Unified Power-Data Cable for Redundant Switch Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stacked arrangement of network switches requires multiple separate data and power cables, leading to high costs, complexity, and increased risk of installation errors, which can degrade network uptime and performance.
Innovation Solution
A unified power and data cable that integrates a data transmission path and a power transmission path with a distributed impedance characteristic, allowing for simultaneous high-frequency packet traffic and power redundancy, reducing the number of cables needed and minimizing installation errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate data stacking cables and power stacking cables are used to connect network switches in a stacked arrangement, then data transmission and power redundancy are enabled, but the number of cables increases leading to higher costs, increased complexity, and more installation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate data stacking cables and power stacking cables into a single unified cable assembly. This unified cable contains both data transmission conductors and power transmission conductors, allowing both data communication and power delivery to be achieved through one cable instead of two separate cables, thereby reducing cable quantity and installation complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The unified cable assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits data packets between switches and delivers power for power redundancy. This multi-functional cable eliminates the need for separate specialized cables for data and power, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both data transmission and power redundancy capabilities
2Productivity
If multiple separate cables are used for data and power transmission in a stacked arrangement, then data and power can be transmitted independently, but installation errors increase leading to degraded network uptime and performance
Solution Approach 1:
By merging data and power transmission into a single unified cable assembly with integrated connectors, the patent reduces the number of connection points from two separate cables to one. This reduces the probability of installation errors and ensures that both data and power connections are established simultaneously and correctly, improving installation accuracy and network uptime
3Power
If separate data stacking cables and power stacking cables are used, then data transmission and power delivery can be optimized independently, but the cost and cumulative cable length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data and power transmission into a single cable assembly, reducing the cumulative cable length from two separate cables to one unified cable. This reduction in total cable length directly lowers material costs and installation costs while maintaining both data transmission and power delivery capabilities through the integrated design
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
The unified cable reduces infrastructure costs, minimizes installation errors, and ensures continuous operation by rerouting power and data through adjacent switches in case of failure, maintaining network functionality without complete failure.
Implementation Method 1
a power transmission path that sheathes the data transmission path. The power transmission path includes a power layer and a ground layer
Implementation Method 2
The power transmission path includes a power layer and a ground layer, where the power transmission path is characterized by a distributed impedance having at least one frequency dependent impedance characteristic
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a cable includes a data transmission path disposed about an axial center of the cable and a power transmission path sheathing the data transmission path. The power transmission path includes a power layer and a ground layer, where the power transmission path is characterized by a distributed impedance having at least one frequency dependent impedance characteristic. In some implementations, ground layer shields the data transmission path from electromagnetic interference. In some implementations, the frequency dependent impedance characteristic of the power transmission path is characterized by a capacitance value that satisfies a capacitance criterion at frequencies above a first frequency level. In some implementations, the frequency dependent impedance characteristic of the power transmission path is characterized by an inductance value that satisfies a first inductance criterion at frequencies above a first frequency level.