Intelligent patching systems and methods using phantom mode control signals and related communications connectors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A communications connector, comprising:
- a plurality of input ports;
a plurality of output ports;
a plurality of signal paths, each of the signal paths connecting a respective one of the input ports to a respective one of the output ports, the signal paths comprising a plurality of conductive paths that are arranged as a plurality of differential pairs of conductive paths that are each configured to carry differential signals; and
a control signal input circuit, that is separate from the plurality of signal paths and electrically connected to at least some of the plurality of signal paths, the control signal input circuit configured to capacitively couple a phantom mode control signal that includes a unique identifier that is associated with the communications connector onto a communications cable that is physically connected to the plurality of input ports via at least a first and a second of the differential pairs of conductive paths.
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Abstract
Communications connectors are provided that include a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports and a plurality of conductive paths. Each of the conductive paths connects a respective one of the input ports to a respective one of the output ports. The conductive paths are arranged as a plurality of differential pairs of conductive paths that are each configured to carry a differential signal. These connectors further include a control signal input circuit that is configured to capacitively couple a phantom mode control signal onto at least a first and a second of the differential pairs of conductive paths.
71 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A communications connector, comprising:
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a plurality of input ports; a plurality of output ports; a plurality of signal paths, each of the signal paths connecting a respective one of the input ports to a respective one of the output ports, the signal paths comprising a plurality of conductive paths that are arranged as a plurality of differential pairs of conductive paths that are each configured to carry differential signals; and a control signal input circuit, that is separate from the plurality of signal paths and electrically connected to at least some of the plurality of signal paths, the control signal input circuit configured to capacitively couple a phantom mode control signal that includes a unique identifier that is associated with the communications connector onto a communications cable that is physically connected to the plurality of input ports via at least a first and a second of the differential pairs of conductive paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing identification information for a communications connector, the method comprising:
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generating a phantom mode control signal that includes a unique identifier that is associated with the communications connector; capacitively coupling a first component of the phantom mode control signal onto both of the conductive paths of a first differential pair of conductive paths of the communications connector for communication to a remote controller; and simultaneously capacitively coupling a second component of the phantom mode control signal onto both of the conductive paths of a second differential pair of conductive paths of the communications connector for communication to the remote controller, wherein the polarity of second component is opposite the polarity of the first component. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of identifying connectivity in a communications network, the method comprising:
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transmitting a phantom mode control signal that includes a unique identifier that is associated with a connector port on a network switch to a connector port of a patch panel of the communications network over at least two differential pairs of conductors that are included in a patch cord that connects the connector port on the network switch to the connector port of the patch panel; coupling a first component of the phantom mode control signal to a phantom mode control signal receiver via a first capacitive circuit included the connector port of the patch panel; coupling a second component of the phantom mode control signal to the phantom mode control signal receiver via a second capacitive circuit included the connector port of the patch panel; extracting the unique identifier associated with the connector port on the network switch from the phantom mode control signal at the patch panel; and logging the connection between the connector port on the network switch and the connector port on the patch panel in a connectivity database. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A communications connector, comprising:
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a housing having a plug aperture; a plurality of input ports; a plurality of output ports; a plurality of conductive paths, each of the conductive paths connecting a respective one of the input ports to a respective one of the output ports, the conductive paths being arranged as a plurality of differential pairs of conductive paths that are each configured to carry differential signals; and a capacitive circuit that is configured to capacitively couple a signal onto a first of the differential pairs of conductive paths, the capacitive circuit including a conductive plate and at least two contact pads, wherein the conductive plate and a first of the at least two contact pads forms a first capacitor and the conductive plate and a second of the at least two contact pads forms a second capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification