Patents by Inventor Andrea Vigna

Andrea Vigna has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9665151
    Abstract: A method for detecting and classifying powered devices in power over Ethernet/non-power over Ethernet applications is described. In one or more implementations, the method includes deactivating a non-power over Ethernet component for a predetermined time period. The method also includes activating an isolation switch of a powered device after the predetermined time period has elapsed since no characteristic impedance associated with the powered device has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaoling Zou, Thong A. Huynh, Mauro Ranzato, Andrea Vigna, Gianluca Mariano
  • Patent number: 9640989
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of isolation transistors in high power Power over Ethernet (PoE) networks to achieve greater power delivery to a load is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a first power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device controller configured to control power supply to a load, and a second PoE powered device controller coupled to the load and to the first PoE powered device controller. The second PoE powered device controller is connected to the first PoE powered device controller using a shared connection interface and is configured to control power supply to the load. The shared connection interface is configured to synchronize the first PoE powered device controller and the second PoE powered device controller to deliver power at least substantially contemporaneously to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauro Ranzato, Andrea Vigna, Gaoling Zou, Thong A. Huynh, Gianluca Mariano
  • Patent number: 9553525
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to at least partially prevent back powering of power sourcing equipment. In one or more implementations, the method includes detecting a magnitude of current through a current sensor, such as a transistor and/or a resistor. The active FET bridge is configured to rectify input power supplied by power sourcing equipment to a power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device. The method also includes causing the transistor to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration to at least substantially prevent current flow through the transistor when the magnitude of current is below a predefined threshold to at least substantially prevent back powering of the PSE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thong A. Huynh, Gaoling Zou, Andrea Vigna, Mauro Ranzato, Gianluca Mariano
  • Patent number: 9548613
    Abstract: A system for sinking maintain power signature (MPS) current to a rectifier bridge from a powered device (PD) controller in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) network is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a rectifier bridge configured to electrically connect to Power over Ethernet power sourcing equipment for receiving power from the power sourcing equipment. The system also includes a powered device controller operatively connected to the rectifier bridge and configured to control power supplied to a load. The load is configured to receive power from the power sourcing equipment and a second power source. The powered device controller is configured to source maintain power signature current to the power sourcing equipment using an input of the rectifier bridge when the second power source is furnishing power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Vigna, Mauro Ranzato, Gianluca Mariano, Gaoling Zou, Thong A. Huynh
  • Publication number: 20140085948
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to at least partially prevent back powering of power sourcing equipment. In one or more implementations, the method includes detecting a magnitude of current through a current sensor, such as a transistor and/or a resistor. The active FET bridge is configured to rectify input power supplied by power sourcing equipment to a power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device. The method also includes causing the transistor to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration to at least substantially prevent current flow through the transistor when the magnitude of current is below a predefined threshold to at least substantially prevent back powering of the PSE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thong A. Huynh, Gaoling Zou, Andrea Vigna, Mauro Ranzato, Gianluca Mariano
  • Publication number: 20140084681
    Abstract: A system for sinking maintain power signature (MPS) current to a rectifier bridge from a powered device (PD) controller in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) network is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a rectifier bridge configured to electrically connect to Power over Ethernet power sourcing equipment for receiving power from the power sourcing equipment. The system also includes a powered device controller operatively connected to the rectifier bridge and configured to control power supplied to a load. The load is configured to receive power from the power sourcing equipment and a second power source. The powered device controller is configured to source maintain power signature current to the power sourcing equipment using an input of the rectifier bridge when the second power source is furnishing power to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Vigna, Mauro Ranzato, Gianluca Mariano, Gaoling Zou, Thong A. Huynh
  • Publication number: 20140084691
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of isolation transistors in high power Power over Ethernet (PoE) networks to achieve greater power delivery to a load is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a first power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device controller configured to control power supply to a load, and a second PoE powered device controller coupled to the load and to the first PoE powered device controller. The second PoE powered device controller is connected to the first PoE powered device controller using a shared connection interface and is configured to control power supply to the load. The shared connection interface is configured to synchronize the first PoE powered device controller and the second PoE powered device controller to deliver power at least substantially contemporaneously to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Mauro Ranzato, Andrea Vigna, Gaoling Zou, Thong A. Huynh, Gianluca Mariano