I've followed a few tutorials and I'm really happy with the product and now thinking about another project.
Basically I want to cut up a cat 5 cable and run 7 of the cables through a punch down socket and one of the cables through a PIN and then OUT on another pin. This would in effect disconnect the device from the network. I know this can be done using relays but obviously that would increase the power usage which is something I want to limit.
So the idea I have is that a switch will trigger my arduino to flow data from pin 8 to pin 9 without adding any voltage or interference. Is this possible and can anyone lead me somewhere in the right direction. Thanks.
Do you need an arduino? Could you use a reed switch and a magnet as the switch? Not sure if the disruption of the cable magnetic fields will constitute to much interference.
A little interference won't hurt since 1000mbps isn't required and 100mbit is normal accepts more interference. The reed switch seems a good idea apart from the fact I have no idea how to trigger it. Basically I'm using a 433mhz transmitter and receiver that is using a relay but I find the relay simply draws to much power. I thought the arduino might be able to help by simply not using a relay. So, how would you trigger a reed switch remotely?
Remotely interrupt the communication on a network connection for testing purposes. Disconnecting the port physically isn't practical because turning it back on is not instant. Disabling the orange cable which I believe is RX doesn't disconnect the connection and is a good way of emulating lag. Maybes there's a better way of using a shield but again, they'll only increase the power usage for something so simple. I'm only to other suggestions through.
If your wanting to remotely switch the reed then that's a different matter. Maybe a small reed relay will draw less power than your current relay does or could you use a transistor to switch?
Sounds like you know a bit about freqs, Do you know anything that would allow and disallow data to be transfered using kind of switch circuit. Could using a transistor do the trick? like Ardiuno triggers base on a transistor allowing the data to flow through the collector and emitter? I have no clue when it comes to passing data connections. Any help would be appreciated, or even pushed in the right direction where to look. Thanks!
You just want a digital switch? Put your signal into one input on an AND gate, a HIGH from Arduino into the other input will let your signal pass thru unchanged, a LOW will cause the output to be LOW.
"Disconntected" - you can use one gate of an 74HC125, with an enable pin controlled by Arduino - the gate output is tristated/high impedance, or effectively disconnected, when output enable is HIGH. When LOW, the output follows the input. Can buy in a quad gate package, or in small (SMD_ single gate packages.
CrossRoads:
you can use one gate of an 74HC125, with an enable pin controlled by Arduino
I happen to have this AND Gate ST Microelectronics 2034 datasheet pdf would this be good enough or should I proceed to get hold of an 74HC125, thanks for your advice by the way.
You want to use the sort of change over relay that radio hams use for switching over their antenna.
These are screened coax change over relays. A reed relay and even a normal one will not stop RF from going through it whether it is open or closed.
It will introduce an impedance miss match that could cause trouble however, no way to tell until you try it.
Hey Grumpy_Mike, I decided to attempt using a logic gate (74HC125) just waiting for them to arrive... Have no idea how I would hook this up, really need a good resource to read regarding IC chips ;/\
No nether have I.
This is because if you look at the data sheet at the transition time it is quoted at 4nS. You need two transitions to complete a cycle, so the fastest the output can go is 8nS. That corresponds to a frequency of 125MHz.