The invention relates to a system for establishing a data connection between a master unit (M) and at least one device unit (D), wherein the master unit (M) is coupled to a primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the at least one device unit (D) is coupled to a secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec), in each case for electrical power transmission and for data transmission. The primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) can be coupled for data transmission. A control signal can be received and the system has three operating states that can be activated in dependence on the received control signal. When the first operating state is activated, there is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the device unit (D). When the second operating state is activated, primary coupler identification data (D.sub.prim-ID) are allocated to the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim), wherein there is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim). When the third operating state is activated, secondary coupler Identification date (D.sub.secID) are allocated to the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec), wherein there is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec). The invention furthermore relates to a method for operating the system.

A fault managed power system (FMPS) and method monitors and detects fault currents in PoE, PFC, and other cables that indicate likely human contact with cable conductors. The level of current detected through the human body combined with a fast response time limits the energy to prevent a person from experiencing ventricular fibrillation, resulting in a so-called touch-safe level. For overload and short-circuit fault protection, the system automatically and immediately removes power from the cables. This limits the amount of energy provided into the fault, thereby maintaining touch-safe operation and also preventing electrical fires and system component protection. The system/method can accomplish this even at voltage levels considerably higher than existing touch-safe standards, for example, Class 2 (below 50 Vac) power supplies. Such a system/method allows the amount of power in applications like PoE and PFC to be safely increased to levels much greater than the current maximum (100 W).

Techniques are provided for detecting a fault across a pair of lines. Pulse power is applied across the pair of lines. The pulse power comprises alternating pulse on-time intervals and pulse off-time intervals. During a pulse off-time interval, a resistor is connected across the pair of lines and then disconnected when a voltage across the pair of lines reaches a first droop percentage in a first period of time. After disconnecting the resistor, it is determined whether the voltage across the pair of lines droops at least a second droop percentage within a second period of time that begins after the first period of time. Occurrence of a line-to-line fault across the pair of lines is determined when the voltage across the pair of lines droops by at least the second droop percentage or more within the second period of time.

Disclosed is a driver of an ethernet transmitter and a control method therefor. The driver has a first output port and a second output port connected to an ethernet receiver through a transmission line, and comprises: a signal conversion module for converting differential current signals into a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal; a first driving module adjusting a swing of the first voltage signal, to obtain a first output signal having a voltage equal to the first voltage signal; a second driving module adjusting a swing of the second voltage signal, to obtain a second output signal having a voltage equal to the second voltage signal. An architecture having a relatively small area is realized, and the ethernet transmitter meets the requirement on a large output swing in 10BASE-T mode.

Disclosed is a driver of an ethernet transmitter and a control method therefor. The driver has a first output port and a second output port connected to an ethernet receiver through a transmission line, and comprises: a signal conversion module for converting differential current signals into a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal; a first driving module adjusting a swing of the first voltage signal, to obtain a first output signal having a voltage equal to the first voltage signal; a second driving module adjusting a swing of the second voltage signal, to obtain a second output signal having a voltage equal to the second voltage signal. An architecture having a relatively small area is realized, and the ethernet transmitter meets the requirement on a large output swing in 10BASE-T mode.

A multi-port VOID telecommunications system that allows the user to gain access to telephone connectivity through the Internet by connecting directly to the Internet or by connecting to the Internet through the existing Internet connection of a computer or cell phone device. The present system includes an Ethernet port, a Wi-Fi receiver to facilitate the transmission and receipt of Internet protocol signals wirelessly, a USB plug connectable to the ATA, connectivity to a home monitoring network and connectivity to Bluetooth devices.

In one embodiment, a method includes applying Forward Error Correction (FEC) to data at power sourcing equipment, transmitting the data and pulse power over a wire pair to a powered device, identifying data transmitted during power transitions between a pulse power on time and a pulse power off time in the pulse power at the powered device, and applying FEC decoding to at least a portion of the data based on said identified power transitions.

In one embodiment, a method includes applying Forward Error Correction (FEC) to data at power sourcing equipment, transmitting the data and pulse power over a wire pair to a powered device, identifying data transmitted during power transitions between a pulse power on time and a pulse power off time in the pulse power at the powered device, and applying FEC decoding to at least a portion of the data based on said identified power transitions.

An amplifier circuit acting as a line driver in a line between a central station and field devices connected thereto comprising: a DC/DC converter integrated in the circuit as a power stage comprising a DC/pulse converter with two electrically isolated switching stages; a logic block preceding the converter, generating control signals for the switches from a PWM signal and feeding them into the converter in an electrically isolated manner using drivers; a priority block generating the PWM signal; a first and a second controller. The priority block forwards output from the first or second controller. The first controller generates a fault signal based on a voltage limit and an output voltage fed back within the amplifier circuit via a feedback path. The second controller generates a fault signal based on a current limit and the output current. The central station defines the current limit and the voltage limit.

Passive Ethernet by-pass switches, methods of using the same, and systems including the passive Ethernet by-pass switches include a first connection configured to be coupled to a first Ethernet port, a second connection configured to be coupled to a second Ethernet port, and switching circuitry including at least one internal switch operable to allow network communication between the first connection, the second connection, and at least one Ethernet controller, the at least one internal switch including a depletion mode transistor operable to bridge the first connection to the second connection to establish communication between the first connection and the second connection.