US 5,710,893 A · Method and apparatus for replicating digital signals

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a plurality of digital devices, including protocol analyzers, work stations, cable testers, and the like, with a data signal received from one of a plurality of target networks is. A plurality of data ports, including at least one target data port, a plurality of device data ports, and a plurality of intermediate data ports. Data channels establish a plurality of device data paths between a plurality of digital devices and a corresponding plurality of device data ports and a target data path between one of the target networks and at least one of the target data ports. A switch establishes a first data path between any selected one of the plurality of target data ports and a respective first intermediate data port. A replicator replicates a first data signal from the first intermediate data port at least to a second intermediate data port and to a third intermediate data port. A switch establishes a second data path between the second intermediate data port and a first selected data port of the plurality of device data ports and establishes a third data path between the third intermediate data port and a second selected data port of the plurality of device data ports. Thus, data can be selectively exchanged between any one of the plurality of target networks and at least any two of the plurality of digital devices.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An apparatus for providing a plurality of digital devices with a data signal received from one of a plurality of target networks, comprising:

a. a plurality of data ports, including at least one target data port, a plurality of device data ports, and a plurality of intermediate data ports;
b. means for establishing a plurality of device data paths between a plurality of digital devices and a corresponding plurality of device data ports;
c. means for establishing a target data path between one of the target networks and at least one of the target data ports;
d. means for establishing a first data path between any selected one of the plurality of target data ports and a respective first intermediate data port;
e. means for replicating a first data signal from the first intermediate data port at least to a second intermediate data port and to a third intermediate data port;
and
f. means for establishing a second data path between the second intermediate data port and a first selected data port of the plurality of device data ports and for establishing a third data path between the third intermediate data port and a second selected data port of the plurality of device data ports,
so that data can be selectively exchanged between any one of the plurality of target networks and at least any two of the plurality of digital devices.

5 more elements

A series of operational steps to be performed on a computer used to control an apparatus employing at least one replicator, with each replicator having at least three ports, to provide a plurality of digital devices with a data signal received from at least one of a plurality of target networks, comprising the steps of:

a. determining that a fast digital device of the plurality of digital devices has requested the establishment of a data path between the first digital device and a selected fast target network of the plurality of target networks;
and
b. establishing a data path between the fast digital device and the first target network when the first digital device has requested the establishment of a data path, and when no data path has already been established between the first target network and a second digital device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for replicating digital signals

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for replicating digital signals

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25