculation can also be reversed, total capacity = capacity of all lines + capacity of all main lines (the backbone line is also the main line of area 0) - capacity taken by all Backbone Couplers, Line Couplers and Line Repeaters: [16 x 15 x 256] + [16 x 64] - [ (15 x 2) + (16 x 15 x 2) + (16 x 15 x 3 x 2) ] = 60514 devices.
TP1-256 devices
As of 2019 also TP1-256 devices can be used within a TP1 segment. If only TP1-256 devices are used then the network capacity calculation is a bit different:
The total capacity of such a network = capacity of all lines + capacity of all main lines - capacity taken by the Backbone Couplers and Line Couplers: [16 x 15 x 256] + [16 x 256] - [ (15 x 2) + (16 x 15 x 2) ] = 65026 devices.