Ethernet switch and communication system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of communication equipment, in particular to an Ethernet switch and a communication system. The Ethernet switch comprises a network switching module, a USB module provided with at least one USB interface and an Ethernet module provided with at least one Ethernet interface. The Ethernet module is connected with corresponding external Ethernet equipment through each Ethernet interface, the Ethernet module is also connected with a first end of the network switching module, the USB module is connected with corresponding external serial port equipment through each USB interface, and the USB module is also connected with a second end of the network switching module; and the network switching module is used for forwarding a data communication signal between the corresponding external serial port equipment and the Ethernet module when the external serial port equipment is accessed to the USB interface. The Ethernet switch supports the access of the Ethernet and the USB serial port at the same time, and data exchange among various types of communication equipment can be realized without using a plurality of groups of separation equipment such as a docking station and a switch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of communication equipment, in particular to an Ethernet switch and a communication system. Background Art

[0002] A switch is a device that completes information exchange functions in a communication system. In a computer network system, electrical signals are used for data forwarding, and dedicated electrical signal paths can be provided for any two network nodes connected to the switch. The most common switches are Ethernet switches and fiber optic switches, etc.

[0003] Currently on the market, there are Ethernet switches (i.e., meeting the IEEE802.3 standard) and USB hub products. USB devices cannot be connected to the network and must be connected to the network through devices such as a USB docking station with a network card. It is necessary to unplug and plug the USB port (re-power on) during the use of the switch for re-pairing to enable effective communication. And it is not easy to achieve isolation control between multiple USB ports, and each USB port cannot be configured with a separate network card to allow devices such as computers and mobile phones to access the Internet.

[0004] The above content is only used to assist in understanding the technical solution of the utility model, and does not represent an admission that the above content is prior art. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The main purpose of the utility model is to provide an Ethernet switch and a communication system, aiming to solve the technical problem in the prior art that there is a lack of a switch that supports the access of both Ethernet and USB devices simultaneously.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides an Ethernet switch, which includes: a network switching module, a USB module provided with at least one USB interface, and an Ethernet module provided with at least one Ethernet interface;

[0007] The Ethernet module is connected to corresponding external Ethernet devices through the Ethernet interfaces, and the Ethernet module is also connected to the first end of the network switching module. The USB module is connected to corresponding external serial devices through the USB interfaces, and the USB module is also connected to the second end of the network switching module;

[0008] The network switching module is used to forward data communication signals between the corresponding external serial devices and the Ethernet module when an external serial device is connected to the USB interface.

[0009] Optionally, the Ethernet switch further includes: a power interface and a power module;

[0010] One end of the power interface is connected to an external AC power supply, and the other end is connected to the first end of the power module. The second end of the power module is connected to the third end of the network switching module;

[0011] The power module is configured to convert the AC power supply signal input through the power interface into a DC power supply signal and transmit the DC power supply signal to the network switching module for power supply.

[0012] Optionally, the USB module includes: network card sub-modules corresponding to the number of USB interfaces;

[0013] The first end of each network card sub-module is connected to the USB interface, and the second end of each network card sub-module is connected to the network switching module;

[0014] The network card sub-module is configured to convert the USB signal of the USB interface into an Ethernet signal and transmit the Ethernet signal to the network switching module;

[0015] The network card sub-module is further configured to convert the Ethernet signal of the network switching module into the USB signal and transmit the USB signal to the USB interface.

[0016] Optionally, the third end of each USB interface is connected to the third end of the power module;

[0017] The USB module is configured to conduct the power supply loop between the power module and the corresponding external serial device when an external serial device is connected to each USB interface;

[0018] The power module is further configured to transmit the DC power supply signal to the external serial device for power supply.

[0019] Optionally, the third end of the network card sub-module is connected to the fourth end of the USB interface;

[0020] The USB module is further configured to conduct the power supply loop between the power module and the corresponding network card sub-module when an external serial device is connected to each USB interface;

[0021] The power module is further configured to transmit the DC power supply signal to the network card sub-module for power supply.

[0022] Optionally, the USB module is further configured to cut off the power supply loop between the power module and the corresponding network card sub-module when an external serial device is disconnected from each USB interface.

[0023] Optionally, the voltage amplitudes of the DC power supply signals output from the second end and the third end of the power module are different.

[0024] Optionally, the USB module further includes: an Ethernet transformer;

[0025] One end of the Ethernet transformer is connected to the second ends of the respective network card sub-modules, and the other end of the Ethernet transformer is connected to the network switching module;

[0026] The Ethernet transformer is configured to perform voltage amplitude transformation on the Ethernet signals of the network card sub-module and perform high-voltage physical isolation between the network card sub-module and the network switching module.

[0027] Optionally, each of the USB interfaces is further provided with an ESD protection sub-module.

[0028] In addition, to achieve the above object, the present invention further provides a communication system, and the communication system includes: an Ethernet switch as described above.

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention proposes an Ethernet switch and a communication system. The Ethernet switch includes: a network switching module, a USB module provided with at least one USB interface, and an Ethernet module provided with at least one Ethernet interface; the Ethernet module is connected to a corresponding external Ethernet device through each of the Ethernet interfaces, the Ethernet module is further connected to the first end of the network switching module, the USB module is connected to a corresponding external serial device through each of the USB interfaces, and the USB module is further connected to the second end of the network switching module; the network switching module is configured to forward data communication signals between the corresponding external serial device and the Ethernet module when an external serial device is connected to the USB interface. This Ethernet switch supports the access of both Ethernet and USB serial ports at the same time, and can realize data exchange between various types of communication devices without using multiple separate devices such as expansion docks and switches. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative efforts.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first embodiment of the Ethernet switch of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second embodiment of the Ethernet switch of the present invention.

[0033] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings:

[0034]

[0035]

[0036] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present utility model will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Detailed implementation manners

[0037] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present utility model and are not used to limit the present utility model.

[0038] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0039] It should be noted that all the directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of the present utility model are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0040] In addition, the descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the present utility model are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that those of ordinary skill in the art can implement them. When the combination of technical solutions appears to be contradictory or unable to be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the protection scope required by the present utility model.

[0041] Refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 which is a schematic structural diagram of the first embodiment of the Ethernet switch of the present utility model. The first embodiment of the Ethernet switch of the present utility model is proposed.

[0042] In this embodiment, the Ethernet switch includes: a network switching module 10, a USB module 20 provided with at least one USB interface, and an Ethernet module 30 provided with at least one Ethernet interface; the Ethernet module 30 is connected to corresponding external Ethernet devices through the respective Ethernet interfaces, the Ethernet module 30 is further connected to the first end of the network switching module 10, the USB module 20 is connected to corresponding external serial devices through the respective USB interfaces, and the USB module 20 is further connected to the second end of the network switching module 10.

[0043] It should be noted that the network switching module 10 can be used to forward data communication signals between the external serial device corresponding to the USB interface and the Ethernet module when an external serial device is connected to the USB interface. Among them, the data communication signal can be a data signal for interactive communication between the external serial device and other communication devices.

[0044] It should be understood that the network switching module 10 can be an electronic functional module with data transmission and forwarding capabilities, which can, based on the Ethernet standard, implement the forwarding management of network data packets, forward data from one port to another port, and achieve communication between nodes.

[0045] Among them, a network card sub-module capable of converting USB signals into Ethernet signals is provided inside the USB module 20. An external serial device (such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, etc.) transmits USB signals to the USB interface through the universal serial bus. The USB signals transmitted to the Ethernet switch are converted into Ethernet signals by the network card sub-module and sent to the network switching module 10 to achieve data communication with the external Ethernet device connected to the Ethernet interface. At the same time, the external Ethernet device transmits Ethernet signals to the Ethernet interface through an Ethernet cable, and the Ethernet signals of the external Ethernet device can also be converted into USB signals by the network card sub-module.

[0046] Further, by providing a plurality of USB interfaces in the USB module 20, each USB interface can transmit data independently and perform independent network card configuration. In addition to including RJ45 network interfaces, the Ethernet module 30 can also include SFP fiber interfaces to form a redundant backup multi-ring network with external settings.

[0047] In this embodiment, an Ethernet switch is proposed. The Ethernet switch includes: a network switching module, a USB module provided with at least one USB interface, and an Ethernet module provided with at least one Ethernet interface; the Ethernet module is connected to corresponding external Ethernet devices through each of the Ethernet interfaces, the Ethernet module is further connected to the first end of the network switching module, the USB module is connected to corresponding external serial devices through each of the USB interfaces, and the USB module is further connected to the second end of the network switching module; the network switching module is configured to forward data communication signals between the corresponding external serial devices and the Ethernet module when an external serial device is connected to the USB interface. This Ethernet switch supports the access of both Ethernet and USB serial ports at the same time, and can realize data exchange between various types of communication devices without using multiple separate devices such as docking stations and switches.

[0048] Referring to Figure 2 , Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the second embodiment of the Ethernet switch of the present invention. The second embodiment of the Ethernet switch of the present invention is proposed based on the first embodiment of the above Ethernet switch.

[0049] In this embodiment, the Ethernet switch further includes: a power interface and a power supply module 40; one end of the power interface is connected to an external AC power supply, and the other end is connected to the first end of the power supply module 40, and the second end of the power supply module 40 is connected to the third end of the network switching module 10.

[0050] It should be noted that the power supply module 40 can be used to convert the AC power supply signal at the input end of the power interface of the external AC power supply into a DC power supply signal, and transmit the DC power supply signal to the network switching module 10 for power supply.

[0051] It should be understood that the power interface can support a wide voltage power input of 100V - 230V. At the same time, the power supply module 40 can include a rectifier sub-module, a voltage conversion sub-module, and a voltage stabilization sub-module inside. The rectifier sub-module (such as electronic devices such as a rectifier bridge) rectifies the AC voltage of the external AC power supply into a DC voltage, and then the DC voltage is converted into the required amplitude through the voltage conversion sub-module (such as a resistor voltage division circuit), and then the converted voltage is voltage-stabilized through the voltage stabilization sub-module (such as a linear voltage stabilization chip) to make the power supply signal more stable.

[0052] Further, the USB module 20 includes: network card sub-modules 201 corresponding to the number of the USB interfaces; the first ends of the network card sub-modules 201 are connected to the USB interfaces, and the second ends of the network card sub-modules 201 are connected to the network switching module 10;

[0053] It should be noted that the network card sub-module can be used to convert the USB signal of the USB interface into an Ethernet signal and transmit the Ethernet signal to the network switching module 10; the network card sub-module is also used to convert the Ethernet signal of the network switching module into the USB signal and transmit the USB signal to the USB interface. The network card sub-module 201 corresponding to each USB interface is independent (i.e., independent operation and independent network card configuration).

[0054] Further, the third ends of the USB interfaces are connected to the third end of the power supply module; the USB module 20 is also used to conduct the power supply loop between the power supply module 40 and the corresponding external serial device when an external serial device is connected to each USB interface; the power supply module 40 is also used to transmit the DC power supply signal to the external serial device for power supply. The voltage amplitudes of the DC power supply signals output from the second end and the third end of the power supply module are different. Multiple amplitudes of DC voltages can be output by setting different models of LDO chips or by setting transformers. Each of the USB interfaces is also provided with an ESD protection sub-module, and surge impact caused by static electricity or other reasons can be avoided by setting a zener diode, so as to prevent interference with the transmission of data signals.

[0055] Further, the third end of the network card sub-module 201 is connected to the fourth end of the USB interface.

[0056] It should be noted that the USB module 20 can also be used to conduct the power supply loop between the power supply module 40 and the corresponding network card sub-module 201 when an external serial device is connected to each USB interface; the power supply module 40 can also be used to transmit the DC power supply signal to the network card sub-module 201 for power supply. Among them, the USB module 20 can also be used to cut off the power supply loop between the power supply module and the corresponding network card sub-module when an external serial device is disconnected from each USB interface.

[0057] It should be understood that only when the interface of an external serial device (such as a USB port device of a tablet computer or a mobile phone) is inserted into an Ethernet switch, the network card module is controlled to be powered on again, and a driver configuration is sent to the external serial device, so that the Ethernet switch works more reliably; the situation where different devices cannot be connected when accessing the same interface will not occur.

[0058] Further, the USB module 20 further includes: a network port transformer 202; one end of the network port transformer 202 is connected to the second end of each network card sub-module 201, and the other end of the network port transformer 202 is connected to the network switching module 10.

[0059] It should be noted that the network port transformer 202 can be used to transform the voltage amplitude of the Ethernet signal of the network card sub-module 201 and physically isolate the network card sub-module 201 from the network switching module 10 at high voltage.

[0060] In this embodiment, the Ethernet switch further includes: a power interface and a power module; the power module is used to transmit the DC power supply signal to the external serial device for power supply; the USB module is further used to conduct the power supply loop between the power module and the corresponding network card sub-module when an external serial device is connected to each USB interface; and is also used to transmit the DC power supply signal to the network card sub-module for power supply. The USB module is further used to cut off the power supply loop between the power module and the corresponding network card sub-module when an external serial device is disconnected from each USB interface. By re-powering and issuing the driver configuration when a device is connected to the USB interface, the device runs more reliably, avoiding the situation where the device cannot be connected after replacement.

[0061] In addition, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication system, and the communication system includes the above-mentioned Ethernet switch.

[0062] Since the communication system adopts all the technical solutions of the above-mentioned all embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be elaborated here one by one.

[0063] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention accordingly. Any equivalent structural transformation made by using the description and drawings of the present invention under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An Ethernet switch, characterized in that, The Ethernet switch includes: a network switching module, a USB module provided with at least one USB interface, and an Ethernet module provided with at least one Ethernet interface; The Ethernet module is connected to corresponding external Ethernet devices through the respective Ethernet interfaces, and the Ethernet module is further connected to the first end of the network switching module. The USB module is connected to corresponding external serial devices through the respective USB interfaces, and the USB module is further connected to the second end of the network switching module; The network switching module is configured to forward data communication signals between the corresponding external serial device and the Ethernet module when an external serial device is connected to the USB interface.

2. The Ethernet switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Ethernet switch further includes: a power interface and a power module; One end of the power interface is connected to an external AC power supply, and the other end is connected to the first end of the power module. The second end of the power module is connected to the third end of the network switching module; The power module is configured to convert the AC power supply signal input through the power interface into a DC power supply signal and transmit the DC power supply signal to the network switching module for power supply.

3. The Ethernet switch according to claim 2, characterized in that, The USB module includes: network card sub-modules corresponding to the number of the USB interfaces; The first end of each of the network card sub-modules is connected to the USB interface, and the second end of each of the network card sub-modules is connected to the network switching module; The network card sub-module is configured to convert the USB signal of the USB interface into an Ethernet signal and transmit the Ethernet signal to the network switching module; The network card sub-module is further configured to convert the Ethernet signal of the network switching module into the USB signal and transmit the USB signal to the USB interface.

4. The Ethernet switch according to claim 3, characterized in that, The third end of each of the USB interfaces is connected to the third end of the power module; The USB module is configured to conduct the power supply circuit between the power module and the corresponding external serial device when an external serial device is connected to each of the USB interfaces; The power module is further configured to transmit the DC power supply signal to the external serial device for power supply.

5. The Ethernet switch according to claim 3, wherein The third end of the network card sub-module is connected to the fourth end of the USB interface; The USB module is further configured to conduct the power supply circuit between the power module and the corresponding network card sub-module when an external serial device is connected to each of the USB interfaces; The power module is further configured to transmit the DC power supply signal to the network card sub-module for power supply.

6. The Ethernet switch according to claim 5, characterized in that, The USB module is further configured to cut off the power supply circuit between the power module and the corresponding network card sub-module when an external serial device is disconnected from each of the USB interfaces.

7. The Ethernet switch according to claim 6, wherein The voltage amplitudes of the DC power supply signals output from the second end and the third end of the power module are different.

8. The Ethernet switch according to claim 3, wherein The USB module further includes: a network port transformer; One end of the network port transformer is connected to the second end of each of the network card sub-modules, and the other end of the network port transformer is connected to the network switching module; The network port transformer is used to perform voltage amplitude transformation on the Ethernet signal of the network card sub-module and physically isolate the network card sub-module from the network switching module with high voltage.

9. The Ethernet switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the USB interfaces is further provided with an ESD protection sub-module.

10. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes: an Ethernet device, a serial port device, and an Ethernet switch according to any one of claims 1-9.

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