Abstract: An apparatus includes a power-over-Ethernet (POE) interface to be connected to a powered device (PD) over an Ethernet cable and a control circuit. The control circuit is to measure a voltage provided by the apparatus through the Ethernet cable, determine that the voltage has dropped by at least a given voltage change, based on a determination that the voltage has dropped by at least the given voltage change, determine whether or not a predetermined quantity of Maintain Power Signature (MPS) signals have been missed within a given time frame, and, based on a determination that the predetermined quantity of MPS signals has not been missed within the given time frame, determine that the PD is still connected to the apparatus.

Abstract: A mark and hold system comprising a main power supply, a mark voltage power supply and a detection current source. After detection, and optionally classification, the main power supply is disconnected from the PD and instead the PD is connected to the mark voltage power supply. The detection current source draws current through a port resistance of the PSE and the PD. The voltage across the port resistance is monitored to determine whether the PD is still connected to the port.

Abstract: A mark and hold system comprising a main power supply, a mark voltage power supply and a detection current source. After detection, and optionally classification, the main power supply is disconnected from the PD and instead the PD is connected to the mark voltage power supply. The detection current source draws current through a port resistance of the PSE and the PD. The voltage across the port resistance is monitored to determine whether the PD is still connected to the port.

Abstract: A reverse power feeding power PSE in electrical communication with a power source and a DPU, the PSE constituted of: a power output terminal; and a control circuitry, the control circuitry arranged to: output at the power output terminal power from the power source, the output power exhibiting a voltage within a predetermined operating range, after a predetermined inrush time period from an initial output time of the power, determine the magnitude of current flowing through the power output terminal, responsive to the determined current magnitude being greater than a predetermined current draw value, cease the power output.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a control circuitry, a buck mode switching converter, and a low dropout regulator circuit. The buck mode switching converter is arranged to convert a voltage signal received at the input terminal to a first voltage signal at the output terminal responsive to a first predetermined signal output from the control circuitry. The buck mode switching converter includes an electronically controlled switch in communication with an energy storage element. The low dropout regulator circuit is coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal and includes a linear circuit and is arranged to control a voltage drop across the linear circuit so as to provide a second voltage signal at the output terminal responsive to a second predetermined signal output from the control circuitry.

Abstract: A reverse power feeding power PSE in electrical communication with a power source and a DPU, the PSE constituted of: a power output terminal; and a control circuitry, the control circuitry arranged to: output at the power output terminal power from the power source, the output power exhibiting a voltage within a predetermined operating range, after a predetermined inrush time period from an initial output time of the power, determine the magnitude of current flowing through the power output terminal, responsive to the determined current magnitude being greater than a predetermined current draw value, cease the power output.

Abstract: A reverse power feeding PSE in electrical communication with a DPU, the PSE constituted of: a control circuitry; and a detection and classification signal circuitry, arranged to: output a detection signal; output a classification signal; and output an additional signal exhibiting a voltage below an operating range, and wherein the control circuitry is arranged to: responsive to the output first detection signal, detect a valid signature resistance; responsive to the output first classification signal, receive a classification current and determine the class of the DPU; responsive to the output additional signal, detect the absence, or presence, of an off-hook phone; responsive to the detection of the absence of an off-hook phone, and further responsive to the detection of the valid signature resistance, output power exhibiting a voltage within the operating range; and responsive to the detection of the presence of an off-hook phone, not output power.

Abstract: A reverse power feeding PSE in electrical communication with a DPU, the PSE constituted of: a control circuitry; and a detection and classification signal circuitry, arranged to: output a detection signal; output a classification signal; and output an additional signal exhibiting a voltage below an operating range, and wherein the control circuitry is arranged to: responsive to the output first detection signal, detect a valid signature resistance; responsive to the output first classification signal, receive a classification current and determine the class of the DPU; responsive to the output additional signal, detect the absence, or presence, of an off-hook phone; responsive to the detection of the absence of an off-hook phone, and further responsive to the detection of the valid signature resistance, output power exhibiting a voltage within the operating range; and responsive to the detection of the presence of an off-hook phone, not output power.

Abstract: A reverse power feeding system for supplying power from a plurality of first devices to a second device, a first set of the plurality of first devices each being powered by a first type power source and a second set of the plurality of first devices each being powered by a second type power source different than the first type power source, the system constituted of: a plurality of power paths, each of the plurality of power paths arranged to transfer DC power between a respective one of the plurality of first devices and the second device; and a control circuitry, the control circuitry arranged to adjust the amount of power supplied by each of the second set of the plurality of first devices over the power paths responsive to the total amount of power supplied by the first set of the plurality of first devices over the power paths.

Abstract: A reverse power feeding system for supplying power from a plurality of first devices to a second device, a first set of the plurality of first devices each being powered by a first type power source and a second set of the plurality of first devices each being powered by a second type power source different than the first type power source, the system constituted of: a plurality of power paths, each of the plurality of power paths arranged to transfer DC power between a respective one of the plurality of first devices and the second device; and a control circuitry, the control circuitry arranged to adjust the amount of power supplied by each of the second set of the plurality of first devices over the power paths responsive to the total amount of power supplied by the first set of the plurality of first devices over the power paths.

Abstract: A powering arrangement for use with reverse power feeding arranged to detect an improperly connected POTS phone going off-hook by: measuring a first current flow from a power sourcing equipment; identifying a rapid first increase in current flow from the measured first current flow, the rapid increase defined as a rate of change greater than a predetermined minimum rate of change; identifying a second increase in current flow from the measured first current flow, the identified second increase greater than a predetermined minimum amount; confirming that the identified second increase in current flow is maintained for at least a predetermined amount of time beginning with the identified first increase in current flow; and outputting an error signal to the power sourcing equipment in the event of the identified condition.

Abstract: A converter constituted of: an inductor; a plurality of electronically controlled switches; and a control circuitry arranged to operate in a buck-boost mode responsive to the output voltage of the converter being within a predetermined range of the input voltage of the converter, the control circuitry arranged in the buck-boost mode: responsive to a current flowing through the inductor being lower than a predetermined low current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the input voltage and a common potential; responsive to the current flowing through the inductor being greater than a predetermined medium current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the input voltage and the output voltage; and responsive to the current flowing through the inductor being greater than a predetermined high current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the output voltage and the common potential.

Abstract: A power supply unit includes a plurality of the interface ports and a plurality of power delivery units, each coupled to one of the interface ports and configured to extract power from data signals communicated over the interface ports by remote devices. A sharing circuit is coupled to each of the power delivery units for generating a power supply voltage from the power extracted from the data signals. A controller is configured to generate a communication line power loss estimate for each of the interface ports and configure the power delivery units to balance amounts of power supplied by each of the remote devices based on the communication line power loss estimates.

Abstract: A powering arrangement for use with reverse power feeding arranged to detect an improperly connected POTS phone going off-hook by: measuring a first current flow from a power sourcing equipment; identifying a rapid first increase in current flow from the measured first current flow, the rapid increase defined as a rate of change greater than a predetermined minimum rate of change; identifying a second increase in current flow from the measured first current flow, the identified second increase greater than a predetermined minimum amount; confirming that the identified second increase in current flow is maintained for at least a predetermined amount of time beginning with the identified first increase in current flow; and outputting an error signal to the power sourcing equipment in the event of the identified condition.

Abstract: A power supply unit includes a plurality of the interface ports and a plurality of power delivery units, each coupled to one of the interface ports and configured to extract power from data signals communicated over the interface ports by remote devices. A sharing circuit is coupled to each of the power delivery units for generating a power supply voltage from the power extracted from the data signals. A controller is configured to generate a communication line power loss estimate for each of the interface ports and configure the power delivery units to balance amounts of power supplied by each of the remote devices based on the communication line power loss estimates.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a control circuitry, a buck mode switching converter, and a low dropout regulator circuit. The buck mode switching converter is arranged to convert a voltage signal received at the input terminal to a first voltage signal at the output terminal responsive to a first predetermined signal output from the control circuitry. The buck mode switching converter includes an electronically controlled switch in communication with an energy storage element. The low dropout regulator circuit is coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal and includes a linear circuit and is arranged to control a voltage drop across the linear circuit so as to provide a second voltage signal at the output terminal responsive to a second predetermined signal output from the control circuitry.

Abstract: A converter constituted of: an inductor; a plurality of electronically controlled switches; and a control circuitry arranged to operate in a buck-boost mode responsive to the output voltage of the converter being within a predetermined range of the input voltage of the converter, the control circuitry arranged in the buck-boost mode: responsive to a current flowing through the inductor being lower than a predetermined low current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the input voltage and a common potential; responsive to the current flowing through the inductor being greater than a predetermined medium current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the input voltage and the output voltage; and responsive to the current flowing through the inductor being greater than a predetermined high current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the output voltage and the common potential.

Abstract: A method of operating a power converter so as to maintain an output voltage, the method constituted of: receiving an input voltage; generating the output voltage from the input voltage responsive to at least one electronically controlled switch in communication with an inductor; deriving a gate voltage for the at least one electronically controlled switch of the power converter from the received input voltage; and deriving a gate voltage for the electronically controlled switch from the output voltage in place of the derived gate voltage from the input voltage responsive to a predetermined condition of one of the received input voltage and the generated output voltage.

Abstract: A lighting circuit constituted of: a single dimming input; a pulse width modulation acceptance circuit arranged to convert a pulse width modulated dimming signal received at the single dimming input into a local dimming signal, the local dimming signal exhibiting a predetermined format; an analog voltage level acceptance circuit arranged to convert an analog voltage dimming signal received at the single dimming input into the local dimming signal exhibiting the predetermined format; and a luminaire driving circuit responsive to the local dimming signal.

Abstract: An LED driver arrangement wherein a low voltage IC is arranged to sample the voltage at a terminal of each of the respective electronically controlled switches controlling a plurality of LED strings each receiving power from a single source, with the single source providing voltage in excess of the voltage rating of the IC. For each electronically controlled switch a controllable current source and an isolating unidirectional electronic valve is provided, the respective current source being enabled only when the respective associated electronically controlled switch is at least partially closed thereby ensuring that the respective isolating unidirectional electronic valve associated with the respective illuminating LED string conducts, and the voltage at the terminal of the respective electronically controlled switch is thus seen by the IC when the associated LED string is producing illumination, the voltage then being lower than the maximum voltage rating of the IC.