Communications interconnect with make-before-break signal routing
US6639894B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L1/22
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A primary communications interface card for receiving a signal is equipped with a bypass or shunting relay, the control of which is managed by a backup or protection interface card. The cable interconnect from far-end equipment to the primary interface card is provided with a make-before-break connector to the primary interface card, and a pig tail cable to the protection card. Upon command, the protection card may command the relay to shunt the signal from the far end equipment around the primary interface card to the protection card. Then, the cable may be disconnected from the primary interface card, with the make-before-break connector providing a signal path from the far-end equipment to the protection card before continuity through the shunting relay is lost. The primary interface card can then be removed and replaced, and the process reversed to redirect traffic to the primary interface card. Thus, the primary interface card is electrically or optically isolated, mechanically removed and replaced, and electrically or optically reconnected allowing continuous, uninterrupted service of the signal and traffic by the protection card during the maintenance action.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.