MULTI-PORT COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

摘要

A communications device includes a multi-port jack housing having portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the front for receiving respective mating plugs. Signal connectors are preferably positioned within each of the recesses and define respective communications ports. A circuit board is positioned within the multi-port jack housing and preferably extends adjacent the back. The communications device preferably includes at least one communications processor, either shared or switched, for example, mounted on the circuit board and connected to the plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals. A communications processor preferably communicates with two or more of the communications ports. In embodiments including a plurality of communications processors, a communications bus is provided on the circuit board interconnecting the communications processors. The signal connectors may be electrical and/or optical, and may be compatible with an RJ-45 jack. An internal EMI shield may be provided in the circuit board.