Patent · US Expired

Adaptive interface apparatus and method for data terminal elements in a communication network transmitting and receiving ethernet over a shielded twisted pair cabling system

US6332166A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
11References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 15, 1999
Grant dateDec 18, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L25/0292
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An adaptive interface and method of operation facilitate connection of a work station in a Local Area Network (LAN) using Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cabling to an Ethernet 10/100BASE TX installation using Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP). The work station is coupled through the adaptive interface to the STP cabling system emulating a given number of meters of UTP cabling. The interface adapter comprises at one end a RJ 45 connector adapted for connection to the STP cabling and at the other end a MIC_S token ring connector coupled to an Ethernet adapter through the STP cabling system. The adaptive interface includes programmatically controlled filters interconnecting the RJ 45 and MIC_S connectors. The filter comprises a series of 1 . . . N switchable lumped passive element units which can be sequentially connected into the STP cabling to emulate the amplitude attenuation and phase shift of a preselected length of UTP 5 cabling, typically in the range of 20 meters. In operation, the Physical Layer (PHY) in the communication system enters a start up sequence for the various circuits and cabling in the layer. During the start up sequence, the adaptive interface is bypassed. After an app…

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