Patent · US Expired

Multi-port LAN switch for a token-ring network

US5680397A · kind A · utility

48Cited by
16References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 1995
Grant dateOct 21, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L12/42
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A multi-port LAN switch is provided that enables attached network devices to both communicate directly and to insert into a token-ring network through an attached concentrator. Each port of the multi-port LAN switch has a first transformer, a second transformer, and a switching system. The first transformer has a first winding connected to a first connection of the port. The second transformer has a first winding connected to a second connection of the port. The switching system switches to a port mode or an adapter mode as a function of a mode signal transmitted to the port. In the adapter mode, the switching system connects a second winding of the first transformer to a transmitter circuit in the port, and its connects a second winding of the second transformer to a receiver circuit in the port. In the port mode, the switching system connects the second winding of the first transformer to the receiver circuit in the port, and it connects the second winding of the second transformer to the transmitter circuit in the port. Each port of the multi-port LAN switch further includes a DC voltage source that is switchably connected to the first connection of the port through a first swit…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.