Active local area network connector
AssigneeMicrosemi Corp.—Analog Mixed Signal Group Ltd.
InventorAlon Zeev Ferentz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An active connector assembly for use in a local area network (LAN) including at least one LAN node. The active connector assembly includes an active connector housing, at least one first plurality of first electrical contacts mounted in the housing and arranged for detachable connection with corresponding electrical contacts of at least one plugs, at least one second plurality of second electrical contacts arranged for connection with corresponding electrical contacts of local area network equipment and active power control circuitry coupled to at least some of the first and second electrical contacts, the active power control circuitry being operative for controlling the supply of electrical power over the local area network cabling to at least one node of the local area network.
Claims24
An active local area network connector assembly comprising:
- a connector housing for use with local area network (LAN) equipment;
- first electrical contacts mounted in said housing and arranged for detachable connection with corresponding electrical contacts of at least one plugs, said first electrical contacts comprising at least one data pair for transmitting data between said local area network equipment and at least one LAN node;
- second electrical contacts fixed to said housing and arranged for connection with said LAN equipment, said second electrical contacts carrying electrical power for the at least one LAN node;
- and
- active power circuitry coupled to at least one of said at least one data pair and at least one of said second electrical contacts, said active power circuitry being operative for combining said electrical power for the at least one LAN node to said data pairs.
An active RJ-45 local area network connector assembly comprising:
- an RJ-45 compatible connector housing for use with local area network (LAN) equipment;
- first electrical contacts mounted in said RJ-45compatible connector housing and arranged for detachable connection with corresponding electrical contacts of at least one plugs, said first electrical contacts comprising at least one data pair for transmitting data between said local area network equipment and at least one LAN node;
- second electrical contacts fixed to said RJ-45 compatible connector housing and arranged for connection with said LAN equipment, said second electrical contacts carrying electrical power for said at least one LAIN node;
- and
- active power circuitry coupled to at least one of said at least one data pair and at least one of said second electrical contacts, said active power circuitry being operative for combining said electrical power for said at least one LAN node to said data pairs.
An active RJ-45 local area network connector assembly comprising:
- a connector housing for use with local area network (LAN) equipment;
- first electrical contacts mounted in said connector housing and arranged for detachable connection with corresponding electrical contacts of at least one RJ-45 compatible plug, said first electrical contacts comprising at least one data pair for transmitting data between said local area network equipment and at least one LAN node;
- second electrical contacts arranged for connection with said LAN equipment, said second electrical contacts carrying electrical power for said at least one LAN node;
- and
- active power circuitry fixed to said connector housing and coupled to at least one of said at least one data pair and at least one of said second electrical contacts, said active power circuitry being operative for combining said electrical power for said at least one LAN node to said data pairs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.