Single Pair Ethernet Switch with Echo Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The implementation of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is limited by the existing four-pair cabling infrastructure, which results in high costs and downtime for installing new cables, and alien crosstalk affects network performance in conventional four-pair cabling systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of a switch with four independent single pair Ethernet ports and a micro-switch that breaks out to four endpoint devices, employing echo cancellers to cancel alien crosstalk between the wire pairs, allowing for SPE communication over installed four-pair cabling while reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If Single Pair Ethernet is implemented over existing four-pair cabling, then installation cost and downtime are reduced, but alien crosstalk degrades network performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies echo cancellers to convert the harmful alien crosstalk signal into a beneficial component by canceling it out. The echo canceller receives the transmitted signal, processes it to predict the crosstalk interference, and subtracts this predicted interference from the received signal, thereby eliminating the harmful effect and enabling reliable SPE communication over four-pair cabling
2Reliability
If echo cancellers are added to cancel alien crosstalk, then network performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The echo canceller is integrated into the existing switch infrastructure to perform multiple functions: it processes signals from multiple wire pairs, handles both alien crosstalk cancellation and echo suppression, and operates across different SPE frequencies. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices and minimizes overall system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables cost-effective and efficient data and power transmission to endpoint devices using existing four-pair cabling, improving receiver performance by mitigating alien crosstalk and enabling SPE features with reduced installation costs and downtime.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the four independent single pair Ethernet ports comprises an echo canceller for receiving input from a transmitter at one of the independent single pair Ethernet ports and each of the other independent single pair Ethernet ports to cancel alien crosstalk between the four wire pairs
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes four independent single pair Ethernet ports coupled to a cable comprising four wire pairs for communication with a micro-switch, the micro-switch configured for communication with four endpoint devices, each of the endpoint devices in communication with the micro-switch over a single pair Ethernet cable comprising one of the four wire pairs. Each of the four independent single pair Ethernet ports comprises an echo canceller for receiving input from a transmitter at one of the independent single pair Ethernet ports and each of the other independent single pair Ethernet ports to cancel alien crosstalk between the four wire pairs.