Integrated RJ-45 magnetics with phantom power provision

• US 6,541,878 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2000
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Diab, Wael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L
• Application Number:
  US09/618,976
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 307/17, 307/412, 439/490
• US Class Current: 307/17
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/2828 Construction of conductive connections, of leads
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/40 Structural association with built-in electric component, e.g. fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 29/02 with tappings on coil or winding; with provision for rearrangement or interconnection of windings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6633 with inductive component, e.g. transformer
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45

Abstract

A connector integrates a transformer and a “phantom” power provision, thus enabling a reduction in size along with an increase in versatility for electronic communication. The transformer may comprise a pair of magnetic transformers. The power source may be connected to center taps of the magnetic transformers for providing a bias voltage to the connector.

Claims

1. A connector for receiving and transmitting electronic signals comprising:

a connecting port-within a chassis, said connecting port having a plurality of input connections on a chip side of the connecting port and a plurality of output connections on a cable side of the connecting port, said plurality of input connections connecting to a first receiver port, a second receiver port, a first transmitter port and a second transmitter port;

a transformer within said chassis connecting to said plurality of input connections and said plurality of output connections, said transformer having a winding with a tap on the cable side of the connecting port; and

a power connection within said chassis connecting to said tap and to a fixed potential, said power connection being connectable to a remote power source.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said transformer further comprises:

a first magnetic transformer having a winding connecting said first receiver port to said second receiver port; and

a second magnetic transformer having a winding connecting said first transmitter port to said second transmitter port.

3. A connector according to claim 2 wherein said transformer further comprises:

a chip side on said first magnetic transformer;

a cable side on said first magnetic transformer;

a chip side on said second magnetic transformer; and

a cable side on said second magnetic transformer.

4. A connector according to claim 3, further comprising:

a second tap on said chip side of said second magnetic transformer; and

a third tap on said cable side of said second magnetic transformer.

5. A connector according to claim 4, further comprising:

a fourth tap on said chip side of said first magnetic transformer.

6. A connector according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

a first pin connectable to said first receiver port;

a second pin connectable to said second receiver port;

a third pin connectable to said first tap;

a fourth pin connectable to said first transmitter port;

a fifth pin connectable to said second tap;

a sixth pin connectable to said second transmitter port; and

a seventh pin connectable to said third tap.

7. A connector according to claim 6 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

an eighth pin connectable to said fourth tap.

8. A connector according to claim 7 wherein said fixed potential is said chassis in electrical contact with the connector.

9. A connector according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

a first pin connectable to said first receiver port;

a second pin connectable to said fourth tap;

a third pin connectable to said second receiver port;

a fourth pin connectable to said first tap;

a fifth pin connectable to said first transmitter port;

a sixth pin connectable to said second tap;

a seventh pin connectable to said second transmitter port;

an eighth pin connectable to said third tap; and

a ninth pin connectable to said fixed potential.

10. A connector according to claim 4 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

a first pin connectable to said first receiver port;

a second pin connectable to said second receiver port;

a third pin connectable to said first tap;

a fourth pin connectable to said first transmitter port;

a fifth pin connectable to said second tap;

a sixth pin connectable to said second transmitter port; and

a seventh pin connectable to said third tap.

11. A connector according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

an eighth pin connectable to said fixed potential.

12. A processing platform for receiving and transmitting electronic signals comprising:

a connector having a chassis, a connecting port within said chassis, a transformer within said chassis, and a power connection, said connecting port having a plurality of input connections on a chip side of the connecting port and a plurality of output connections on a cable side of the connecting port, said plurality of input connections connecting to a first receiver port, a second receiver port, a first transmitter port and a second transmitter port, said transformer connecting to said plurality of input connections and said plurality of output connections, said transformer having a winding with a tap on the cable side of the connecting port, said power connection connecting to said tap and to a fixed potential;

a chip having a chip receiver port and a chip transmitter port, said chip receiver port being connectable to said first receiver port and said second receiver port, said chip transmitter port being connectable to said first transmitter port and said second transmitter port; and

a power source connectable to said power connection.

13. A processing platform according to claim 12 wherein said transformer further comprises:

a first magnetic transformer having a winding connecting said first receiver port to said second receiver port; and

a second magnetic transformer having a winding connecting said first transmitter port to said second transmitter port.

14. A processing platform according to claim 13 wherein said transformer further comprises:

a chip side on said first magnetic transformer;

a cable side on said first magnetic transformer;

a chip side on said second magnetic transformer; and

a cable side on said second magnetic transformer.

15. A processing platform according to claim 14, further comprising:

a second tap on said chip side of said second magnetic transformer; and

a third tap on said cable side of said second magnetic transformer.

16. A processing platform according to claim 15, further comprising:

a fourth tap on said chip side of said first magnetic transformer.

17. A processing platform according to claim 16 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

a first pin connectable to said first receiver port;

a second pin connectable to said second receiver port;

a third pin connectable to said first tap;

a fourth pin connectable to said first transmitter port;

a fifth pin connectable to said second tap;

a sixth pin connectable to said second transmitter port; and

a seventh pin connectable to said third tap.

18. A processing platform according to claim 17 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

an eighth pin connectable to said fourth tap.

19. A processing platform according to claim 18 wherein said fixed potential is said chassis in electrical contact with the connector.

20. A processing platform according to claim 16 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

a first pin connectable to said first receiver port;

a second pin connectable to said fourth tap;

a third pin connectable to said second receiver port;

a fourth pin connectable to said first tap;

a fifth pin connectable to said first transmitter port;

a sixth pin connectable to said second tap;

a seventh pin connectable to said second transmitter port;

an eighth pin connectable to said third tap; and

a ninth pin connectable to said fixed potential.

21. A processing platform according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

a first pin connectable to said first receiver port;

a second pin connectable to said second receiver port;

a third pin connectable to said first tap;

a fourth pin connectable to said first transmitter port;

a fifth pin connectable to said second tap;

a sixth pin connectable to said second transmitter port; and

a seventh pin connectable to said third tap.

22. A processing platform according to claim 21 wherein said plurality of input connectors further comprises:

an eighth pin connectable to said fixed potential.

23. A method for receiving and transmitting electronic signals comprising:

establishing into a chassis a connecting port having a plurality of input connections on a chip side of the connecting port to a receiver port and a transmitter port and a plurality of output pins on a cable side of the connecting port;

integrating into said chassis a transformer between said plurality of input connections and said plurality of output pins, said transformer having a winding with a tap on the cable side of the connecting port; and

connecting into said chassis a power conduit to said tap and to a fixed potential, said power conduit being connectable to a remote power source.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein said integrating a transformer further comprises:

connecting a winding of a first magnetic transformer to said first receiver port and said second receiver port; and

connecting a winding of a second magnetic transformer to said first transmitter port and said second transmitter port.

25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising:

incorporating a second tap on a chip side of said second magnetic transformer; and

incorporating a third tap on a cable side of said second magnetic transformer.

26. A method according to claim 25, further comprising:

incorporating a fourth tap on a chip side of said first magnetic transformer.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said establishing a connecting port further comprises:

connecting a first pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first receiver port;

connecting a second pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second receiver port;

connecting a third pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first tap;

connecting a fourth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first transmitter port;

connecting a fifth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second tap;

connecting a sixth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second transmitter port; and

connecting a seventh pin of said plurality of input connectors to said third tap.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein said establishing a connecting port further comprises:

connecting an eighth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said fourth tap.

29. A method according to claim 28 further including connecting said fixed potential to said chassis in electrical contact with the connector.

30. A method according to claim 26 wherein said establishing a connecting port further comprises:

connecting a first pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first receiver port;

connecting a second pin of said plurality of input connectors to said fourth tap;

connecting a third pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second receiver port;

connecting a fourth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first tap;

connecting a fifth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first transmitter port;

connecting a sixth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second tap;

connecting a seventh pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second transmitter port;

connecting an;

eighth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said third tap; and

connecting a ninth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said fixed potential.

31. A method according to claim 25 wherein said establishing a connecting port further comprises:

connecting a first pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first receiver port;

connecting a second pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second receiver port;

connecting a third pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first tap;

connecting a fourth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first transmitter port;

connecting a fifth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second tap;

connecting a sixth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second transmitter port; and

connecting a seventh of said plurality of input connectors pin to said third tap.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said establishing a connecting port further comprises:

connecting an eighth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said fixed potential.

33. An apparatus for receiving and transmitting electronic signals comprising:

means for establishing into a chassis a connecting port having a plurality of input connections on a chip side of the connecting port to a receiver port and a transmitter port and a plurality of output pins on a cable side of the connecting port;

means for integrating into said chassis a transformer between said plurality of input connections and said plurality of output pins, said transformer having a winding with a tap on the cable side of the connecting port; and

means for connecting into said chassis a power conduit to said tap and to a fixed potential, said power conduit being connectable to a remote power source.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said means for integrating a transformer further comprises:

means for connecting a winding of a first magnetic transformer to said first receiver port and said second receiver port; and

means for connecting a winding of a second magnetic transformer to said first transmitter port and said second transmitter port.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising:

means for incorporating a second tap on a chip side of said second magnetic transformer; and

means for incorporating a third tap on a cable side of said second magnetic transformer.

36. An apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising:

means for incorporating a fourth tap on a chip side of said first magnetic transformner.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said means for establishing a connecting port further comprises:

means for connecting a first pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first receiver port;

means for connecting a second pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second receiver port;

means for connecting a third pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first tap;

means for connecting a fourth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first transmitter port;

means for connecting a fifth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second tap;

means for connecting a sixth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second transmitter port; and

means for connecting a seventh pin of said plurality of input connectors to said third tap.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said means for establishing a connecting port further comprises:

means for connecting an eighth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said fourth tap.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38 further including means for connecting said fixed potential to said chassis in electrical contact with the connector.

40. An apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said means for establishing a connecting port further comprises:

means for connecting a first pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first receiver port;

means for connecting a second pin of said plurality of input connectors to said fourth tap;

means for connecting a third pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second receiver port;

means for connecting a fourth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first tap;

means for connecting a fifth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first transmitter port;

means for connecting a sixth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second tap;

means for connecting a seventh pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second transmitter port;

means for connecting an eighth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said third tap; and

means for connecting a ninth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said fixed potential.

41. An apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said means for establishing a connecting port further comprises:

means for connecting a first pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first receiver port;

means for connecting a second pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second receiver port;

means for connecting a third pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first tap;

means for connecting a fourth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said first transmitter port;

means for connecting a fifth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second tap;

means for connecting a sixth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said second transmitter port; and

means for connecting a seventh of said plurality of input connectors pin to said third tap.

42. An apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said means for establishing a connecting port further comprises:

means for connecting an eighth pin of said plurality of input connectors to said fixed potential.