Dual channel 100Base-T link for computer networks
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorsBruce W. Melvin, Bharat K. Singh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual channel 100Base-T link for use between devices in a computer network system. The IEEE 802.3 standard for bus network systems calls for a device interconnection cable which includes four twisted pairs of wire. For 10BaseT and 100Base-T systems, the 802.3 standard specifies the use of only two of the four pairs. The present link includes a special Media Access Controller having dual channel interconnections, and primary and secondary Media Independent Interfaces and Physical Layers. This provides first and second communication channels which are parallel, but cooperating. The second channel is connected to the normally unused two pairs in the cable, effectively doubling the bandwidth of the link without running a new cable.
Claims19
A dual channel 100Base-T link for use in a first computer network device, comprising:
- a. a media access controller;
- b. a primary and a secondary physical layer;
- c. a primary and a secondary media independent interface, said primary media independent interface connecting said media access controller with said primary physical layer, and said secondary media independent interface connecting said media access controller with said secondary physical layer;
- and,
- d. a single cable having four twisted pairs of wires within a common sheathing, a first two of said twisted pairs at one end of said cable being interconnected to said primary physical layer, establishing a primary communication channel, and a second two of said twisted pairs at said one end of said cable being interconnected to said secondary physical layers, thereby establishing a secondary communication channel within said single cable.
A dual channel 100Base-T link for use between two devices in a computer network system, comprising:
- a. a media access controller at each device;
- b. a primary and a secondary physical layer at each device;
- c. a primary and a secondary media independent interface at each device, each said primary media independent interface connecting a respective one of said media access controllers with a respective one of said primary physical layers, and each said secondary media independent interface connecting a respective one of said media access controllers with a respective one of said secondary physical layers;
- and,
- d. a single cable having four twisted pairs of wires within a common sheathing, a first two of said twisted pairs being interconnected between said primary physical layers at each device, establishing a primary communication channel, and a second two of said twisted pairs being interconnected to said secondary physical layers at each device, thereby establishing a secondary communication channel within said single cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.