Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for a multiplexed serial media independent interface (110-1, 110-N, 210). One system for handling data includes a physical layer (PHY) circuit (102-1, 102-N, 202-1, 202-N) operating at a first rate including a number of ports (104-1, 104-P), a media access control (MAC) circuit (108, 208-1, 208-N) operating at the first rate including a number of ports, and a multiplexed serial media independent interface (110-1, 110-N, 210) between the MAC circuit (108, 208-1, 208-N) and the PHY circuit (102-1, 102-N, 202-1, 202-N) operating at a second rate, which is greater than the first rate. The interface (110-1, 110-N, 210) includes a number of conductors and is configured to communicate data between the MAC circuit (108, 208-1, 208-N) and the PHY circuit (102-1, 102-N, 202-1, 202-N) via four conductors per up to eight ports (104-1, 104-P) of the PHY circuit (102-1, 102-N, 202-1, 202-N).

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for communicating electrical signals between a pin connector having a plurality of connector pins and a remote location. The assembly comprises a connector defining a connector top surface and a plurality of pins extending therethrough, the pins each defining a pin contact surface extending above the connector top surface less than 0.1 inches. A collar is engaged about the connector body, the collar having an upper surface substantially coplanar with the connector top surface. A flexible cable has a plurality of electrical connectors extending therethrough, the cable defining a plurality of cable contact pads being in electrical communication with the flexible cable conductors. A retaining member is engageable to the collar for urging the flexible cable contact pads into electrical communication with the pin contact surfaces.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for communicating electrical signals between a pin connector having a plurality of connector pins and a remote location. The assembly comprises a connector defining a connector top surface and a plurality of pins extending therethrough, the pins each defining a pin contact surface extending above the connector top surface less than 0.1 inches. A collar is engaged about the connector body, the collar having an upper surface substantially coplanar with the connector top surface. A flexible cable has a plurality of electrical connectors extending therethrough, the cable defining a plurality of cable contact pads being in electrical communication with the flexible cable conductors. A retaining member is engageable to the collar for urging the flexible cable contact pads into electrical communication with the pin contact surfaces.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a system for power distribution to network devices. The system includes a plurality of network switches each having an internal power supply and a plurality of ports for connecting to the network devices and an external power supply having a plurality of output ports for connecting to the network switches. The external power supply communicates power available to the network switches. Each network switch determines amounts and priority levels of power for the network devices connected thereto, sums together the amounts at each priority level, determines additional amounts and priority levels of power required beyond the internal power supply capability, and sends a power request to the external power supply. The external power supply allocates power to the network switches depending on the power requests received.

Abstract: One embodiment described relates to a method of rapidly reducing load for a power-over-ethernet system under fault conditions. Ports are pre-configured to either of a lower priority state or a higher priority state. A load reduction signal is received. The load reduction is performed by rapidly shutting-off power to the ports in the lower priority state while maintaining power to the ports in the higher priority state. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An electronic communications network technology, referred to as 100BASE-TD, offers full duplex operation and robust performance on marginal CAT5 wiring. It highly leverages 100BASE-TX functional blocks and is very complementary to 100BASE-TX, for example with regard to such 100BASE-TX features as auto-negotiation. In particular, the invention provides a carrierless IDLE that requires very low power during ambient operation.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a method for negotiating link speed and configuration, includes: performing a modulation of a data D with contents of a synchronous scrambler in order to generate a modulated output Z, where the data D includes configuration information; transmitting the modulated output across a link; and demodulating the modulated output Z with the contents of a synchronous descrambler in order to recover the data D.

Abstract: A system for controlling power supplied by a power supply comprises an attachment device and a circuit coupled to the supply and operable to be coupled to the attachment device, the circuit operable to determine if the attachment device has an authorized source, the circuit further operable to disable power supplied to the attachment device if the attachment device does not have the authorized source.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly for receiving a shielded cable assembly includes a conductive connector shield and an impedance operable to couple the connector shield to a shield of the shielded cable assembly. In an embodiment, the connector shield is positioned such that the connector shield does not directly contact the cable assembly shield when the cable assembly is received by the connector assembly.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a system for power distribution to network devices. The system includes a plurality of network switches each having an internal power supply and a plurality of ports for connecting to the network devices and an external power supply having a plurality of output ports for connecting to the network switches. The external power supply communicates power available to the network switches. Each network switch determines amounts and priority levels of power for the network devices connected thereto, sums together the amounts at each priority level, determines additional amounts and priority levels of power required beyond the is internal power supply capability, and sends a power request to the external power supply. The external power supply allocates power to the network switches depending on the power requests received.

Abstract: A method of automatically configuring media connections when operating in forced speed and duplex mode, includes: connecting a first pair of connectors to a first pair of conductors and a second pair of connectors to a second pair of conductors during a first state, and connecting the first pair of connectors to the second pair of conductors and the second pair of connectors to the first pair of conductors during a second state; and holding the first state or the second state if operating in forced speed and duplex mode, a defined time has not expired and another end of a link can receive a signal.

Abstract: An electronic communications network technology, referred to as 100BASE-TD, offers full duplex operation and robust performance on marginal CAT5 wiring. It highly leverages 100BASE-TX functional blocks and is very complementary to 100BASE-TX, for example with regard to such 100BASE-TX features as auto-negotiation. In particular, the invention provides a carrierless IDLE that requires very low power during ambient operation.