Patent ID: 7116779

Claim:
Network interference apparatus for connecting a source and a destination in an Ethernet network using unshielded twisted pair cables, the apparatus comprising: (a) an overvoltage protection module for connecting the apparatus to the source and for providing overvoltage protection for the unshielded twisted pairs of wires, the overvoltage protection module comprising: (1) first and second pairs of receive electrical connections and a first overvoltage protection circuit connected in series between the first and second pairs of receive connections, the first pair of receive connections for being connected to a first unshielded twisted pair of wires carrying high speed digital signals from the source and the second pair of receive connections for being connected to an interconnection module, (2) first and second pairs of transmit electrical connections and a second overvoltage protection circuit connected in series between the first and second pairs of transmit connections, the first pair of transmit connections for being connected to a second unshielded twisted pair of wires for carrying high speed digital signals to the source and the second pair of transmit connections for being connected to the interconnection module; and (b) an interconnection module for connecting the apparatus to the destination, the interconnection module comprising (1) third and fourth pairs of receive electrical connections, the third pair of receive connections for being connected to the second pair of receive connections on the overvoltage protection module and the fourth pair of receive connections for being connected to a third unshielded twisted pair of wires for carrying high speed digital signals to the destination, and (2) third and fourth pairs of transmit electrical connections, the third pair of transmit connections for being connected to the second pair of transmit connections on the overvoltage protection module and the fourth pair of transmit connections for being connected to a fourth unshielded twisted pair of wires carrying high speed digital signals from the destination.