Fast switchover output protection
US6798840B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L1/22
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention is a communication system having a series of output modules that provide continuous synchronization output signals. Each output module has a driver assembly has a driver output and a backup selector output that is capable of driving a failed next driver assembly. A sensor detects the failure of the driver output and generates a select signal in the failure state. A selector receives the driver output, a backup driver output, the select signal, and a select signal from the next driver assembly. The selector normally selects the driver output, but in response to a failure state from the select signal, isolates the failed driver output. The previous driver assembly transmits a backup selector output to the failed driver assembly to maintain a continuous driver output. The transformers are preferably placed on a separate card to reduce the thermal degradation of nearby electronics. As transformers rarely fail, replacing them when a card fails is wasteful. The separate transformer cards also can be shaped so that only transformer cards with the same output type can be placed next to one another. A transformer card with a dissimilar output will not plug in unless a slot is …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.