Method and apparatus for connecting nodes for a computer network
US5414708A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 9, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S370/91
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for extending an Ethernet 10Base-T local area network topology from only allowing point-to-point link segments to allowing daisy-chained segments having multiple nodes on each segment. Thus, computer equipment can be connected in a bus topology while retaining the characteristics of a 10Base-T node according to IEEE Standard 802.3 for 10Base-T Ethernet. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a non-reclocking repeater at a 10Base-T node retransmits data packets from the node to subsequent nodes in a daisy-chained segment. When the repeater is not powered, bypass circuitry connects the two ends of 10Base-T wiring to remove the inactive node from the daisy-chain segment. The repeater includes modular connectors and analog transmit and receive sections for transmitting and receiving differential signals between two network link interfaces and an AUI. The repeater further comprises digital logic to implement the functional circuitry of a 10Base-T Medium Attachment Unit (MAU). It includes logic to detect data packets having two formats and link pulses. Because the IEEE Standard 802.3 only allows a fixed number of bits t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.