Distributed ethernet hub

• US 20020163921A1
• Filed: 06/21/2002
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tellabs Bedford, Inc. (Infinera Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Tellabs Bedford, Inc. (Infinera Corp.)
• Inventors: Kimbrough, Mahlon D., Ethridge, Barry J., Gainer, James J., Whitehead, Joseph L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,356,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/413 with random access, e.g. carrier-sense multiple-access with collision detection [CSMA-CD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/44 Star or tree networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/122 where the PSTN/ISDN access is used as an access to networks other than PSTN/ISDN access arrangements to networks other than PSTN/ISDN H04M7/0066; access arrangements to public data networks H04L12/2856

Abstract

A technique for multiplexing high speed computed data with digitized voice signals onto a fiber optic cable for transfer to a local central office. The data packets of a number of computers are networked by way of a distributed hub that extends to residences, offices, apartments, etc. The data packets are switched outside the switching fabric of a local central office and routed to the internet or elsewhere. Command signals that are for accessing the internet are transmitted and received as 10 MHz Ethernet data packets on the distributed hub.

Claims

1. A distributed network hub, comprising:

at least one transmit line;

a pair of transmitters, each coupled to a different end of said transmit line, and each for transmitting data on said transmit line; and

each transmitter including circuits for avoiding a simultaneous transmission of data on said transmit line, and including a respective buffer memory for temporarily storing received data before transmission thereof on said transmit line, and each transmitter transporting data without modifying data fields thereof.

2. The distributed network hub of claim 1, wherein said transmit line comprises a fiber optic line.

3. The distributed network hub of claim 1, further including a plurality of transmit lines coupled in series, with associated transmitters coupled to said transmit lines, at least one said transmit line being greater than about 800 feet in length.

4. The distributed network hub of claim 1, wherein each transmitter is associated with a data receiver for transmitting and receiving data on one said transmit line.

5. The distributed network hub of claim 1, further including in combination a computer equipped with an Ethernet LAN card for transmitting and receiving data and coupled to one end of said transmit line.

6. The distributed network hub of claim 1, further including an optical network unit having circuits for sensing collisions of data, and an optical interface unit having circuits for sensing collisions of data, and a transmission medium for carrying data between the optical network and the optical interface unit.

7. The distributed network hub of claim 6, wherein said transmission medium comprises an optical fiber.

8. The distributed network hub of claim 6, wherein said transmission medium comprises a DS1 line.