JP2004247259A - Media converter for optical communication - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a media converter for optical communication which eliminates too much wiring to supply a source voltage to the media converter, and has a high consistency with existing routers. <P>SOLUTION: The media converter 1 for optical communication is provided in a casing with an electric connector 3 (including an electric interface circuit) to transmit/receive electric signals through an electric cable, and into/out of which an electric plug connected with the electric cable is attached/dettached; an optical transceiver 6 (including an optical connector and an optical interface circuit) to transmit/receive optical signals through an optical cable, and into/out of which an optical plug connected with the optical cable is attached/dettached; an electro-optical conversion circuit 4 to convert electric signals into optical signals; a photoelectric conversion circuit 5 to convert optical signals into electric signals; an alternating power source plug 7 to be attached/dettached to/from an alternating power source receptacle; and an alternating/direct current converter 8 which converts an alternating voltage into a direct current voltage and supply it to the electro-optical conversion circuit 4 and the photoelectric conversion circuit 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a media converter device for optical communication that performs mutual conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a conventional home network. In FIG. 10, ADSL information is received by the modem 106 from outside the house 101 via the ADSL cable 105. Inside the house 101, a local area network 108 is provided in each of the rooms 102, 103, and 104. The router 107 stores the ADSL information received by the modem 106 as AV contents in the audio / video hard disk drive (AV-HDD) 110 connected to the personal computer (PC) 109 in the room 102 via the network 108. Keep it.
[0003]
Thus, the AV content stored in the audio / video hard disk drive (AV-HDD) 110 connected to the personal computer (PC) 109 in the room 102 is transmitted to the television 103 in the room 103 via the router 107. (TV) 111, and in the room 104, a personal computer (PC) 112.
[0004]
For security, a surveillance camera 113 is installed at a door phone or a gate of the house 101, and a personal computer (PC) 109 in the room 102 can monitor an image near the door. (TV) 111 can monitor an image near the door, and in the room 104, a personal computer (PC) 112 can monitor an image near the door. The above-described network 108 can be realized by Ethernet ((Ethernet) registered trademark).
[0005]
The wiring of Ethernet ((Ethernet) registered trademark) is laid with an eight-core (two-core stranded wire × 4 pairs) UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable called Enhanced Category 5 (Cat. 5E). However, a UTP cable for a home network has a diameter of Φ5 mm or more, and it is difficult to route it neatly in a room or, for example, penetrate under or over a door, and then wire it neatly.
[0006]
For this reason, optical fiber cables are being used for home network applications. The optical fiber cable has a diameter of about 2.3 mm, and there is a cable with a smaller diameter. Optical fiber cables are soft and easy to bend, so wiring can be done easily. Some optical fiber cables have a data transmission distance of several hundred meters or more, exceeding the UTP cable length of 100 m.
[0007]
Devices connected to current networks are equipped with RJ-45 standard connectors, which are connectors to which UTP cables are connected. Here, as shown in FIG. 11, a signal is transmitted between an electric signal from an electric connector 115 (RJ-45) to which a UTP cable is connected and an optical signal from an optical connector 116 to which an optical fiber cable is connected, by a power cable. There is a device called a media converter 114 that performs mutual conversion using a power supply voltage supplied from the port 117.
[0008]
As shown in FIG. 12, a wiring using a conventional media converter is shown, between a router 121 and a personal computer (PC) 133, an electric (RJ-45) plug 134, an electric (RJ-45) plug 135, and a UTP cable. When the media converter 123 and the media converter 127 are used via the 122 and the UTP cable 131, the electrical (RJ-45) plug 130 and the electrical (RJ-45) plug 132, the optical plug 126 and the optical plug 129, wiring is desired. The location can be laid with an optical cable 125.
[0009]
The media converter 123 and the media converter 127 are devices that perform the signal conversion between the electric signal of the electric cable and the optical signal of the optical cable as described above, and actively convert the electric signal and the optical signal into each other. Therefore, it is necessary to supply a power supply voltage to the conversion circuit via the power cable 124 and the power cable 128.
[0010]
In order to eliminate the power supply line, for example, there is a method described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a conventional electric (RJ-45) plug directly mounted media converter. The media converter 134 has an optical connector 136 and a power supply line 137, and an electric (RJ-45) plug 135 is directly mounted. Have been.
[0011]
Further, as shown in the power supply of the media converter 147 (B type) in FIG. 14, the electric (RJ-45) plug 148 is directly connected to a router as shown in FIG. It can be inserted into the connector provided on the 143 side. At this time, the power supply of the media converter 147 (B type) is performed via the power plug 149, and the power is supplied between the electric cable 150 connected to the router 143 and the optical cable 151 connected to the media converter 147 (B type). Signal conversion is performed between the two.
[0012]
In addition, the conventional electric (RJ-45) plug direct-attached media converter shown in FIG. 13 has a power supply pin 144 at the tip of the electric plug 142 as shown in the power supply of the media converter 141 (A type) in FIG. And an electrode is also provided in the connector of the router 143, a power supply voltage is supplied from the power plug 145, and the power supply is connected to the electric cable 150 connected to the router 143 and the media converter 141 (A type). The signal is converted between the optical cable 146 and the optical cable 146.
[0013]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-202441
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional wiring using the media converter shown in FIG. 12 has a disadvantage that wiring for supplying a power supply voltage via the power supply cable 124 and the power supply cable 128 is unnecessary and complicated.
[0015]
Further, the conventional electrical (RJ-45) plug-attached media converter shown in FIG. 13 is complicated because the wiring of the power plug 149 for supplying the power voltage of the media converter 147 (B type) in FIG. There was an inconvenience.
[0016]
Further, a conventional electric (RJ-45) plug-attached media converter shown in FIG. 13 is provided with a power supply pin 144 at the tip of an electric plug 142 for supplying a power supply voltage of a media converter 141 (A type) shown in FIG. And the configuration in which the electrodes are provided in the connector of the router 143 deviates from the standard of RJ-45, and the compatibility with the existing router is deteriorated.
[0017]
In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and eliminates unnecessary wiring for supplying a power supply voltage of a media converter, thereby improving the compatibility with existing routers. It is an object to provide a converter device.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An optical communication media converter device according to the present invention includes an electric connector for transmitting and receiving an electric signal through the electric cable, an electric plug connected to the electric cable, and an electric connector for transmitting and receiving the electric signal through the electric cable. An electrical interface circuit for interfacing, an optical plug connected to and detached from an optical cable, an optical connector for transmitting and receiving optical signals via the optical cable, and an optical interface circuit for interfacing optical signals transmitted and received via the optical connector , An electrical-to-optical conversion circuit that converts an electrical signal from an electrical interface circuit into an optical signal and supplies it to an optical interface circuit, and an electrical interface that converts an optical signal from the optical interface circuit into an electrical signal. Optical-electrical conversion circuit An AC power plug that is attached to and detached from an AC power outlet and supplies power to the electro-optical conversion circuit and the photo-electric conversion circuit, and converts an AC voltage supplied through the AC power plug into a DC voltage to The light-to-light conversion circuit and the AC-to-DC conversion circuit to be supplied to the light-to-electricity conversion circuit are arranged in the same housing.
[0019]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the following operations are performed.
The optical connector built in the optical transceiver has an optical plug connected to the optical cable, and receives an optical signal via the optical cable. The optical signal received by the optical connector is supplied to an optical interface circuit. An optical interface circuit built in the optical transceiver interfaces an optical signal received via the optical connector.
[0020]
The optical signal that has been subjected to the interface processing by the optical interface circuit is supplied to a photoelectric conversion circuit on the substrate. The optical-electrical conversion circuit converts an optical signal from the optical interface circuit into an electric signal and supplies the electric signal to the electric interface circuit of the electric connector on the board.
[0021]
The electrical interface circuit interfaces an electrical signal transmitted via the electrical connector. The electric signal subjected to the interface processing by the electric interface circuit is supplied to the electric connector. The electric connector on the board is equipped with an electric plug connected to the electric cable, and transmits an electric signal via the electric cable.
[0022]
At this time, the AC power plug provided on the same board is attached to the AC power outlet, and the AC-DC conversion circuit provided on the same board converts the AC voltage supplied through the AC power plug. The power is converted to a DC voltage and the power supply voltage is supplied to the photoelectric conversion circuit.
[0023]
Thus, without using a power cord and without improving the terminals of the electrical connector, the power supply voltage for the operation of converting the above-mentioned optical signal into an electrical signal can be supplied to an AC power supply plug provided on the same substrate. And it is possible to realize simple and clean wiring while ensuring compatibility.
[0024]
In addition, by providing each of the above-described components on the same substrate, it is possible to reduce the space and cost of cables for connection between the substrates and the space and cost of members for independently supporting each component. Can be.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
Embodiments applied to the present invention meet the demand for easily and neatly constructing a network in a home network or the like, perform interconnection between an electric cable and an optical cable, and perform optical signal and electric signal The present invention relates to a media converter device for optical communication that performs mutual conversion with the optical communication device.
[0026]
First, the appearance of the optical communication media converter will be described.
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the media converter for optical communication. 9 is a top view, a front view, and a right side view of the media converter for optical communication. FIG. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a right side view, and FIG. 9C is a front view.
[0027]
8 and 9, the optical communication media converter 1 has a housing having a substantially T-shape, and the AC power plug 7 is provided in the direction of the rear surface of the lower end of the T-shape (obliquely downward to the right in FIG. 8). It is configured to protrude the two pins.
[0028]
Also, the optical communication media converter 1 has an electrical plug insertion opening 81 of the electrical connector 3 and an optical plug insertion of the optical transceiver 6 at the right and left ends of the T-shape (diagonally upper right and lower left in FIG. 8). The mouth 82 is configured to be provided.
[0029]
Next, the internal configuration of the optical communication media converter will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a media converter for optical communication applied to the present embodiment.
[0030]
In FIG. 1, an optical communication media converter 1 has an electric connector 3 for transmitting and receiving an electric signal via an electric cable, on which an electric plug connected to an electric cable is attached and detached, on a substrate 2. You.
[0031]
The optical communication media converter 1 includes an electric interface circuit for interfacing electric signals transmitted and received via the electric connector 3 on the substrate 2.
[0032]
The optical communication media converter 1 has an optical plug connected to an optical cable on the substrate 2, an optical connector for transmitting and receiving an optical signal via the optical cable, and an optical signal transmitted and received via the optical connector. And an optical transceiver 6 having a built-in optical interface circuit for performing the above interface.
[0033]
The media converter 1 for optical communication includes an electro-optical conversion circuit 4 on a substrate 2, which converts an electric signal from the electric interface circuit into an optical signal and supplies the optical signal to the optical interface circuit.
[0034]
The media converter 1 for optical communication includes an optical-electrical conversion circuit 5 on a substrate 2 for converting an optical signal from the optical interface circuit into an electric signal and supplying the electric signal to the electric interface circuit.
[0035]
The media converter 1 for optical communication has an AC power supply plug 7 for supplying a power supply voltage to the electrical-optical conversion circuit 4 and the optical-electrical conversion circuit 5, which is attached to and detached from an AC power outlet on the substrate 2. It is composed.
[0036]
The optical communication media converter 1 converts an AC voltage supplied via the AC power supply plug 7 to a DC voltage on the substrate 2 and supplies the DC voltage to the electro-optical conversion circuit 4 and the optical-electric conversion circuit 5. It has an AC-DC conversion circuit 8.
[0037]
The above-described electric connector 3, electric interface circuit, optical transceiver 6, electric-optical conversion circuit 4, optical-electric conversion circuit 5, AC power plug 7, and AC-DC conversion circuit 8 are arranged in the same housing. Is done.
[0038]
The optical communication media converter 1 configured as above operates as follows.
First, an operation of converting an electric signal into an optical signal will be described.
An electric plug connected to an electric cable is mounted on the electric connector 3 on the board 2 and receives an electric signal via the electric cable. The electric signal received by the electric connector 3 is supplied to an electric interface circuit. The electric interface circuit interfaces an electric signal received via the electric connector 3.
[0039]
The electric signal subjected to the interface processing in the electric interface circuit is supplied to the electric-optical conversion circuit 4 on the substrate 2. The electric-optical conversion circuit 4 converts an electric signal from the electric interface circuit into an optical signal and supplies the optical signal to the optical interface circuit of the optical transceiver 6 on the board 2.
[0040]
An optical interface circuit built in the optical transceiver 6 interfaces an optical signal transmitted via an optical connector. The optical signal subjected to the interface processing by the optical interface circuit is supplied to the optical connector. The optical connector incorporated in the optical transceiver 6 is equipped with an optical plug connected to an optical cable, and transmits an optical signal via the optical cable.
[0041]
At this time, the AC power plug 7 provided on the same board 2 is attached to an AC power outlet, and the AC-DC conversion circuit 8 provided on the same board 2 is supplied via the AC power plug 7. The AC voltage is converted into a DC voltage and a power supply voltage is supplied to the electro-optical conversion circuit 4.
[0042]
Thereby, the power supply voltage for the operation of converting the electric signal to the optical signal described above can be provided on the same substrate 2 without using a power cord and without improving the terminal of the electric connector (RJ-45). It can be obtained from the provided AC power plug 7, and it is possible to realize simple and clean wiring while ensuring compatibility.
[0043]
Next, an operation of converting an optical signal into an electric signal will be described.
The optical connector incorporated in the optical transceiver 6 has an optical plug connected to an optical cable, and receives an optical signal via the optical cable. The optical signal received by the optical connector is supplied to an optical interface circuit. An optical interface circuit built in the optical transceiver 6 interfaces an optical signal received via the optical connector.
[0044]
The optical signal that has been subjected to the interface processing by the optical interface circuit is supplied to the photoelectric conversion circuit 5 on the substrate 2. The optical-electrical conversion circuit 5 converts an optical signal from the optical interface circuit into an electric signal and supplies the electric signal to the electric interface circuit of the electric connector 3 on the board 2.
[0045]
The electric interface circuit interfaces an electric signal transmitted via the electric connector 3. The electric signal subjected to the interface processing by the electric interface circuit is supplied to the electric connector 3. An electric plug connected to an electric cable is mounted on the electric connector 3 on the substrate 2 and transmits an electric signal via the electric cable.
[0046]
At this time, the AC power plug 7 provided on the same board 2 is attached to an AC power outlet, and the AC-DC conversion circuit 8 provided on the same board 2 is supplied via the AC power plug 7. The AC voltage is converted to a DC voltage and a power supply voltage is supplied to the photoelectric conversion circuit 5.
[0047]
Thus, the power supply voltage for the operation of converting the optical signal into the electric signal described above can be provided on the same substrate 2 without using a power cord and without improving the terminal of the electric connector (RJ-45). It can be obtained from the provided AC power plug 7, and it is possible to realize simple and clean wiring while ensuring compatibility.
[0048]
In addition, by providing each of the above-described components on the same substrate 2, the space and cost of a cable for connection between the substrates and the space and cost of members for independently supporting each of the components are reduced. be able to.
[0049]
The above-described electric connector 3 is an RJ-45 standard connector using an unshielded twisted pair cable.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 5, in a state-of-the-art home, an AC 100V (power) outlet 52, a telephone line 54, an electrical connector (RJ-45) 53, and a TV coaxial 55 are assembled on the same plane, which is called an information outlet 51. Outlets are provided. In this case, in the above-described optical communication media converter 1, the wiring of the enhanced category 5 (Cat. 5E) UTP cable can be reduced, and the room can be neatly stretched with an optical cable that is thin and easy to wire.
[0051]
Thereby, when the transmission line used in the home network is realized by Ethernet ((Ethernet) registered trademark), the wiring of the Ethernet ((Ethernet) registered trademark) is performed using the enhanced category 5 (Cat. 5E) UTP cable. The electrical connector 3 can be configured by an RJ-45 standard connector using a UTP cable, and can be connected to more devices by configuring a simple and more popular home network. The network configuration can be diversified.
[0052]
The optical connector built in the optical transceiver 6 is a connector for a plastic optical fiber (POF).
[0053]
As for the optical fiber used for the optical cable for the home network, it is better to use a relatively thick and soft plastic optical fiber (POF) than to use a relatively thin and hard glass optical fiber (GOF) from the viewpoint of safety. It is advantageous. The low attenuation, which is an advantage of the glass optical fiber (GOF), cannot be exhibited in the home network field where the transmission distance is relatively short, that is, 100 m or less, and the core diameter is relatively small, such as 50 μm or 62.5 μm. Because of its small size, relatively high precision of the optical connector is required, which increases the cost. However, with a plastic optical fiber (POF), the precision of the optical connector is not high, so that the cost can be reduced.
[0054]
Thus, a secure and low-cost network can be configured by using a plastic optical fiber (POF) for an optical cable for a home network.
[0055]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an insertion direction of an electric plug and an optical plug and an insertion direction to an AC power outlet.
[0056]
In FIG. 2, the optical communication media converter 1 has an insertion direction 11 and an insertion direction 11 of an electric plug 22 connected to an electric cable 21 and an optical plug 24 connected to an optical cable 23 to be inserted into the optical connector 3 and the optical connector of the optical transceiver 6. , The AC power plug 7 is located in a plane whose normal is the direction of insertion 13 into the AC power outlet 25.
[0057]
The configuration described above is realized by providing the AC power plug 7 vertically below the board 2 and mounting the electrical connector 3 and the optical connector of the optical transceiver 6 horizontally on the board 2. As a result, the insertion direction 13 of the AC power plug 7 into the AC power outlet becomes perpendicular to the board 2, and the insertion direction 11 of the electrical plug 22 and the optical plug 24 into the electrical connector 3 and the optical transceiver 6 into the optical connector 11. And 12 are horizontal to the substrate 2.
[0058]
AC power outlets are often provided on the walls of rooms. Therefore, by providing an electrical connector having an optical cable insertion port and an optical transceiver having an optical cable insertion port on a surface perpendicular to the AC power plug insertion direction, the electric plug and the optical plug are arranged on a surface parallel to the wall surface. Therefore, it can be easily connected to the wiring along the wall surface. Further, the thickness protruding from the wall is reduced, and for example, a narrow space such as behind a bookshelf can be used, so that there is no other neat and clean wiring at home.
[0059]
In addition, the mounting positions of the above-described electrical connector 3 and the optical connector of the optical transceiver 6 on the substrate 2 are arranged in directions other than the parallel arrangement direction of the two pins of the AC power plug 7.
[0060]
In FIG. 1, a media converter 1 for optical communication comprises a T-shaped substrate 2 having a portion extending perpendicular to the extension direction of the substrate 2 by extending the substrate 2 in a serial direction of two pins of an AC power plug 7. The electrical connector 3 and the optical connector of the optical transceiver 6 are arranged at both ends of the vertical portion of the optical connector.
[0061]
As a result, the board 2 is not extended in the direction in which the two pins of the AC power plug 7 are arranged in parallel, so that the electrical connector 3 and the optical connector of the optical transceiver 6 are not disposed in this direction. At the time of insertion into an outlet, it is possible to provide a convenient connector arrangement without blocking other insertion ports of the AC power outlet.
[0062]
Generally, as shown in FIG. 3, an AC power outlet is configured. In FIG. 3, a power cord 32 has an A-phase power line 33 and a B-phase power line 34 laid in parallel in an AC power outlet 31, and outlet holes 35, 36 for insertion of an AC power plug 7 thereabove. , 37.
[0063]
Therefore, the outlet holes 35, 36, and 37 of the AC power outlet are arranged in the direction in which the two pins of the AC power plug 7 are arranged in parallel. In other words, the AC power plug 7 of another device may be inserted into the outlet holes 35, 36, and 37 of the AC power outlet in the direction in which the two pins of the AC power plug 7 are arranged in parallel. This is because the converter 1 needs to secure a space for this.
[0064]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of another media converter.
The media converter 41 for optical communication is connected to the substrate 2 on which the electrical connector 3, the electrical interface circuit, the optical transceiver 6, the electrical-optical conversion circuit 4, the optical-electric conversion circuit 5, and the AC-DC conversion circuit 8 are mounted. The power plug 7 is configured to be rotatable in a direction indicated by 45 or a direction indicated by 46 in the plane formed by the movement of the two pins.
[0065]
In FIG. 4, the two pins of the AC power supply plug 7 are respectively fixed to a plug support 44 that is rotatably supported on the substrate 2 by a rotation mechanism 42 by a hinge or the like from the housing of the optical communication media converter 41. The plug support 44 is connected to the AC-DC conversion circuit 8 via the plug-conversion circuit wiring 43 so as to be able to supply a power supply voltage. The plug support 44 is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 2 in the housing, and has a direction indicated by 45. It is configured to be rotatable.
[0066]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the media converter 1 for optical communication has the electrical connector 3 and the optical transceiver 6 on the left side and the AC power supply plug 7 on the right side. When the media converter 1 for optical communication is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow, the electrical connector 3 and the optical transceiver 6 are on the right side and the AC power supply plug 7 is on the left side, as indicated by arrows.
[0067]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, the media converter 1 for optical communication is in a state where the electric cable 21 and the optical cable 23 are on the left side and the AC power supply plug 7 is on the right side, as shown by the dotted line, with respect to the AC power outlet 72, As shown by the solid line, the state where the electric cable 21 and the optical cable 23 are on the right side and the state where the AC power supply plug 7 is on the left side can be alternately changed, so that a flexible power supply voltage can be supplied.
[0068]
The two pins of the AC power supply plug 7 are connected to a plug support 44 that is rotatably supported by a rotation mechanism 42 in a direction of orbiting around the substrate 2 by a hinge or the like from the housing of the optical communication media converter 41. Each of the plug supports 44 is fixed so as to be able to supply a power supply voltage to the AC-DC conversion circuit 8 via a wiring 43 between plug-conversion circuits, and the plug support 44 circulates around the substrate 2 in the housing, as shown at 46. It is configured to be rotatable in the direction.
[0069]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the media converter 1 for optical communication has the electrical connector 3 and the optical transceiver 6 on the left side and the AC power supply plug 7 on the right side. When the media converter 1 for optical communication is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow, the electrical connector 3 and the optical transceiver 6 are on the right side and the AC power supply plug 7 is on the left side, as indicated by arrows.
[0070]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, the media converter 1 for optical communication is in a state where the electric cable 21 and the optical cable 23 are on the left side and the AC power supply plug 7 is on the right side, as shown by the dotted line, with respect to the AC power outlet 72, As shown by the solid lines, the state in which the electric cable 21 and the optical cable 23 are on the right side and the state in which the AC power supply plug 7 is on the left side can be alternately changed, and flexible wiring can be performed by increasing the degree of freedom of wiring.
[0071]
In addition to the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 7B, the optical communication media converter 1 enables a plurality of electric cables 21-1 and 21-2 to be connected to the optical cable 23, and outputs a plurality of electric signals. The configuration may be such that the route is switched and the router is also used.
[0072]
According to the above-described present embodiment, the electric cable and the optical cable can be interconnected without making any special modification to the electric connector and without putting out an extra power line from the optical communication media converter. It is possible to provide a simple and beautiful network wiring.
[0073]
In particular, wiring at home is often done using the wall of the room, in which case an AC power outlet embedded in the wall can be used to interconnect electrical and optical cables. A simple and beautiful network without extra wiring can be constructed.
[0074]
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and that other configurations can be appropriately adopted without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the media converter device for optical communication, and can be applied to an electronic device having a plurality of connectors to which a plurality of cables are inserted and a plurality of connectors to which a plurality of cables are inserted.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
An optical communication media converter device according to the present invention is an optical communication media converter device for performing mutual conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal, wherein an electric plug connected to an electric cable is attached and detached, and the electric power is transmitted through the electric cable. An electrical connector for transmitting and receiving signals, an electrical interface circuit for interfacing electrical signals transmitted and received via the electrical connector, and an optical plug connected to an optical cable are attached and detached to transmit and receive optical signals via the optical cable. And an optical transceiver having a built-in optical interface circuit for interfacing an optical signal transmitted and received through the optical connector, and an optical interface circuit that converts an electric signal from the electric interface circuit into an optical signal and converts the electric signal into an optical signal. The electrical-optical conversion circuit to be supplied and the optical A light-to-electric conversion circuit that converts an optical signal from the interface circuit into an electric signal and supplies the electric signal to the electric interface circuit; and a power supply for the electric-to-light conversion circuit and the light-to-electric conversion circuit, which is attached to and detached from an AC power outlet. An AC power plug for supplying a voltage, and an AC-DC converter for converting an AC voltage supplied through the AC power plug into a DC voltage and supplying the DC voltage to the electric-optical conversion circuit and the optical-electric conversion circuit. Since the circuit and the circuit are arranged in the same housing, the power supply voltage for the operation of converting the above-mentioned optical signal into an electric signal without using a power cord and without improving the terminal of the electric connector is the same. It can be obtained from the AC power plug provided on the board, and it is possible to realize simple and clean wiring while ensuring compatibility, and By the interconnectable Bull, an effect that it is possible to provide a wiring simple and clean network.
[0076]
Further, in the media converter device for optical communication according to the present invention, since the electric connector is an RJ-45 standard connector using an unshielded twisted pair cable, by configuring a simple and more popular home network, It is possible to connect to more devices, and it is possible to diversify the network configuration.
[0077]
Also, in the optical communication media converter device of the present invention, in the above, since the optical connector is a connector for a plastic optical fiber, there is an effect that a secure and low-cost network can be configured. .
[0078]
Further, the media converter device for optical communication according to the present invention may be arranged such that the electrical connector, the electrical interface circuit, the optical transceiver, the electrical-optical conversion circuit, the optical-electric conversion circuit, the AC power plug, and the AC -Since the DC conversion circuit is located on the same board, the space and cost of cables for connecting boards and the space and cost of members for independently supporting each component are reduced. This has the effect that it can be performed.
[0079]
Further, in the above-described optical communication media converter device, the electrical plug and the optical plug inserted into the optical connector of the optical connector and the optical transceiver may have a normal direction with respect to the insertion direction of the AC power plug. By providing an electrical connector having an optical cable insertion port and an optical transceiver having an optical cable insertion port on a surface perpendicular to the AC power plug insertion direction, the electric plug is provided on a surface parallel to the wall surface. And optical plugs will be placed, making it easy to connect to the wiring along the wall, and also reducing the thickness protruding from the wall, making it possible to use narrow space, for example, behind a bookshelf In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to realize a clean wiring which is unique in the home.
[0080]
Also, in the optical communication media converter device of the present invention, in the above description, the mounting positions of the electric connector and the optical transceiver on the board of the optical connector are arranged in a direction other than the parallel arrangement direction of the two pins of the AC power plug. Therefore, since the board is not extended in the direction in which the two pins of the AC power plug are arranged in parallel, the electric connector and the optical connector of the optical transceiver are not disposed in this direction, and the AC power plug is connected to the AC power outlet. At the time of insertion, there is an effect that it is possible to arrange an easy-to-use connector without blocking other insertion ports of the AC power outlet.
[0081]
Also, the media converter device for optical communication according to the present invention, in the above, the electrical connector, the electrical interface circuit, the optical transceiver, the electrical-optical conversion circuit, the optical-electric conversion circuit, and the AC-DC conversion circuit. Since the AC power plug is rotatable in the plane formed by the movement of the two pins with respect to the board to be mounted, the media converter for optical communication uses an electric cable and an optical cable for the AC power outlet. Can alternate between a state where the AC power plug is on one side and the state where the electric cable and the optical cable are on the other side and the AC power plug is on the other side. There is an effect that flexible wiring can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a media converter for optical communication applied to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an insertion direction of an electric plug and an optical plug and an insertion direction of an AC power outlet.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an AC power outlet.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of another media converter.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an information outlet.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where a power plug is rotated.
7A and 7B are diagrams showing a use state. FIG. 7A shows one electric cable, and FIG. 7B shows two electric cables.
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of an optical communication media converter.
9A is a top view, a front view, and a right side view of the optical communication media converter. FIG. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a right side view, and FIG. 9C is a front view.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a conventional home network.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a conventional media converter.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing wiring using a conventional media converter.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a conventional electric (RJ-45) plug-attached media converter.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing power supply.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Media converter for optical communication, 2 ... Board, 3 ... Electrical connector, 4 ... Electrical-optical conversion circuit, 5 ... Optical-electrical conversion circuit, 6 ... Optical transceiver, 7 ... Power plug, 8 AC-DC converter circuit 11 Electric plug insertion direction 12 Optical plug insertion direction 13 Insertion direction to AC power outlet 21 Electric cable 22 Electric plug 23 ... optical cable, 24 ... optical plug, 25 ... AC power outlet, 41,45 ... rotation direction, 42 ... rotation mechanism, 43 ... plug-conversion circuit wiring, 44 ... plug support

Claims (7)

In a media converter device for optical communication that performs mutual conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal,
An electric connector connected to the electric cable is detached, and an electric connector for transmitting and receiving an electric signal through the electric cable,
An electrical interface circuit that interfaces electrical signals transmitted and received via the electrical connector,
An optical transceiver having an optical connector connected to and detached from an optical plug connected to the optical cable, an optical connector for transmitting and receiving an optical signal via the optical cable, and an optical interface circuit for interfacing the optical signal transmitted and received via the optical connector; ,
An electro-optical conversion circuit that converts an electric signal from the electric interface circuit into an optical signal and supplies the optical signal to the optical interface circuit;
An optical-electrical conversion circuit that converts an optical signal from the optical interface circuit into an electric signal and supplies the electric signal to the electric interface circuit,
An AC power plug that is attached to and detached from an AC power outlet and supplies a power supply voltage to the electric-optical conversion circuit and the optical-electric conversion circuit;
An AC-DC conversion circuit that converts an AC voltage supplied through the AC power plug into a DC voltage and supplies the DC voltage to the electro-optical conversion circuit and the photo-electric conversion circuit.
Media converter device for optical communication characterized by being arranged in the same housing The media converter device for optical communication according to claim 1,
The above-mentioned electric connector is an RJ-45 standard connector using an unshielded twisted pair cable, and is a media converter device for optical communication. The media converter device for optical communication according to claim 1,
The optical converter according to claim 1, wherein the optical connector is a connector for a plastic optical fiber. The media converter device for optical communication according to claim 1,
The electrical connector, the electrical interface circuit, the optical transceiver, the electrical-optical conversion circuit, the optical-electrical conversion circuit, the AC power plug, and the AC-DC conversion circuit are arranged on the same board. Characteristic media converter device for optical communication. The media converter device for optical communication according to claim 1,
A media converter for optical communication, wherein an electrical plug inserted into the optical connector of the optical connector and the optical connector of the optical transceiver and an insertion direction of the optical plug are in a plane whose normal line is an insertion direction of the AC power plug. apparatus. The media converter device for optical communication according to claim 1,
A media converter device for optical communication, wherein a mounting position of the optical connector and the optical transceiver on the substrate of the optical connector is arranged in a direction other than a parallel arrangement direction of the two pins of the AC power plug. The media converter device for optical communication according to claim 1,
For the board on which the electrical connector, the electrical interface circuit, the optical transceiver, the electrical-optical conversion circuit, the optical-electrical conversion circuit, and the AC-DC conversion circuit are mounted, connect the AC power plug to A media converter device for optical communication, wherein the media converter device is rotatable in a plane formed by movement.

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