Patent Publication Number: US-9842482-B2

Title: Signal detecting device

Description:
The present application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2015-170023 filed on Aug. 31, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a signal detecting device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In data centers etc., connection of communication cables such as LAN (local area network) cables is altered in accordance with layout change, displacement or addition of information and communication status equipment such as servers or hubs. 
     An information and communication equipment have a connection check lamp for checking connection of communication cables so that it is possible to determine whether or not a communication cable is connected. 
     Also an equipment has been proposed in which connection of a communication cable is monitored by detecting insertion and removal of a connector of the communication cable (see e.g., JP-A-2012-508956) 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The prior arts only allow physical connection of the communication cable to be checked and has a problem that it is not possible to check whether or not communication is actually being performed through the communication cable, i.e., it is not possible to check the data communication state. 
     It is therefore considered that workers or users may pull out the communication cable by mistake without noticing that it is in the process of communication, causing failures such as shutdown of the information communication equipment or corruption of data during transfer. Accidental removal of communication cable leads to serious loss (causes serious risk) especially in case of major lines, etc., in data centers. 
     Also, in the data centers, many signal detecting devices to detect the existence of the information transmission may need. It is desirable to decrease the cost and to simplify the process for confirming the existence of the data communication. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a signal detecting device that indicates the existence of data communication so as to prevent the accidental removal of communication cable, decreases the cost, and allows easy confirmation of the existence of the data communication. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a signal detecting device comprises: 
     a visualization device comprising a plurality of connectors to which a communication cable is connected; 
     a plurality of detecting circuits that are provided for each of the connectors to be detected, branch and extract a part of a signal transmitted through the communication cable connected to the connectors, and indicate an existence of an data communication based on the extracted signal; and 
     a detecting card that is insertable into and detachable from a card connector arranged in the visualization device and mounts at least a part of the detecting circuit. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a signal detecting device can be provided that that indicates the existence of data communication so as to prevent the accidental removal of communication cable, decreases the cost and allows easy confirmation of the existence of the data communication. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail in conjunction with appended drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view showing an appearance of a signal detecting device in an embodiment according to the invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic block diagram showing a signal detecting device in an embodiment according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view showing a visualization device without a housing in the signal detecting device in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view showing a visualization device without a housing in the signal detecting device in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a card circuit board in the signal detecting device in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view showing an appearance of a signal detecting device in an alternative embodiment according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view showing an appearance of a signal detecting device in an alternative embodiment according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram showing a signal detecting device in  FIGS. 4A, 4B ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a visualization device without a housing in the signal detecting device in  FIG. 4A, 4B ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a card circuit board in the signal detecting device in  FIGS. 4A, 4B ; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment 
     An embodiment of the invention will be described below with the appended drawings. 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view showing an appearance of a signal detecting device in an embodiment according to the invention.  FIG. 1B  is a schematic block diagram showing a signal detecting device in an embodiment according to the invention.  FIG. 2A  is a perspective view showing a visualization device without a housing in the signal detecting device in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2B  is a perspective view showing a visualization device without a housing in the signal detecting device in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a card circuit board in the signal detecting device in  FIG. 1A   
     As shown in  FIG. 1A  to  FIG. 3 , a signal detecting device  1  is provided with a visualization device  2  and a detecting card  3  and a plurality of detecting circuits  4 , which are mounted on the visualization device  2  and the detecting card  3 . 
     (Explanation of the Visualization Device  2 ) 
     The visualization device  2  has a plurality of connectors  5  to connect communication cable (not shown) to transmit a differential signal. 
     As with the communication cable, a cable commonly used as a LAN (local area network) cable can be used as the communication cable. In the present embodiment, it is used as a cable having four pairs (i.e. eight in total) of the signal lines transmitting the differential signal. 
     In the present embodiment, the visualization device  2  is provided with a plurality pair of the connectors  5  and configured so as to connect each of the communication cables connected to the pair of the connector  5 . That is, the visualization device  2  is a communication device called a repeater or a patch panel. The connector  5  is, for example, a jack connector standardized as RJ45, and configured so as to be connectable to a connector arranged at an end of the communication cable (for example, a plug connector standardized RJ45). 
     The connector  5  is mounted on a circuit board  6 . In the present embodiment, as a communication cable having four pairs of the signal lines transmitting a differential signal is used, a signal transmitting section  8  having four pairs of transmission lines  7  corresponding to the four pairs of the signal lines are formed respectively between the connectors  5  making the pair. The transmission line  7  is formed so as to connect each terminals corresponding to the connectors  5  making the pair. 
     The signal transmission section  8  is mounted on the circuit board  6 . In the present embodiment, the signal transmission section  8  provides a correcting circuit  9  to correct a pair-to-pair crosstalk caused at the connector  5 . 
     In this embodiment, while it is explained that in case of the visualization device  2  having six pairs of the connectors  5 , a number of the connector  5  is not limited to thereof. Also in this embodiment, while it is explained that in case of the visualization device  2  serving a function as the repeater (patch panel), the visualization device  2  may be a part of the other communication device such as the part of a network switch or a server, and it is allowed to the connector  5  not having pair. 
     The visualization device  2  is provided with a housing  10  having a front panel  10   a  which is an approximately rectangular, and configured so as to commit the circuit board  6  in the housing  10 . Below, horizontal direction in  FIG. 1A  calls width direction, vertically direction in  FIG. 1A  calls a height direction, and left front to right back direction calls depth direction. 
     The six connectors  5  are arranged in line in the width direction in the front panel  10   a . The six connectors  5  configuring pairs with the six connectors  5  arranged at the side of the front panel  10   a  are arranged in line in the width direction on a rear panel (not shown) that is opposite to the front panel  10 . 
     Also, a card connector  11  to insert the detecting card  3  is mounted on the circuit board  6  in the visualization device  2 . Although this embodiment shows the card connector arranged at the end of the circuit board  6  in the width direction (the right end shown in  FIG. 2A ), an arrangement of the card connector  11  can suitably change. A slot  12  to insert the detecting card  3  into the card connector  11  is arranged at the front panel  10   a . In the present embodiment, the detecting card  3  is inserted into the card connector  11  from a side of the front panel  10  to along with the depth direction. 
     A light-emitting element  24 A (LED) on a light-emitting circuit  24  described below are mounted on the circuit board  6  in the visualization device  2 . The light-emitting element  24 A is arranged at the end of the side of the front panel  10   a  of the circuit board so as to show a light-emitting section for the side of the front panel  10   a . The light-emitting element  24 A are arranged at upside of the connector  5  arranged at the side of the front panel  10   a  (an opposite position through the circuit board  6 ) respectively. In the opposite position from the light-emitting element  24 A in the front panel  10   a , light-emitting sections  13  to confirm emitting the light-emitting element  24 A are arranged respectively. 
     (Explanation of the Detecting Card  3 ) 
     A detecting card  3  is arranged with freely inserted in and pulled out in the card connector  11  arranged at the visualization device  2  and mount at least a part of each detecting circuits  4 . Explanation of the detecting circuit  4  will be described below. 
     The detecting card  3  is provided with a housing  14  having an approximately rectangular that opens forwardly in the insertion and the detecting card circuit board  15  committed in the housing  14 , that is formed card-shaped (plane-shaped) totally. The detecting card circuit board mounts a part of the detecting circuit described below. 
     A card edge connector  16  is formed by aligning the electrodes (pads) at the forward end in the insertion of the detecting card circuit board  15 . According to inserting the detecting card  3  into the card connector  11 , each of the electrodes in the card edge connector  16  are connected electrically with connecting terminals (not shown) in the card connector  11 . The detecting card circuit board  15  connects electrically the circuit board  6  in the visualization device  2 . 
     (Explanation of the Detecting Circuit  4 ) 
     The detecting circuit  4  is arranged by the connector  5  to be subject to detecting respectively. The detecting circuit  4  branches and extracts a part of the signal transmitting in the communication cable connected to the connector  5  and indicates existence of the data communication based on the extracted signal. In this case, since the visualization device  2  provides six pairs of the connectors  5 , the six detecting circuits  4  are totally provided for the pairs. Furthermore,  FIG. 1B  shows only two of the detecting circuits  4 . 
     Each of the detecting circuits  4  is composed of a matching circuit  20 , an amplifier circuit  21 , a rectifier circuit  22 , a comparator circuit  23  and a light-emitting circuit  24  which are connected sequentially. 
     The matching circuit  20  is to provide impedance matching in a predetermined frequency band. In the present embodiment, since a portion of a signal transmitted through the communication cable is branched and extracted, the matching circuit  20  also serves to adjust the level of a signal extracted from the communication cable. 
     In the present embodiment, branch transmission lines  7   a  branched from any pair of the transmission lines  7  in corresponding to between the pair of the connectors  5  inputs into the matching circuit  20  in the detecting circuit  20 . The matching circuit  20  is constructed from, for example, a resistive circuit. 
     The amplifier circuit  21  is a circuit which amplifies the signal extracted from a given signal line of the communication cable (the transmission line  7 ) through the matching circuit  20  and outputs the amplified signal to the downstream rectifier circuit  22 . As the amplifier circuit  21 , it is possible to use, e.g., a grounded emitter circuit. However, the specific configuration of the amplifier circuit  21  is not limited thereto. Although the amplifier circuit  21  is a single-stage configuration in the present embodiment, the amplifier circuit  21  may be a multistage configuration. 
     The comparator circuit  23  is a circuit which is turned on and outputs the DC signal with a predetermined voltage to the downstream light-emitting circuit  24  when the output voltage of the rectifier circuit  22  is not less than a preset threshold voltage (offset voltage). 
     The comparator circuit  23  is a circuit which is turned on and outputs the DC signal with a predetermined voltage to the downstream light-emitting circuit  24  when the output voltage of the rectifier circuit  22  is not less than a preset threshold voltage (offset voltage). 
     Providing the comparator circuit  23  allows a signal with a constant voltage to be output to the light-emitting circuit  24  even when the output voltage of the rectifier circuit  22  is small as long as offset voltage of the comparator  23  is set to a low level, and it is thereby possible to stably operate the light-emitting circuit  24 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the level of the signal extracted from the communication cable by increasing the resistance value of resistors Rin of the matching circuit  20 , which reduces reflection loss and insertion loss and thus suppresses deterioration in quality of the signal transmitted through the communication cable. 
     Also, strength of the signal transmitted through the communication cable may be different depending on a communication device connected to the communication cable or length of the communication cable. However, since the comparator circuit  23  is provided, it is possible to stably operate the light-emitting circuit  24  even when the strength of the signal transmitted through the communication cable is small. Furthermore, since the output voltage of the rectifier circuit  22  can be reduced, it is possible to reduce output voltage of the amplifier circuit  21 , to lower power consumption, and even to suppress deterioration in signal quality caused because the output signal of the amplifier circuit  21  enters the communication cable. 
     The light-emitting circuit  24  is provided with the light-emitting element  24 A such as an LED (light emitting device) and indicates existence of the data communication using emitting the light-emitting element  24 A based on output from the comparator circuit  23 . In the present embodiment, the light-emitting circuit  24  is provided so as to emit the light-emitting element  24 A in output from the comparator circuit  23  turning on. That is, the light-emitting element  24 A emits in the comparator circuit  23  outputting the predetermined voltage signal. 
     Furthermore, the configuration of the light-emitting circuit  24  is not limited to thereof, for example, the light-emitting circuit  24  may be provided with two light-emitting elements (LED) and indicate the existence of the data communication by the different two emitting colors. More specifically, for example, the blue light-emitting element emits when the light-emitting circuit  24  receive the data communication status (the comparator circuit  23  turns on), and the red light-emitting element emits when the light-emitting element does not receive the data communication status (the comparator circuit  23  turns off). 
     In the signal detecting device  1  in the present embodiment, the matching circuits  20  and the light-emitting circuits  24  corresponding to each of the detecting circuits  4  are mounted on the visualization device  2  and the amplifier circuits  21  and the rectifier circuits  22  corresponding to each of the detecting circuits  4  are mounted on the detecting card  3 . 
     The matching circuits  20  and the light-emitting circuits  24  corresponding to each of the detecting circuits  4  are mounted on the circuit board  6  of the visualization device  2  and the amplifier circuits  21  and the rectifier circuits  22  corresponding to each of the detecting circuits  4  are mounted on the detecting card circuit board  15  of the detecting card  3 . 
     Output of the matching circuit  20  and input of the amplifier circuit  21 , and output of the comparator circuit  23  and input of the light-emitting circuit  24  are connected electrically through the card connector  11  (and card edge connector  16 ). 
     The detecting card  3  is not needed to be provided with each of the visualization devices  2 . The detecting card  3  can be used by a plurality of the visualization devices  2  commonly. Thus, According to mounting a part of each of the detecting circuits  4  (in this case, the amplifier circuit  21 , the rectifier circuit  22  and the comparator circuit  23 ) that is mounted on the detecting card  3  and the number of the detecting card  3  that is less than the number of the visualization device  2 , the cost of whole system can decrease. That is, it is not needed to mount all configuration of the detecting circuit  4  on each of the visualization devices  2  and can become the cost of the whole system decrease. Also, the visualization device  2  can downsize comparing with the visualization device  2  on which all configurations of the detecting circuit  4  mounts. 
     Also, in the present embodiment, according to confirming the existent of the data communication status by only inserting the detecting card  3  into the card connector  11 , it is easy to confirm the data communication status. As the detecting card  3  is formed in card shaped, the operator is easy to take the detecting card  3  along. 
     Moreover, according to mounting the amplifier circuit  21  on the detecting card  3 , it is possible to suppress deterioration in signal quality caused because the output signal of the amplifier circuit  21  enters the communication cable. 
     In the present embodiment, furthermore, the battery  25  for supplying power to each of the detecting circuits  4  are mounted on the detecting card  3 , each of the detecting circuit  4  are provided so as to supply power to the amplifier circuits  21 , the comparator circuits  23  and the light-emitting circuits  24  in each of the detecting circuits from the battery  25 . In the present embodiment, as the light-emitting circuit  24  is mounted on the visualization device  2  side, the power from the battery  25  is supplied to the light-emitting circuit  24  through the card connector  11  (and the card edge connector  16 ). 
     In the present embodiment, as the card connector  11  is arranged at one side of the circuit board  6  in the width direction, the wiring distance from the card connector  11  to the connector  5  that is arranged at the opposite side of the card connector  11  become long. Consequently, a wiring connecting output of the matching circuit  20  and input of the amplifier circuit  21 , and output of the comparator circuit  23  and input of the light-emitting circuit  24  become long and are possibility to be affected by noise. It is preferable to use shielding wiring such that have strip configuration for the wiring between output of the matching circuit  20  and input of the amplifier circuit  21 , and output of the comparator circuit  23  and input of the light-emitting circuit  24 . In this case, a multi-layer board is used for the circuit board  6 . The wiring layer sandwiched by ground layers formed at inner layers is used for the wiring between output of the matching circuit  20  and input of the amplifier circuit  21 , and output of the comparator circuit  23  and input of the light-emitting circuit  24 . 
     Also, in the present embodiment, as the amplifier circuit  21 , the rectifier circuit  22  and the comparator circuit  23  that are provided with each of the detecting circuits  4  are mounted on the detecting card  3 , it is not limited to thereof, any one or two of the amplifier circuit  21 , the rectifier circuit  22  and the comparator circuit  23  may be provided so as to be mounted on the detecting card  3 . However, it is desirable to mount the circuits as much as possible on the detecting card  3  from the view of decreasing cost of making the signal detecting device  1 . 
     Besides, the light-emitting circuit  24  provided with each of the detecting circuits  4  may be mounted on the detecting card  3 . 
     In this case, as shown in  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 7 , the light-emitting section  13  is arranged at the detecting card  3 . Thus, it is needed to choose the insertion position of the detecting card  3  etc. for ease to confirming each of the light-emitting sections  13  corresponding to the connectors  5 . 
     In this case, the card connector  11  is mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board  6  (the opposite surface of the connector  5  mounted) and the slots  12  are formed on upside of six of the connector  5  arranged at the front panel  10   a  in line. The slot  12  is configured such that the detecting card  3  is inserted into the slot  12 . 
     The light-emitting element  24 A is arranged at the opposite end of the card edge connector  16  of the detecting card circuit board  15  (a back end section in the direction of the detecting card  3  insertion) so as to face the light-emitting section  13  and back of insert direction. The light-emitting section  13  to confirm emitting corresponding to the light-emitting element  24 A are arranged at the back end in the insert direction of the housing  14  of the detecting card  3 . The light-emitting section  13  are arranged separately in the width direction and arranged at such that locate at the upside of the corresponding connector  5  when the detecting card  3  is inserted into the card connector  11 . 
     Besides, in the case, the signal detecting device  1  that is configured such that the detecting card  3  is inserted into the upside of the connector  5  is explained. The signal detecting device  1  may be configured such that the detecting card  3  is inserted into the bottom of the connector  5 . In this case, the light-emitting sections  13  are arranged at the bottom of the corresponding connector  5 . 
     As the amplifier circuits  21 , the rectifier circuits  22  and the comparator circuits  23  in each of the detecting circuits  4  and then the light-emitting circuits  24  are mounted on the detecting card  3 , the cost of the detecting card  3  can be decreased by increasing circuits mounted on the detecting circuit  3 . Also, since supplying power from the battery  25  mounted on the detecting card  3  to the visualization device  2  is not needed, the configuration of the overall structure can be easier. 
     Also, as shown in  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 7 , by configuring such that the upper surface of the circuit board  6  (opposite side surface on which the connector  5  is mounted) mounts the card connector  11 , the wiring distance between the card connector  11  and each of the connector  5  become short. Thus, the wiring between output of the matching circuit  20  and input of the amplifier circuit  21  is hardly affected by the noise. The failure affected by the noise can be suppressed without using the wiring having strip structure. 
     Furthermore, although not shown, the matching circuit  20  of each of the detecting circuit  4  can be mounted on the detecting card  3 . In this case, all configurations of the detecting circuit  4  are mounted on the detecting card and it makes possibility to decrease the cost. 
     (Functions and Effects of the Embodiment) 
     As described above, the signal detecting device  1  in the present embodiment is provided with a signal detecting device  1 , which comprises a visualization device  2  having a plurality of connectors  5  to connect a communication cable, a plurality of detecting circuits  4  arranged at each of the connectors  5  to be subject to detecting, branching and extracting a part of signal transmitted in the communication cable connected to the connector  5 , indicating the existence of data communication based on the extracted signal, and a detecting card  3  arranged at a card connector  11  arranged in the visualization device  2  freely inserted in and pulled out, mounting at least a part of the detecting circuit  4 . 
     According to configuring the detecting circuit  4 , it is possible to determine whether or not a communication cable is connected and suppress miss-removing of the communication cable. Since a communication cable without the data communication status is easily confirmed by using the detecting circuit  4 , the work efficiency in removing the communication cable increases. 
     Also, mounting a part of the detecting circuit  4  on the detecting card  3 , a part of the detecting circuit  4  can be shared by a plurality of the visualization devices  2  and it is possible to decrease the cost. 
     Moreover, since in the present embodiment the existence of data communication can be detected only by inserting the detecting card  3  into the visualization device  2 , it is easy to confirm the existence of data communication. Also, since the detecting card  3  is card-shaped, it is not bulky comparing with e.g., having a box shaped, and the operator can carry it easily. 
     SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Technical ideas understood from the embodiment will be described below citing the reference numerals, etc., used for the embodiment. However, each reference numeral, etc., described below is not intended to limit the constituent elements in the claims to the members, etc., specifically described in the embodiment. 
     [1] A signal detecting device ( 1 ), comprising: a visualization device ( 2 ) comprising a plurality of connectors ( 5 ) to which a communication cable is connected; a plurality of detecting circuits ( 4 ) that are provided for each of the connectors ( 5 ) to be detected, branch and extract a part of signal transmitted through the communication cable connected to the connectors ( 5 ), and indicate an existence of data communication based on the extracted signal; and 
     a detecting card ( 3 ) that is insertable into and detachable from a card connector ( 11 ) arranged in the visualization device ( 2 ) and mounts at least a part of the detecting circuit ( 4 ). 
     [2] The signal detecting device ( 1 ) according to [1], wherein each of the detecting circuits ( 4 ) comprises an amplifier circuit ( 21 ) that amplifies and outputs a signal by branching and extracting a part of the signal transmitted through the communication cable, and wherein the amplifier circuit ( 21 ) of each of the detecting circuits ( 4 ) is mounted on the detecting card ( 3 ). 
     [3] The signal detecting device ( 1 ) according to [1], wherein each of the detecting circuits ( 4 ) comprises a rectifier circuit ( 22 ) that rectifies and outputs the signal by branching and extracting a part of the signal transmitted through the communication cable, and wherein the rectifier circuit ( 22 ) of each of the detecting circuits is mounted on the detecting card. 
     [4] The signal detecting device ( 1 ) according to [1], wherein each of the detecting circuits ( 4 ) comprises a comparator circuit ( 23 ) that outputs a direct current signal having a predetermined voltage when an output voltage from the amplifier circuit ( 22 ) is not less than a predetermined threshold voltage, and wherein the comparator circuit ( 23 ) of each of the detecting circuits ( 4 ) is mounted on the detecting card ( 3 ). 
     [5] The signal detecting device ( 1 ) according to [1], wherein each of the detecting circuits ( 4 ) comprises a battery ( 25 ) that supplies power, and wherein the battery ( 25 ) is mounted on the detecting card ( 3 ). 
     [6] The signal detecting device ( 1 ) according to [1], wherein each of the signal detecting circuits ( 4 ) comprises a light-emitting circuit ( 24 ) that indicates the existence of data communication by an emission of a light-emitting element, and wherein the light-emitting circuit ( 24 ) of each of the detecting circuits ( 4 ) is mounted on the detecting card ( 3 ). 
     [7] The signal detecting device ( 1 ) according to [6], comprising a housing ( 10 ) comprising a front panel ( 10   a ) on a front face, wherein at least a part of the plurality of connectors ( 5 ) is formed aligned in a width direction of the front panel ( 10   a ), wherein the front panel ( 10   a ) comprises a slot ( 12 ) for inserting the detecting card ( 3 ) into the card connector ( 11 ) above or under the plurality of connectors ( 5 ) arranged on the front panel ( 10   a ) in line, wherein the detecting card ( 3 ) comprises a plurality of light-emitting sections ( 13 ) to confirm emission of the light-emitting circuit ( 24 ) on a rear end face in an insert direction thereof, and wherein the light-emitting sections ( 13 ) are arranged separately in the width direction so as to locate above or under corresponding ones of the connectors ( 5 ) when inserting the detecting card ( 3 ) into the card connector ( 11 ). 
     [8] The signal detecting device ( 1 ) according to [1], comprising a plurality pairs of the connectors ( 5 ), and a transmission line ( 7 ) that allows a connection between the pairs of the connectors ( 5 ), wherein the detecting circuit ( 4 ) is provided for each of the pairs of the connectors ( 5 ), and wherein a branched transmission line ( 7   a ) branched from the transmission line ( 7 ) is connected to the detecting circuit ( 4 ). 
     Although the embodiment of the invention has been described, the invention according to claims is not to be limited to the embodiment. Further, please note that all combinations of the features described in the embodiment are not necessary to solve the problem of the invention. 
     The invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.