Self powered data communication optical fiber cable extender
First Claim
1. An extender for an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines, comprising first and second electrical connectors for connection to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses, each of said first and second electrical connectors comprising a data interface circuit for communication with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers, said driver circuits obtaining power from the power line on the local electrical data bus, and an optic fiber connected between said optical transmitters and receivers at respective first and second electrical connectors to transfer data optically between said first and second electrical connectors.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An extender for an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines has first and second electrical connectors for connection to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses. The electrical connectors include a data interface circuit for communication with the electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to the data interface circuit, and driver circuits for the optical transmitter and optical receivers. The driver circuits obtain power from the power line on the local electrical data bus. An optic fiber is connected between the optical transmitters and receivers at respective first and second electrical connectors to transfer data optically between the first and second electrical connectors and thereby extend the range of the data bus.
93 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. An extender for an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines, comprising first and second electrical connectors for connection to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses, each of said first and second electrical connectors comprising a data interface circuit for communication with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers, said driver circuits obtaining power from the power line on the local electrical data bus, and an optic fiber connected between said optical transmitters and receivers at respective first and second electrical connectors to transfer data optically between said first and second electrical connectors.
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7. A method of extending the range of an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines, comprising connecting first and second electrical connectors to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses, each of said first and second electrical connectors comprising a data interface circuit communicating with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers;
- deriving power for said driver circuits power from the power line on the local electrical data bus; and
transferring data between said optical transmiters and receivers at said respective first and second connectors over an optic fiber. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
- deriving power for said driver circuits power from the power line on the local electrical data bus; and
- 10. An electrical data bus including a power line, comprising a first electrical connector for connection to an electrical connector attached to an electrical data bus and a second optical connector for connection to an optic fiber, said first electrical connector comprising a data interface circuit for communication with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers, said driver circuits obtaining power from the power line on the local electrical data bus, and an optic fiber connected between said optical transmitters and receivers and said second optical connector.
Specification