Patch Panel with Switch Chip

Abstract

This utility model relates to communications technology. The technical result consists of reducing the computational load on the microcontroller of a patch panel containing sockets equipped with sensors. To this end, a patch panel containing two data-transmitting interface ports, through which the patch panel microcontroller transmits data containing information about the status of the aforementioned sensors, is equipped with a network switch chip. The network switch chip transmits to the panel's microcontroller only the data intended for that particular panel, eliminating the need for the microcontroller to analyze the addresses of received packets and reducing its computational load. 3 decimal fractions, 2 figs.

Description

[0001] Field of technology to which the utility model belongs

[0002] This utility model relates to communication technology, primarily electrical engineering, and can be used to reduce the computing load on the microcontroller of a switchboard with sensors.

[0003] Technology Level

[0004] The closest analogue to this utility model is the IQLink patch panel (https: / / iek-snab.ru / intellektualnaya-sks-iqlink-mednaya) with 24 RJ45 sockets. It contains a microcontroller that collects data from IR and Ethernet sensors, as well as an RS485 network interface. Its drawback is that the microcontroller (MC) both collects signals from the sensors and processes data coming via the RS485 bus. The IQLink panel has two RS485 connectors, allowing similar panels to be connected in a chain. Since multiple such panels are connected to the bus, the MC is forced to retrieve each data packet arriving via the RS485 bus, analyze its intended recipient, and ignore any packets destined for another panel. This results in increased computational load on the microcontroller.

[0005] The essence of the utility model

[0006] The objective of this utility model is to develop a switch panel with a switch chip containing sensors, which has a reduced computing load on the microcontroller compared to its analogue.

[0007] In order to achieve the specified technical result, a switching panel with a switch chip is proposed, containing sockets for connecting plugs equipped with sensors; at least two data transmission and reception interface ports, each of which is capable of connecting to a data transmission and reception interface port of another switching panel; a microcontroller that receives signals containing information about the state of said sensors and is capable of transmitting data containing information about the state of the sensors through said ports; characterized in that the data transmission and reception interface ports use the IEEE 802.3 standard protocol; and the switching panel contains a network switch chip, to the ports of which said data transmission and reception interface ports are connected, and through another port of which the microcontroller transmits data containing information about the state of the socket sensors.

[0008] In one embodiment, the data transmit / receive interface ports may support the 100Base-T or 1000Base-T protocol.

[0009] In another embodiment, the switchboard of the present utility model can receive power supply through one of the mentioned interface ports.

[0010] Finally, the patch panel sockets can be optical or low-current.

[0011] Brief description of drawings

[0012] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a switching panel with a switch chip according to the present utility model.

[0013] Fig. 2 shows switching panels with a switch chip according to the present utility model, connected in a chain.

[0014] Detailed description of the utility model

[0015] The implementation principle of a patch panel with a switch chip according to the present utility model is shown in Fig. 1. Microcontroller (MC) 1 collects information from sensors of patch panel 2. Sensors 2 can be of different types, for example, IR and / or Ethernet (based on the perception of side electromagnetic radiation from Ethernet signals). Their number can also vary, typically 24 of the same type, depending on the number of sockets in the panel, copper low-current or optical. In the patch panel, on the same printed circuit board as the MC (or another board connected via a connector), an Ethernet network switch chip 3 is soldered, for example, RTL8363NB with three ports. The MC is connected to one of the ports of the network switch chip. If the microcontroller has an Ethernet port (IEEE 802.3 protocol), such as the STM32F107, then it connects directly to the RTL8363NB via the RMII protocol.The other two ports of the RTL8363NB have a PHY interface, enabling connection via an Ethernet transformer, such as the H1102NLT, to the contacts of RJ45 sockets (data transmission / reception interface ports, position 4 in Fig. 1), implementing, for example, the 100Base-T or 1000Base-T protocol. Thus, the two ports 4 enable the patch panels of this utility model to be connected in a chain with other similar panels, as shown in Fig. 2, which depicts a chain connection of four patch panels. Additionally, a controller 5 is connected to the chain, for example, a PC with a 100Base-T port and the corresponding software.

[0016] Let's assume that controller 5 needs to receive data from the leftmost panel in Fig. 2 via the Modbus-TCP protocol. Controller 5 transmits a data packet with the MAC address of the leftmost panel via ports 4. If network switch chip 3 is not used, as in the RS485 bus of an analog, the microcontrollers of all patch panels will receive this packet and process the packet address, but only the leftmost panel in the chain will perform any useful actions with it. The other panels will discard this packet, wasting the processing power of their microcontroller. If the panels contain network switch chip 3, then microcontroller 3 will perform packet filtering at the hardware level. If the packet contains an address specific to the microcontroller of the panel where microcontroller 3 is soldered, then microcontroller 3 will forward the packet to its microcontroller. Otherwise, microcontroller 3 will forward the packet further along the chain, and the microcontroller will not waste its processing power on processing data packets. In this way, the technical result of this utility model is achieved.

[0017] It should be noted that the 48-bit Ethernet MAC address required for the operation of switch chip 3 can be obtained by the MC either when loading the firmware (embedded software) or by reading it from a special chip located on the same printed circuit board, for example, 24AA02E48.

[0018] If the microcontroller does not have an Ethernet interface, data transfer to chip 3 can be accomplished using Ethernet protocol chips, such as the Wiznet W5500. In this case, the RTL8305NB can be used as a switch chip, connecting it to the W5500 via an Ethernet transformer.

[0019] To supply power to the patch panel according to this utility model, it is possible to use the copper conductors of the sockets 4 that are not used for data transmission, or to transmit power in the same way as with Power over Ethernet solutions.

[0020] Although the present utility model is described with reference to specific embodiments of its implementation, it is clear to those skilled in the art that these illustrative examples, in which various modifications can be made, do not limit the scope of the utility model, which is determined only by the attached formula of the utility model.

Claims

1. A patch panel with a switch chip, comprising: - sockets for connecting plugs equipped with sensors; - two data transmission and reception interface ports, each of which is capable of connecting to a data transmission and reception interface port of another patch panel; - a microcontroller that receives signals containing information about the state of the said sensors and is capable of transmitting data containing information about the state of the said sensors through the said ports, characterized in that: - the mentioned ports use the IEEE 802.3 standard protocol; - contains a network switch chip, to the ports of which the said ports of the data transmission and reception interface are connected, and through another port of which the said microcontroller transmits data containing information about the state of the said sensors.

2. The patch panel according to paragraph 1, characterized in that said interface ports support the 100Base-T or 1000Base-T protocol.

3. The patch panel according to paragraph 2, characterized in that it receives power supply through one of the said interface ports.

4. The switching panel according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the said sockets are optical or low-current.

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