Transceiver for local network using carrier-sense multiple access/collision detection

Claim 1

In a transceiver for a station of a carrier-sense multiple access network with network access controlled by collision detection, wherein the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter includes a current source output stage, the receiver includes collision detection means for detecting the presence of two or more stations in the network transmitting simultaneously, and the transmitter current source and receiver collision detection means are coupled via a coaxial cable which provides a communications channel for the network, the improvement comprising: the transmitter current source being constructed of emitter-coupled logic which requires d.c. power within a first, specified voltage range and an output voltage not exceeding a level at which the current source circuitry becomes a voltage source, such level being termed the compliance limit of the current source; the receiver's collision detection means requiring d.c. power within a second voltage range; first power supply means for supplying voltage within the first range; second power supply means for supplying voltage within the second range; the first range extending between a first voltage and a second voltage; the second range extending between said second voltage and a third voltage; and the third voltage also being the voltage on the coaxial cable with no signal imposed thereon; whereby the voltage swing at the output of the transmitter current source can extend from the third voltage to the compliance limit of the transmitter current source, which is in the first range, in the event of a collision between two or more transmitters, thereby preventing saturation of the current source and making the collision condition detectable by the collision detection means.