US5682383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reconfigurable switch matrix for local area network
Assignee: Standard Microsystems LLC
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Filing: 1996-12-09
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Granted: 1997-10-28
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Expires: 2016-12-09
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for interconnecting groups of users into collision domains in a Local Area Network such as an Ethernet comprises a plurality of repeater groups, with each repeater group being connected to a group of user stations. The arrangement also comprises an electronically reconfigurable switch matrix. The switch matrix comprises a plurality of segment lines (or other transmission media) each of which is used to form one collision domain or Ethernet segment. Switch elements under the control of a microcontroller selectively connect particular repeater groups (and the associated user groups) to particular segment lines to form Ethernet segments, each Ethernet segment being a single collision domain. Internetworking devices such as bridges and routers may also be connected to the switch matrix to interconnect particular collision domains.
Inventors
- 👤 Ashraf Mansur Dahod
- 👤 Erick R. Diaz
- 👤 Camillo Iadevaia
- 👤 Ronald Sulyma
- 👤 Colin Michael Taddonio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/44; H04L12/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A reconfigurable switch matrix for use in a hub of a network comprising: a plurality of distinct transmission media, a plurality of switch matrix ports, each switch matrix port being selectively connectable to each of said transmission media for transmitting and receiving data to and from any one of the selected transmission media, respectively, an array of switch elements, each switch element, when actuated, providing a connection which enables a particular one of said ports to couple signals onto and couple signals off of a particular one of said transmission media, and a controller for electronically actuating selected ones of said switch elements for providing a connection between selected ones of said ports and selected ones of said transmission media.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A reconfigurable switch matrix for use in a hub of a network comprising: a plurality of distinct transmission media, a plurality of switch matrix ports, each switch matrix port being selectively connectable to each of said transmission media for transmitting and receiving data to and from any one of the selected transmission media, respectively, an array of switch elements, each switch element, when actuated, providing a connection which enables a particular one of said ports to couple signals onto and couple signals off of a particular one of said transmission media, and a controller for electronically actuating selected ones of said switch elements for providing a connection between selected ones of said ports and selected ones of said transmission media.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The switch matrix of claim 1 wherein each of said transmission media corresponds to a single collision domain in said network and the specific ports connected to a specific one of said transmission media forming a specific collision domain in said network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch matrix of claim 1 wherein each of said transmission media includes four distinct transmission paths for transmitting digital NRZ signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The switch matrix of claim 3 wherein one or more of said switch matrix ports are NRZ buffer ports which convert between analog differential NRZ signals and digital NRZ signals used within said switch matrix on said transmission media.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The switch matrix of claim 3 wherein one or more of said switch matrix ports are NRZ buffer ports which convert between analog differential NRZ signals and digital NRZ signals used within said switch matrix on said transmission media and one or more of said switch matrix ports are Ethernet ports.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The switch matrix of claim 4 wherein each of said NRZ buffer ports is connected to a concentrator module, each of said concentrator modules comprising a repeater group having one or more Ethernet ports and an NRZ buffer port connected to a corresponding NRZ buffer port of said switch matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The switch matrix of claim 2 wherein one or more of said switch matrix ports are Ethernet ports, each Ethernet port comprising a receive filter for receiving data from a station, a transmit filter for transmitting data to a station and a repeater circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The switch matrix of claim 1 which said switch matrix includes an address decoder associated with a group of said switch elements, said address decoder receiving address information from said controller and decoding said address information for generating signals to actuate one or more switch elements in said group.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
An arrangement for use in a communications network comprising at least one concentrator module each of which includes a repeater group and an NRZ buffer port, and a reconfigurable switch matrix comprising: at least one NRZ buffer port which transmits differential analog NRZ signals to and receives differential analog NRZ signals from said NRZ buffer port in said concentrator module, at least one Ethernet port, a plurality of transmission media each corresponding to a collision domain in said network, an array of switch elements, each switch element, when actuated, providing a connection between a particular one of said ports and a particular one of said transmission media which enables the particular port to couple signals onto and off of the particular one of said transmission media, and a controller for an actuating selected ones of said switch elements to form one or more distinct collision domains in said network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
149 words
An arrangement for use in a communications network comprising at least one concentrator module each of which includes a repeater group and an NRZ buffer port, and a reconfigurable switch matrix comprising: at least one NRZ buffer port which transmits differential analog NRZ signals to and receives differential analog NRZ signals from said NRZ buffer port in said concentrator module, at least one Ethernet port, a plurality of transmission media each corresponding to a collision domain in said network, an array of switch elements, each switch element, when actuated, providing a connection between a particular one of said ports and a particular one of said transmission media which enables the particular port to couple signals onto and off of the particular one of said transmission media, and a controller for an actuating selected ones of said switch elements to form one or more distinct collision domains in said network.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-27 | 2001-04-28 | 2001-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-27 | 2005-04-28 | 2005-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-27 | 2009-04-28 | 2009-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |