Nortel Networks Corporation

Silicon Laboratories Inc.

Kevin G Smith

Keith S Fischer

Corey A Selby

Axel Thomsen

Ligang Zhang

David M Pietruszynski

Robert W Smith

Derrick Chunkai Wei

Ying Shi

Steven P Proffitt

An improved electromagnetic shielding structure has been discovered. In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes an inductor and an electrically conductive enclosure that electromagnetically shields the inductor. The electrically conductive enclosure has an aperture at least as large as the inductor. The aperture is substantially centered around a projected surface of the inductor. The apparatus may include one or more electrically conductive links extending across the aperture and electrically coupled to the electrically conductive enclosure. The electrically conductive links reduce an effect of electromagnetic signals external to the electrically conductive enclosure on the inductor.

Electromagnetic shielding structure

An electromagnetically-shielded high-Q inductor may be fabricated within a multi-layer package substrate (MLS). The inductor is preferably constructed as a loop structure on a layer of the MLS, and a shielding structure is formed around the inductor to substantially enclose the inductor in a Faraday cage-like enclosure. The shielding structure includes a top plate formed above the inductor on another layer of the MLS, and a bottom plate formed on yet another layer of the MLS or on a layer of an integrated circuit die which is below and attached to the MLS, preferably using solder bumps. Shielding structure sidewalls may be formed by a ring of stacked vias or via channels. The inductor is preferably connected to stacked vias which provide a connection to the underlying integrated circuit die by way of additional solder bumps and cut-outs through the bottom plate of the shielding structure.

Integrated circuit package configuration incorporating shielded circuit element structure

A system is provided for communicating data between a first device and a second device across a communication link. Data is communicated between the first device and the second device across the communication link using a first protocol. Management information is communicated between the first device and the second device across the communication link using a second protocol. The system is capable of determining whether the first device is capable of communicating management information with the second device. If the first device is capable of communicating management information with the second device, then the system enables the communication of management information between the first device and the second device.

Method and apparatus for communicating data and management information

A method and apparatus for expanding multiple token rings by interconnecting multiple multi-ring hubs. The computer networking hubs of the present invention are operable to support multiple token ring networks. In addition, the networking hubs of the present invention include a cable interface configured to interconnect the multiple token ring networks to a single cable interconnected with a separate hub, which is also configured to support multiple token rings. As a result, multiple token rings are able to be expanded across multiple networking hubs. In one embodiment, the networking hubs of the present invention are further operable to receive signals from remote nodes via a first signal mode. The signals are converted to a second signal mode to be transmitted internally. To transmit the signals to a separate hub, the signals are re-converted to the first signal mode and transmitted to a separate networking hub via the first signal mode. Transmitting between the separate hubs via the first signal mode helps to preserve the signal integrity and decrease the cross-talk between the wires of the cable interconnecting the hubs.

Method and apparatus for providing a multiple-ring token ring hub

A system controls the configuration of a Token Ring network port having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The system includes a mode selector having a first state associated with the first mode of operation and a second state associated with the second mode of operation. A switching device is coupled to the mode selector and the network port. The switching device has a first configuration associated with the first mode of operation and a second configuration associated with the second mode of operation. The network port may include multiple signal wires that are coupled in different configurations by the switching device based on the switching device configuration. Additionally, the switching device may be coupled to receive a phantom current in the first configuration and coupled to transmit a phantom current in the second configuration. A detector can be coupled to the switching device to detect a phantom current in the first mode of operation.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Kevin G Smith