Importance

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Abstract

A media detection system that detects an external device coupled to a port of a network device and that establishes a working communication link. The media detection system includes a port connector including first and second contact sets and a physical layer device which includes a transmit output and a receive input. The physical layer device monitors its receive input for communication signals and provides a link detect signal indicative thereof. The media detection system further includes a select circuit that selectively couples the transmit output and the receive input of the physical layer device to the first and second contact sets, respectively, of the port connector in a first state and crosses the connection in a second state. A control circuit is provided that toggles the select circuit between the first and second states until the link detect signal indicates reception of communication signals, whereupon the control circuit holds the select circuit in the particular state in which communication signals were detected. If the link signal is negated thereby indicating subsequent loss of the communication signals, the control circuit preferably returns to the toggle mode to detect a new device coupled to the port.

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First Claim