Redundant Cable Assembly With Signal Splitting for Fast Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redundant network systems are expensive due to component duplication and electronic switching devices that increase switching time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly with a signal splitting circuit that splits signals into redundant paths without an electronic switching device, using a splitter and retimers to condition signals for transmission to primary and secondary switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parallel architectures with duplicated components are used to achieve redundancy, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single cable assembly. The cable assembly integrates signal splitting circuitry, retimers, and connectivity to both primary and secondary switches, eliminating the need for separate redundant cable assemblies and reducing overall component quantity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly is designed with multi-functionality to serve as a universal redundant connection solution. It can simultaneously provide primary and secondary path connectivity, signal conditioning, and retiming functions through a single integrated assembly, reducing the need for multiple specialized components
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic switching devices are used to control signal switching, then adaptability is improved, but switching time increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electronic switching device from the redundant network system entirely. Instead of using active switching components, the system uses passive signal splitting and duplication, eliminating switching time delays and the cost associated with electronic switching devices while maintaining adaptability through redundant path availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces retimers as intermediary devices between the signal source and the switches. These retimers condition and regenerate signals, ensuring signal integrity across redundant paths without requiring active switching, thus maintaining adaptability while avoiding switching time penalties
Data Source
AI summary
A redundant network system includes a compute node having a network interface card includes a node port. The redundant network system includes a primary switch having a primary switch component and a primary switch port coupled to the primary switch component. The redundant network system includes a secondary switch having a secondary switch component and a secondary switch port coupled to the secondary switch component. The redundant network system includes a cable assembly having a node connector coupled to the node port, a primary connector coupled to the primary switch port, and a secondary connector coupled to the secondary switch port. The cable assembly includes a signal splitting circuit between the node connector and the primary and secondary connectors. The cable assembly includes a first cable between the signal splitting circuit and the primary connector and a second cable between the signal splitting circuit and the secondary connector.