Transformer coupled, solid state communications line switch

• US 4,620,187 A
• Filed: 12/11/1984
• Issued: 10/28/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Conner, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Ralph
• Application Number:
  US06/680,621
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.05, 370/56, 370/85, 370/86, 370/117, 178/64, 375/3, 375/36, 307/17, 307/415, 307/417
• US Class Current: 370/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/42 Loop networks

Abstract

A plurality of signal coupling transformers and a plurality of solid state switches are used to insert and/or de-insert data terminal equipment (DTE) from a communications network. The solid state switches are controlled to short the output of selected transformers thereby allowing signals on the communications network to bypass the DTE and/or to be switched into the DTE. The DTE may also loop electrical signals from its output to its input.

Claims

1. In a communications network having a transmission medium operable for transmitting electrical signals provided by one or more DTEs connected to said medium a switching arrangement operable for inserting and/or de-inserting the DTE from the transmission medium comprising:

a first means operable for controlling the flow of electrical signals on the transmission medium;

a second means operable for controlling the flow of electrical signals into and/or from said DTE;

a first conductive means operable for coupling the first and second means to an input side of the transmission medium;

a second conductive means operable for coupling the first means to an output side of said transmission medium;

a third conductive means operable for coupling the second means to the DTE;

a fourth conductive means operable for coupling the second means to the first means; and

control means coupled to the first and second means and operable for selective disabling said first and second means so that electrical signals from a DTE are being transmitted onto the transmission medium or being wrapped from the output of said DTE to its input or signals on said transmission medium are being transmitted into the DTE or are being made to bypass said DTE.

2. The switching arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first means includes a first pair of transformers with each transformer carrying a plurality of control windings thereon.

3. The switching arrangement of claim 2 wherein the second means includes a second pair of transformers with each transformer carrying a plurality of control windings thereon.

4. The switching arrangement of claim 3 wherein each conductive means includes a length of conductive mediums connected at opposite ends to one of the control windings on a selected pair of transformers.

5. The switching arrangement of claim 1 wherein the control means includes a plurality of switching devices with each pair of the switching devices being connected to a common terminal and and operable for receiving enabling signal for activating said switching devices.

6. The switching arrangement of claim 5 wherein the switching devices includes solid state switches.

7. The switching arrangement of claim 6 wherein the solid state switches include FETs.

8. A circuit arrangement for attaching DTEs into a communications network comprising:

a first coupling means carrying a plurality of coils thereon;

a first flux control means connected to a first coil on the first coupling means;

a second coupling means having a plurality of coils thereon;

a length of conductive medium operable for interconnecting to the communication network and for interconnecting to a second coil on the first coupling means and a second coil on said second coupling means;

a second flux control means being connected to a first coil on the second coupling means;

a third coupling means having a plurality of windings thereon;

a length of conductive medium operable for interconnecting the transmission medium to a third coil being located on the first coupling means and a second coil on the third coupling means;

a third flux control means being connected to a first coil on the third coupling means;

a fourth coupling means having a plurality of windings thereon;

a length of conductive medium operable for interconnecting a receiving terminal of said DTE to a third coil on the second coupling means and a second coil on the fourth coupling means;

a fourth flux control means being connected to the fourth coupling means; and

a length of conductive medium operable for interconnecting a transmit terminal of said DTE to the fourth and third coupling means.

9. The circuit arrangement of claim 8 further including means for interconnecting the first and second flux control means to a common terminal.

10. The circuit arrangement of claim 8 further including means for interconnecting the third and fourth flux control means to a common terminal.

11. The circuit arrangement of claim 9 or 10 further including a control signal for enabling the common terminals.

12. The circuit arrangement of claim 11 wherein the flux control means includes solid state switching devices.

13. The circuit arrangement of claim 12 wherein the solid state devices include FETs.