PHYSICAL LAYER MANAGEMENT FOR INTERCONNECT CONFIGURATIONS USING RFID CHIP TECHNOLOGY

• US 20120045928A1
• Filed: 03/26/2010
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Caveney, Jack E., Nordin, Ronald A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,686,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/488
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/138 using RFID

Abstract

An intelligent physical layer management system is provided that includes active electronic hardware, firmware, mechanical assemblies, cables, and software that guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in an interconnect patching environment. RFID tag integrated chips are used to identify which switch port a patch cord is plugged into. The system is capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. In addition, the system can map the patch field in interconnect configurations.

Claims

1. A physical layer management system for an Ethernet system comprising:

a first Ethernet port, the first Ethernet port comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver;

a second Ethernet outlet, the second Ethernet outlet comprising an REID tag integrated circuit (IC); and

a patch cord, the patch cord comprising for pairs of conductors dedicated to carrying Ethernet signals and a fifth pair of conductors dedicated to carrying signals between the RFID transceiver and the RFID tag IC, the RFID transceiver and the RFID tag IC each configured to transmit and receive signals over the fifth pair of conductors of the patch cord.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plug, the plug comprising an antenna. configured to allow the REID tag IC to send and receive signals over the fifth pair of conductors.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first Ethernet port is contained within a patch panel and the second Ethernet port is contained within a network switch.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the REID tag IC is contained within a mounting bar mounted on the network switch proximate to the second Ethernet port.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED).

6. The system of claim 5 wherein he at least one LED comprises a red LED and a green LED.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the mounting bar further comprises at least one port peripheral interface controller (PIC) configured to control illumination of the at least one LED.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a primary mounting bar PIC configured to communicate with the at least one port PIC.