Dual channel 100Base-T link for computer networks
US6272552A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 7, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/14
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A dual channel 100Base-T link for use between devices in a computer network system. The IEEE 802.3 standard for bus network systems calls for a device interconnection cable which includes four twisted pairs of wire. For 10BaseT and 100Base-T systems, the 802.3 standard specifies the use of only two of the four pairs. The present link includes a special Media Access Controller having dual channel interconnections, and primary and secondary Media Independent Interfaces and Physical Layers. This provides first and second communication channels which are parallel, but cooperating. The second channel is connected to the normally unused two pairs in the cable, effectively doubling the bandwidth of the link without running a new cable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.