Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing 10BASE-T Ethernet compatible data communications between multiple network elements, such as computers, computer peripherals, computerized appliances, and the like, over a two wire residential phone line. Each network element may include a 10BASE-T compatible network interface card (NIC) for interfacing between the network element and the residential phone line through the device of the present invention. A transmit/receive switch, set to a default receive position, is coupled between the two wire residential phone line and a NIC, each NIC having a transmit and receive wire pair. The NIC senses receive energy originating from the residential phone lines. When receive energy is no longer sensed at the NIC, a transmit signal may be generated by the NIC, placed on the transmit wire pair. A carrier sensor having a control logic unit changes the transmit/receive switch to transmit position when the transmit signal is detected, coupling transmit data through the switch to the residential phone line. The carrier sensor/control logic unit returns the transmit/receive switch to the receive position to resume carrier sensing in accord with CSMA/CD protocol specifications on the two wire medium.

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First Claim