Relay set in network device and method thereof

• US 7,404,094 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
• Original Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
• Inventors: Lee, Chao-Cheng, Lin, Shian-Ru
• Primary Examiner(s): CONNOLLY, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US11/308,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20060202739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/310, 700/286, 700/297
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/693 Switching arrangements with several input- or output-terminals, e.g. multiplexers, distributors logic circuits H03K19/00; code converters H03M5/00, H03M7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

A relay set in a network device. The relay includes a first switch, a switch control unit, and a first AC coupling unit. The first switch is coupled between a first receiving end of the network device and a first transmitting end of the network device. The switch control unit is configured to turn off the first switch when the network device is in a first state. The first AC coupling unit is configured to turn on the first switch according to a first signal received from the first receiving end when the network device is in a second state.

Claims

1. A relay set in a network device, the relay comprising:

a first switch coupled between a first receiving end of the network device and a first transmitting end of the network device;

a switch control unit coupled to a control end of the first switch, configured to turn off the first switch when the network device is in a first state; and

a first AC coupling unit coupled to the first receiving end and the control end of the first switch, configured to turn on the first switch according to a first signal received from the first receiving end when the network device is in a second state.

2. The relay of claim 1, further comprising:

a second switch coupled between a second receiving end of the network device and a second transmitting end of the network device; and

a second AC coupling unit, coupled to the first receiving end and a control end of the second switch, configured to turn on the second switch according to the first signal when the network device is in the second state;

wherein the switch control unit turns off the second switch when the network device is in the first state.

3. The relay of claim 2, wherein the first switch is a first transistor and the second switch is a second transistor.

4. The relay of claim 3, wherein a threshold voltage of the first transistor substantially approximates 0 volt.

5. The relay of claim 3, wherein the first AC coupling unit is a first capacitor.

6. The relay of claim 5, wherein the second AC coupling unit comprises:

a diode coupled to the first receiving end; and

a second capacitor coupled between the diode and the control end of the second transistor.

7. The relay of claim 6, further comprising:

a resistor coupled to the second capacitor in parallel.

8. The relay of claim 3, wherein the second AC coupling unit comprises:

a diode coupled to the first receiving end; and

a second capacitor coupled between the diode and the control end of the second transistor.

9. The relay of claim 2, wherein the switch control unit comprises:

a voltage generator configured to generate a control voltage;

a third switch coupled between the voltage generator and the control end of the first switch; and

a fourth switch coupled between the voltage generator and the control end of the second switch;

wherein the third and the fourth switches are turned on when the network device is in the first state.

10. The relay of claim 1, wherein the switch control unit comprises:

a voltage generator configured to generate a control voltage; and

a third switch coupled between the voltage generator and the control end of the first switch, wherein the third switch is turned on when the network device is in the first state.

11. The relay of claim 10, wherein the control voltage is a negative voltage.

12. The relay of claim 1, wherein the first signal is a link pulse.

13. The relay of claim 1, wherein the first switch is a first transistor and a threshold voltage of the first transistor substantially approximates 0 volt.

14. The relay of claim 1, wherein the first state corresponds to a power over Ethernet (POE) function activated state and the second state corresponds to a POE function inactivated state.

15. The relay of claim 1, wherein the relay is set inside a chip.

16. A method of supplying power to a network device, the method comprising:

providing a relay, the relay comprising;

a first switch coupled between a first receiving end of the network device and a first transmitting end of the network device;

a switch control unit coupled to a control end of the first switch configured to control the first switch; and

a first AC coupling unit coupled to the first receiving end and the control end of the first switch, configured to control the first switch;

turning off the first switch when the network device is in a first state; and

turning on the first switch according to a first signal received from the first receiving end when the network device is in a second state.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first switch is a first transistor, the step of turning off the first switch comprises:

providing a negative voltage to a control end of the first transistor.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the relay is set inside a chip.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the relay further comprises:

a second switch coupled between a second receiving end of the network device and a second transmitting end of the network device; and

a second AC coupling unit coupled to the first receiving end and a control end of the second switch;

wherein the method further comprises;

turning off the second switch when the network device is in the first state; and

turning on the second switch according to the first signal when the network device is in the second state.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first state corresponds to a power over Ethernet (POE) function activated state and the second state corresponds to a POE function inactivated state.