Protection switch to support redundant application of converter units
AssigneeHubbell Incorporated
InventorGary M. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A network switch and method of switching are provided, in which first and second signal converters convert electrical signals to optical signals and vice versa. The network switch monitors alarm contacts and power drawn by the first and second signal converters, and switches from one to the other in the case of an alarm condition or power loss. In order to force a corresponding switch at the remote end, power is removed from one of the signal converters in order to force an alarm in the corresponding signal converter at the remote end.
Claims22
A network switch for providing a redundant network connection, said network switch comprising:
- a first communication port, a second communication port and a third communication port, said first communication port being connected to said switch, said switch selectively operating in one of a first state in which said first communication port is connected to said second communication port, and a second state in which said first communication port is connected to said third communication port, said second communication port being connected to a first signal converter, and said third communication port being connected to a second signal converter, and
- at least one of a first alarm monitor adapted to monitor a first alarm associated with said first signal converter, and a first power monitor adapted to monitor the power drawn by said first signal converter, said switch being adapted to temporarily disconnect power from said first signal converter and enter said second state if said first alarm monitor detects a first alarm or said first power monitor detects a drop in power drawn by said first signal converter.
A method of providing a redundant network connection, said method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring a first alarm associated with a first signal converter, said first signal converter being operable to convert optical signals to electrical signals for transmission to a subscriber, and to provide said electrical signals to a communications port or a network switch;
- measuring a first current drawn by said first signal converter;
- and
- if said first alarm is detected, or if said first current measured decreases substantially, connecting said electrical signals from a second signal converter to said communications port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.